"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Brasstown Baldbuster or Athens?

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merlinextraligh
02-01-07, 07:26 AM
Looks like the Brasstown Bald Buster century, and the Athens Twilight criterium are on the same day. I've always wanted to go to the Athens race and do the master's race and watch the pro Twilight crit.
I hear its a blast.

However, for my training goals, I need to do Brasstown. I could drive from Helen to Athens after Brasstown, to watch the Pro race and for the party.

Then there's the next day, where I can train in the mountains a second day, or go do the Roswell crit. Logistically, it might be a bit much to go to Athens, if the plan is to go back for more hillwork on Sunday.

Any insights from people familiar with the Athens Twilight crit?

branman1986
02-01-07, 08:10 AM
I haven't been to the Athens crit before, but I hear it's something you don't want to miss. It's probably the race I'm most excited about seeing/racing.

I imagine the Athen's masters race will be absolutely smoking fast
branman1986
02-01-07, 08:33 AM
I emailed a teammate and got this response:

"this is one of the best racing weekends IMO. Saturday morning is the
amateur racing (all cat's). If you place in the top 13 in the 4's you
get to do the 3/4 crit in downtown Athens in front of the big crowd. So
you need to move up to the 4's before then. Then you can hang out and
drink while watching the pro's race under the lights. Skip the
brasstown thing."

Dubbayoo
02-01-07, 10:39 AM
As a native Atlantan I can tell you the Twilight Crit is something to be witnessed by every cyclist at least once. The only crit I've ever witnessed that felt like watching a Tour stage. A total party atmosphere. For a racer from Georgia to be able to say they raced under the lights is a BIG DEAL. 25,000-30,000 people watching is not an exaggeration with good weather.

A John Lieswyn quote from 2000:

Our average speed was the highest in Twilight history these first 20 laps, over 34mph

I say do Brasstown then get thee to Athens come Hell or high water. I have never seen the Roswell Crit. It started after I moved. Depending where you're staying it should be easy to get back to the mountains on Sunday. Athens is an easy 70 minutes from Atlanta and less to Dahlonega..although not a straight shot.