Southern California - Brentwood GP

Anyone doing this? I am contemplating making this my first Cat 5 race...anyone have experience with this race?

I'll be there as a volunteer. I don't really know much about the course/race but I remember seeing a couple of threads about it. Try searching "La Grange" or "Brentwood" with the search function.

Raced it last year. Registered this year.

Fun course, great venue. In the middle of downtown Bwood. Lots of hot Westside chicks. The 5's field is small. So you can move around. Really long recovery after the uphill chicane after the start finish. On the uphill on the back if you are in the front you can carry a lot of speed up the riser. Last year there was a crash in the 4's after some guy dropped the back of his bike finishing the climb and took a few dudes out. I feel the toughest part is the hook after the start finish.

Have fun and try to race in both races. It's the state championships anyways. Good Luck!

Racing it since it's my home turf. Got dropped last year. The race is technical and fast. To be honest, not the best choice for your first race but hey that's what the 5s are for. Last year is was very strung out for the duraiton of the races I saw including the pro race. Dave Z raced the pro last year, that was cool.

Might want to do a CBR race as your first formal race, they have a nice clinic that teaches the basics of racing and how not to crash.

Me and my team went and did some course recon yesterday. Man I forgot how cool that course is.

Spectated last year, thinking about registering this year. Would be my first mass start Cat 5 race. Been told to try some simpler courses for a first race; the course has some tight turns and the pavement isn't spectacular along some parts, and I remember it being pretty windy last year.

Me and my team went and did some course recon yesterday. Man I forgot how cool that course is.

Do you have a course description? Even just a list of the streets it follows? I was looking on gmaps and the event flyer trying to figure out the possible course. I play on racing assuming I'm not overly jet-lagged that day.

Heres the map from last year's race. Fun race ..might do it again this year.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/43741158

Spectated last year, thinking about registering this year. Would be my first mass start Cat 5 race. Been told to try some simpler courses for a first race; the course has some tight turns and the pavement isn't spectacular along some parts, and I remember it being pretty windy last year.

Come by our tent if you need anything. We should have beer and nutrition. If you race the same 5's race as our guys I'll make sure to introduce you to the guys.

Heres the map from last year's race. Fun race ..might do it again this year.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/43741158

Thanks AeroD

Now whats up with 5a vs 5b? Is it like cross having 4a and 4b? Is it just a way to split up the pack? I'm close to upgrading on the year and am still technically an unattached rider. I don't really want to ride with the MORE skiddish group of 5's. Maybe I'll just wait to sign up the morning of...

Thanks AeroD

Now whats up with 5a vs 5b? Is it like cross having 4a and 4b? Is it just a way to split up the pack? I'm close to upgrading on the year and am still technically an unattached rider. I don't really want to ride with the MORE skiddish group of 5's. Maybe I'll just wait to sign up the morning of...


It is a way to split a large field. USAC only allows 50 in a Cat 5's race, CBR are on the other hand. Being unattached is irrelevant with regards to the 5's. USAC just wants 10 races/starts. If you are that close and are worried about crashing start the race do 1 lap and pull yourself. It will still go towards your starts. Last year there was 1 crash in the 30+ 4/5 field and only 1 in the 4's but the field was huge in the 4's and the 35+ was like 70 guys. Ride upfront and be safe plus it well help after dealing with turn 1 after 20 minutes.

I'm planning to be up in Norcal that weekend. Otherwise, would've been fun to hang out/spectate/support.