I couldn't be there because on Sunday I have three responsiblities, and if I choose to race instead (God forbid), it's difficult to find replacements. The Junior road championships has ALWAYS been on Saturdays in past 7 years. The low turnout in girls leaves one wondering: Was it the course? Was it the location? Was it the early date? Was it the day? My daughter stated the climb was as about as tough as Copperopolis RR, but not as tough (steep) as Berekley Hills RR. She said the scariest part was having big groups climbing towards you when descending toward the finish. The out and back format maybe a deterrent too.

GFMeilahn wrote:I'm still NOT EXCITED about using that course for a junior championship (the hills kept my youngest from entering), nor am I thrilled that it was on a Sunday. I'm just glad someone stepped up and provided the Juniors their own road race championships.
Hey, what about those who observe Sabbath on Friday or Saturday?

:)

Hindsight is 20/20 and now that I suggest this, maybe more than zero riders will show up next year to make this unfeasible, but you could have done it as a ride (but you would have to draft) and you could have been the bicycle or motor escort for a field of one in the 10-12 girls division (or 13-14 girls or 15-16 girls for that matter). IIRC in addition to the gradual rise of the course going out, there were only three long gradual climbs (repeated on the way back ) in the twelve mile out and back course.

I thought it was a good hard course, though the hills weren't that tough. But each to his own. My 12-year-old son isn't really interested in a race unless there ARE significant hills, and he was disappointed that the only real climb came 12 miles from the finish. Riding into that headwind for the last 12 miles if you're on your own can be demoralizing. Thanks again to Greg and everyone else involved for stepping up.

I'm still NOT EXCITED about using that course for a junior championship (the hills kept my youngest from entering), nor am I thrilled that it was on a Sunday. I'm just glad someone stepped up and provided the Juniors their own road race championships.

I rode the twenty four mile course after the race and thought it was plenty challenging. Gradual uphill/rolling going out, into a thirty mile an hour headwind on the return trip.

The juniors race wasn't as difficult as I'd imagined, and prizes were worth more than the entry fee ( Not including the medal and tee shirt). There were enough motels in Hollister, which was ~12 miles away.

Thank you Greg Bloom and the Lion's Club for hosting this. Thank you Andrew Lanier Sr for coordinating the medal distribution. Finally, a HUGE thank you for getting the results posted online so quickly.

Wonder where the turnaround would be for the 10-12 and 13-14 groups? I assume the start would be at the same place as the other fields. The distance from metro areas would favor our southern riders, unless there's lodging nearby.

At the April NCNCA meeting it was decided to accept the bid from the promoter of the Panoche Pass Road Race to make that event the Jr championship road race for the Junior men 10-12, 13-14, 15-16 and all the junior women age groups. The promoter will be adding the junior categories to their race announcement soon. The race is scheduled for may 20th.

Have we polled juniors as to what course/race they would like as the championship road race from the current calendar? Having a lot of traffic on the course is a BIG CONCERN. My daughters, both medalists last year, wouldn't want ALL hills (like the Panoche Pass RR) or one where you have to ride 3-4 more miles after finishing to get to registration. If no one else comes forward, I vote for San Ardo RR.

Representing 9% of the junior girls,

George Meilahn