40 replies to this topic

[bluto]

Can anyone offer advice on how to register for this race? I'm on the WEST coast and am trying to coordinate a trip back with a couple of buddies but i've been told the race fills quickly, as in, same day.

Whats best way to get a spot?

Thanks,

[Magellan]

The best way is to set your alarm wake up early and register as soon as you are allowed to.

[klages]

Yeah, its online registration so it's just a matter of logging on early.  How you will know what day, might be problematic.  Maybe something will be posted on here.  

It does matter what category you are racing.  If you are doing the 1/2's, then I would think you have less issues with the fields filling up VERY quickly.  The 5's and 4/5's, and to some extent, the 3's are the fastest to fill up.

[D5BigAlKnows]

You COULD race the masters with us, if you have the necessary qualifications..... experience, stamina, speed, handling skills, & oh yeah you have to be an OLD guy

[bluto]

klages, on 08 November 2009 - 06:45 AM, said:

Yeah, its online registration so it's just a matter of logging on early.  How you will know what day, might be problematic.  Maybe something will be posted on here.  

It does matter what category you are racing.  If you are doing the 1/2's, then I would think you have less issues with the fields filling up VERY quickly.  The 5's and 4/5's, and to some extent, the 3's are the fastest to fill up.

5hit......we're all 3's.

Thanks for the help and i guess i'll just keep my eyes peeled. Historically, has registration been in January? February?

Thanks again to those who've responded.

[Rusty-P]

The Hillsboro race is not what it used to be.  Honestly I wouldn't travel that far for the race.  I live in St Louis and don't drive out there anymore.  What I would propose is to push the vacation or travels out a week or two.  Come down for Tour of Hermann (4/17,18) or Tour of St. Louis (4/24,25). At least those are the dates posted so far.  Both weekends will give you much better race quality with a ton less headache.  Double check with the promoters before solidifying plans of course.  Depending on what kind of racing you want you may choose one or the other.  Hermann has a TT, very hard crit, and as always a very very challenging road race.  Entry was a little high and payouts were a little low and basically everything is determined by your GC placement so don't voluntarily drop out of a race.  That is what it was last year at least.  Tour of St. Louis usually consists of two good crits and a TT.  Entry is usually reasonable and payouts are usually not too bad.  There is a GC for it but not the main focus of the weekend.  The TT's for both weekends are usually on the shorter side so clip on bars for the road bike would be fine if space is an issue.

[S&M]

Rusty-P, on 08 November 2009 - 10:44 AM, said:

The Hillsboro race is not what it used to be.  

Have they changed the course? Hasn't it been the same for the past 10+ years? And fields are the same size, too. So how is it different from what it used to be? Race tactics maybe?

M

[Rusty-P]

Fields are not the same size they are larger and have out grown the course in most cases, the course sucks for large fields of riders, it is dangerous with the narrow unmarked roads, expensive. Tactics have very little to do with this race.  This is not new information it is usually discussed every year when the race comes around.

[shill]

Rusty-P, on 08 November 2009 - 12:08 PM, said:

Fields are not the same size they are larger and have out grown the course in most cases, the course sucks for large fields of riders, it is dangerous with the narrow unmarked roads, expensive. Tactics have very little to do with this race.  This is not new information it is usually discussed every year when the race comes around.

i have to agree with rusty on this one, the field sizes are so big and roads so narrow that it is really dangerous. if you get stuck at the back you have very little opportunity to move up.

[BigBlue]

shill, on 08 November 2009 - 04:21 PM, said:

Rusty-P, on 08 November 2009 - 12:08 PM, said:

Fields are not the same size they are larger and have out grown the course in most cases, the course sucks for large fields of riders, it is dangerous with the narrow unmarked roads, expensive. Tactics have very little to do with this race.  This is not new information it is usually discussed every year when the race comes around.

i have to agree with rusty on this one, the field sizes are so big and roads so narrow that it is really dangerous. if you get stuck at the back you have very little opportunity to move up.

I have to agree as well.  I started at the very back last year ( about 100) and it was basically impossible to move up during the first lap unless you were willing to break the yellow line rule which I saw a couple of people do which really sucks for those who follow the rules.

[epirtle]

shill, on 08 November 2009 - 04:21 PM, said:

Rusty-P, on 08 November 2009 - 12:08 PM, said:

Fields are not the same size they are larger and have out grown the course in most cases, the course sucks for large fields of riders, it is dangerous with the narrow unmarked roads, expensive. Tactics have very little to do with this race.  This is not new information it is usually discussed every year when the race comes around.

i have to agree with rusty on this one, the field sizes are so big and roads so narrow that it is really dangerous. if you get stuck at the back you have very little opportunity to move up.

I have only participated in this race once before on the first year, so my memory is bad.

Is there a phantom yellow line rule on the narrow, unpainted roads?

If not, I do not see how the road would be too narrow to fit everyone safely.

As everyone knows the Euros race on skinnier roads than Hillsboro with more riders in nearly every event. However, they are mostly all rolling enclosures.

[Rusty-P]

Yes, the virtual yellow line applies on those roads.  They are still open to oncoming traffic as well. Doesn't matter if it is a pickup truck or dump truck.  Even if it was my favorite race of all time it would be hard to recommend it over Tour of Hermann or Tour of STL which fall pretty close on the calendar.  Especially if you are traveling such a long distance.

[epirtle]

Rusty-P, on 08 November 2009 - 06:20 PM, said:

Yes, the virtual yellow line applies on those roads.  They are still open to oncoming traffic as well. Doesn't matter if it is a pickup truck or dump truck.  Even if it was my favorite race of all time it would be hard to recommend it over Tour of Hermann or Tour of STL which fall pretty close on the calendar.  Especially if you are traveling such a long distance.

Dang....that is a bummer. I figured a race that gets so much hype and that is on some sort of national calender would have an enclosure at least on the narrow roads.

Virtual yellows scare me. How do you even enforce that rule fairly?

Anyway, it seems to please most everyone since it fills up so quickly. It is a cool course!

[live2beoutside]

epirtle, on 08 November 2009 - 06:24 PM, said:

. . .Virtual yellows scare me. How do you even enforce that rule fairly?

Basically, you don't.  It's a mix of self-policing, honesty, dishonesty and random chance.  After last year's race, there was a 5-6 page thread full of complaints, opinions, and general frustration over the problems with enforcing the yellow line rule in this race and how trying to follow the yellow line rule effectively removes people who do not start in the front from doing anything but following until the accordion affect finally slings them off the back on one of the many corners on this route.  It's my understanding that this same anger/venting session happens every year after this race.

[bluto]

Rusty-P, on 08 November 2009 - 06:20 PM, said:

Especially if you are traveling such a long distance.

After bringing 5 of my buddies back for the Gateway Cup the past two years, they're now bugging me to find another venue to come back and race. I've heard great things about Hillsboro race, but was not aware of all that's been mentioned above. Sucks.  

Tour of Hermann sounds nice. TT on my road bike........not so much.....