Road Bike Racing - Housatonic Hills - NEW COURSE !

They've removed to pot hole ridden River Road section, and added some nice new roads up north.

http://www.zephyrcycling.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=51&Itemid=113

It starts out going up Constitution Hill ( the finishing climb from last year) and that brings you to the top of Purchase Brook........2nd climb up Minor Bridge/Hut Hill is still there and then they go out to Rt67........but they have added a loop up Rt199 and then back down to Rt317 and then Rt67/Rt172 to finish. The added section on Rt199 and after puts in a 5 to 7 mile section of uphill with some flat sections to break it up.

NOTE:
If you're not racing, consider volunteering. To keep these races going they need help every year.

So it's even hillier now????????

So it's even hillier now????????

Yes, an extra 600 ft per lap. I might rather have the potholes

Constitution Hill on the first lap is neutral. This is going to be interesting.

Christ...guess I have a year to get ready for it.

I remember riding up that hill during my warmup.....neutral wouldn't be too bad if people kinda loaf along. At the end of the race, I couldn't stand up on it as my legs would immediately cramp (that was a "fun" race, let me tell you). It's the whole 7-10% grade being nearly 2 miles long at race pace that sucks.

However, it was the long 10-14% climbs during the race that really did me in. I have no clue how you guys did 2 laps; my back was trashed and I was praying for a sag wagon.

Constitution Hill on the first lap is neutral. This is going to be interesting.

Neutral is good, but we still have to go up. I'm an old geezer, so 2 laps should be a pretty good workout. I'm going to do 2 laps this Saturday to check it out. I'm not clear on exactly where the finish line is.

I'm planning on doing this race and was checking out the course profile yesterday. So its neutral over the starting hill- how is the first descent? People will probably be fighting to get to the front for the base of the second hill, and the last race I did that began on a fast 40 mph downhill was complete carnage.

I'm planning on doing this race and was checking out the course profile yesterday. So its neutral over the starting hill- how is the first descent? People will probably be fighting to get to the front for the base of the second hill, and the last race I did that began on a fast 40 mph downhill was complete carnage.

It's 1.5 miles from the top of Constitution Hill to the beginning of the descent, which is pretty fast with 2 sweeping turns in the top 1/2. Then at the base another mile or so before the Minor Bridge climb. I'm thinking people are going to be scrambling to get to the front on the neutral climb.

The course seems even hillier now, so I'll be a hurting puppy on race day :cry:

It's 1.5 miles from the top of Constitution Hill to the beginning of the descent, which is pretty fast with 2 sweeping turns in the top 1/2. Then at the base another mile or so before the Minor Bridge climb. I'm thinking people are going to be scrambling to get to the front on the neutral climb.

The course seems even hillier now, so I'll be a hurting puppy on race day :cry:

Ummmm.....hillier.....seriously, WTF....

On a positive note, got my bike back today and weighed 149 pounds after riding today. Woohoo!

So...... anyone have a 4/5 race entry they would like to transfer??

but they have added a loop up Rt199 and then back down to Rt317 and then Rt67/Rt172 to finish. The added section on Rt199 and after puts in a 5 to 7 mile section of uphill with some flat sections to break it up.[/B]

Homebrew, you put the Route 199 so mildly. Just rode the course today. Route 199 and especially Nichols Hill Rd, 15+ miles into race, will separate the men from the boys. Nichols Hill Rd - very sustained and just keeps going. Then it's rollers and very scenic Painters Hill Rd, which "T's" with 319, where it's the KOM. Painful.

Unlike the original course where you had all the hills on the first half of the course, this new course throws in some big hills in the second half of the course. For those who are doing two+ laps, it's up Constitution Hill, for all the additional laps. Ouch.

Be careful on the down hill after Constitution Hill. Knowing how the group can get jittery in the early part of a race, there could be some close calls.

The new hills didn't seem all that bad to me, but I've been concentrating on hammering the Purchase Brook climbs...which are no longer part of the race. What worries me is the new finish. It's 6.5 miles from the last hill, so it allows a big chance to regroup. Then, with two 90 degree corners right before a short finishing sprint, it could get ugly at the end. Why do I always sign up for this thing?

The new hills didn't seem all that bad to me, but I've been concentrating on hammering the Purchase Brook climbs...which are no longer part of the race. What worries me is the new finish. It's 6.5 miles from the last hill, so it allows a big chance to regroup. Then, with two 90 degree corners right before a short finishing sprint, it could get ugly at the end. Why do I always sign up for this thing?

You can always bail out and help with marshalling instead (I'm considering it) !! They really want help, so I'm sure you'd get your money back and maybe a t-shirt too !

Homebrew, you put the Route 199 so mildly. Just rode the course today. Route 199 and especially Nichols Hill Rd, 15+ miles into race, will separate the men from the boys. Nichols Hill Rd - very sustained and just keeps going. Then it's rollers and very scenic Painters Hill Rd, which "T's" with 319, where it's the KOM. Painful.

Unlike the original course where you had all the hills on the first half of the course, this new course throws in some big hills in the second half of the course. For those who are doing two+ laps, it's up Constitution Hill, for all the additional laps. Ouch.

Be careful on the down hill after Constitution Hill. Knowing how the group can get jittery in the early part of a race, there could be some close calls.

Yes, Rt 199 & Nichols Hill will make it tough, especially for 2 lappers like me. I only just rode Nichols Hill for the first time the other day, and it had been a while since riding 199. The left turn at the bottom of Painter Ridge onto the climb on 317 could cause some gapping too.