time limitations is a valid reason. we started our event an hour earlier this year to support the third women's field.

We are trying to spread the support, but cannot support two minority fields at one event due to time limitations.

There is a chance we will put on a second event later in the season and that event will have Women's fields included, as well as next years main event.

We fully expected to get an earful, and that is perfectly fine. It is what it is and we can only do what we can do. Anytime one group is excluded in exchange for another, there will be some grumbling. If we were to do a little of both there would be some grumbling because neither one was done well. If we were to exclude a men's field to make room for a Women's field...grumbling, probably from both women and men.

Thanks and sorry,
Ron (cutting and pasting this message into Word so I don't have to retype it next year) :)

suppose the question, what was the decision to alter years? We know its too late to change now. there are too many local races that do not have both junior and women races, yes they hardly ever sell out but we need to continue to support them.

Perhaps 'semi-alternating' -

2010 expect women fields, no juniors
2009 juniors - to be in JPS, need 2 events
2008 women, no juniors
2007 juniors (one event, not part of JPS), one field for women 3/4 picked separate - perhaps this is the best of both worlds, but neither would be part of the area's series.
2006 fuzzy memory, some women, probably no juniors - or, maybe one for each

Interesting, because for the past three years there have been women's results for this race. I guess this is actually the first year you're alternating fields?

Thanks for asking - let the flame-throwing commence!

We've alternated juniors and women over the past few years - this year it's the juniors turn with our race being a stop on the JPS. Next year - women again - and if we get on it in a timely manner, we'll try to be a stop on the BAWC.

Luckily, for women not afraid of 'bears', the Berkeley RR offers up all the categories on Sunday.

Ride on, EBC/Joseph Mendes Crit/some call it the Pleasanton Crit...