It wouldn't be so much climbing that a climber is guranteed to win the overall. My goal is to keep all the courses close just like they were this year. Not a fan of having to drive all over the place to the start of each stage If It's possible to avoid it.

Sub wrote: You will especially like the changes I have in mind., um what about those of us that are climbing mortals? There's always those SoCal stage races for climbers. :)

Overall I really enjoyed the race and thought it was a very good presentation.
The band playing in the square was very cool and added a nice vibe to the day.

That said, the TT course was OK, not my favorite, not my least favorite.

Admittedly I agree with Chris on the Road Race Course.
To add one small thing, I am not a fan of gravel and equipment destroying roads in another stage race.
We have enough of the bad roads characteristics in Madera, Warnerville, and Copperopolis, we really do not need to keep including this feature to make a race challenging.
I am sure there are some decent roads in the area that will not force racers to choose between running their nice race wheels at risk and sturdy wheels.

Cheers,
Ron

I loved the race, and I thought the setting was great. The circuit race going into Copper Center and around the square and back out into the country is like the kermesse races in Europe.

I think I have a way to eliminate the turnarounds in the RR. As for the TT/prologue on the circuit race course that would be logisticly nearly impossible. That is a pretty important road we shut down so the current setup on the circuit and TT courses will be maintained. The planned change to the RR course (still have to work it out) will have a nice uphill finish.

I also wanted to thank the promoters for taking a risk and holding a stage race in NorCal. I raced the P12's and was glad to see a pack of 50+ out there - I'm sure a number of Cat 2's liked the upgrade points! I think a lot of P12 riders would be happy to do a race like TopSport instead of Redlands.

I thought the RR course was okay... even the multiple turnarounds in the P12 field weren't much of an issue. I also liked the bumpy section; there's not enough gravel in NorCal! Someone host a race out at Bird's Landing again!

The circuit race course would make a sweet prologue-style TT, as well, if there's any way to incorporate that.

Thanks again to the promoters and to all of the racers who came out. I hope the race sticks around.

Thanks Chris, I'm on top of that issue. Have a couple RR course change options in mind so we won't be doing that again next year. You will especially like the changes I have in mind.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the race and all the courses, having the road course go through the same narrow T intersection 3 times per lap was potentially very dangerous.

There were several times when different packs hit the intersection at the same time and it's extremely hard to keep a whole pack from crossing the center-line when making a 90 degree right turn on a narrow road at the bottom of a hill.

Luckily (as far as I know) no one went down there, but I don't think that same course set-up should be used again.

Chris Phipps

Thanks for the good comments, seems to be shared by all who were there. I think I may have almost killed the Cat 4 women and Cat 5 men though with that road race. May have to shorten things down next year.

They officials even had fun at this one, great riders , great volunters.

Ditto. I loved this race. I especially like that you offered a long, hard road race for cat 4 women.

Yvonne Walbroehl
Pen Velo/Pomodoro

Thanks for putting on a great event. Hope it comes back next year. :P