Epic Bear Mountain race

[Bill C]

Anyone here in New England who didn't get out to Bear Mountain
yesterday missed one of the best days of racing I've been part of.
This was the first time I've been to that race, the course is a
fantastic 14 mile circuit in beautiful surroundings. The race is well
organized and run. You really couldn't ask for more.
It was definitely a day for the hardmen and women. Chilly, rain and a
peasoup fog that rolled in. One corner marshal told me that it got down
to where he could only see 3 passing lane stripes on the road. I was
starting to lose sight of riders with a 5 second gap. Maybe this is why
the 3 field which I had was so agressive. We had attacks and counters
going up the road after about the first half of the first lap of 5.
Fantastic racing and a great finish then I wrapped it up by going out
with the pros who were down to a shattered field and a really strong
break of about 6. At the bottom of the climb on the last lap, the two
Louis Garneau guys really dropped the hammer and it was over. They did
a 12 mile team TT to take it.
I'd strongly urge people to make the trip to this race if they haven't
before. Hell of a race. Too bad the only part of the Philly crowd I saw
was Ed Dailey who's got to be one of, if not the best motor official in
the country who rode up, did the race, and rode home again.
Thanks Alan and JT for getting me up there.
Bill

[John Forrest Tomlinson]

Thanks for the kind words Bill. It was a good day I think. Alan
Atwood and my club's Mike Green are the guys we racers should thank --
plus you and other officials and race-promotion team.

Results are online at http://www.crca.net/races05/harriman.htm

JT

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[John Forrest Tomlinson]

One other thing about the Harriman race -- normally we have all the
men's fields filled at 100 and apart from the pro-1-2 (which has a
little fewer -- about 90 -- signed up due to conflict with the Tour of
Shenandoah I think) that happpened. Plus 80 women. Actually the 3, 4
and masters fields each have over 110 signed up including waitlists.

But much, much fewer riders showed up, I guess because of the weather.
Are people getting soft? It was about 50F which isn't that bad, with
intermittent rain and a lot of fog.

JT

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[Bill C]

John Forrest Tomlinson wrote:

>
> But much, much fewer riders showed up, I guess because of the
weather.
> Are people getting soft? It was about 50F which isn't that bad, with
> intermittent rain and a lot of fog.
>
> JT
>
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Hey JT
Don't know about the people that weren't there, but the people there
were serious about racing. There were no traffic hassles, the course is
easily difficult enough to be selective, and the facilities are really
good.
For me, racers make the race. I never even had to give a warning
during the race. I had the best seat in the house, giving splits and
doing my job for an incredible race. I really wasn't up for this since
I have had all the health ****, hadn't ridden the motorcycle yet this
year, and hadn't worked any races yet. I really got into it and had a
great time because the racers were into it, especially in spite of the
conditions.
It really pumps me up to work my ass off for the racers when they are
into it, especially in those conditions. My feeling is that if racers
are going to go and deal with the weather, the motors have to go and
give everything they can to help the racers do their thing. If we
aren't out there alongside them giving splits and keeping it safe, then
we shouldn't be motors.
Now if we could get some sort of insurance coverage I'd be doing more
races. Promoters, racers, volunteers etc... are covered, motors are
screwed. USAC was kind enough to tell us that "sorry we couldn't fix
it, so your still screwed, but please keep showing up."
When you see a motor at your race they are putting their asses,
families, and homes on the line to do it without getting anything from
USAC. They ****ed us over and left us to find whatever we could.
Bill C

[John Forrest Tomlinson]

On 1 May 2005 18:58:36 -0700, "Bill C" > wrote:


> Now if we could get some sort of insurance coverage I'd be doing more
>races. Promoters, racers, volunteers etc... are covered, motors are
>screwed.

> USAC was kind enough to tell us that "sorry we couldn't fix
>it, so your still screwed, but please keep showing up."
> When you see a motor at your race they are putting their asses,
>families, and homes on the line to do it without getting anything from
>USAC. They ****ed us over and left us to find whatever we could.

Dont' we know it -- that's why used rental cars in general at Harriman
and I was (pleasntly) surprised to see you. One of my teammates who
doesnt' climb so great was a moto official last year at Harriman and
some other events in the past but not anymore...

JT



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[Tony]

Bill C wrote in message
. com>...
> Anyone here in New England who didn't get out to Bear Mountain
>yesterday missed one of the best days of racing I've been part of.
> This was the first time I've been to that race, the course is a
>fantastic 14 mile circuit in beautiful surroundings. The race is well
>organized and run. You really couldn't ask for more.
> It was definitely a day for the hardmen and women. Chilly, rain and a
>peasoup fog that rolled in. One corner marshal told me that it got down
>to where he could only see 3 passing lane stripes on the road. I was
>starting to lose sight of riders with a 5 second gap. Maybe this is why
>the 3 field which I had was so agressive. We had attacks and counters
>going up the road after about the first half of the first lap of 5.
>Fantastic racing and a great finish then I wrapped it up by going out
>with the pros who were down to a shattered field and a really strong
>break of about 6. At the bottom of the climb on the last lap, the two
>Louis Garneau guys really dropped the hammer and it was over. They did
>a 12 mile team TT to take it.
> I'd strongly urge people to make the trip to this race if they haven't
>before. Hell of a race. Too bad the only part of the Philly crowd I saw
>was Ed Dailey who's got to be one of, if not the best motor official in
>the country who rode up, did the race, and rode home again.
> Thanks Alan and JT for getting me up there.
>Bill

I do training rides on that race loop every now and then. It takes about an
hour to ride up there from where I live, ascending two of the best hills in
the area: hi tor ridge via central highway and then willow grove from stony
pt to get up to the highlands. Willow grove makes tioroti brook road seem
like a stroll in the park.

One of my buddies used to do this race years ago, when they had a TT up to
the top of Bear Mt via perkins drive on a separate day. For those in the NYC
area, it's truly a great area for cycling, and free from traffic almost all
the time with weekends only slightly more.

-Tony

[Mike DeMicco]

"Tony" > wrote in
news:aBcfe.1997$7G.771@trndny01:

> I do training rides on that race loop every now and then. It takes
> about an hour to ride up there from where I live, ascending two of the
> best hills in the area: hi tor ridge via central highway and then
> willow grove from stony pt to get up to the highlands. Willow grove
> makes tioroti brook road seem like a stroll in the park.
>
> One of my buddies used to do this race years ago, when they had a TT
> up to the top of Bear Mt via perkins drive on a separate day. For
> those in the NYC area, it's truly a great area for cycling, and free
> from traffic almost all the time with weekends only slightly more.

What exactly is the race course? I'd like to ride it someday.

--
Mike DeMicco >

[John Forrest Tomlinson]

On 8 May 2005 16:34:58 GMT, Mike DeMicco
> wrote:



http://www.crca.net/races05/harriman.htm follow link to Rider Manual.

JT

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