Stas87

The crash was in the 4/5 last year, new racer and only his 2 (possibly 3rd) race ever. It's typical 4/5 stuff as far I'm concerned. As gsteinb said, the masters and 123s are generally safe. Very windy in the park, in fact the wind shredded the 123 field every race last year.

I mainly race Branchbrook because my folks live literally a mile from the start line. So I can wake up at a reasonable hour and be there on time to race.

gsteinb

overarching comment: early spring racing (read: winter) is dumb. The northeast season should be april-october

globecanvas

If you're thinking of combining this with Battenkill, it's on the other side of the state, 4 hours away. Maybe that's nothing to a square-stater but it's a long haul to us northeasterners.

grolby

This one is a long haul for me (6 hour drive from Boston), but it's on my long list. If my form is looking good coming out of the end of April, beginning of May, it might be worth the trip. If I'm in good shape, that kind of profile suits me well.

TheKillerPenguin

I was 5th there last year. I like the course a lot, and it was well organized. The surrounding area is great to kick back in too. It's the NYS championship road race this year so I'll definitely be there.

From what I gather the old course was a longer loop but due to road work it was altered to 10 miles last year.

edit: @FFJ was there too, I think he liked the course?

JoesInBoston

Bristol Mountain RR 10 mile loop: 2015 Bristol Mountain Road ? | Strava Route

Stas87

Maybe this can be suggested at the next NJBA meeting

gsteinb

they're not particularly open to it. folks, including promoters, move on to cyclocross. but for those not inclined that way there's not a lot of local races in the fall.

mike868y

sure but what's the point of races if most people have moved onto cross? you may not do cross but i'd bet that a solid % of road racers too.

that being said, there are enough open days/weekends that super early racing is silly.

gsteinb

the point was that racing in march is dumb, and cross traditionally started late fall. now it starts much earlier.

TheKillerPenguin

There's also no reason that the cross season couldn't be pushed a bit later as well. Shift the calendar 2-4 weeks later across the board.

TheKillerPenguin

Or, abolish cross altogether

mike868y

yeah good luck with that. no one wants race dates in late december and the majority of days are filled between september and then.

i agree that racing in march is dumb, though.

TheKillerPenguin

So we agree then, that cross should be abolished.

Ygduf

Think of the cycling cap manufacturers...

mike868y

well considering cross is the only discipline i've won a race in i think i'd rather road racing be abolished.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5OXON8vIaA

wens

It's entertaining how much discussion of epic cross races and mud and stuff the cx lovers do... While simultaneously having super low turnout to late season or muddy races.

shovelhd

Jamestown always draws good fields, has for years. There's nothing much between it and Boston/Hartford though. Big gap.

grolby

The ever-shrinking number of road races means the season probably could be condensed somewhat without cutting into CX, though this could lead to some race overlap at a regional level. But a road race in NYSBRA double-booked against a crit in NEBRA might not be a problem.

shovelhd

That happens a lot.

FFJ

Yeah, no complaints from me re: the Bristol course. You've got to be able to climb, but I don't think it's really a pure climber's course.

The race was well-organized, in a pretty remote area with little traffic, and had lots of good vibes!

globecanvas

I like racing in March.

TheKillerPenguin

Poor rapha!

gsteinb

anything happening at the rent tonight? I'm down the street at the hampton inn.

shovelhd

You could come to my house and do a Zwift race.