slim_77

So, I was talking with a guy on a very respected racing team about my past season. *snip-long conversation-snip* Basically, I need to "learn how to race."

The idea being that if one races in an environment with unfamiliar teams and racers one is forced to "race" smarter and with fewer preconceptions.

So, he literally said: "go race in Indiana."

This made sense to me: I know too well who to watch and what some team's plan will be. I think I can benefit from racing away from the Chicago area every now and again.

This got me thinking about where else I'd like to race. I mentioned this to a few teammates and they are interested...so now the question is where?

To the point: What is your favorite race in your region? Where is it (city-state)? Crit or RR? Single or multiple days? Stage race? USAC? Describe the conditions, the terrain, the things that make it one of your favorites.

Also, if possible include a link to a flier from last year, photos, maps, etc.

Ah, only 4.5 months to go...

invwnut

come on down. the more the merrier...I'm planning on racing my first season next year. I hope to learn to race too. I would agree that unfamiliarity is a good thing but so is familiarity.

CrimsonKarter21

The few races I've done in Indiana were pretty good and nice and fast. From what I've seen, Zipp has a pretty big presence there. To boot, they've got the Marion Classic, which is now NRC.

Psimet2001 

So you're saying you know what I'm going to do before I do it?

....although I wouldn't call going off the bck much of a plan on my part.

Racer Ex 

For tactics 101 go race track. 3:1 learning curve over a regular race. After that go race a stage race for GC. Really easy to lose a stage race, really hard to win one. If you want one of the best head down to Gila in April. 5 days. Hard course. Harder competition. There's several good ones in Texas and Joe Martin in Arkansas is tough.

txvintage

Don't sell yourself short. There is the strategy, planning, and gamesmanship of when to go off the back. These things can't be overlooked.

slim_77

I almost went to the Marion classic last year, but family obligations prevented that...looks like a cool race.

slim_77

I never would have thought about track. Do you say that because one would race more often because the races are shorter? Or is there another dynamic.

Joe Martin is on the definitely maybe list. www.joemartinstagerace.com

JPradun

Cool race. Not a cool course.

botto 

do people actually go to indiana?

it always seemed to be a place to leave. like ohio.

fly:yes/land:no

that is how all of my european friends describe belgium.

botto 

it's far from perfect, but its charming quirks far out way its negatives.

fly:yes/land:no

maybe that is the distinction. in ohio, we certainly have quirks, although i wouldn't describe them as charming. on the plus side, our state flag RULES.

PlatyPius

I moved back here from Wyoming.

You'd actually be surprised at the amount of tourism we get. Personally, I can't imagine why anyone would want to come to Indiana from somewhere else. Unless they like trees, cornfields, peaceful country roads, drivers that wave instead of flip you off, covered bridges, Amish people, etc. I still wouldn't pick Indiana as a destination. The UP of Michigan maybe, or even Kentucky.

Lots of racing here in Indiana, though. There seems to be bike racing in most towns surrounding mine.

ZeCanon

Gila is good, though it falls at a time of year that doesn't work for me (a few days before collegiate nats) so I haven't done it since I was a 3. It was fun then.
Not a huge fan of Joe Martin, though I've only done it once.
Cascade is kickass
Mt. Hood is fecking hard, though I think the non-elites do a shorter lamer version
If you want to go east Fitchburg is a great race, though the town itself is kind of depressing

I can't think of any crits worth traveling for. Definitely get on the track though, it's like an entire hour long crit condensed into 5-10 minutes, three times a night. Mistakes are not easily forgiven without the ability to shift, you HAVE to be smart.

Racer Ex 

Yes and yes. Depending on your cat and the race schedule you do at least 3 races a day in a pretty compressed time frame. They are done in an omnium format so you have to pay attention and strategize towards a cumulative goal for three events. The format for every event changes so you have to develop a knowledge of your strengths and weaknesses, and finally events like the points races and others require you to think on your pedals and dose your efforts.

While track seems scary, the no brake factor is actually good; most poeple are pretty circumspect about jamming their wheels into places without that lever to get them out. And without brakes you learn how to do things other than just grab the brakes in tight situations.

Cavendish is the poster boy for track racing, Zabel was another great who did a lot of track events. Wiggins, Phinney...long list.

slim_77

Thanks for this.

And yeah, crits are hard to justify a long trip for...but several may tip the scale.

slim_77

hmmm, both Ze and Ex suggesting the track. I think there may be something to this.

very helpful. thanks.

ZeCanon

It should be noted that I suck almightily at track racing and tend to just go on 5 lap to go suicide missions for my teammates. But it still teaches you a lot.

McTufferton

St. Louis... You're a short drive away; we've got a season with races every weekend, including a NRC race, road races and a ton of crits; and there is a good level of competition here.

Early season road races that would be worth your while include:
-Hillsboro Roubaix: https://web.me.com/iccc_stl/Hillsboro/Welcome.html
-Tour of Hermann (Omnium... awesome event): https://www.tourofhermann.com/
-Tour de. St. Genevieve (MO State RR Championship): https://tdstg.com/home
and
-Tour de Grove: This is the NRC race, but it's new this year and website isn't up yet. Listed as a circuit race, as it was a 3 mile loop last year.

Good Crits include:
-Gateway Cup (late in the season, but absolutely as good as they get... TOP NOTCH event. 4 races, 4 venues, over 4 days): https://www.gatewaycup.com/
-Tour of St. Louis (3 races, 3 venues, over 2 days): https://bigshark.com/page.cfm?pageID=611
-Amongst others. These are the most notable.

Psimet2001 

Talk on CBR was that Hillsboro would be longer this year (60 miles for the 3's) which is kind of long for that early in the season. I remember this year hillsboro was one of my longest rides outside at that point in the season.

Also - hillsboro doesn't count because it's basically a Chicago race as well - almost all of us make the trip and you're racing against mostly the same guys.....hell I remember spending most of the race last year talking and catching up with guys I had raced with in the fall.

Psimet2001 

Having been born in Indianapolis, spending my early childhood in Bloomington, attending college at Purdue I'd have to say that I do in fact go to Indiana....mainly because that's where my folks live. Northern Indiana is like a desert wit corn in place of sand. Nothing but wide open nothingness where the winds howl.

Southern Indiana - while a little too close to kentucky as far as the gene pool is concerned, is simply beautiful. Wonderful riding and gorgeous scenery. Hills, etc. It's similar to Wisconsin in that way.

...but I have to agree with platy - Michigan.......midwest's garden of eden.

botto 

where botto was conceived, as a matter of fact.

CrimsonKarter21

Are you like a stereotypical Michiganeer where you dress like a member of Kiss every Sunday while watching the Detroit Lions lose?

Racer Ex 

Actual footage. Not for the quesy.