Velodiva

I signed up for the Mt. Tam hill climb on Sept. 27 and pre-rode the course yesterday. After the first four miles along the coast, there is a right turn on to Bolinas-Fairfax Road where immediately there is an open cattle grate. I heard that this is covered over for the race - can anyone confirm that this is the case?

pjcampbell

Sorry I am not sure but I wouldn't worry about it, if it's a pretty standard grate - just don't go over it perpendicularly

umd

Usuaully they aren't a problem (generally speaking, not familiar with that one). However, in a race I did see someone break their seatpost on one

Velodiva

Not worried about myself but the W Cat 4 peloton which will still be intact at that point (the climbing starts after the cattle grate). I'll just try to stay at the front.

uspspro

Been over that grate a couple of times. Annoying but shouldn't be an issue. Too bad you wont be at high speed in that spot, a nice high bunny hop would sail over it.

PS: how big is the W4 field?

kudude

is mt.tam mass start?

Velodiva

So far, about 20 women are regsitered with a field limit of 50. Probably about 30 women on race day. And I expect that you could do that bunny hop!

Velodiva

I think each category starts as a mass with about 5 minutes between categories.

uspspro

Haha, I was mostly joking. I wouldn't try it in a field, nor that particular grate (at least in that direction).

When spread out, I like to enjoy a good bunny hop over the grates. Like here in Coleman Valley:

(no good pic of the grates)

aicabsolut

Am I the only one confused by this? Won't you get a wheel stuck if you're just about anything but perpendicular to the grate? Like with RR tracks.

Just sail over it in a straight line and watch out for bonehead maneuvers. Staying near the front is probably a good idea.

uspspro

No, because the splits of the cattle grate run perpendicular to the road. He was sort of joking I think, since there is only one way to go over them really.

velocycling

I did not do the the race last year but, two years ago they place some plyboard over the top. Nothing to worry about. The race explodes just past that when it hits the hill. Be in a group when you fininsh the next four miles. So you can roll through for the last 4 miles.

YMCA

At least you have been forewarned.
I've done numerous races in Latin American countries, where we were dodging potholes, elevated RR tracks, speed bumps of all sizes, dogs, grates, manure, vehicles, etc, etc, etc, all day at high speeds in a tight pack with little or no warning.

You'll be fine.
Now go play hard.

kudude

did you guys have fun? the pics I saw looked like I'm glad I wasn't there.