Good Friday Road Race-- April 2

[rachel]

Race season is starting! Good Friday is the first road race of the season, and y'all are invited.

There are a few different categories, so if you haven't done a road race before, don't be shy!



More info at:
hamiltoncycling.com/?page_id=142

Post up if you're interested, and we can organize transportation.


Who: You!!
What distance: ~56k if it's your first road race, up to 111k if you're Manton
Where: Flamborough ON (about 35 minutes south of Guelph)
When: Friday April 2nd, races start between ~9am- 1:30pm

Attending (and needs transportation):
Rachel
Manton
Eric
MikeM
Andrew M

Drivers:
Anton (2p/4b)-- for 11 & 1:30 race starts
Rachel + bike
Anton + bike

Andrew M (4p/3b)-- for 9am race start
Andrew M + bike
Eric (?) + bike
Mike M + bike (?)

[Bayden]

as you know.. i'll be doing this one.

[gmbcer]

I have never done a road race and I will be there. Does that make for some others to try with me???

Let me know if yous come down to preride!

[McGrill]

Yeah!
I'm going to try really, really hard to make this my first road race. Only problem is that I don't know how the different categories work.

[Bayden]

S4. First road race, they won't let you start anywhere else unless you're expert or higher already in mtb o-cups. What else you wanna know?

[Eric]

I'd be interested in trying. Is this S4 56km?

[Eric]

nevermind, I'm looking at the website

[Eric]

Hey! I noticed that riders need a OCA license to race. Is it too late to apply for one?

[Bayden]

You don't need a UCI license in your case.

Assuming you'd be competing in Senior 4 (and you would be if its your first race) then check out the technical guide for this race, pages5-6:
hamiltoncycling.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Good_Friday_Road_Race_2010_Technical_Guide.pdf

S4 and some other categories are allowed to buy $10 one-day licenses. Btw, they only let you buy something like three of those per year, so someone doing more than three races, even in S4, needs a UCI license.

And its not to late to apply for UCI if you want that right off the bat. Include with your license application to the OCA the fact that your first race will be Good friday (or whatever) and they won't bother mailing it but will have it ready for pickup at the race itself.
Thats what I did with my first UCI license.

[Eric]

Thanks for the helpful advice- I was aware that riders can race with one-day licenses but thought that first timers are required to have both UCI and day-pass for some reason. somewhat deceiving chart.
On a related note, what's the weather like around that time of year? cold, mildly cold, or ok-with-a-short-sleeve-jersey temperature? (judging by the photo above, if it's from last year, I'll need to bundle up)

[rachel]

The weather definitely varies-- last year I was happy in a jersey, a long-sleeve dry fit, arm warmers, two pairs of gloves, and tights.

It's been colder other years though-- including snow one time.

But we had nice weather last week, so I guess a short-sleeve-jersey is within the realm of possible...

[Z]

I might be coming down for this one. If anyone doesn't mind letting me crash at their place the night before I see no reason why I can't bring some bodies (preferably live ones) in the car the next day.

[rachel]

You're welcome to crash on a couch here if you want.

Let's start to confirm #s so we can start to organize drivers.
Post if you're coming, if you can offer a ride, or if you need a ride.

[antonv]

me - 1 car with a bike rack...spots flexible. 4p 4b maxxxx...idealy 2p and ~4b

[rachel]

Sweet!

I can also possibly borrow my folks car if we need it...

[andrewm]

I'm really considering this. I looked up the results from last years race and the pace didn't seem so bad for the entry level racers, but I would be somewhat screwed if I fell out of the draft. Worst case I'd go just to heckle. Put me down for 4p 3b.

[gmbcer]

where did you find said results? I`m wondering the same thing (how fast the lowest catagory is, and if i`d be somewhat screwed...)

[Bayden]

Z I could also shack you up should Rachel find her house full of strippers that night and have nowhere to sleep, as she usually does.

I've got a ride sorted out, btw.

And Andrew I think you'd find the pace ok, the only thing the average speed doesn't tell you about is the surges that go on. If you miss out during even one surge, its tough the rest of the way. But just keep your head up and I think you'll be fine.

[andrewm]

Michelle: hamiltoncycling.com/?page_id=259 then click on Good Friday (or GF) results. It is then listed under the different categories and says the average speed of the racers in those categories.

and if you have trouble finding it: The Cadet Womens avg speed was 31.7km/h.

But holy shit at the Elite 1&2 Mens: AVG speed over 111km was 39.6km/h

Anyone know the cost to register for the race + temp race license?

[Bayden]

I assume wison sent you. The tech guide (see links and discussion above) has the answer.

[Z]

I'm not sure I'll be able to take the time away from school to make this one. I am sitting on the fence right now. Depends on what is covered in class this week.

However, Bayden you need not worry; Thursday night strippers are part of my regular routine.

[gmbcer]

Thanks Andrew. I didn't think to go try and find it under the club's website, the club which I will be a part of soon when they cash my cheque... but I looked on OCA where I can get to all the MTB ones (telling me to go to Chico's website etc..).

I`m new to this 'roadie' scene. We're gonna find out if I should stick to Mountain Biking! Rachel, I`m gonna need a little pep talk. Are girls mean? I`m just a little worried about my skills riding in the peleton. It's been a number of years since I`ve ridden in a group of 5 or more people :S.

[Ally]

I think Steph and I are gonna ride down! yay!

[rachel]

Woot!

[Aaron]

Ill be there, albeit not racing. Gonna ride down.

[Dana]

I think I'll be racing, but senior 4 starts at 9am so I'll be headed out fairly early.

[Bayden]

This is going to be crazy well attended! Way to go everyone if not for racing at least being there to form a heckle squad.

[Eric]

I'll be racing for sure. I have a ride but will need some help bringing my bike down. Are we all going to meet up somewhere and head out or meet at the race?

[rachel]

Eric, it looks like it'll just be you, me, Anton and Andrew M racing (and others who have their own transportation).
So, I think it would be sensible for you to send your bike (and/or self) with Andrew M for the 9am start, and I'll head down with Anton for the later races.

What do you guys think?

[andrewm]

Eric let me know where and when I can pick up your bike. It might have to be somewhat late Thursday or even earlier.

For those who haven't done the course before heres a little map of things.


Everything else is airplane runway flat (albeit shitty pavement).

Also, do they not bother recording S4 results? I can't seem to find those numbers anywhere on the website.