Southern California - Baker to Death Valley Road Race

This was mentioned in a couple threads, but I figured why not one more...

The race is set for 10/28 and goes 80 miles or so from Baker to Death Valley. The flyer has the course info, as well as info for the climbs (yes, it isn't flat).

http://www.californiabicycleracing.org/10.28.07.bike.race.pdf

Is anyone else doing it?

:DI'm in!

This was mentioned in a couple threads, but I figured why not one more...

The race is set for 10/28 and goes 80 miles or so from Baker to Death Valley. The flyer has the course info, as well as info for the climbs (yes, it isn't flat).

http://www.californiabicycleracing.org/10.28.07.bike.race.pdf

Is anyone else doing it?


Its probably a bad idea but I really want one more race this year to get my upgrade to cat 4, so I may do it. Have to talk to the wife first...

I'm in! :D

(Well, if lobbing water bottles from the feed zone counts...) ;)

I'm too slow to race right now......maybe in March I'll be ready. I'll also be doing the MTB winter series at Fontucky in Jan.

I'll still be out that way for DV Double the day before. Maybe we'll get to see you finish.

I'll still be out that way for DV Double the day before. Maybe we'll get to see you finish.

Hey Vance... we can hang out at the Feed Zone together!

Although I must admit, my anticipation of "fun" was somewhat curtailed. I was informed that I simply hand over the bottles to the rider, not aim and throw them at moving targets.

I didn't realize you were being serious about working the race. Do you know which station?

I have no idea what I'm doing. :rolleyes::D Sonia can't make it so I'm JP's workmule for the day.

I have no idea what I'm doing. :rolleyes::D Sonia can't make it so I'm JP's workmule for the day.

Could you take care of me too:love:

Could you take care of me too:love:

And you might as well come up a day early and take care of the poor double victims... :D

If I can, I will. I'm such a sucker for you b@stards. ;):p

If I can, I will. I'm such a sucker for you b@stards. ;):p

Can Sonia and WCD's wife split the hourly charge? :p

Hey, if they don't mind... I get paid all the same! ;)

I'm in the same situation as umd, one or two races short of an upgrade from the Vs, and would really like to start next season as a IV.

Problem is nobody local to me, that I know of, is doing it. I don't really want to foot the gas/lodging bill solo, and don't know how I'd get back to my car after the race, so I'll probably have to skip it.

There's a CX race that weekend that I can do instead. Too bad CX races don't count as a "mass start" for purposes of your Cat IV upgrade.

Isn't 80 miles excessive for a cat 5 race?

I was really hoping to do this even though I knew I wouldn't be in race shape. However, I found out that the Casino night fundraiser for Brea Olinda High School's girls basketball team is the night before. My stepdaughter is a freshman and will be starting on Varsity this year so I was informed that my attendance is a must. I really don't feel like driving to Baker late at night or early in the morning. Chris is an awesome promotor and I like to support what he does. Now that I hear Happytime is going to be in the feedzone, I'm really sorry to miss it. John do me a favor and be sure to tell Chris or Vera that I am sorry to miss the race and I will be there for sure if they put it on in the spring.
Regarding the Cat. 5 upgrades- If you guys can show that you belong in the 4s and have any upgrade points from 4/5 races, I'll bet they will process your upgrade with a combo of 9 starts and some points from 4/5 races. I know two guys that they have done this for in recent years. I haven't heard of them being super sticky on the 10 starts if you have some points.

BTW 80 miles is pretty far for a Cat 5 race but it is point to point and I think they are trying to minimize costs and use 1 start and 1 finish.

Regarding the Cat. 5 upgrades- If you guys can show that you belong in the 4s and have any upgrade points from 4/5 races, I'll bet they will process your upgrade with a combo of 9 starts and some points from 4/5 races. I know two guys that they have done this for in recent years. I haven't heard of them being super sticky on the 10 starts if you have some points.

Well I have no upgrade points, just 9 races. They denied me an upgrade with what I have, so one more race and they have no choice...

Regarding the Cat. 5 upgrades- If you guys can show that you belong in the 4s and have any upgrade points from 4/5 races, I'll bet they will process your upgrade with a combo of 9 starts and some points from 4/5 races. I know two guys that they have done this for in recent years. I haven't heard of them being super sticky on the 10 starts if you have some points.

BTW 80 miles is pretty far for a Cat 5 race but it is point to point and I think they are trying to minimize costs and use 1 start and 1 finish.

Seems to me they're being sticklers.

3rd at Boulevard, 5th overall at San Dimas, 6 total races, and holding a semi-pro NORBA license wasn't enough for an upgrade earlier in the season. Haven't done any road racing since San Dimas except for Everest Challenge, so I'm still only up to 8 total.

CX races probably don't count for anything, on the road, either.

Shoulda done a couple crits I guess.

Hi,

My teammate and I are basically in. We just need to figure out the car logistics. I have another friend who is probably going with his wife so we can probably bum a ride with them back to Baker. All of us will be in the 30+ 1/2/3 race.

Hi,

My teammate and I are basically in. We just need to figure out the car logistics. I have another friend who is probably going with his wife so we can probably bum a ride with them back to Baker. All of us will be in the 30+ 1/2/3 race.


Cleave, glad to hear you'll make it. It looks like we may have 6 going.

I was really hoping to do this even though I knew I wouldn't be in race shape. However, I found out that the Casino night fundraiser for Brea Olinda High School's girls basketball team is the night before. My stepdaughter is a freshman and will be starting on Varsity this year so I was informed that my attendance is a must. I really don't feel like driving to Baker late at night or early in the morning. Chris is an awesome promotor and I like to support what he does. Now that I hear Happytime is going to be in the feedzone, I'm really sorry to miss it. John do me a favor and be sure to tell Chris or Vera that I am sorry to miss the race and I will be there for sure if they put it on in the spring.
Regarding the Cat. 5 upgrades- If you guys can show that you belong in the 4s and have any upgrade points from 4/5 races, I'll bet they will process your upgrade with a combo of 9 starts and some points from 4/5 races. I know two guys that they have done this for in recent years. I haven't heard of them being super sticky on the 10 starts if you have some points.

BTW 80 miles is pretty far for a Cat 5 race but it is point to point and I think they are trying to minimize costs and use 1 start and 1 finish.

I'll mention it to Chris when I see him. Is anyone else from SC Velo going to be there?

Happytime's going to help out with the race, do you know if she can drive a support vehicle and also work the feed zone, or is it too hard to do both?

Silly question... how do we get back to our cars from the finish?

Silly question... how do we get back to our cars from the finish?

:D

Silly question... how do we get back to our cars from the finish?

You've got a bike... :D

If Happytime's driving a support vehicle (my minivan) it's got a rack for 4 bikes.

You've got a bike... :D

If Happytime's driving a support vehicle (my minivan) it's got a rack for 4 bikes.

Um.. you mean 2 more bikes:D

Um.. you mean 2 more bikes:D

Yup.

Um.. you mean 2 more bikes:D


He must mean 1 more bike then cause I got dibs on the third spot. But seriously, they must have account for this somehow?

Three guys in a minivan after an 80-mile race in the desert.

I better bring some of these:
http://i3.ebayimg.com/06/i/08/63/a5/0d_1_b.JPG

Three guys in a minivan after an 80-mile race in the desert.

I better bring some of these:
http://i3.ebayimg.com/06/i/08/63/a5/0d_1_b.JPG

Bring three and hang them around our necks.

He must mean 1 more bike then cause I got dibs on the third spot. But seriously, they must have account for this somehow?

Chris said they have a few spaces for solo riders but they're filling up.

Three guys in a minivan after an 80-mile race in the desert.

I better bring some of these:
http://i3.ebayimg.com/06/i/08/63/a5/0d_1_b.JPG

Take along this too

http://www.ryanmail.net/cubeguy/clothespin.jpg

Hi umd,

There used to be be more point-to-point races in Central and SoCal. They always require that you figure out how to get back to the start to get your car, etc. except for Death Valley to Mt. Whitney in the 1980s. (They put you on an old and slow school bus for a long and hot ride back to Stovepipe Well. :eek: ) I did a race up Highway 39 to Crystal Lake with nothing pre-arranged and I was lucky enough to catch a ride back down to the start in the back of a pickup truck -- illegal these days. (The arrangement they had with the CHP was that riders would not ride back down to the start.)

It's so hard for organizers to get permission to use these roads and set up the race logistics that arranging for transportation back to the start is just too much additional work. Besides, bike racers are generally very resourceful. ;)

BTW, what is the "Feed Zone Rule"?

Does that mean I can't pass out the EPO and do my Spastic Monkey Dance in the designated area?

BTW, what is the "Feed Zone Rule"?

Does that mean I can't pass out the EPO and do my Spastic Monkey Dance in the designated area?

There's no drug testing, EPO for everyone!

BTW, what is the "Feed Zone Rule"?

Does that mean I can't pass out the EPO and do my Spastic Monkey Dance in the designated area?

Could be this...

3C5. Feeding.
(a) Riders may be supplied with food or drink in either of two ways, as planned jointly by the organizer and Chief Referee:
(1) In specified feed zones by hand-ups from the organizer's staff or the rider's support staff;
(2) From support vehicles during the race.
Feeding will normally begin 50 km from the start. This may be modified depending on the nature of the course and the weather. Feeding shall be authorized thereafter except for the last 20 km.
(b) When a referee grants permission to feed from cars, the procedure is for riders to slowly move to a position even with their team car to receive food and drink. The team car must be positioned behind the referee’s car unless the group contains 15 riders or less; in that case, with permission of a referee, the team car may move up to the rear of the group to feed. No supplies may be provided or sought from a vehicle during a hill climb or on dangerous bends or descents.
(c) Any riders accepting food or drink from spectators provided that this is not an organized service shall do so at their own risk. The pilfering of supplies from another rider shall be severely punished [disqualification].

I would assume that there is going to be neutral support. This means that Happy will not have to drive "support" for you since I am pretty sure there won't be a caravan. Caravans are logistically difficult and require more work from the CHP. It would be very difficult for her to follow and then safely get around the pack and into the feedzone. More than likely everyone going to the feedzone will leave before the first race starts and go to the feedzone. Happy will wait for the field and will then hand you up a bottle or two. Everyone will probably then follow to the finish. The rules above may or may not apply since the race is CBR and not USCF. Chris is King and you basically have to follow his rules. I have never seen him abuse power or be unfair.

Seems to me they're being sticklers.

3rd at Boulevard, 5th overall at San Dimas, 6 total races, and holding a semi-pro NORBA license wasn't enough for an upgrade earlier in the season. Haven't done any road racing since San Dimas except for Everest Challenge, so I'm still only up to 8 total.

CX races probably don't count for anything, on the road, either.

Shoulda done a couple crits I guess.
Yeah 3rd in a road race would give you 5 points and a 5th GC is around 10 points ( I think, I haven't kept track of points in a while). 4 to 3 is 15 points and I don't know why the 5 to 4 is experience not points. I don't understand the experience thing, if you aren't placing in races and getting points why do they let you move up to a higher category where the racers are more experienced and probably faster just because you have started a minimal amount of races but they do not let you move up if you've shown that you can place in the races and would satisfy the requirements in other categories. It seems like if they are going to upgrade by experience it should be points or experience. The two guys I knew had earned points in 4/5 races. One had 15 points in 4/5 races and the other had around 10 or 12 points in 4/5 races and 7 or 8 starts.
That's also funny that you don't automatically get at least a cat 4 license if you are a semi-pro mountain biker. As a 1, I am automatically made to race Expert in the dirt. I love riding in the dirt but when I ride with experts I get smoked going downhill.

More than likely everyone going to the feedzone will leave before the first race starts and go to the feedzone. Happy will wait for the field and will then hand you up a bottle or two. Everyone will probably then follow to the finish.

That's what I thought, Redal, thanks. It looks like the feed zone is at the top of a hill. If I use some binoculars I should be able to see John, Jon and Steve coming and get their respective bottles ready. I just hope I can drive past them in the van before the end so I can get some pics of them finishing.

Hi,

My teammate and I are going to race but our ride to get back to Baker is now somewhat iffy. Anyone have some room to get us back there? We're more than happy to pay for gas and cold drinks in Baker. :)

Hi,

My teammate and I are going to race but our ride to get back to Baker is now somewhat iffy. Anyone have some room to get us back there? We're more than happy to pay for gas and cold drinks in Baker. :)

Cleave, if we have room we'll take you and/or your team mate.

Here's the response I got from Chris in regards to support vehicle and feed zone...


Every little bit helps, so thanks with the minivan! For support, the Feeder will probably jump up to the feed zone once the climb begins...if there's a stamnpede of support vehicles, they'll need to leave earlier. After the feed, they leapfrog back behind the official's vehicle (or the CHP!). Thanks again, Chris

PS: tell Josh we said HEY! He's a good egg!

So I guess we can have a support vehicles. This is gonna be very interesting!

Cleave, if we have room we'll take you and/or your team mate.

Hi jp,

Thanks for the offer. Right now we'll take you up on it. Which race are you riding? We're in the Masters 30+.

I'm in the Cat 4/5s.

I'm in the Cat 4/5s.

Do you expect anyone to work together? In all the previous Cat 5 road races I've been in, guys attack early in the race and the whole field tries to follow. The race is instantly blown apart and then it becomes a time trial for everyone who isn't in the lead group.

btw, don't forget to stop by the Mad Greek in Baker for some gyros!

Here's the response I got from Chris in regards to support vehicle and feed zone...



So I guess we can have a support vehicles. This is gonna be very interesting!

That's surprising. Should be very interesting.

Do you expect anyone to work together? In all the previous Cat 5 road races I've been in, guys attack early in the race and the whole field tries to follow. The race is instantly blown apart and then it becomes a time trial for everyone who isn't in the lead group.

btw, don't forget to stop by the Mad Greek in Baker for some gyros!

I'm hoping that a few guys will be smart enough to work together, and 80 mile TT doesn't sound like fun.

Do you expect anyone to work together? In all the previous Cat 5 road races I've been in, guys attack early in the race and the whole field tries to follow. The race is instantly blown apart and then it becomes a time trial for everyone who isn't in the lead group.

In most of the cat 5 races I've been in, I've usually stayed fairly near the front when the attacks came and managed to stay with the lead group for most of the race. In any event, I've always been able to find people to work with when I do fall off.

Hi,

My teammate and I are going to race but our ride to get back to Baker is now somewhat iffy. Anyone have some room to get us back there? We're more than happy to pay for gas and cold drinks in Baker. :)

If my wife comes, then a) I won't need a spot in jp's van, and b) I will have an extra spot in my car.

Cleave, if we have room we'll take you and/or your team mate.

It looks like I won't need a spot in your van so that leaves more room...