40 replies to this topic

[celeste55]

K Mulligan, on 09 November 2009 - 09:02 PM, said:

It is a better race than the tour of Herrman and any criteriums on the planet.

lies.

[live2beoutside]

Don, on 09 November 2009 - 07:04 PM, said:

wow... have you raced this Rouge Roubaix in LA?

No, I'm WAY too big a whiner to do a race like that.  Riding on gravel makes me cry like a little girl.  

But I used to live down that way for several years so I know people who have done it.  If you're looking for something that gives the ambiance of Paris - Roubaix, that's the closest thing I know of in this country.

[MikeR]

bluto, on 08 November 2009 - 09:06 PM, said:

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.....

Tour of Hermann is very well run. Both the crit and road race are hilly.  I think you would be fine in the TT with some clip on aero bars.

[bluto]

rich pierce, on 09 November 2009 - 01:13 PM, said:

Just FYI, don't want to argue the merits and shortcomings of our race (H-R)here, or anywhere for that matter, but the course will be longer next year and will incorporate more open roads w/o losing the character of the course.  The most dangerous turn early in the course will be eliminated (yes, that downhill, off camber lefty about 2.5 miles in).  By using a 28-29 mile lap we can reduce laps to 3 for the pro/1/2 group, 2 laps for 3's and masters, etc thereby reducing the problems of fields passing each other on the course.

Thank you for the information Rich. It sounds like a great venue and i hope i make the regsitration before it fills!

See you all in April !!

[thackrey]

Wanted to add my bit.... this is a classic race in the area... hats off to Todd and Rich and all the ICCC folks that make this race happen.... it truely is... the He## of the North>    Thanks... Dave...

[harristkj]

Here is my number to discuss your concerns 314-807-6850.  I will be happy to listen and do what I can.  I don't tend to use the board to discuss things because it's kind of like to talking to a drunk.  You never really know if people understand what your telling them.

Just so you know. Those 60 marshalls are on every intersection on the course and they stop every car and let them know that cyclist are on the road and to be extra careful on turns and hills.  Then they get to defend your right to race on the road if the motorist complains.

[KCress]

harristkj, on 10 November 2009 - 10:09 PM, said:

Just so you know. Those 60 marshalls are on every intersection on the course and they stop every car and let them know that cyclist are on the road and to be extra careful on turns and hills.  Then they get to defend your right to race on the road if the motorist complains.

I grew up in this town and this race was what got me into cycling. I can tell you that the towns people love this race and don't mind waiting for the cyclist. For one, nobody there is in a hurry to get anywhere, it's a totally different lifestyle then it is here in the city where people can't be delayed by half a second to make it to the mall. They think it's cool as hell that people come from all over the country to their small little town.

[live2beoutside]

harristkj, on 10 November 2009 - 10:09 PM, said:

. . . I don't tend to use the board to discuss things because it's kind of like to talking to a drunk.  You never really know if people understand what your telling them. . .

ROFLMAO . . . !!!!  
That's an EXCELLENT description.  

[FattyM]

zootv, on 09 November 2009 - 07:46 PM, said:

celeste55, on 09 November 2009 - 07:16 PM, said:

honestly what i was more scared about during the H-R than the yellow line violations, sketchy roads, and early season jitters, was the wreckless driving by officials who decided that a ten foot wide road was a good time to pass our whole field (in a suburban), spraying gravel into the field, then stopping us to yell at us while the break gained time.  They did this numerous times.  The small roads should just be closed to traffic 100% and there should be no yellow line rule on the "candy" section of the lollipop course....if that makes sense.

yepper i wont be back, havent been back in awhile,  they dont follow the rules, yellow line,  they let others use other fields to pace up to me,           other riders dont get out of the way, from other races,   and then they sit on my wheel.  and if its windy,,  the pack is all over the road,           i say give the race to the guy thats way in the back, and on the right side of the road, the way it should be,  why because hes riding by the rules.          so be it/ if you cant ride into the wind or crosswind,              anyways, wish you all the best, and yes everyone is really nice up there too,             too bad they  did away with the biathlon,  they have a outside person doing it,  they really mess up a wonderful race.   better to have mom and pop run the race.   o well,  nothing last ,

On the other hand - are these new roads any wider?

Because I think the horse has already been beat to a pulp, but the old course was way too narrow to enforce a yellow-line rule for the fields the promoters allowed.  There was ONE tiny section where the pavement was wide enough to make the yellow line rule reasonable.  It's charming to compare Hillsboro to a Belgian classic, but let's face it, they get the whole road on those crappy roads.  We don't.

Of course, you could just take my opinion with a grain of salt, as I am a fat sprinter that wants to cruise in the loving womb of a huge peleton, safe and warm and wind-free until the final few kilometers.

[Sherkat]

Yeah, it's true, Hillsboro has gotten really big and is sometimes scary. But, most good road races have. Rouge Roubaix being vetted as a way cool alternative is laughable. It's no different, I've done it, and it's much worse by the criteria of safety and organization. You'll have a field of 100+ people heading through a narrow road in the woods, acting like you have the entire road---only you don't. And, Hillsboro has WAY more race personnel at critical junctures to help stave off drunken churchgoing maniacs and such (in Louisiana, the drunks go to church on Sunday, it's a Catholic thing). At Rouge, if you take a wrong turn, you can wind up at the supermax at Angola. Good luck finding your way back to St. Bumbuns or whatever. And, the "Rouge" Roubaix isn't anywhere near Baton Rouge or New Orleans. So, if you're thinking of flying out from CA for a party, forget it. You're going to spend all of your time driving to the middle of nowhere, staying in a run down retirement community, and then driving back to whatever airport you flew into. Still, that one is a fun race, just like Hillsboro. But for a race, Hillsboro is definitely better managed. Rouge is a training race (A,B,C, classifications, even).

[robo]

all these saftey concerns are important however i hope the reduced mileage doesent let the race loose its difficulty factor ie fields coming in together etc