tetonrider

best news of the day: there's a new title sponsor for the CCC for 2015. the race will go on!

sounds like they (voluntarily) pulled the race from the NRC calendar then lost the old title sponsor (BMC), so many worried the whole thing was in jeopardy. glad a new title sponsor has been secured.

it's been pushed back by a week -- now july 22nd - 26th. mark your calendars!

mattm

I had no idea it was in jeopardy, but glad it was saved!

Doge

Is Worthy brewing picking it up? We had a lot of fun this year and I do my part to support Roger @Worthy

tetonrider

nope, some other healthcare concern.

Doge

Providence? Do tell, or do I need to Google it?

tetonrider

sorry--saw it earlier but the name didn't stick in my brain...didn't think it mattered. just looked it up:
Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon

hack

Saw that on their facebook feed. Wanted to go last year, but it didn't work out. I think 2015 will though (new team digs the race).

misterwaterfall

I might pull a mattm and go just for the super awesome crit. Those RRs would kill me though

Doge

This year we had the fire at the TT. That freaked a few out - I think. The RR is long with few climbs until mile 90. It is about endurance, not so much climbing. Nothing against RAAM, but it is a bit RAAMish. Aubrey Butte is a classic (and was Nat Champ course a few years ago) and more what I'd like to see for spectators as they go around a few times.This year we had the fire at the TT. That freaked a few out - I think. The RR is long with few climbs until mile 90. It is about endurance, not so much climbing. Nothing against RAAM, but it is a bit RAAMish. Aubrey Butte is a classic (and was Nat Champ course a few years ago) and more what I'd like to see for spectators as they go around a few times.
The crit is a safe downtown crit. You can drink beer and watch - or race while people drink beer and watch you.

hack

I'd primarily go to race the crit and provide support to the extent possible on the road race and circuit race.

mattm

raamish?

much lol

Doge

Kind of like climbing over the Sierras, then doing flats across the middle of the country and finally racing over the Appellations - you know - like Race Across AMerica. Profile is like /\___________/.

The RR has a hill at the start (just longer in the NRC race) where everyone stays together, a long downhill and 70 miles of mostly flat, and then the climb. It is legit to wear riders out before the climb and all, just that you have to wait 4+ hours before the race up the hill and 2/3 the group is still together the last half hour. RAAMish applies to the NRC and Cat 2 as some races don't have so much flat in the middle and the profile is more /\_/.

furiousferret

I really would like to do some stage races next year but I'll have to see how things pan out in regards to my on call and work schedule. Right now I'm looking at Gila, Sea Otter, and Cascade. I will do Everest Challenge, as that's been on my bucket list since 2005.

hack

Shoot ... sad that Cascade and San Rafael are on the same weekend this year.

Hida Yanra

I like seeing this thread come around -
I'm already tuning up my "bottle-hand-off" technique

hack

Looks like our lil team went from having about 4 guys heading up to about 12 now (6 in the 2's and 6 in the 3's). Should be fun.

mattm

When I did Cascade in the 2's there weren't really any organized teams; you could have a huge advantage by being able to organize there.

Of course everyone has plans, but they tend to go out the window once guys who were there to support so-and-so get dropped, but having numbers is the first step!

hack

It all looks great on paper, but I'm pretty sure I'll get blown out on the first big climb of the day. So, if I can just offer a bottle or gel to our best climbing 3 guy before the climb, I'll count that as a win.

misterwaterfall

Cascade is now on my radar, but it's the weekend of my GF's birthday which makes it basically non-negotiable. Maybe next year

shovelhd

Daisy Dukes. Musette girl. ESPN. Done deal.

tetonrider

i haven't checked to see if they are running the 1st RR the "traditional" (clockwise) way around bachelor, or the way they did last year.

if like the old way, you really shouldn't get dropped until the final 10k of the race...and then it is usually 2.5-3' that separates the race winners from the rest. it was ~8-10' to a flat few km finish.

if like the new way, the first climb up to bachelor is pretty fast but relatively modest grade. it is early, you're fresh, and there's a draft benefit. even if you got dropped you should be able to chase back on. with this course, though, you're going uphill for about the final 40' of riding. not very steep, but still uphill.

if you're in the 3s, that is the very first stage so even less likely to get dropped on the 1st climb.

i'd say about 2/3 of last year's cat 2 field got dropped at/before the final feed, which is a little bit into the final climb.

it's a super fun weekend of racing.

tetonrider

if you don't "negotiate" these things at the GF stage....good luck at the next one!

misterwaterfall

Haha good call. She stands out in the rain to watch me at early season road races so I think I can live with this compromise. I would also probably get dropped sense I climb like a lead zeppelin

Hida Yanra

how'd you know?
Still trying to decide on whether to go with 3.5" heels or 4" wedges...

thoughts?

hack

All reg'ed up and team house is set.