"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Trip to California in March

I'm heading to Sonoma the first two weekends (and the week in the middle) in March. I have three questions:

1. Ship my bike or rent? In understand the logistical and cost aspect, but wondering if there are decent bikes to be had there (near Sebastapol).

1a. If ship, to a UPS shop or an LBS?

2. Any races or Wednesday worlds worth doing while I'm there? If not, any preferred routes you can recommend? I know I can ride down any old road, but thought I'd get advice.

3. I'm from the east coast and think we have the best racers in the country. Can I win a Cat 3 race there with 4.3294W/kg?

Thanks in advance.

P.S the last question was sarcasm.

If you suck at sarcasm don't go to California.

I'm going out there just about the same time for a week with my wife. I will be drinking a lot of wine and residing in hot tubs. No bikes will be involved.

Fly Southwest if you can and take the bike with you. $50 for the bike (each way) and now you have an excuse to bring checked luggage. I don't know if you're allowed to have 2 more bags free (since you're paying for the $50 bag) but I was asked if I wanted to check a second bag for free. Actually yes you can. I've flown with 2 checked bags plus the bike. This way I have a real carry on thing, not a super packed rolly thing that weighs more than my bike.

I did Red Trolley (granted it's earlier) as a 3 and it was totally okay for a Connecticut Cat 3. I struggled a bit, okay, but I'd just come off a major week of riding. I sat up with half a lap to go. If it were a course better suited for me I'd have taken a dig.

cdr

I just flew Southwest with two bags (backpack and bike in a softcase) and it was only $50. I'd fly with your own bike if you can. It's generally pretty easy to scrounge up a bike bag to borrow.

Cat 3:Anywhere would have no problem in SoCal. That's what make Cat 3 the Ultimate Cat. You can be pack fodder anywhere you choose to go :)

Cat 3:Anywhere would have no problem in SoCal. That's what make Cat 3 the Ultimate Cat. You can be pack fodder anywhere you choose to go :)

And be bad at geography apparently.

http://ncnca.org/event/2011/03/02/month/all/all/1

And be bad at geography apparently.

Nah, just bad habits. I think CA and type SoCal.

I think CA and type SoCal.

That explains the line behind you at the Southwest self serve kiosk.

The rest of the state IS quite small and lacks the majesty of Riverside county, the economic engine that is the porn industry in "The Valley", and the cutting edge health care (http://articles.latimes.com/2010/dec/20/health/la-he-v-steam-20101220) that so epitomizes "SoCal", so you're to be forgiven for defaulting to skateboarder geography.

Back off Riverside old man.

Back off Riverside old man.

Any place that buries a race track under cheap uniform tract housing deserves what it gets.

That explains the line behind you at the Southwest self serve kiosk.

The rest of the state IS quite small and lacks the majesty of Riverside county, the economic engine that is the porn industry in "The Valley", and the cutting edge health care (http://articles.latimes.com/2010/dec/20/health/la-he-v-steam-20101220) that so epitomizes "SoCal", so you're to be forgiven for defaulting to skateboarder geography.


I lived in Brentwood off Mountaingate and went to the Valley for Starbucks. The scenery was interesting.

Any place that buries a race track under cheap uniform tract housing deserves what it gets.

I can't argue with that..I moved away a few years later....it was sooo sooo sad. Prior to it's demise I spent many many long and happy hours at RIR...not to mention the orange groves for keggers in HS (they are tract homes now as well). The IE has changed a lot but like it or not it's where I grew up.

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I lived in Brentwood off Mountaingate and went to the Valley for Starbucks. The scenery was interesting.

Well isn't it nice of you go slumming for po rn stars ;)

Well isn't it nice of you go slumming for po rn stars ;)

Here is a man who knows his geography.

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I lived in Brentwood off Mountaingate and went to the Valley for Starbucks. The scenery was interesting.

I used to do intervals on that road. Brings back terrible memories.

I used to do intervals on that road. Brings back terrible memories.

Years ago some RAAM guys organized the "Mountaingate Century" featuring 35,000 feet of climbing. Don't think anyone finished.

That might be the worst idea I've ever heard.

That might be the worst idea I've ever heard.

I think it was Steve Born who hatched it. It was a fundraiser thing for RAAM.

Regarding the relationship between questions 1 and 2: Don't race a rented bike. I'd bet the shop renting to you wouldn't be pleased.

There used to be Tuesday Night Twilights at Infineon Raceway but I don't know if that's going on again this year.