Road Bike Racing - Valley of the Sun Stage Race - anyone doing this one?

Anyone planning on doing the Valley of the Sun Stage Race (http://www.wmrc.org/vos06/vos_index.html), February 17th - 19th, 2006? I'm thinking I might make the drive out there this year.

Looks like fun: :D
22 km TT (small hills)
16 mi/lap RR (moderate hills)
1 mi figure-8 CT course (no hills)




http://www.bikereg.com/images/events/logo/2811VOS.gif (http://www.wmrc.org/vos06/vos_index.html)

Looks like a lot of driving. 50 miles to the TT, 45 miles to the RR, that's 200 round trip give or take, plus 5=6 hours getting there for you, 8 for me. If I lived in Pheonix it would be a "probably".

Better plan:

It's also the weekend of the start of the Tour of California, and there are several SF Bay Area races (2 crits and an RR) going on that weekend.

I'd drive north if I was in SoCal. Take in a stage or two, throw some base miles and a race or two in...

I wish I could fly down for that...:( Looks like it'll be a blast. Then fly up and see the Tour of California!

Better plan:

It's also the weekend of the start of the Tour of California, and there are several SF Bay Area races (2 crits and an RR) going on that weekend.

I'd drive north if I was in SoCal. Take in a stage or two, throw some base miles and a race or two in...

Hmm, that's another idea but it looks like quite a lot of driving in that direction too. Plus there's probably a better chance of nice weather in Phoenix than up north in CA that time of the year.

Hmm, that's another idea but it looks like quite a lot of driving in that direction too. Plus there's probably a better chance of nice weather in Phoenix than up north in CA that time of the year.

True, but there's better food in Frisco. Plus, consider the equation:

(NoCal + spring = bad weather < determination of pro riders + prize money x spectacle) = (inspired rec racer with intestinal fortitude x training in bad weather) = (HARD MAN > SoCal woosies who stay in when it rains) = victories

Simple, ain't it?

True, but there's better food in Frisco. Plus, consider the equation:

(NoCal + spring = bad weather < determination of pro riders + prize money x spectacle) = (inspired rec racer with intestinal fortitude x training in bad weather) = (HARD MAN > SoCal woosies who stay in when it rains) = victories

Simple, ain't it?

LOL, good equation!!

MMM... Denver to Phoenix, about 900 miles - good warm up for the race!
Now, which bike to ride down there.

MMM... Denver to Phoenix, about 900 miles - good warm up for the race!
Now, which bike to ride down there.
:D

I've been reading and thinking about this since I did my first race a few months ago.

Its a 10 hour drive down from PC, UT but seems like the perfect weekend getaway.

Getaway form the snow, wife, kids and ride three days, priceless.

I was curious after the Tour of CA was announced how that would affect the CA turnout.

I have been counting the Cat 5's registrations for about a week now, I am goign to have to pull the trigger soon.

The reason for the delay is a possible move to Denver, but I think I would just man up and make the drive anyhow.

I have been counting the Cat 5's registrations for about a week now, I am goign to have to pull the trigger soon.

I didn't think about that. I think the CAT4 had a 100 limit. Couldn't possibly fill up that quickly.

True, but there's better food in Frisco. Plus, consider the equation:

(NoCal + spring = bad weather < determination of pro riders + prize money x spectacle) = (inspired rec racer with intestinal fortitude x training in bad weather) = (HARD MAN > SoCal woosies who stay in when it rains) = victories

Simple, ain't it?
Funny equation. I am from SoCal and I'll bet that I raced more times in the rain last spring than many people raced all year. I guess I am not a SoCal woosie who stays in when it rains. I didn't have much choice last year.
I have been turned away from this race because of full fields, so register early. Arizona is probably a better option for the weather but the last time I did this race, we raced the TT and the road race in the rain.

I am definitely planning to go. Did it last year, first race ever...with the flu. Was a bad experience, want to go back this year having upped categories and put the hurt down, haha.

I'm thinking about it but am a little concerned about the TT as I don't have a TT bike. The best I could probably do by that time is aero bars. :rolleyes: I'll probably end up loosing a lot of time on that stage :(

On the other hand, that Crit downtown sounds like a lot of fun :D

I'm thinking about it but am a little concerned about the TT as I don't have a TT bike. The best I could probably do by that time is aero bars. :rolleyes: I'll probably end up loosing a lot of time on that stage :(

On the other hand, that Crit downtown sounds like a lot of fun :D

I wonder if some of the more experienced racers can give us a breakdown of % of guys that will have full on TT bikes vs. Road/Bar setup, just a guestimate by class would be nice (thank you!). I would think that in the 5s and 4s it would be mostly Road/Bars setup but I honestly don't have any idea. When I've done local TTs my lowly Felt S25 was the least equipped TT bike out there, everyone had the disks and tri-spokes/TTframes.

I've traded in the S25 for my racing machine (R1000) so I just would go with the idea that I'm not in it for the overall, just to pick up some stage wins (que "ROFLMAO") ala Bogard or Bagstad.

Would you be going 5s with wins in mind or 4s with good training and getting in a early season race in mind?

I wonder if some of the more experienced racers can give us a breakdown of % of guys that will have full on TT bikes vs. Road/Bar setup, just a guestimate by class would be nice (thank you!). I would think that in the 5s and 4s it would be mostly Road/Bars setup but I honestly don't have any idea. When I've done local TTs my lowly Felt S25 was the least equipped TT bike out there, everyone had the disks and tri-spokes/TTframes.

I've traded in the S25 for my racing machine (R1000) so I just would go with the idea that I'm not in it for the overall, just to pick up some stage wins (que "ROFLMAO") ala Bogard or Bagstad.


I'll ask at our ride tonight. So far Swiss American (who I'll probably race with) has (5) Cat 5's registered for that race.



Would you be going 5s with wins in mind or 4s with good training and getting in a early season race in mind?

If you're asking me...I have no delusions of winning, I just don't want to embarass myself to badly :o It'll also only be my second race, so I don't know that I have a choice.

I'll ask at our ride tonight. So far Swiss American (who I'll probably race with) has (5) Cat 5's registered for that race.



If you're asking me...I have no delusions of winning, I just don't want to embarass myself to badly :o It'll also only be my second race, so I don't know that I have a choice.


Ooops the 5win/4ride question was for TCR, I had read on an earlier post where he was looking to updgrade this year, point being, if he's going 4 why, worry about the overall.

Will be interested to hear what you learn from your teamates.

After actually getting to ride x-mas eve day for a couple of hours I promptly fell down our stairs and bruised my back horribly so the VOS is getting further and further from reality.

Ooops the 5win/4ride question was for TCR, I had read on an earlier post where he was looking to updgrade this year, point being, if he's going 4 why, worry about the overall.

Will be interested to hear what you learn from your teamates.

After actually getting to ride x-mas eve day for a couple of hours I promptly fell down our stairs and bruised my back horribly so the VOS is getting further and further from reality.

If I go, which I haven't decided yet, I'd be racing the 4's and definetly not worrying about the overall. I don't have a TT bike and not even sure I'd bother with with aero bars for the TT. I'd just be going for the experience, the fun, and maybe try my luck at a breakaway. :rolleyes: Yea right, more like try my luck at not getting dropped. :D

in my *limited* experience, there's very little difference between speed of 4 and 5 races, if you think you can win as a 5, chances are you can compete well as a 4. there's just a lower chance of being crashed out by some n00b in the 4 race.

2 things, from what I heard last night, most 4s and 5s and even a lot of 3s use clip-ons or nothing at all in a race of this sort.

Also, if you do a stage race like this, does that count as 3 starts toward your 10 start count for moving up to Cat 4?

bvfrompc, hope you feel better soon and are able to make it.

Steve

Also, if you do a stage race like this, does that count as 3 starts toward your 10 start count for moving up to Cat 4?

TT doesn't count as a mass start so it would count as two as long as you finish both the RR and Crit.

2 things, from what I heard last night, most 4s and 5s and even a lot of 3s use clip-ons or nothing at all in a race of this sort.

bvfrompc, hope you feel better soon and are able to make it.

Steve

Good to know info about the TT

Sneezed last night and heard crunching from the middle of my back, its x-rays tomorrow morn. Thank you for the thoughts.

So it turns out it was two broken ribs.

So who is in that I can watch on-line,

dang it looks like a good time.

Decided to go to VOS. Earliest I've ever started the race season, but weather's been nice here in Denver and been riding (hard) about 125 miles per week. Big ride up Deer Creek tomorrow (70+ miles RT from the house). What's sick is I did the same ride two weeks ago in knickers. Looks like the same for tomorrow. Then a hammerfest on Sunday during the football game (no cars).

A couple of good NM races in March too! And one's an omnium.

sun

Decided to go to VOS. Earliest I've ever started the race season, but weather's been nice here in Denver and been riding (hard) about 125 miles per week. Big ride up Deer Creek tomorrow (70+ miles RT from the house). What's sick is I did the same ride two weeks ago in knickers. Looks like the same for tomorrow. Then a hammerfest on Sunday during the football game (no cars).

A couple of good NM races in March too! And one's an omnium.

sun

Great, I'll be there as well. So which bike did you decide to ride down :D

Who else is registered and what Cat? I'm running Cat 5 and can't wait for the crit race on Sunday. :D Hope to have my suedo TT bike completed this week to get some time on it.

um...you don't need a TT bike for a cat 4 or 5 race. It looks nice, but a set of clip-ons will do you fine (I run a disc cover on the rear). I wouldn't worry about the equipment being the limiter, I'd be more worried about the guys who were sandbagging...

um...you don't need a TT bike for a cat 4 or 5 race. It looks nice, but a set of clip-ons will do you fine (I run a disc cover on the rear). I wouldn't worry about the equipment being the limiter, I'd be more worried about the guys who were sandbagging...

That's why I said "suedo" :D It's my TT/crit bike ;) Clip ons, bullhorns, bar end shifters, 175 cranks and it's a "TT bike". Back to regular setup and 170 cranks and it's a "crit bike" :)

BTW, does the disc cover work well?

The equipment won't be my limiter, the engine on the other hand could use an overhaul :o

I don't give a piss about sandbaggers. When I cross the finish line, I know if I gave it my best effort and at the end of the day, that's what I feel good or bad about. Doesn't mean I don't want to be competitive, I just don't get hung up on excuses. :rolleyes:

Actually, what I suspect will be the fastest TT time in Cat 5 will come from somebody on a full TT bike. Although I don't know that you could call him a "sandbagger". He doesn't have enough mass starts to move up, what else can you expect him to do?