1) Nordic Cross
Next up on the Nordic Cross calender is
2) Spring Ride
The dates have been set. In fact, we've been counting down for over 220 days now. May 29-31, 2009 will be the sweetest weekend of the year. Those of you who need to, clear your calendars. And if you're planning a race and want the FGBC and friends to show up, stay clear of that weekend. The advertising campaign will commence shortly.
3) Gianni's Grass Track Glossary
I've been watching a bit of the Rotterdam 6 Day here and there. I can't say I get it, but it sure looks like a good time. I hope Gianni can find a way to incorporate the light show, disco balls and bad music. This grass track series promises to be a tonne of fun. Here's what Gianni would like us to know this week:
The Team sprint (also sometimes known as the Olympic sprint) is not a conventional cycling sprint event - it is a three-man team time trial held over three laps of a velodrome.
Because tracks vary in length (typically from 200m to 400m) and the race duration is fixed at 3 laps, the actual distance of the event can vary.
Like the pursuit event (which will be discussed in a week or two), two teams race against each other, starting on opposite sides of the track. At the end of the first lap, the leading rider in each team pulls up the banking leaving the second rider to lead for the next lap; at the end of the second lap, the second rider does the same, leaving the third rider to complete the last lap on his own. The team with the fastest time is the winner.
The best teams have a mix of riders: a starter with great acceleration (often a sprinter), a second rider who can hold the pace, and a third rider with a mix of power and endurance (often a kilo [1000m time trial] rider). All 3 have to be comfortable riding very hard (60km/h is the average speed maintained by the top teams… and that’s from a standing start!) and staying very close together for maximum drafting benefit.
Photos of the world’s best team sprint team (2008 Olympic Gold Medalists) – the British. In the second photo you can see the first rider pulling up after the first lap.
I saw these guys ride against the French at the 2006 world championships in front of a packed house (14,000) of French fans at the Bordeaux velodrome. They lost by a couple hundredths of a second to the French team, and the crowd went absolutely wild. It was the most amazing bike racing moment I have ever seen.
4) TMHTE
The North Carolina chapter is looking forward to this:
Looking forward to? Dreading? Being terrified by? Yes. Yes. And yes. Either way, it is now very clearly on the horizon. It begins at midnight on Feb 7 and ending at noon on Feb. 8--i.e., 36 hours of racing. That's 9 hours more than the poosher and I spent riding the inaugural Red Ass. And this one includes two nights. At any rate, in exactly one month from how we will be just over two hours away from finishing--if we're still alive, that is. Apparently, there are still a few spots open. So if you're looking for an excuse to head south, this is as good as any. Pisgah is recognized for some of the sweetest and toughest singletrack in the southeast. Of course, this race is geared towards those who know Pisgah well. But I'm sure you'd be welcome to tag along with us if you like. My partner has done these sorts of races several times and knows have to navigate the forest pretty well by now.
If you want further details, here is what the race organizer has to say:
If you want further details, here is what the race organizer has to say:
1. Venue Change: The start/finish/camping will be at UPPER COVE CREEK CAMPGROUND. Cove Creek is off of FS475, at the end of the pavement, past the Fish Hatchery. Be aware that you will need to cross a shallow creek in your vehicle to access the camping area. Please close the gate behind you. The lock combo will be posted on the information kiosk next to the gate.
2. Team configurations: We will have two classes, solo and duo. Solo racers need to carry every piece of required gear. Duo can divide the required gear however they choose. Duo racers must stay within vocal contact at all times, must visit the checkpoints together, etc. Think of your teammate as 'required gear'. If one team member drops out, the other cannot continue to race.
3. Camping / sign-in: The campground opens at 4PM Friday Feb 6 and closes 2PM Monday Feb 9. Sign-in will open at 8PM Friday.
4. Format: There will be six stages that must be completed in 36 hours. Each stage will have 6 checkpoints. Some stages will have 6 MANDATORY checkpoints, others will have just 1. Make sure you understand the rules of each stage before leaving the start/finish area. Teams will receive their passport for the next stage upon arrival from the previous stage.
5. Entry Fees/Prizes: None. Zero. Zip. Nada.
6. Amenities: We will try to keep a fire going. We will try to keep beer and vegetarian chili flowing. However, we cannot guarantee that anything will be available at any time. Bring everything you may need to keep yourself fed and comfortable for the weekend. There is well water and outhouses on site.
7. Duo Mandatory Gear:
1.Whistle, 1.compass, 1.pisgah map, 1.knife, 1.lighter, 2.emergency blanket, 2.front light, 2.rear light, 1.first aid kit, 1.water filter or iodine, 1+.RELIABLE digital camera (You will prove you were at the CP's by taking photos. No photo, no CP). 2.winter tights, 2.mid/heavy fleece upper, 2.rain jacket, 2.helmet (duh),1. 50* or better sleeping bag (night sections only)
6 comments:
So who had the best hockey stick tether/harness thing last year? Want to share your secrets with a newbie to this discipline? G's rig looked pretty solid in the photos from last year.
Here's some anticipation for you... (I'm not sure if this is my news to tell, but, hey, somebody has to tell it)
Despite there not being any representatives from FGBC, Olympia or MUCR in attendance at the MCA road calendar planning meeting (due to short notice/complications related to publicizing the meeting), the MCA road committee has invited FGBC to host the provincial cyclocross championships in Altona.
Of course, this is preliminary, etc., etc. - all the usual caveats, but it is certainly (1) an interesting opportunity and (2) a feather in the cap of both FGBC and Altona.
That is certainly an interesting idea. What would be the difference between hosting provincials as opposed to the regular race? I suppose of particular interest would be whether this would be a barrier to the attempt to make this race maximally accessible. But more generally, would it mean more logistical headaches? The FGBC doesn't like headaches, logistical or otherwise.
More importantly, however, what does Johnny S say about all this?
As for Canuck Cross, I don't recall that any of the approaches tried last year worked especially well. That's the beauty of it, I suppose. You will notice that most of these races are concieved in such a way that the ensure a certain level of failure. Having said that, I do believe Jonny G was reckoned as having the best system. James, I think, had the worst setup. He almost found himself hanging from a low branch. Having said all that, I believe the results had more to do with good old bike riding and the ability to hit targets. Have fun.
The impact of provincials, as far as I can tell:
1. Arguably higher profile.
2. Race is run by age groups instead of ability groups.
3. MCA supplies medals for age category winners.
4. All riders must have regular (not "day") UCI racing licenses. This was the issue that nearly prevented Minnesota riders from riding at the Belgian Club a couple years back - they only had USCF licenses, not UCI, and even a day license technically isn't allowed.
Not quite sure how these impacts will affect this event. I'm not sure the effect would be positive.
Just my two cents.
#2 and #4 seem to me to be problematic. Not necessarily insurmountable, though. Perhaps we could run a separate race for ulicensed riders earlier (or later) in the day. We'll have to think this through. Carefully. It's been a sweet event in part because so many people have come out and raced. This is potentially another case of regulations getting in the way of good times. I have no interest in that. If that's the case, I'd say forget it. But if we can find a way to keep it fun and inclusive--and I think that may be possible--then it might be worth trying.
Johnny S?
It would be pretty cool to host "the provincials", but I would need to hear the specifics/details/expectations of the MCA. We need to see how/if we could make it work and still keep the race fun/accesible/free for my friends/the young'ns. If not, we'll just have to put on our regular kick-ass race and save the provincials for another day.
Speaking of kick-ass races - mark your calendars...Sunday, March 8, 2:00, The Altona Winter Bike Festivus is on! Bike games + potluck supper + home-baked prizes + beer + Duke V. North Carolina on the big screen = Fun. And nothing beats fun.
We hope to see a lot of FGBC'ers, friends and family make the trip.
Johnny S
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