As a longtime area bike racer with the South Chicago Wheelmen, I, like most everyone I knew, was elated with the announcement of a criterium hosted by the City of Chicago.
My elation faded when I tried to pre register.
Simply put, why is there no discount for multiple races?
Many racers pay the initial fee knowing they will race one, or even two, more times. Usually it's $10 for each race and makes it worth our time and money. This past weekend I raced 4 times at Winona Lake, Indiana and paid $73.50
When you add a processing fee for each race it costs nearly $100 to race 3 times.
It is a common practice to offer multiple race discounts. To see the city of Chicago is not doing so makes me angry; I feel I am being exploited.
Many of my friends are angry also and are considering racing in Wisconsin that weekend instead, or taking the weekend off to be with our families. We'd rather pay the high price of gas (making sure we fill up outside Cook County) and drive our racing dollars where we feel we are valued and not cheated.
Psimet2001
05-05-08, 10:01 AM
Sweet...so you're saying the hardcore guys will be gone and that maybe I might have a shot at not finishing last?
recursive
05-05-08, 10:12 AM
I've never entered multiple races in a day. Just throwing a data point out there.
Mayonnaise
05-05-08, 10:17 AM
Gotta hand it them, my phone rang right away. The organizer of the race called to explain the situation. He said the city set the price for the race and he can't do anything about it.
He said that only one processing fee will be charged even if you race more than once.
He said Elk Grove and Downers Grove don't offer multi race deals. He's probably right, I don't remember.
Either way, I'm still upset.
I can tell you one thing with absolute certainty, you want to race with the hardcore guys. You might get shelled but your collarbones will be safe.
Those cat 5's races, and the backside of the 4's will be full of baby squirrels and chipmunks darting all over the course, going wide in the corners, and touching wheels.
If you race, get up front and stay there.
Psimet2001
05-05-08, 10:24 AM
I love baby squirrel. Takes forever to dress it out and even then you only get a bite or two, but it beats going hungry.
duppie
05-05-08, 11:51 AM
I love baby squirrel. Takes forever to dress it out and even then you only get a bite or two, but it beats going hungry.
Here is my favorite squirrel recipe:
Chicken Fried Squirrel
Serves 4
4 squirrels, quartered and cleaned
2 cups buttermilk
Old Bay seasoning to taste
1 cup flour
Salt and pepper to taste
Shortening for deep-frying
Soak squirrels in buttermilk for an hour. Combine Old Bay seasoning and flour. Add salt and pepper.
Heat shortening to 375 degrees in an iron skillet or deep fryer. It should be keep enough to cover the meat. Shake or roll the squirrel in the seasoned flour. Fry until the coating is golden brown. Remove and place on rack to drain. Bake for half an hour in a preheated, 275-degree oven.
I swear, it tastes just like chicken:D
Duppie
John Wilke
05-05-08, 01:55 PM
Chicago has a way of prying money out of one's pocket ... at least that's the impression I get every time I drive through there on the freeway. :rolleyes:
Your dollars are always welcome here, on the other side of the Cheddar Curtain.
Scummer
05-22-08, 08:28 AM
Chicago has a way of prying money out of one's pocket ... at least that's the impression I get every time I drive through there on the freeway. :rolleyes:
Your dollars are always welcome here, on the other side of the Cheddar Curtain.
I just signed up for two races. Cat5 heat 1 and Masters30+ cat5. And yes, it is darn annoying that you don't get a discount for multiple races. But hell with it, I don't get a discount for drinking multiple coffee's a day either :twitchy:
Mayonnaise
05-22-08, 09:22 AM
please please please get to the front of the cat 5 race and stay there. It's going to be dangerous. Remember, it's a one lap race. Stay safe until the bell.
That 30+ race will be the second fastest race of the day just behind the 1/2s. It's a better race to race, just pray Scott Pearson isn't there.
Scummer
05-22-08, 09:28 AM
please please please get to the front of the cat 5 race and stay there. It's going to be dangerous. Remember, it's a one lap race. Stay safe until the bell.
That 30+ race will be the second fastest race of the day just behind the 1/2s. It's a better race to race, just pray Scott Pearson isn't there.
I think the Masters 30+ 1/2/3 will be faster than the 4/5 Masters, so I shouldn't have to worry about it too much :D
Oh, and what do you mean, it's only a one lap race? The course is not that long. It's only like 4 city blocks, not even 2 miles or so per lap.
BTW, what do you do now since the Tuesday nighters are suspended? I'm kinda bummed about it as I saw my speed and abilities to improve nicely and now no races until mid/end of June :cry:
TurboTurtle
05-22-08, 12:56 PM
please please please get to the front of the cat 5 race and stay there. It's going to be dangerous. Remember, it's a one lap race. Stay safe until the bell.
That 30+ race will be the second fastest race of the day just behind the 1/2s. It's a better race to race, just pray Scott Pearson isn't there.
"...it's a one lap race. Stay safe until the bell." Well, I've seen riders fall over getting to the line, but they never hurt more than their pride. - TF
Mayonnaise
05-22-08, 03:38 PM
My mistake. It's a masters 4/5 race. Those are good ones. Competitive but sensible.
One lap race is a bit of a generalization. In a lot of crits you go off, stay as a group, and sprint at the end. The race doesn't really start until you get to the bell lap.
Seems Ace has slackened their resolve to keep us away during the construction. Now they are saying it's a week by week decision. Keep checking the SCW website for updates.
In lieu of racing we talked about rides out of Yankee Woods. Probably won't happen this Tuesday as most are racing all weekend and won't want anything but a lounge chair on Tuesday. After that though, we will come up with some kind of plan.
If I get any information I'll post it here.
Scummer
05-22-08, 09:13 PM
Cool.. I am always checking the SCW website.
aham23
05-22-08, 09:56 PM
this thread makes me giggle.
why.
it implies all cat 1s are blasted from Mommies Womb. like no one was ever a 5 or 4.
please.
later.
JPradun
05-23-08, 11:50 AM
Sweet...so you're saying the hardcore guys will be gone and that maybe I might have a shot at not finishing last?
hah.
patester242002
05-23-08, 12:10 PM
Boycott Cook (Crook) County til Stroger leaves and/or goes to prison.
Mayonnaise
05-24-08, 07:13 AM
never would I imply that anyone has it easy, if you race you suffer. A bit of experience helps you find places to rest.
At the Chicago Crit the fields will be large and the lower cats will have clusters of jittery racers. Everyone will suffer.