Cornell Cycling Presents Red Cross

SEE?

2009-12-06T06:50:00.000-08:00

...we could totally host a USGP-- check out this photo from VeloNews of the PDX race. That could totally be Red Cross!...if only we had like...1200 more riders. *sigh* ...someday?

Even more photos + ideas

2009-11-01T04:59:00.000-08:00

http://jimdanvers.zenfolio.com/p174902043

Some good ideas in the works for next year! In the hopes of securing a beer sponsor and giving something to everyone, look for custom Red Cross pint glasses for next year. A small gesture, but I've always been a fan of races that gave out pint glasses.

Again, if you have anymore comments (and are even still reading any of this!) leave them in the comments section or email to brianlawney[at]gmail[dot]com.

Cheers!

Results + Photos

2009-10-27T09:54:00.000-07:00

Results are up on BikeReg here.

Our official photographer Laura has posted some amazing pictures HERE. Head on over and flip through them.

Other galleries are:
http://picasaweb.google.com/mshenstone/BigRedCrossMudFest02#
http://picasaweb.google.com/jsalazar1978/20091024#
http://www.flickr.com/photos/onedaynever/4046663578/in/set-72157622542013599/

If you find anymore, let me know so they'll get spread around.

From Laura's gallery

Ideas for next year?

2009-10-26T12:42:00.001-07:00

If there are any comments/concerns, let us know (either by email or by leaving a comment here) so we can make it all bigger and better next year!

Specifically, we're interested in the viability of a double event weekend, with different courses on each day. If we weren't against a MAC race, would our NYC/NJ/PA/etc region CX'rs be more interested by a two race format? We'd like to know!

There's already a buzz growing- I've received a bunch of emails to this effect. We'll tentatively know our dates in December, so be on the lookout for Red Cross v2.0

Success!

2009-10-24T17:40:00.001-07:00

All things considered (especially uncooperative weather) the races today were a huge success!

We had just about 100 racers (+ more spectators) show up to battle the muddiest of conditions on a challenging course. I'd like to say it was a fair mix of power and bike driving skills, although I unfortunately (luckily?) couldn't ride it. When we setup last night and this morning, I was quite worried we would have a bike carrying/running race on our hands. I saw the frustration at the USGP Mercer Cup last year...and I figured a day like that would end any potential for future editions of Red Cross. However, our local (and non-local) mudders prevailed and it looked like everyone had a great time!

The warmer weather definitely helped our cause, and the ample hoses left everyone (and their bikes) relatively clean afterwards. Perhaps next year everyone will get to see it on a dry day and really fly around those loops. That said, who wouldn't want to do that again!!?!?

We got A LOT of overwhelmingly positive feedback, but if you have any comments/criticisms (aside from "I hate mud!") let me know so we can make it bigger/better/friendlier the next time around. Tentatively, we'd like to join the NYcross series, perhaps feature a double race weekend with different courses, and offer more prizes/payouts to more of our racers.

A BIG THANK YOU to all the Red Cross volunteers who helped out yesterday and today! Course setup was a relative breeze, breakdown was incredibly fast, and our results staff was excellent. There's no way we do that all without you!

I would especially like to thank Tom Hurd and the staff at Broome-Tioga Sports Center-- they were amazing hosts and it DEFINITELY could not have happened without them! They made our little operation so damn legit.

Also on the list of big thank you's is to Gimme! Coffee for the brewed coffee and the prize beans! I know the delicious coffee made the mud just a little easier to bear. And man did everyone suck it down. Both the coffee AND the mud.

Lastly, Cyclocross Magazine donated subscriptions and print-mags to our podium finishers and many of our racers. Many thanks to them, and check out their website at http://cxmagazine.com for everything cyclocross (including co-promoter Jake's brainchild, fantasy CX).

We'll have pictures sometime in the near future and I'll be sure to point everyone in that direction. We had some great professional photographers on-site, and I'm anxious to see it all documented. In the meantime, here's a couple pics taken by Juan-

I know I personally can't wait to do it all next year...but I'm also relieved it's a year away! Maybe I'll figure out how to relax by then...and be able to mix it up in our own race. It was a good deal of work, but it was worth it!

If you raced, you can cancel that trip to Portland to join in their mud baths. Support local cyclocross!

Pray for rain?

2009-10-23T20:00:00.000-07:00

Today we had a great showing of volunteers ready to build the course for Red Cross. We may still edit more in the morning, but our preliminary tests indicate that it's a HEAVY course. In dry weather, it would be hard and fast...but I'm guessing we won't have either tomorrow.

We're honestly hoping for a little more rain to loosen things up a bit. With such little rain today, the track surface was slightly damp and rather clumpy-- think tires accumulating mud in the manner that wet snow packs down. ugh. Most things were still ride-able, but we had to change our intended run-up because of difficult footing.

I'm really hoping it turns out well, because we've put a lot of effort and thought into the race and we don't want people to hate it because it's so difficult due solely to the weather! I guess we'll see.

Here we go!

Saturday's weather

2009-10-22T12:53:00.000-07:00

It looks like we will be having some real cross weather on our hands. Choose your tires accordingly. In dry weather I would probably go with some file treads, but the prospects of wet weather should probably steer you towards more aggressive tread. I would go with Challenge Grifos...but then again those are my only tubulars and I can't actually race (despite me being pre-reg'd)!

The weather in this area is so incredibly variable so I rarely trust anything more than a day in advance, but this is what I'm seeing now:

From NOAA:
Showers. High near 63. South wind between 10 and 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

From Weather.com:

I'm honestly unsure of what to make of the "Mostly Cloudy" with a sun icon when the hourly forecast is entirely showers...

From Weather Underground:

So it tentatively looks like rain, but not a washout.

Weather underground also reports that the UV index is only 2 for Saturday. So look on the bright side...you will be at very little risk for sun damage with so much cloud and mud coverage.

Portland holds some of their Cross Crusade races at the Portland International Raceway on the motocross track. I would imagine that under heavy rain we could be looking at similar conditions.

If I had to guess, that looks like Adam McGrath because #1: Van Dessel kit and #2: Helmet visor.

Epic? Yes.

Further developments

2009-10-21T17:38:00.000-07:00

The course tape arrived today. In the spirit and name of the race, it is RED. Instead of Caution/Cuidado, we're looking at DANGER. I think that's appropriate.

Registration is going well, especially for central NY standards. I dare say we will have one of the fastest and largest (haha) Men's 1/2/3 fields that the region has assembled in a while. The women seem to be coming out in force as well. We're pretty excited about all this.

We have also secured some CX magazine trial subscriptions and issues for the podiums (podia???). Other prizes are in the works...I can at least guarantee we're not giving away XXXL t-shirts that no one under 300lbs can wear.

Let's get some more people out! See you all Saturday morning- we'll ride even if it's sunny out!

Sweet.

2009-10-19T05:35:00.000-07:00

Registration seems to be warming up a bit...FINALLY. With the only northeast races being in Pittsburgh, PA and New Gloucester, ME I was a little confused why we were seeing relatively few entries. I hoped that everyone wasn't planning on taking off on October 24! We have such a great venue and course lined up that it just did not make sense.

Of note is that the elite race (while sparsely populated) has some really fast legs in there. 4 to be precise...I haven't put myself on injured reserve yet. I'll leave you to stalk their results, but I'll just say that one of them was 13th in the UCI elite race at Granogue this weekend. This means that more fast riders need to come out of the woodwork...GET ON IT.

Another video, this time of Wissahickon, where I always have good rides. Our Rutgers friend Patrick Bradley makes an appearance in there.

More barriers

2009-10-18T12:29:00.000-07:00

Painting...

With a barrier set like this, how can you resist?

Registration seems temporarily slow (well, not so much by CNY standards since we had registrants more than a week in advance...), but I know of so many people who are coming! Why are you all not signed up yet??? We promise it will be worth the effort!

Awesome video of Granogue this weekend.

Cycling Videos on CyclingDirt

Barrier construction

2009-10-14T15:43:00.000-07:00

We knew exactly what we wanted and the Lowe's employee was helpful in finding us the most economic options (e.g. OSB board vs. plywood sheets)...but we knew trying to explain the concept of barriers would be quite the ordeal. Suffice to say, we ended up simply stating that these were "jumps for bikes to go over".

Everyone can rationalize the need to jump bikes over stuff, right?

Jake and I assembled these this afternoon and I've gotta say they look great (and extra sturdy). Once they're painted I think they'll be the envy of the central NY 'cross scene (and heck, everyone else also). Best not run your bike into these...they're not going anywhere.

Measurements are 15.75" x 96" x2.375", making the height UCI "legal" at 40cm.

The internal frame, made of 2x3's (much cheaper than 2x4's...)

Before paint, my foot attempting to give it scale...

Looking down, playing with shallow depth of field...

And this video is just amazing,

More race updates

2009-10-11T10:58:00.000-07:00

Just under 2 weeks!

Some notes to pass along-

Note that we will NOT be having the typical 50 rider wide "Braveheart" style start so often seen in central NY races.

We will grid up 8 riders across with call-ups. The start/finish area will indeed be plenty wide and allow passing, but having a call-up procedure allows people to warm-up adequately and not have to stalk the staging area.

Accordingly, call-ups will be based upon 1) crossresults.com points and 2) registration order. Crossresults.com is the brainchild of Cornell alum/e-celeb Colin and he puts a lot of effort into offering a results/rankings system far superior to the dubious system USAC has in place.

I'm bummed I cannot race yet, but all this means is that all my CX energy is being poured into this race. I think this translates into guaranteed success...

...but a small portion of my step-in stake collection...

LOTS of coffee

2009-10-07T19:50:00.001-07:00

The word from Gimme! Coffee is that we're being setup with approximately 10 gallons of premium brew for race day. I'm told that's about 160 8oz. cups! Also, we'll be getting some podium beans. Too bad I can't race yet...I usually pay for those.

One of these days I'll take photos of the 600 course stakes that are residing in my back yard. Quite the collection.

Only 16 days remain. I'm pretty excited.

Musings

2009-10-04T05:13:00.001-07:00

When I made that last post, I guess I also didn't realize that the Portland area races at Portland International Raceway were on a motocross track. We all know how successful those are, so I think that lends some cred to the potential of these types of courses. As if it weren't obvious enough already!

I wish I could have been at Gloucester getting lapped by Jonathan Page, but I'm trying to be cautious and make sure my collarbone heals correctly. ugh. In any case, co-promoter Jake did the live coverage for CXmagazine.com, so it almost felt like I was there. Maybe.

With all the rain lately, the track has been smoothing out, but also has a lot of MUD, according to our source (aka Jake's dad as he drove by there recently). I love rainy cross racing, but it definitely puts a damper on spectating. However, if almost 80 people showed up for Buck Hill, I'll take it that the rain does not really adversely affect a race's typical attendance.

Over the coming days we have some construction ahead of us- namely barrier construction. We have some plans drawn up for a set of 40cm bombproof planks, hopefully future staples of the Ithaca cross scene. If we only leave one thing behind (aside from Red Cross), let it be these rectangular pieces of wood.

Under 3 weeks to go!

This is cool-

2009-10-01T15:32:00.001-07:00

So we are (obviously/unfortunately?) not the first to host a CX race at a motocross venue. A fellow promoter left a comment on an earlier post, cluing me into this scene in Austin, TX.

http://dirtderby.com/

Awesome.

Gimme! sponsorship!

2009-10-01T11:09:00.000-07:00

Local coffee professionals Gimme! Coffee have generously offered to supply the pre-race buzz for Red Cross. We will have brewed coffee on site and some beans for our top finishers. We're pretty excited about this support!

We also have verbal commitment for neutral mechanic/pit support from Cayuga Ski & Cyclery. We are still working through more details regarding their full sponsorship, so we'll report that as it comes.

Adding another race!

2009-09-30T12:57:00.000-07:00

This was a bit of an oversight on my part, but it's now amended.

Red Cross will now feature a Kid's Race between the Women/Jr's and Elites. We'll work out the details, but it would likely use portions of the course near and around the whoops section- not unlike a BMX course. I always really enjoyed the Kid's Race at Gloucester, so it should be fun!

Update of sorts

2009-09-22T08:37:00.000-07:00

We're just about at the one month mark until the race and things are progressing well. In my head I imagined that there would be 1000's of riders pre-registered on BikeReg.com...but I think I'll just have to be patient.

Buck Hill CX promoter Jeremy was gracious enough to distribute some quarter cards at the Kirkland CX race up in Clinton, NY this past weekend. Hopefully this will draw in some of the NYcross series crowd since they don't have a conflicting race. Certainly there will some more guerilla promotion this weekend at Buck Hill, where I will most likely be scoring results.

As far as sponsors go, we're currently in talks with Cayuga Ski & Cyclery and Ithaca Beer Co. Having these businesses on board would allow us to have both a neutral pit service and a beer/soda tent. We really hope this comes through!

On the schedule

2009-09-16T11:47:00.000-07:00

I mentioned this before, but we are officially the season opener for the 2009 ECCC Cyclocross Calendar!

This is good because we should get a good influx of collegiate racers from all over the northeast. Hopefully they'll talk it up and bring non-collegiate riders with them!

Can't wait!

My attempt at a flier...

2009-09-13T15:07:00.000-07:00

This will hopefully be going up in a few local shops and at some races prior. Probably not all that useful in terms of increased exposure, but it was fun to make.

Big time.

2009-09-11T20:55:00.001-07:00

I can't believe I forgot to post this!

Following our course design expedition last week, Jake wrote us an article for CXmagazine.com

Check it out!

Note the comment at the bottom- we are in totally agreement. This is no grass crit! Hoogerheide better watch out- rumor has it the UCI does want to put a World Cup in North America...

At the moment, we're working on getting some sponsors on board with us. Ideally, we will have a beer tent and neutral support from a local shop. Here's hoping it pans out...but either way it's going to be great!

Course visit and design

2009-09-07T14:40:00.001-07:00

Today Jake and I visited BTSC and started to lay out some ideas for the course. There are a lot of portions on the actual motocross track, but we will also have a nice "typical" grass crit section with some tight turns to vary the riding surface.

More important than just getting the lay of the land was the ability to actually ride the course and plan out features like run-ups. Due to my collarbone injury I was unable to ride, but Jake filled in my stead. I played photographer for the day.

Click on the thumbnail for a larger version or visit the Picasa gallery.

Part of the start/lap/finish area. As each lap finishes, racers will take some turns in the dirt and probably hit a barrier set before joining with the starting lane and beginning the next lap.

A view from some bleachers outside the course. Spectators can see 100% of the course from most positions. Note that we're NOT using that giant hill on the left. We're not that crazy.

This dog chased Jake around. Dogs are allowed on race day, but not on the course!

Jake gives the dog "the look" as he dispatches his nemesis.

Making a turn after the whoops section.

There's a steep ride-up on the backside of that mound.

Approaching the run-up.

Far too steep to ride.

Almost over. The run-up is pretty short but very steep, despite the view the camera gives.

Cresting the top of the run-up.

In the whoops section.

The whoops will likely be ridden BOTH ways.

The whoops as seen from the run-up.

This tunnel was cool, but we think it would be too dangerous in traffic. Not to mention the stagnant water...

The motocross guys were out there showing us up. A couple have heard about the race and told us they would definitely be there to watch. Sweet.

Here's a rough map that Jake made of the course. I didn't photograph the grass section near the top of the course, but rest assured it will be in there. Note the double pit. It took Jake about 7 minutes to complete lap at speed. Your times may vary...

Updates

2009-09-04T20:05:00.001-07:00

Sometime in the very near future we are going to preview some more course options at BTSC. I'll have a camera in hand and possibly a video camera on one of the riders for a preview of what's in store.

Unfortunately, our PR campaign at the Chris Thater criterium failed since I was too laid up from my clavicle surgery to make the trip down. Alas, we will have other opportunities to spread the word.

In other developments, we are being added to the ECCC cyclocross schedule for 2009, thanks to our strategic contacts. This means an influx of strong collegiate riders from outside the Finger Lakes. We are really excited about this!

We now have a Facebook event created- this race is going viral (well...we hope). Link HERE.

Cheers.

We're bonafide.

2009-08-28T06:53:00.000-07:00

Permits have come through and we're official in the eyes of USA Cycling-- permit number 2009-2461.

This weekend will be a major thrust of promotion at the Chris Thater Criterium down in Binghamton. Even though I won't be racing due to my fractured clavicle and surgery, it will be nice to watch the races and hopefully spread the word.

Live on Bikereg.com!

2009-08-14T06:52:00.000-07:00

We now have our registration page online!

Go to:

http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=9213

Spread the word!

The dream comes alive!

2009-08-13T11:31:00.000-07:00

For several years now, I've driven past the Broome-Tioga Sports Center and thought about the potential for an amazing cyclocross venue. Finally, I did something about it...

This past Tuesday, we met with BTSC's owner, Tom, to discuss race details. The great news is that they are absolutely on board with our idea! For once, a cyclocross race was not met with outright resistance. You just have to tap into the right resources- motocross arenas definitely fit the bill.

As we see it now, the course will consist of a mix of standard "grass crit" cylocross fare, coupled with portions on the actual motocross track. Expect a run/ride-up, a barrier set, an over/under flyover, and a few good motocross style terrain features!

To whet your appetite...

USAC permits were filed yesterday and we will shortly be on BikeReg.com for registration. Details and links when they become available.

Welcome!

2009-08-12T17:42:00.000-07:00

This site will have information and updates on the development and progress of SuperCycloCross 2009. Check in periodically to see how we're doing!

At the moment, this is the only cyclocross event in the Central NY area on October 24, so we expect a good turnout of local racers. Additionally, with the NECCS Verge races in Maine that weekend, and no conflicting race in the MAC region, we hope to draw in some solid out of town competition!