The format and layout will be pretty much the same as last year. We'll do a couple of things slightly differently this year to better work with the venue.
- We'll move the starting line back a bit. This will make the course maybe 0.1 km longer. More importantly it'll get the start line away from the corner, affording more visibility to riders and drivers in the later months when the corn gets tall.
Moving the start line back presents a problem for traffic entering and exiting the gravel road however. There isn't a lot of traffic there but it has the potential of disturbing the start. We're reworking our scoresheets to better allow for starting times affected by traffic. Basically if you start a little late (or a little early) because of traffic we can factor that in. In fact, we're planning on needing to do this. It'll make calculating times a bit more difficult but doing this means you won't have to start into a blind corner and you won't ever have to start with a car just ahead of, next to, or behind you. - Depending on turnout we may go to 00:30 second starts in order to get everyone in ahead of sunset.
Here's a few I've had to get the ball rolling:
Where is WNTT?
Columbia Bottom Conservation Area
When is registration?
Each Wednesday beginning at roughly 5 pm until about 6:15 pm when we start getting riders ready to start.
Where is registration?
When you turn in to CBCA, take an immediate left to the visitors center. Drive up to the parking lot. As you enter the lot look to your left. We run registration at the exit to the lot.
Can I register on site?
Yes. Everyone has to register on site each Wednesday
What time do you start?
First rider goes off at approximately 6:30 pm.
What if I'm late?
We try our best not to turn anyone away. As long as we can get you in the flow - you might have to rush a warm-up - we'll do our best to get you a start.
What if I want to race twice?
No problem. Start your first run near the front of the line. The first riders are usually finishing while there are several starters lined up. If you go near the front you'll have time to catch your breath and spin a little before you go again.
Will both results count?
Only if you race in 2 different categories. Otherwise your first run is your official run.
What if the weather is bad?
We had to cancel only 1 night last year, the night we had tornado warnings. We go in wind and rain and cold, but not in snow and ice. If we're canceling we'll put a note here in the Road Racing section of the forum no later than 3:30 pm that afternoon.
Do I need a license?
Yes. You can buy a 1-day or an annual USACycling license at registration. You can buy as many 1-day licenses as you want. They're $10 apiece, so if you buy one and decide you're coming back for more, you masochist you, you can credit one (and only one) of your 1-day licenses toward an annual license purchase. Annual licenses are $60 ($50 if you're crediting a previously purchased 1-day license)
Do I need a TT bike?
No. We will have a men's and women's Merckx class, and a fixed/single speed class this year
What if my bike isn't UCI legal?
UCI rules don't apply. Tri-bikes are just fine. Your bike needs to be USAC legal only, which basically means any 2-wheeled non-recumbent bike less than 2 meters long and 75 cm wide will be just fine. Yes, that means a platform pedaled MTB is legal; and we've had a rider compete on one.
What about sleeveless?
USACycling caved to the Triathlete crowd over a year ago. Sleeveless is OK in any USACycling TT.
Can you have front mounted water bottles or do they have to be standard mount on the frame?
Front, rear, top, bottom. It doesn't matter for this series. Strictly speaking it doesn't matter for any TT in this state.
Do you check saddle position?
Only on my own bike. Yours can be wherever you want it.
Do I have to do the series in only one category?
You can race whatever category you're qualified to race in each night. The choice of remaining in one category or class throughout the series is entirely up to you. Series points are cumulative only in one category, however. Your points earned in the Merckx class only apply to the Merckx class, for example.
What's legal in Merckx?
First off, we don't check Merckx bikes. You're on your own to play fair. Basically you need to ride a standard road setup. Don't bring aero extensions or clip-ons, don't wear a skinsuit or a TT helmet. And don't run aero wheels.
That last one's where everyone starts asking questions. Our answer: We're really only racing for bragging rights here; and everyone know you gotta earn bragging rights. If you're running 404s and someone running stock box rims beats you by a narrow margin he/she gets to brag about it for a whole week. But say you beat the rider on his/her plain box rims with your $2000 wheel set ...
Will there be Oreos and Twizzlers?
Yes, and we'll have a couple of coolers this year for when it's hot. We'll load up one with Gatorade and the other with water. A big shout out to Liz Heller and Goldenberg Heller for taking good care of us here.
Will there be a holder?
Usually yes. Rock-solid Ron Blanton holds for everyone who wants a hold. He's there as often as he can be. If he can't make it we start with one foot down.
Will I have fun?
That's the plan. We put an emphasis on keeping it enjoyable out there. This is a training series after all. Some are out there for serious training and racing but most just want a good workout and a chance to test themselves. The only thing we're really serious about is safety.
See you out there Wednesday after next
Mark
