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Elevation Profile
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Welcome to the 2007 Cherry Pie!
Info for Beginners...responses to e-mail questions
Neutral
wheels = Many riders will bring wheels and will place
them in the "pit" for their race. This is usually
signified by an orange cone with a grape-stake stuffed
it where a sign has been stapled indicating for which
field that "pit" is for. Sometimes it's a sandwich
board or other type of sign. Racers stack their wheels
in that area and then go off to warm up and then race.
The wheels will be placed into the support vehicle(s)
prior to the race. They will be indiscriminantly
provided to racers when somebody flats. You hope you
get a wheel that is compatible with your setup. If you
flat, you hold up your hand, callout that you have a
flat so the field goes around you (very important), and
you pull to the side of the road. The support car will
pull alongside and will need to know front or rear, 9 or
10spd, shimano or campy. They will grab an appropriate
wheel if possible, change it, note your race number and
the number of the wheel you got, take your flatted wheel
and push you back up to speed if you like.
Non-neutral
wheels (aka "wheels in/wheels out") - Means if you don't
put a wheel into the pit, you don't get one on the
road. Basically, if you flat, they give you YOUR wheel
and nobody else gets it unless you specify it is for
team mate use, also. This system is a PITA. I've run
support many times. It's much easier if everybody puts
them in a pile and the support crew can pull a good
smattering of everything to help everybody...not just
the teams with wheels to spare.
If you get
passed by the support car, you're basically on your own
if you flat. It might be a good idea in that case to
carry a tube, tire lever and a pump or a CO2 cartridge.
If you're in good shape and not likely to get popped off
the back, then might risk only using the support wheels.
My
suggestion is to start out with new tires with no slices
or nicks. You'll likely avoid flats this way. The wet
races are more likely to flat. More sharp rocks on the
road in the wet, and the coefficient of friction is
reduced so the rocks slice the tire much more easily (my
theory). The relationship between wet weather and
increased flats has been long established, so plan
accordingly. If it's wet AND you're likely to get shot
out the back, then carry a tube and pump. The weight
won't be a big issue on this course.
I always
show up at least one hour before my start. I would
suggest you show up 1-1/2 to 2 hrs early to make sure
you get in all necessary paperwork processing
(registration and OBRA license purchase), visit the
porta-potties plenty of times, ask all the necessary
questions and feel good about your bike and your body
for the day.
Bring one
large bottle and a gel if you like. Your race will be 1
to 1-1/2 hrs, so no need to eat or drink a lot.
To be safe
in a pack (aka peleton or field)...
1.) Ride
near the front
2.) Move
deliberately, but not quickly when standing, braking or
moving side to side.
3.)
Communicate verbally (example: if slowing due to
another rider or obstacle, call out "slowing")
4.) Ride to
the outside of the field (either side is fine).
5.) Never
overlap wheels with the rear wheel in front of you.
Stay behind them so if they veer suddenly left or right,
they won't clip your front wheel. If they hit your
front wheel, you'll go down faster than know.
6.) Communicate tactiley. It's ok to tap the butt cheek
in front of you if someone is wandering into your
space. "Tap"...don't push them out of your way.
7.) Relax
and keep your head up. Imagine what could happen and
rehearse it in your mind. Where will you go if somebody
in front of you goes down? Watch the guy two to three
places in front of you...not the tire 6" in front of
you.
8.) If
you're 20th coming to the line, sprinting for 19th
doesn't make any sense. Just finish safely to race the
Banana Belts or Jack Frost.
Remember, this is low key grass roots racing. It's
supposed to be fun. Don't take it too seriously.
If you need support while racing, fade to the back and motion to the official or follow vehicle. Never cross the centerline. If you get a wheel, there's no guarantee it will work with your drivetrain. We do what we can to provide neutral support. If you get a wheel, please return it to the pit as soon as you finish the race.
If you decide not to finish, please check in with an official or the finish line to let them know you aren't lying in a ditch. You're mother wouldn't be happy if you were lying in a ditch, anyway.
General Information
- The links to the left contain all race information. As time permits, we will add the info to this area of the site. For now, try the links. If they don't work, let us know.