kudude

Yeah, they're less than a month away.
https://www.velopromo.com/2009%20Schedule.htm

This year is a new format and they've changed the AM race from a 4/5 to a 3/4. As a 4 with aspirations of upgrading this year, I'm either going to love it, or quit racing my bike altogether by February.

I figure that it's better to find out early so I can buy a stake in a twinkie factory while the economy is still in tough shape.

Apus^2

Freaking eh. I won't even be out of base. My first TT isn't until valentines day.

BigSean

Looks to me like there is a 1/2/3 race and 4's and 5's. I dont see the combined race.

kudude

came from an email to my team today:

2009 Nevada and Nor Cal Early Bird mentors and racers,

We?re taking a lot of what has worked well in the past twenty years and improving a few things for the 5-week 2009 Early Bird Criterium Training Racing Series.
To the point, we not only have our ten plus year tested ?new racer mentoring clinic? but we have added an ?advanced skills clinic?; a junior race; a new women?s Cat 3 / Men?s Cat. 3 / 4 category; and moved the Cat 1/2/3 event to a new time slot. All of these changes are being made so that all racers and mentors can treat January for what it truly should be: a chance to work on the fundamentals of cycling, get comfy in a pack of cyclists and learn a few things in a non-competitive race structure.

We?re also bringing back the popular ?indoor clinic? (Get Ready to Race in 2009) which will be held on Saturday, January 3rd in an office complex just on the other side of the freeway from the Fremont course. This one hour clinic plus 30 minute Q&A will help new racers better understand what they can expect with the 5-week series, and what they can look forward to in their cycling career. The Get Ready to Race in 2009 clinic will be posted soon on www.NCNCA.org

For all of this to happen we need qualified mentors. Over the years we have been blessed with many fine volunteers. Their reward for their time spent with new racers has been free entry into the 1/2/3 race. We would like to provide that benefit to the mentors again this year. Please contact XXXXX if you are a Cat 1, 2 or 3 racer, are confident in your abilities to teach and have the time to help us with this program.



Early Bird Event Schedule:
8:30 Women Category 3, and Men Category 3 and 4 (50 minutes)
8:50 Women Category 3, and Men Category 3 and 4 post-race talk
9:30 Advanced strategies and tactics Clinic *
* Perfect for experienced racers, as well as those that want to learn more.
10:30 Men and Women Category 1, 2, 3 and Pros (75 min.)
Noon Early Bird Criterium Mentoring Clinic *
* Perfect for brand new racers, as well as those that want to work on fundamentals.
1:00 Women Category 4 (40 min.)
1:40 Women Category 4 post-race talk
1:45 Men U35 Category 5 (40 min.)
2:25 Men U35 Category 5 post-race talk
2:30 Men 35+ Category 5 (40 min.)
3:10 Men 35+ Category 5 post-race talk
3:15 Junior (16 and under) girls and boys (30 min.)
3:45 Junior (16 and under) girls and boys post-race talk

bayareawheeler

I have offered to set up base for my team "BBC" (Berkeley Bike Club) so find my tent and say hello. I should have extra trainers, coffee and some tunes blaring

=o)

kudude

^^ awesome, thanks. I'm out of town for the first one, but will be back "in force" for the 2nd. I'm not so much looking forward to taking 6 days of the bike, then hopping into a 3/4 crit, but it should be a hell of a way to start the season

huytheskigod

I'll probably be making the trip to a few of these. May see you guys there.

deadly downtube

i prolly cant even hang in a 4's only pack!! is it possible to downgrade back to a 5?? pls god?

Red Rider

Women's 4 is at 1 pm. That sure beats 9 am like this year. We left before 7 for the 90-min. drive in the cold and fog and wetness to make two of them. Meh. I'm looking forward to making more than 2 of them.

jrennie

Does the last round(Feb 1st) count for points again this year?

bayareawheeler

tomorrow is meet the teams day so i will be manning a tent with a Berkeley Bike Club banner.

I will have hot coffee, bagels and some fruit so come get your grub on!

also if your from bikeforums please mention that so i can put some names to faces!

thx

Keith

kudude

When is the meet the teams part? Will you be around after the 3/4 race?

bayareawheeler

yes i will be there from about 8am to 2pm, meet the teams is the "theme" for the day so there should team representation from around the bay most of the day.

come over and eat all the cream cheese so i dont