Westside Classic

[Roland]

Who is in for the Westside Classic on June 12th? http://www.teamwedgewood.com/files/2011 ... lassic.php

It starts early, so going over the night before would be required.

[Dylan J C]

I have the time off work, whoever want to carry me along gets a free ferry ride

[Lister Farrar]

It's provincials eh? The website doesn't show junior women. I've asked, and if they have a race for them, Brenna and Alex might be convinced to go.

Interesting that it's a fully closed 10 km road circuit. How many of those are there? Plus a grand fondo category for non-licensed holders. I can see more wanting to go if a friend or family member can do that.

I can pin numbers on and hand up water.

[Lister Farrar]

Heard a junior/cat 4 women's race has been added to the schedule. Encouraging Alex, Brenna and Farisha to go.

Just google street viewed the entire circuit. Holy cow, that's a nice circuit. Feels like it's 80% out in the countryside.

[Josh.E]

I'm going. I'm not sure of my travel plans yet.
I'm thinking of subjecting myself to the pain of the 120km cat1/2/3 race instead of doing the 85km cat 3/4.

[emilederosnay]

Just google street viewed the entire circuit. Holy cow, that's a nice circuit. Feels like it's 80% out in the countryside.

It's a pretty sweet course, starting on a broad avenue near UBC and heading downhill, and you can get to 70kph on it; then there's a fast flat (above 50kph) that's the left side of a dual carriageway. On this, there is a fight to get to the front, since it leads to a left turn onto the hill. The hill itself isn't that steep, but the road is very rough (potholes, big cracks, patches of gravel on the side where the road is broken up), so there's a lot of movement in the peloton with people trying to find the right line. It turns left at the top and winds through a neighbourhood on a pretty good surface (generally increasing elevation) back to the start/finish which is also on a climb (not steep either). The course favours a powerful rider. Expect attacks not only on the KOMs, but also right after it turns left and all the way through to the start/finish, as this section is selective and it strings out.

[Lister Farrar]

Well, junior women have been added...with a separate result, but so far, only if they ride with senior women 1-3. The organizer hadn't budgeted for the extra race vehicles or commissaire.

But, he's in discussions to add a separate jr/cat 4 women's race, a couple minutes after the senior women. Four laps, 42km.

If any junior or cat 4 women are even remotely interested, this is a great race to go to, with a fully closed 10.5 km circuit, but not killer climbs or technical parts.

Aviawest/Vic Cycling Academy are sending 4 juniors, Tripleshot maybe 2 or 3. Tripleshot will provide a neutral service vehicle and driver. the more riders that commit, the easier it will be for the organizer to commit to the extra costs.

Also needed are 1 or 2 other vehicles with experienced drivers, and a commissaire, preferably without large expenses. Contact me at listerfarrar(at)telus.net, and I'll forward any interest to Jonathon.

[RyanC]

I'm going. I'm not sure of my travel plans yet.
I'm thinking of subjecting myself to the pain of the 120km cat1/2/3 race instead of doing the 85km cat 3/4.

I am torn. I seem to have accrued enough points that mean I will be racing 1/2 soon enough, so I am caught between motives: a decent shot at money & swag in 3/4 or challenging myself, erasing memories of being dropped as a cat 2 on this course many years ago.

Oh well, I have until Saturday to decide, then I am out of town until after the online reg closing date passes.

Emile's description is good but I can't overstate the draining effect of repeatedly fighting for position on Camosun. That hill, more of a 'rise' really, is more of a psychological kick in the @ss because it's probably no more than 4% and only around 500m long. It's just that you ride it very fast 12 times. It's absolute chaos in the feed zone because it is narrow and, as Emile said, poorly surfaced. I remember that part very well. Spare wheels are probably a good option.

If Dylan, Josh, and Adam are registering for the main event, I will go with the 126k option. I note with curiosity that the Masters/Juniors event is a lap longer than the 3/4 event.

R

[Roland]

Encouraging Alex, Brenna and Farisha to go.

Since this is provincials they'll need junior gearing, 52x14 or blocked gears.

I can drive, but I need to be back early, 2pm ferry at the latest. So I can take people for the first race or the junior girls race. My car can carry 5 people and 6 bikes. Do we still have any comp rooms at Accent Inns?

[wonger]

Do we still have any comp rooms at Accent Inns?

Accent has provided sponsorship again for 2011, including some comp rooms. I will ask the exec to consider this request. Stand by.

[Lister Farrar]

I'm going. I'm not sure of my travel plans yet.
I'm thinking of subjecting myself to the pain of the 120km cat1/2/3 race instead of doing the 85km cat 3/4.

I am torn. I seem to have accrued enough points that mean I will be racing 1/2 soon enough, so I am caught between motives: a decent shot at money & swag in 3/4 or challenging myself, erasing memories of being dropped as a cat 2 on this course many years ago.

Oh well, I have until Saturday to decide, then I am out of town until after the online reg closing date passes.

Emile's description is good but I can't overstate the draining effect of repeatedly fighting for position on Camosun. That hill, more of a 'rise' really, is more of a psychological kick in the @ss because it's probably no more than 4% and only around 500m long. It's just that you ride it very fast 12 times. It's absolute chaos in the feed zone because it is narrow and, as Emile said, poorly surfaced. I remember that part very well. Spare wheels are probably a good option.

If Dylan, Josh, and Adam are registering for the main event, I will go with the 126k option. I note with curiosity that the Masters/Juniors event is a lap longer than the 3/4 event.

R

Do what Roland would do. Do the hardest race. Attack early. Attack often.

[RyanC]

I will reg this weekend for the 1/2/3 race. Dylan, I am in if you want to ride with me on the ferry and do the same event. Racing at that level will be good for you

I would really be happy if a comp room at Accent Inn were an option. It might mean the difference between my getting some rest and sleeping at my cigarette smoking family's place.

R

[Roland]

But, he's in discussions to add a separate jr/cat 4 women's race, a couple minutes after the senior women. Four laps, 42km.

According to the schedule, there is now a Cat4/Junior race with it's own start.

Jen, buy a UCI License.

[Lister Farrar]

Woo Hoo! Hadn't seen that yet. big thanks to jonathon wornell and steve lund.

If anyone knows any women at all that might be persuaded to ride, please phone them. It's a one of a kind course, fully closed, and with a responsive and experienced race organizer (Jonathon did the first Van Whistler Gran Fondo, and this year the Penticton Gran Fondo).

You could go off the back in the first 100 m and still have a good day on that course. The hill is only 4 %, come for the training for gran fondo's triathlons, or as an excuse to go to museums, restaurants, or shopping in Vancouver. The event and Jonathon's club are also fund raiser for cancer. Come help pick up the ball Lance is dropping.

[wonger]

Two comp rooms are available at Accent Inns if they are still needed. Please let me know who will be using them so that I can make a booking for you.

[Lister Farrar]

Thanks Geoff. But so far the cat 4 + junior women contingent is going Sunday AM first ferry.

Dylan, wanna come and change wheels in the service vehicle? (and pay our way? )

L

[Roland]

Two comp rooms are available at Accent Inns if they are still needed. Please let me know who will be using them so that I can make a booking for you.

Adam, my carpool buddy, is injured so I'm not sure what I'll be doing for travel plans to the race. Please put my room 'on hold'.

[RyanC]

I'm out. I transferred my entry to Bruce. Have a great race guys.

R