Catchup

Sorry for no updates in a week. The ABD taxes were due on Wednesday and I finally wrapped up and posted the details for the 2007 Fall Fling.

The biggest change this year is that we've given the Cat 3 guys their own prize lists, so hopefully we'll see more of them on lining up, or maybe even some of those fast Cat 4 men will take the plunge and upgrade. Of course, with all the ABR Rider of the Year Points still to be decided riders might not want to upgrade until the season's over. [NOTE: The ROTY points are also the reason we (the ABD Board) couldn't pull off our planned AM4 split field. We were hoping to hold both "under 30" and "over 30" Cat 4 men races, but too many riders are gunning for those points and they can't be awarded if we split the field.]

Now on to news from the front line of racing...
The Elk Grove race was not as "stoopid" as I expected and most riders behaved themselves. However, the course makes this race kinda dumb... and boring. Please, promoters of Elk Grove, change it up! The 180 degree turns kill the pace so badly. There has to be a way to "lollipop" the course into the neighborhood for a block or two, thus eliminating the 180's but keeping the field racing up and down the boulevard for the spectators. Luke over at Chicago Bike Racing opened up a discussion on the event -- be sure to chime in with your thoughts.

Fortunately, our man Josh Carter did't let a boring race course keep him from making some money. Carter nabbed two $500 primes and finished third after Jeff Schroetlin laid down an "Extended Play" leadout. Everyone was content to let GP man the front for the last few laps, but unfortunately it wasn't fast enough to keep the rest of the field from boxing each other in. We moved to the front on the last lap, but since Jeff and Josh couldn't get on my wheel I just ended up moving the field to one side of the road so that those two could get out of trouble. That meant Jeff was on the front as the only lead out guy with over 1 kilometer to go... but he's the sort of masochist who likes that thing.

The $4,000 winner's check in Elk Grove was certainly the biggest Amateur-only pay day of the year, but it doesn't really compare to this weekend's US National Championship. The win at Downer's is something special. Hope to see you there.