FYI from the promoter himself.

The Merco website is incorrect (and will be changed). The Foothills Road race will go counterclockwise, the same as last year. Could you put this up on the NCNCA list and site?
Thanks!!
---Robert Leibold

UPDATE:

Counterclockwise is the direction of the race, just like last year. The guys above who stated this were correct.

The previous info given to me was incorrect and I wasn't updated on the change until last night 2/28/2008. The revision has been made to the Merco site. And once again, sorry for any confusion that this may have caused.

Ronald Mariano

rjdmillerca wrote:Merco Officials say the course is COUNTER-CLOCKWISE. I called today and was told the course is the same as always, even though the race description describes it in a clockwise direction.

I wonder if they could make it anymore confusing for us. And after reading R Mariano's postings I'm not sure who to believe.

Please can someone nail it down for sure???

I say it's going clockwise - but please note I'm not a "Merco Official", I'm just the guy who does the website. The info on the site is the info "they" gave me to post. So, just remember I'm just the messenger.

Casey said it best, get the correct info from Bob Leibold, "official" race director. That's where I've been getting mine.

Merco Officials say the course is COUNTER-CLOCKWISE. I called today and was told the course is the same as always, even though the race description describes it in a clockwise direction.

I wonder if they could make it anymore confusing for us. And after reading R Mariano's postings I'm not sure who to believe.

Please can someone nail it down for sure???

Actually I'm not sure if there has been any flip flopping. As I always suggest in situations like this it is always best to go to the source for questions like this and not just post an open question on the forum like this. For example if you go to your USAC cycling account page and on the right side you will see the upcoming races in your area ( unless you have the upcoming races on hide). Clicking the race name gives you the promoter Info. Seeing that Robert Leibold is listed as the promoter I'm guessing he would be the best person to contact and ask about the course direction. If the race committee has had to change the race direction recently I'm sure there is some good reason for this and Robert again is probably the best source of Info.

I'm just mad it's supposed to be sunny and calm, but I can't really fault the organizers for that one. Maybe they could rent giant fans? :wink:

Casey,
Can they keep flip-flopping on this issue of the course? First they say one thing, then correct that but still have erroneous data and then flip it again...

I just spoke to the organizers after their lunch race committee meeting and toldl me it is in fact going counter clockwise!!!!!

Merco is going counter clockwise peeps!!!

Ahhh nevermind, we'll find out soon enough...

Just imagine the easiest course possible and your good to go...regardless of direction. I would prefer the run it in a counter clockwise direction since that makes the course tougher at the finish.

I took my team down for a recon last weekend for both the Snelling and Merco...met people from the organizing team and even they had no idea it was the opposite way from last. So, with their advice we went the wrong way to recon it! Jeesh!

I've never done this race but I'm signed up and I'm hoping to preview it this weekend.

Thank you!

34X27 wrote:OK, now I'm really confused. The following link contains a cue sheet on the 2nd page that does not reflect a clockwise route!

http://www.mercocyclingclassic.com/pdf/rr_course_map.pdf

This link is right on the front page.
Are you saying this is the updated route? So it is, in fact, counter clockwise?

Sorry, missed that link. I've removed the "PDF map" with the 2nd page indicating last year's info. Now there's just a map with the course highlighted in red. So, on race day go in a clockwise direction and you'll be fine.

Ronald Mariano

OK, now I'm really confused. The following link contains a cue sheet on the 2nd page that does not reflect a clockwise route!

http://www.mercocyclingclassic.com/pdf/rr_course_map.pdf

This link is right on the front page.
Are you saying this is the updated route? So it is, in fact, counter clockwise?

Hi Alan,

The map (pdf) was the map used last year. For 2008 the course will be run in the opposite direction from last year. So, this year's course you will be traveling clockwise (Keyes, Cox Ferry, Turlock, Looney, Monte Vista, Bledsoe, and Keyes).

The web site has been updated. I've removed last year's map (pdf) and just posted a map of the course. Sorry for the confusion.

Ronald Mariano

Hi Alan --

The course should be counter-clockwise like in previous years -- I haven't heard anything to the contrary. You're right - there is a discrepancy error there -- thanks for bringing that to our attention.

I will forward your question to the club to confirm and to bring the error to their attention so we can get it fixed on the website.

Thanks again & happy racing....

Kim Nutt
Stanislaus Merlock Cycling