Texas - TX Tough Pro Crit in Dallas - Who's Going?

Is anyone else planning to head down to Victory Park this Thursday (Sept 11) to check out the TX Tough Pro Crit? I have to head down for packet pickup for the Sunday ride anyhow, so I'm planning to stick around to watch the pro crit that starts at 7:30pm.

More info on the race can be found here: http://txtough.org/site3.aspx

Wish I could, but outta town. Should be a good turnout... take some pix and upload them, will ya?

I may check it out, sounds interesting.

A friend and I are planning on going to the race. I've heard that the Katy Trail connects to near the American Airlines Center. Is that close to Victory Park? I'd like to ride to the venue. I got stuck in traffic near there once and that was enought for me. Any thoughts about getting there from the trail?

A friend and I are planning on going to the race. I've heard that the Katy Trail connects to near the American Airlines Center. Is that close to Victory Park? I'd like to ride to the venue. I got stuck in traffic near there once and that was enought for me. Any thoughts about getting there from the trail?

I seem to remember seeing the trail dump out along Alamo/Houston Street just near the AAC. Here's the Katy Trail map: http://www.katytraildallas.org/site/DocServer/KATY-corpmap_2008_.pdf?docID=621

I'd love to go. Can't say for sure that I'll be there, though.

David, yes, the Katy Trail ends/begins across the street from the AAC. If you look at the map of the race route (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=115307717815212354065.0004529c5c6ebfb974f8b&ll=32.787928,-96.80971&spn=0.00258,0.003669&z=18), the Katy Trail ends at the intersection of Houston & Lyte. It'd be very easy to ride the trail to the race.

A friend and I are planning on going to the race. I've heard that the Katy Trail connects to near the American Airlines Center. Is that close to Victory Park? I'd like to ride to the venue. I got stuck in traffic near there once and that was enought for me. Any thoughts about getting there from the trail?

David, Victory Park is basically right on the South side of the AAC... where the big TV screens are, right outside the doors of the AAC. I believe Victory Park is supposed to encompass the 3 or 4 square block area in the same vecinity.

Parking is $10 if you drive and park in the lots next to AAC. Also, DART train station at AAC... unless you want to ride home in the dark down the KT.

after dark, the katy trail becomes the "rapin' trail".

I'm trying to figure out the best place to stand to watch. Those guys are going to be a blur if I'm too close.....

anyone know what time the Crit starts on Thursday?

I'm trying to figure out the best place to stand to watch. Those guys are going to be a blur if I'm too close.....
I tend to just walk the course during the race and watch it from different spots - coming into various turns, exiting turns, near the finish-line, etc. The few pro-crits I've been to haven't been exactly wall-to-wall with spectators, and you can pretty much get right up to the rails and watch from wherever you want.


anyone know what time the Crit starts on Thursday?
The race starts at 7:30PM

How long will this race last? I'm thinking an hour will take care of the race and some afterward activities?

I am gonna try to be there to get some pics

How long will this race last? I'm thinking an hour will take care of the race and some afterward activities?

As I understand it, the race will be 75 minutes + 5 laps

Actually, if the race is scheduled to be 75 minutes, it should be very close to that time. The officials will average the lap times, then call five laps to go so that the race will end at just about 75 minutes.

Why do they do that? That's like a NASCAR race... race for hours then throw a caution, get everyone lined up, then race for the finish. No matter, I'll be there.

Made it out there. Will have some pictures after a while. In the meantime:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afd347sy1DQ

Totally awesome event. Those guys really ride fast! You had to be there!

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/TxTough/Photo1.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/TxTough/Photo2.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/TxTough/Photo3.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/TxTough/Photo4.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/TxTough/Photo5.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/TxTough/Photo6.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/TxTough/Photo7.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/TxTough/Photo8.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/TxTough/Photo9.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/TxTough/Photo10.jpg

Had a great time at the crit last night. Turn #4 was a beast and took out at least 5 riders that I saw in the last few laps.

Saw this after the race - I think a casualty of turn #2:
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii189/mocella/CrashedScottBike.jpg