I talked to Dave this past weekend, the new BSA director, specifically about NICA and he is absolutely in love with the idea. The BSA and NICA pretty much have the same aims. We are thinking to make a loop that is NICA-friendly as well as BSA camper-friendly. The ST loop is a bit much for some of the BSA campers. I think he would be willing to do whatever needs to be done to make the event work.
I do not know how we would get that many cars in. But they have camp events with hundreds of campers so they manage to do it.
are you guys limited to the wheeler side of the camp? as i recall from my summer camp days the somers side has alot more parking available.
Two day events for smaller venues?I talked to Dave this past weekend, the new BSA director, specifically about NICA and he is absolutely in love with the idea. The BSA and NICA pretty much have the same aims. We are thinking to make a loop that is NICA-friendly as well as BSA camper-friendly. The ST loop is a bit much for some of the BSA campers. I think he would be willing to do whatever needs to be done to make the event work.
I do not know how we would get that many cars in. But they have camp events with hundreds of campers so they manage to do it.
Well, fwiw, I worked very hard at cat2, and while competitive, I wasn’t dominating. I DIDNT want to go to cat1, but the rules in place at the time said I had to. So I did. And I got thoroughly smoked race after race. And I had no fun, and frankly had no business being a cat1 racer. And since I didn’t have a couple of years to work it out, I dropped out of the scene. That is neither good or bad, it just is, and is simply one viewpoint as to why racers drop out of the series.Come on...you upgrade to Cat 1, you better expect to up your training. This isn't something that just happens organically. You can just ride alot and be competitive in cat 2, but that's super rare in cat 1. Cat 1 is full of super competitive people who train with determination
I upgraded to cat 2, I got smoked for a year. Took my lumps, got motivated, came back the next year and was in the mix. The following year, I won races.
I upgraded to Cat 1, I got smoked for a couple years. Took my lumps, got motivated, came back every year working harder and harder.
If you want to just ride for fun and not take it too serious, stay in Cat 2. If you get forced to upgrade, but deep down you know you aren't ready, talk to the promoter and let them know. Hopefully they would be ok with staying in cat 2, but don't get mad when you aren't allowed to get series points or anything like that.
I am one of the "dwindlers" - back in 2010-2012 timeframe I was heavy into it, raced all of the H2H series (including Tymor), as well as several MASS (Stoopid, W101, Michaux, Rattling, etc), Bearscat, Cathedral, DH40, SSAP, Leadville, 24H of Moab, plus some CX, etc.
After coming in 2nd for the H2H series in Cat2, I moved up to Cat1 because those were the rules. However, the reality is I wasn't that fast (my laps times were always way slower than Cat1 times), and while I usually came in top 5 or so in Cat2, I was certainly not dominating and only won 1 race in all those years. What allowed me to achieve the second place overall finish was consistency and "attendance", along with pay dirt, that gave me the accumulated points required to be competitive in the series.
Once I hit Cat1, I went immediately to DFL in pretty much all the races. I still did them all, but the joy was gone and it was now a slog. Not a lot of fun coming in 30+ minutes after the field, or starting my last lap and seeing most of the field had already finished. Add having to buy a season's license, along with the day being totally shot due to late Cat1 start times and the extra laps pushing most races out over 20 miles, and I decided this was no longer fun and I dialed it way back. I also had a kid in 2013, with all the time constraints that comes along with that.
I still race now and then, but strictly for fun when the time allows. I am a lot slower now and a lot more cautious about getting hurt, and I am OK with that. I probably won't return to doing the whole series anytime soon, but if I did, I would be signing up in Cat2. FWIW, I think lap times, rather than series placement, should drive the decision to upgrade or not.
There is also Guys Neshaminy Mass race on June 23rd. I don't know much about course, other then reading description. Doesn't seem too technical.I’m looking at what I can do between WayWay and July. Might do that French Creek on the Rocks race.
Ah yes, same wknd. Opps.Saw this on the list too. I’m down with traveling a couple of hours to race. Unfortunately this is when I’m out of the country. Isn’t this LewMo wknd?
Ah yes, same wknd. Opps.
@Mountain Bike Mike classifies it as real mountain biking, so I guess that says something. He ❤️ It so much.There is also Guys Neshaminy Mass race on June 23rd. I don't know much about course, other then reading description. Doesn't seem too technical.
https://www.bikereg.com/38027
@Mountain Bike Mike classifies it as real mountain biking, so I guess that says something. He ❤️ It so much.
It is 7 miles from my house, I don’t go there, but will.
Neshaminy is a really fun.course. Love the Mexican bowtie on Cat 1 course a few years ago@Mountain Bike Mike classifies it as real mountain biking, so I guess that says something. He ❤️ It so much.
It is 7 miles from my house, I don’t go there, but will.
Most likely not.You racing? Sick. See you there.
It was a really cool loop when I did it. (2016). I plan on doing both this and lewmo, but we'll see when it's time to actually execute on that plan.
Most likely not.
Good thread. Stupid question: Seems MASS and H2H the promoters of all the MTB races in the Northern NJ region? Since I have to miss Stewart and LewMo, I’m looking at what I can do between WayWay and July. Might do that French Creek on the Rocks race.
The parking is really a non-issue. At the height of the 24HOA we utilized the Waterloo Vilage parking area and prioritized parking access at the actually BSA camp based on a few criteria. Volunteers, carpoolers, and staff were allowed one on site vehicle everyone else parked at the large lot at the village. We also did registration pickup and check in at the Village parking lot which made managing the traffic and congestion in the actual BSA a breeze.I talked to Dave this past weekend, the new BSA director, specifically about NICA and he is absolutely in love with the idea. The BSA and NICA pretty much have the same aims. We are thinking to make a loop that is NICA-friendly as well as BSA camper-friendly. The ST loop is a bit much for some of the BSA campers. I think he would be willing to do whatever needs to be done to make the event work.
I do not know how we would get that many cars in. But they have camp events with hundreds of campers so they manage to do it.
@Jeffreywoliver this is a not miss. One of the coolest courses out there. You will ride through a cave and freak when you will witness fog off the cold streams. It's like a concert from the 70's.Williams Lake - 5-27
There is also Guys Neshaminy Mass race on June 23rd. I don't know much about course, other then reading description. Doesn't seem too technical.
https://www.bikereg.com/38027