Northeast Racing
 

I see there's a new race: the Berkshire Cycling Classic, which I guess was a gran fondo the last few years, now has USAC races. Has anybody done this event? Looks like a nice course, with a couple of big climbs.

Hunter is the NY state RR this year. It's tougher than old Hunter course, with a steep 7 minute climb to the finish.

Also, as discussed elsewhere, the latest on Tour of the Catskills is that it will be a 3-day omnium, with a TT, RR, and crit. But this may change several more times before the actual event.

Two other highlights on my calendar are Lime Rock in July and the CCAP Kermis in August. I didn't race either last year but teammates who did said they were both unique and extra fun.

Lime Rock was fun. I did it last year, and I'm friends with the promoter. Unfortunately it's up against the freedom tour (a strangely named crit) which is a much bigger race.

I have never done the BCC but I have ridden on some of those roads. The climbs around the state forests are long grinders, typical Berkshires stuff. How selective will they be in a road race, I don't know.

The Kermis is on a modified version of our Tuesday night worlds course. Flat, wide open, windy, and should be stupid fast. I think Lime Rock has an M55+ but like gsteinb I could end up at the crit instead.

A few major changes for this year in the area.

Longsjo will be a three criterium series this year for some categories. Leominster, Worcester, and Fitchburg. Right now it looks like the M40+ will get all three but omnium points are unknown. Last I knew they were looking for a sponsor for it. The week before is starting to shape up like a "speed weeks" type of event, with Berger, Exeter, and Longsjo. All different promoters but I hope this is a trend.

White Plains is the NY State Criterium Championship this year so they will have an M55+ field. This is my next A race.

There has been a new race added in downtown Danbury. It's not a DD race so it has a chance of making it. My brother lives in the area and can't wait to watch the bro suffer, so I am hoping it sticks.

There was a new race scheduled in downtown Milford but it was recently cancelled. No idea why.

Finally, Chris Thater moves from Recreation Park to a downtown course that looks spectacular. I will miss the hill though.

Kermis is a great race, a 180 which really dictates tactics, wide open roads that allow massive efforts if so desired (like chasing a break for example). Last year the 3 (or 3-4?) race ended with a break off the front, I'd say a good 10 guys in the field had teammates up the road so they (including me) didn't chase.

Limerock is interesting. It's reverse the regular direction, so counterclockwise, and what is normally the final downhill isn't very tough, probably easier than Bethel but about the same steepness. I did it in the rain last year, unfit, and I didn't realize but a couple links on my chain were twisted.

White Plains is an A race for me as an event services provider. All my spare time is going towards preparing for it, logistically anyway. Last weekend, both days, the last few Tue/Thu (daycare days), etc. I've already decided not to race so that makes it easier on me.

I heard that Danbury Audi is paying for the Danbury Crit costs. If that's true (no idea if it is) then it would make it much more likely to happen.

I have to go do stuff now.

Date? Link?

It's on bikereg. Not in the office right now to check.

Danbury - August 17th. $3,750 payout for Pro/1/2 race!

https://www.bikereg.com/wheelpassion...lars-criterium

figures. I'm gone on vacation. Too bad.

I'll suffer for you.

Lime Rock and Freedom Tour are the same weekend, but not the same day...

incorrect

https://www.bikereg.com/2014limerock

https://www.bikereg.com/freedom-tour-2014

My bad. The Freedom Tour web site still has last year's date on it, which happens to be the day after this year's races.

Looking forward to NY State RR and Capital Region RR. Not sure if I'll be able to pull all three days of Catskills.. if not, I may just do the road race.

Aaaaand the crit's gone. Catskills is now TT, circuit race, RR.

Limerock could be held any Sunday. Since it's on a race track, with no downtown merchants to worry about, why not switch to an open weekend ??

With all the weekends without a race, I am always perplexed when there are two on the same day.

(My simple mind at work)

Looks like Purgatory is the same day as White Plains.

think that was the case last year as well. at least they're different enough races that it seems like they would draw totally different people.

i'll be coming out of retirement to race purgatory.

Except Purgatory is the MA State Championships this year. If I'm going to do one road race, it's the states. Not happening, though.

Man these fields for Somerville are like the good old days. Masters, 107 + day of. P/1 122 + day of. The insane one is Cat3, 129 + day of.

The Rockleigh A race last week was a sight to behold. 4 guys from the Venezuela national team were there, and they lined out the field from start to finish. The field averaged over 27 mph for the race. One of the Venezuelans went with 3 to go and got about 10 seconds almost immediately, which he held to the finish. The four of them took the top four spots.

shovelhd, I just reg'd for white plains, gstein already knows, in 35/45, say hello, i'll be in a black/white LG speed suit, with black/red helmet, on silver cervelo

There's a pretty significant crit in NJ by Philly. I imagine that'll be the draw away from White Plains.

who's racing in new england this weekend? purgatory is one of the best road races on the schedule, i'll be there in the cat 3. i'll also be at nutmeg on saturday!

I'm to the point where I just see Nutmeg as a cash grab. 19 fifteen mile races. do three to justify the drive and drop a massive chunk of change. not a lot of guys registered for it. up against all that's going on this weekend I hear a death rattle.

yeah i wouldn't travel too far for it, especially if there's other stuff closer to you. as a ct guy on a ct based team it'll be fun to actually race with teammates for once.

I will keep an eye out for you. Normally I would be in your race but it's right before the M55+ which is my first A race of the year. I gotta save it. I plan on doing the 1/2/3 depending on time commitments.