ahpook

judah -- couple of comments on the route. There are a few points that people got lost at, that might be simpler to just bump over to el camino for the duration. Specifically:

- between mile 13 and 14 around comida park elementary
- between 19 and 20 in downtown San Mateo (getting over to Palm St)
- mi 27 in downtown RWC -- made worse because there's some mad construction site at the start of middlefield

also

- mi 40-47, instead of the zigzags through north santa clara (which I can understand why you'd do on your own, to keep to smaller streets), people ought to just stay on central expy from Middlefield until it bumps into De La Cruz/Trimble and make a left to get up to 1st st. They just redid this overpass so its more reasonable for biking than it used to be.

FWIW, YMMV, ETC.

edit: whups, guess you've got the url in print already..nevermind

Judah

Well, the route is only suggested. There will be three checkpoints, but nothing too out of the way from el camino if you choose to do it that way.

As for the redwood city construction, it's not that big of a deal, you just have to go around it to get to middlefield, and why go over trimble/de la cruz to get over 101 when there is an amazing, paved bike route that goes under 101 right by intel? Anyway, the route is up to you, if you have a faster way to go, then by all means, take it. I want to see a local win this, but I don't want to give too much away about the route. The best way to win this race is to do test rides over the next few weeks.

Good luck everyone, I just talked to Don and it sounds like the winner will be getting a custom frame, and there are some other great prizes on the way too. I'm off to Chrome to ask them if they are interested....

Kiecker

I suppose "local" is a relative word.

So I'm taking this race is going to be a point to point where the rider can choose what route he/she wants as long as they make each of the checkpoints. If that's the case are checkpoints going to be released beforehand so us non-locals have a chance to look at maps and not wonder around aimlessly for 50 miles?

beppe

Since it's not fixed only anymore, will there be multiple categories? E.g. Fixed, non fixed, etc.?

harryhood

is this the final flyer? ready to be distributed?

FlippingHades

Yeah, I had no trouble in Redwood City, and I wasn't even looking at a map or the directions I wrote down at that point. I'm pretty sure I could make it as far as Santa Clara without consulting anything. I made it to Mountain View on Sunday with no difficulty (except for the damn legs ).

Doing several training rides is good advice. No, wait, stay home and drink, yeah, yeah

sillygirl

The race isnt starting till 11am? I thought it was going to start earlier so everyone could see most of the day's show.

Judah - send me an email before you count me in as a checkpoint worker. I have to leave San Jose by 2pm, and only the fast riders will have made it in by then.

FlippingHades

Aargh, 11AM?? I was hoping for a 9 AM start, so there's still lots of time to check out the show.

dubteka

flyer is not in print yet... so any changes can be made. ie. time, etch... judah??

i do want to start printing/distributing soon though...

Judah

All,

There will be a road, and a track category. You are encouraged to ride your track bike, prizes will be matched to category.

Does everyone want the race to start earlier? 9:30am is fine by me, but last time people said noon was "too early to start a race on a saturday".

Checkpoints will be published this week, and any questions should be directed at the email on the flyer.

The route is up to you, as long as you make the checkpoints and ride your ass off you'll be golden. Again, any routing questions can be directed to the email addy on the flyer. I'll even ride down there with any out-of-towners on the thursday before the race if you feel like you need to feel the course out, rain or shine.

Prizes, there will be lots, confirmed:
Shimano, 5 shoe/pedal combos
Phil, cogs (like maybe 5 or so), pint glasses, shirts, massages and showers from the SJ atheletic club, Brent is the man.
ANT, tshirt, hat, socks
Paragon, two 15mm wrench/bottle openers
Rock Lobster, beenies
Crumpton, tshirt
and GU goodie bags...

Your entry fee will get you entry to the bike show on saturday and sunday (in case you want to go after a good night sleep), showers at the end, and beer from a keg (with ID, sorry, club policies).

I hear there are big things afoot in the lug/tube realm, let's keep our fingers crossed...

dubteka

thanks for coming through with some product Don. after the ride this past sunday, people definitely were feeling that more substantial prizers were in order. (frame?!)
i know you and judah are trying, and it's appreciated.

harryhood

seriously, thanks for all the hard work!

as for the start time, i vote for an earlier start. but whatever, it's not my race.

Judah

Ok, if Fabian wants to change the flyer, we can start at 9:30.

There will be beer.

46x17

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO


keep the start time the way it is!!!!!!!!!

9.30 is waaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyy to early!!!!!

FlippingHades

My vote is for 9:30 too - I want to make San Jose by 1:30.

Spor

I vote for later, as I imagine most other east bay folk would too. but also, whatever.

dolface

i vote for 9:30 too, if folks want a shot at the prizes they can go to bed early, this is a BIKE RACE fer cryin' out loud, not brunch! (it SHOULD start at 7:30...)

ostro

i vote for 7:30...less traffic, cooler and more time to play afterwards.

neverwrite

I vote 11 at the earliest. Turnout will be much better with an 11am start. No one will show up at 9:30 aside from forum diehards or the kids with a shot at winning.

dubteka

so, it seems the prizes have ramped up quite a bit... and with that, if your a$$ is too lazy to get out by 9:30am, then you just don't want it that bad...

check it:
we had 17 guys and gals out on a saturday at 9:20am (early!) and ready to go on a 55mile ride, that none had ever been on, and with no prizes at the end except aches and pains! so quit yer b!tchin!

Judah

I can see both sides of the argument, and here's the deal, in order to accomodate any deep-south bay people who will be taking caltrain in and the people who want it to start earlier, the race will start at 10am. That means, be there by 9:45 at the latest. You will be rolling out at 10am.

The earliest Caltrain gets into 4th and king at 8:36 and the second at 9:36, and BART is close by at 16th and mission, so there's really no excuse other than that you want to party friday night.

There are enough people who've made the case that they want to be able to check out the NAHBS after the race, and the show closes up at 6pm, so with a 10am start that means that, realistically, the first people will roll in around 1pm, and the last people will probably roll in around 3pm. That leaves three hours to shower, collect your free beer, and check out the show, which will include a prize ceremony around 5:30.

So, depending on which side of the argument you fall, compromise your social life a tiny bit and go to bed before 11pm on one friday night of the year, or understand that some people won't be able to make it up to SF until after 9am...

ahpook

you're a diplomat and a gentleman, judah.

46x17

Very down with the compromise!

Thanks!

jonb

will anyone be up for a run this weekend?

r-dub

**** turnout. Turnout=competition.