Road Bike Racing - Cat's Hill Classic

Anyone racing it this year?

I'm signing up. I'll be up in the area from Smell Lay, so figured I'd get a race in with the NorCalers.

Any tips?

Anyone racing it this year?

I'm signing up. I'll be up in the area from Smell Lay, so figured I'd get a race in with the NorCalers.

Any tips?

I will be working the race as it is one of our club sponsored races. Tons of history here. Greg Lemond actually won the race back in 1978. Ben Jacques-Maynes has also won it a couple times. I will be working the turn at the top of the climb.

Racer Ex won there in 2006 ;)

Make sure your front der is working really well. Lots of dropped chains, and you won't make many laps trying to big ring it. Be selective on the wheel you go up the hill behind.

Good video:

http://www.deltavelo.com/race_coverage/2007_road/cats_hill/45_crit.html

I'm in the black and red kit going OTF a bit over halfway through the video. Plan was to have me rabbit and for the team owner to counter for the win. He didn't make it, I ended up digging deep with no recovery for pretty feeble 4th.

Important to have enough in the tank to hang on once you make it over the big hill. There's more climbing. And watch the downhill, the left curb closes up 1/2 way down so avoid the left gutter.

It's a really fun race.

Make sure your front der is working really well.

Thanks.


Good video:

Thanks.


There's more climbing.

Like a false flat sort of climb?

Like a false flat sort of climb?

Pretty much. Then you roll through a right that kicks up a little. till you reach the highest point on the course. Those are great places to attack if you have some gas in the tank.

There is also a new speed bump this year. I believe it's after turn #5 (I haven't checked the course myself yet).

Anyone else?

Be sure to stop by and say hi, Ill be a course marshall at the top of the main climb from 8:30 am to 1pm.

Will do. I'll be in the blue/white Kahala/La Grange kit.

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n127/badfishgood/TorranceCrit083015-vi.jpg

Will do. I'll be in the blue/white Kahala/La Grange kit.

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n127/badfishgood/TorranceCrit083015-vi.jpg

What race are you doing?

5s @ 9:30

One of my favorite races, fast and technical. Makes me wish I was still living in California.

The old axiom of staying near the front is never truer than at Cat's Hill. Expect crashes, especially on the fast right-hander into the front straight. Practice shifting down when you're climbing hard out of the saddle...a somewhat tricky technique and hard on your bike, but it might save you a couple of tenths up the hill.

Good luck!

GB

I'm racing. 35+ 1/2/3 for sure, probably double up in the P/1/2 and try to help out my teammates.