The 8 am starts are tough on the juniors. My son had a great time and did well his first time at Snelling (which required an overnight stay) two years ago, beating everyone in his age group. But I couldn't get him to go back last year. And an 8 am crit in Sacramento or Merced? No way! (We live in San Francisco, and he likes hills). I do understand why promoters want the fields with only 10-20 entries to go off first. But it's hard on the teenagers, whose non-racing pals are just waking up about the time they get home from their 8-am races.

JRB431 wrote:Let's not forget that this is the Northern California NEVADA Cycling Association. An extra hour or two would be a huge help for those NCNCA members driving from Reno/Carson/Tahoe, etc.

True dat. A lot of these races are out of reach to do in a day, not because of the driving distance, but because it'd mean being on the road at 2 a.m. to get there in time to reg.

Guess we'll just have to promote some homegrown races eh?

Oops! There were TWO Junior women at Panoche RR. :oops:

So if the roads were closed to traffic, the later start would be okay?
1) Juniors (and their parents) would be encouraged by the later starts to race more in their age group.
2) Junior girls don't accept grandpa's logic and relish enough sleep. A start time before 9:30 means overnight lodging. (That's what the ONLY JUNIOR GIRL did for Panoche RR!)
3) I didn't hear many lament the long drive to Diamond Valley RR, but they were all Masters riders who accept it or prefer it that way.

Let's not forget that this is the Northern California NEVADA Cycling Association. An extra hour or two would be a huge help for those NCNCA members driving from Reno/Carson/Tahoe, etc.

Character building, that's what my Granpappie said.

I'm sure many of our promoters would also love to rise at a decent hour - but as on the earlier reply - later starts means more traffic - even when most road events are located farther and farther from population centers to try and avoid traffic conflicts. Later starts could mean reduction in categories offered due to local permits. In case you haven't noticed, we don;t behave very well on public roads racing our bikes and local permit authorities are requiring more and more conditions before giving their permission to use public roads for events.

Have we polled the road race promoters? Doug Fluetsch from Merced, Robert from Velo Promo, Alto Velo for Pescadero, Berkeley Bike Club for Pinole and Berkeley Hills, SJBC for Mt. Hamilton, Valley Spokesmen for Wente, Sacramento for Zamora/Bariani? They're the ones who can best answer the question since they deal directly with their staff and permit authorities.

Tom Simpson
Pilarcitos Cyclesports

I vote for the early starts. It's hard to fathom we're talking about changing start times because we're a wee bit chilly. Riding and racing in inclement weather is part of the allure and toughness of the sport. Hasn't anyone read about the mountain finishes of the grand tours years ago on 30 lb bikes no less? Of course you have. In the early season you have the honor to possibly include rain, sleet, ice, fog, and cold amongst your competitors. And accorinding to Grandpa, you'll be a better person for it.

2nd the 9:00 start if the permit conditions, etc. allow it.

I am for a later start.
There may be a few out there that are early risers and rush home right after a race to "do other things".
But there are as many if not more who don't like getting on the bike early and having wear more clothing than will be needed as the sun comes up.
There are also those that commit the day as a race day and the other things happen on other days.
9:00 am would certainly be better than 8:00 for a RR.
The temperature would be a little closer to the day's average and the clothing that normally comes off on the second lap can be left behind.

-R

Let's not forget the Early Bird RR, which seems to have ice on the road every other year. If any event cried for a later start it's this one.

That said, the reasons previously given for early starts all have merit.

Normally in road races it is the higher Cats ( ie the 1/2/Pros, 35+ 1/2/3, Cat 3s) that go first. The Cat 5s are normally one of the last starters in road races. Now in criteriums it is the opposite with the Cat 5s normally starting first.

even an hour to 1.5hr would help. I agree just alittle later start would be great. another thing allways puttting cat 4 so early. why not put cat 5 and womans cat 4 races first sometimes? ok I hate to be a cat 5 snob bt they should allways be first on the time slot. rotate the rest some.

I would prefer the latter half of the season to be later starts. Merced is less than an hour away. Snelling, around 50 minutes. Pine Flat? 20 minute drive or 1 hour ride. Orosi? Around 40 minutes.

For the majority of the road races I do throughout the year, waking up at 3:45 am and leaving the house at 4:30 is the norm. Won't someone please think of the people that live in the central valley????

CX races aren't usually held on public roads subject to traffic.

~j

Too funny!

I concur with Peter.

But then I'm an early bird that prefers the cold so it's not much of a hardship.

they make wind briefs to protect tiny little balls from the cold.

Does everyone else prefer to lose sleep Saturday morning in order to 1)freeze your hands and feet, 2) tire yourself for a tee shirt, and 3) become so exhausted that when you get home that you don't FEEL like doing anything else?

a) early starts = less traffic, which in turn means an easier time getting permits
b) later starts mean races won't get done with enough time for staff to break down, clean up, etc. Especially bad for VP, who often have 2 races per weekend and may have to do some traveling.

I like racing first thing in the morning: get up, eat, race, and have the rest of the day to get home and/or do other things.

btw, Snelling is successful b/c it's flat and everybody thinks they can win there (especially early in the season.)