The South Carolina Ultra Trail Run series is back in 2009. The series consists of four events held during the year in different locations throughout the state:
Buncombe Trail 34 Miles
Sunday May 3
Limit of 74 runners
Chattooga River 50K
Sunday June 7
Limit of 74 runners
FATS Forty 40/50
Sunday Oct 4
Limit of 74 runners
Harbison Forest 50K
Sunday Nov 8
Limit of 100 runners
Kudos to founder and race director Terri Hayes for putting on these unique endurance events. For more information, click here.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
At the Races
I raced my first Criterium this weekend in Columbia. I did Saturday's race of the Blythewood and Forest Acres Spring Criteriums. I really didn't know what to expect and just planned on taking everything in and learning as much as I could.
Here are my take-aways: Use your brakes as little as possible on turns; above all else, stay with the pack; when warming up, really redline it a few times because a crit is fast from start to finish; ride the course and be ready for every turn and climb.
I learned these lessons the hard way, unfortunately. The weather was awful Saturday morning. Around 40 degrees and pouring rain. They almost cancelled the event, but just postponed the start times an hour or so until the rain stopped. Because I was feeling a little under the weather myself, I just sat in my car until time to start. So no warmup, no course evaluation.
When the race did start, I quickly found myself at the back of the pack because I would slip a few places each turn. The 1.4 mile loop course was a little technical in that it had 8 turns, and a nice little climb to the start/finish line. As soon as we started the climb I dropped back only a bike length or two, but lost contact with the pack. Before I realized what happened, they were gone. I pushed it up to 24-25 MPH for about 100 meters but it was pointless, I could not catch up. They were gone and I knew I had really screwed up. I dropped back down to 20MPH, rode hard the rest of the race, and finished solo, dead last except for a couple of guys who dropped out -- probably due to mechanical issues.
Oh well. It happens. I'll be more prepared next race. One cool thing I want to note is that the race director mentioned before the race that years ago, Columbia had a really strong racing scene but it had faded out in the past 20 years. He wants to bring it back and stage more races in the city. Good for him and I'll be happy to support that effort.
2009 Downtown Columbia Triathlon
The Downtown Columbia Triathlon will be held Saturday March 21, at the Blatt Center on the South Carolina campus. This is a 500 meter pool swim, 10 mile bike, and 5k run -- all downtown Columbia. Sounds really fun. I came very close to registering, just to check it out, but I need to get in some big miles this week.
If you're interested, there are still 118 spots available of the 400 allowed. Here is the race website.
Here are my take-aways: Use your brakes as little as possible on turns; above all else, stay with the pack; when warming up, really redline it a few times because a crit is fast from start to finish; ride the course and be ready for every turn and climb.
I learned these lessons the hard way, unfortunately. The weather was awful Saturday morning. Around 40 degrees and pouring rain. They almost cancelled the event, but just postponed the start times an hour or so until the rain stopped. Because I was feeling a little under the weather myself, I just sat in my car until time to start. So no warmup, no course evaluation.
When the race did start, I quickly found myself at the back of the pack because I would slip a few places each turn. The 1.4 mile loop course was a little technical in that it had 8 turns, and a nice little climb to the start/finish line. As soon as we started the climb I dropped back only a bike length or two, but lost contact with the pack. Before I realized what happened, they were gone. I pushed it up to 24-25 MPH for about 100 meters but it was pointless, I could not catch up. They were gone and I knew I had really screwed up. I dropped back down to 20MPH, rode hard the rest of the race, and finished solo, dead last except for a couple of guys who dropped out -- probably due to mechanical issues.
Oh well. It happens. I'll be more prepared next race. One cool thing I want to note is that the race director mentioned before the race that years ago, Columbia had a really strong racing scene but it had faded out in the past 20 years. He wants to bring it back and stage more races in the city. Good for him and I'll be happy to support that effort.
2009 Downtown Columbia Triathlon
The Downtown Columbia Triathlon will be held Saturday March 21, at the Blatt Center on the South Carolina campus. This is a 500 meter pool swim, 10 mile bike, and 5k run -- all downtown Columbia. Sounds really fun. I came very close to registering, just to check it out, but I need to get in some big miles this week.
If you're interested, there are still 118 spots available of the 400 allowed. Here is the race website.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Upcoming Cycling Races in South Carolina
I got the road bike. I got the 2009 USA Cycling License. I just need to find a race! And there are plenty to choose from in the coming weeks.
Greenville Races
Greenville has been hosting weekend races since mid-February as part of the 2009 Greenville Spring Series. On Saturday March 7, the River Falls Road Race will be held, and on Sunday March 8, a criterium will be held at the BMW Performance Center. For race information and directions, go to www.hincapie.com.
Columbia Race weekend March 14-15
The Blythewood and Forest Acres Spring Criteriums will be held in Columbia. Here's a link to the event flyer, which has all the start times and registration information.
Out Like a Lion Race Weekend, Charlotte March 21-22
The weekend starts with the Uwharrie Wheelmen Road Race on Saturday. A 6.6 mile loop with several challenging rolling hills that starts at Kendall Valley School. Registration is available on www.pre-reg.com. Day of registration opens at 7:30AM. For more information, maps and directions, contact Tracey at Middle Ring Cycles at 704-322-3559, or visit www.uwharriewheelmen.org and click on link for events calendar.
On Sunday there is the City Park Criterium. The race course is a .9 mile four corner loop around City Park with a small hill up to the finish line. For more information, visit www.charlottesportscycling.com, or email Neal at nealboyd@charlottesportscycling.com.
Rock Hill Race weekend April 4-5
Saturday is the Old Town Criterium on Main Street, downtown Rock Hill. The multi-lap course is 0.8 mile. Race organizers are anticipating 500 riders racing throughout the day.
Sunday is the Patriot’s Trail Road Race in Brattonsville, SC . This 45 mile, multi-loop race in southern York County allows riders to challenge themselves through rolling countryside.
Estimated Participation 550 riders. To register online, visit www.rockhillbicycleclub.com.
I’m going to try and race at least one day each of these weekends. If anyone has raced in these events, please let me know your thoughts.
And by the way, there are a number of cycling sites out there with local race info, but I’ve found the Carolinas Cycling Association site the most informative and actively updated with race information, and the road forum is very useful as well. I highly recommend using it if you’re looking around for cycling events in the North Carolina and South Carolina region.
And just a reminder to USA Cycling license holders. The Upcoming Events tab on your profile page pulls in all the road events in your area, complete with an active link to the race site and flyer. Nice touch, and very usable.
Greenville Races
Greenville has been hosting weekend races since mid-February as part of the 2009 Greenville Spring Series. On Saturday March 7, the River Falls Road Race will be held, and on Sunday March 8, a criterium will be held at the BMW Performance Center. For race information and directions, go to www.hincapie.com.
Columbia Race weekend March 14-15
The Blythewood and Forest Acres Spring Criteriums will be held in Columbia. Here's a link to the event flyer, which has all the start times and registration information.
Out Like a Lion Race Weekend, Charlotte March 21-22
The weekend starts with the Uwharrie Wheelmen Road Race on Saturday. A 6.6 mile loop with several challenging rolling hills that starts at Kendall Valley School. Registration is available on www.pre-reg.com. Day of registration opens at 7:30AM. For more information, maps and directions, contact Tracey at Middle Ring Cycles at 704-322-3559, or visit www.uwharriewheelmen.org and click on link for events calendar.
On Sunday there is the City Park Criterium. The race course is a .9 mile four corner loop around City Park with a small hill up to the finish line. For more information, visit www.charlottesportscycling.com, or email Neal at nealboyd@charlottesportscycling.com.
Rock Hill Race weekend April 4-5
Saturday is the Old Town Criterium on Main Street, downtown Rock Hill. The multi-lap course is 0.8 mile. Race organizers are anticipating 500 riders racing throughout the day.
Sunday is the Patriot’s Trail Road Race in Brattonsville, SC . This 45 mile, multi-loop race in southern York County allows riders to challenge themselves through rolling countryside.
Estimated Participation 550 riders. To register online, visit www.rockhillbicycleclub.com.
I’m going to try and race at least one day each of these weekends. If anyone has raced in these events, please let me know your thoughts.
And by the way, there are a number of cycling sites out there with local race info, but I’ve found the Carolinas Cycling Association site the most informative and actively updated with race information, and the road forum is very useful as well. I highly recommend using it if you’re looking around for cycling events in the North Carolina and South Carolina region.
And just a reminder to USA Cycling license holders. The Upcoming Events tab on your profile page pulls in all the road events in your area, complete with an active link to the race site and flyer. Nice touch, and very usable.
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