Ygduf

cccx - I also suck.

not really, but it's a course where with the finish at the bottom of the hill, if guys don't let me get a gap I can't really make my own. They didn't, I couldn't, lead out and teammate took 2nd at least.

in 2:45 of racing got nearly 40min above threshold and set all-time 10-12s power marks, which for me, in a race, is something.

UmneyDurak

Registered for Oakland, and 30 minutes later they sent out email saying course has changed and they are adding 180degree turn around. I think it's karma or something for just not calling it quits after Giro.

hack

Hmmm...U-Turn at the top of a hill. I guess kind of like Cherry Pie?

UmneyDurak

Never done Cherry Pie. I am just having horrible flashbacks to Burlingame last year. That sucked so badly.

hack

I haven't raced Burlingame. Figure you're 180 will be at the top of a 200 meter 3-4% hill. Not awful, but grounds for super yo-yo with the guys sprinting out of it.

UmneyDurak

Yep.

They changed the course that year because of construction. Never did make it to the front before the field blew up. Ended up chasing entire race. Not fun memories.

mattm

That sucks if they changed the Oakland course, it was fun before! The hill isn't bad at all, much shorter and less steep than Cherry Pie. Didn't seem to slow the field down much last year.

Best of luck!

UmneyDurak

Yep.

They changed the course that year because of construction. Never did make it to the front before the field blew up. Ended up chasing entire race. Not fun memories.

Thanks.

I told myself I'll treat last two races just for fun, try new things and not really results. Will see. lol.

hack

There is a hairpin turn on the backside of the course, too. So, best to be in that lead group early.

True, not a bad hill, but with a 180 at the top you could end up putting in some extra effort if you're near the back of a 75 person field.

aaronmcd

I've done Santa Cruz (180 at top), Cherry Pie (180 at top) and Burlingame (180, no hill). Burlingame was the worst 180 by far. I think 180s are not as bad at the top of a hill, possibly because everyone slows down more equally, but Idk. Cherry Pie was tough at the back, but the u turn itself wasn't bad at all and I ended up 5th place. Burlingame was 15 minutes of pain just to get to the front, and 25 minutes of almost as much pain to stay there!

I gotta redeem myself at Oakland this year. I feel like I have really good form right now, and last year I was dropped and got pulled after like 5 laps cuz I had just come back from a crash and was too chicken to move up.

Edit: I think the descent right after a u turn makes it easier.

UmneyDurak

I hate 180 turns in general. Except for Santa Cruz one. Strangely enough. It's a tight corner on down hill with ****ty pavement, but I like it.

Racer Ex 

There's a hill in Oakland? Don't seem to recall a hill. Can't find my car keys either.

UmneyDurak

Well hills are relative... After few laps it sure feels like a hill.

shovelhd

You haters ought to stop hating and start practicing your 180's. It could win you a race one day.

UmneyDurak

Well if you put it that way...

I just had flash back to CCCX couple years ago. Downhill 180 on wet asphalt. It was a massacre. On one memorable occasion I was fourth wheel, first three people binned it right in front of me. Thankfully they slid out so I was able to make the turn. Also braking in to it on carbon rims suucked. lol. You bet I launched an attack out of it at some point.

In retrospect this one is not that bad.

aaronmcd

Hey, you got 2nd in the 123 series and 3rd in the 2/3.
I got 2nd in 3/4.

I didn't even realize they had series points haha. I think it's like Red Kite - if you show up and don't 100% suck, you'll get a high placing in the series.

shovelhd

I'm not picking on you UD. While I was working last weeks race I was watching them enter turn three, a short, narrow right hander that goes into a sand pit. The best guys really set up their turn well in order to carry speed while upright. These guys were on pavement with 32mm knobby tires with 20-40psi. No leaning involved. It was all about the line, something that only comes with practice. Guys were passing in the pit or just after because they carried speed into it. I also won a national race by watching how the field handled the 180's at each end and railed the final one in the last lap. It's about turning a disadvantage into an advantage. If you have more than one race in your area that features 180's, you might want to practice them.

UmneyDurak

Oh I know, thanks. I can usually figure out other corners, but have hard time with 180 degree ones. In terms of carrying more speed. I always over brake too much and don't take the best line. What did they do?

My friend who used to race AFM will be there, probably will just glue on his wheel and see what line he takes.

caloso

About 7 or 8 years ago, my team's race had a 180. On the only rainy day in May. I think there were 6 separate crashes just in the Cat 4 race. Scrapped that idea.

Racer Ex 

I won a race thanks to a downhill 180. There was one guy who was pretty slow through the corner and I made sure I led him (and the field) down the hill into the corner, figuring everybody would be happy to have me lead them out. I moto GP'd through then drilled it. He tip toe'd and slowed the field down. Huge gap. That was that.

globecanvas

Ditto with a downhill 120, in the rain. I'm no guru but you have to commit to corners like that with your nose and chin, weight forward. When guys get scared they keep their weight back.

hack

Henleyville is very doubtful for me. Fitness is depleted (4 rides in the last 3 weeks), I have to wrap up my thesis draft, it's a 3+ hour drive to nowhere at 4AM (and 3+ hour race with a 3+ hour drive home), and the field is tiny (5 as of now). Last race of the season and a decent course for me, kind of bummed out.

I'll be kicking myself if I go and kicking myself if I don't go, so I think the responsible thing to do would be to not go.

caloso

It probably suits me too, but I am not at all sad that soccer dad duties prevent me from getting up at 0-Dark-30 to drive to Corning.

UmneyDurak

I am just going to do Cannary challenge, eat bunch of food at rest stops and be jolly.

Oh, and yeah Oakland Grand Prix was lost on a 180 turn. Video in video thread.

mattm

Preliminary 2015 NCNCA race calendar is out: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/.../messages/5254

No huge surprises, although I don't see Cherry Pie listed.. I assume/hope it'll be back though.