Criterium in Auburn, Calif May 1, 2011

[nathan]

Originally Posted by johnfoss

I'm in, and I also have a spare 36" if any travelers need one.

Same here and I have a couple of spare ungeared ones and one geared.

[naturequack]

Well, that's three down and 7 to go. Any other takers?

[tholub]

I'm probably in.

[redwelly]

Originally Posted by chuckaeronut

missing spoke hole ripped out of the flange

On a Schlumpf?? Ouch. Hope that's fixable.

[naturequack]

Originally Posted by redwelly

On a Schlumpf?? Ouch. Hope that's fixable.

A little duct tape, some super glue...good to go.

[corbin]

I saw chuck last week…no fixed uni yet!

[Daytripper63]

Originally Posted by nathan

For future planning, don't miss this great event in Auburn (foothills above Sacramento) next May 1, 2011. This put on by the Global Biorhythm guys who did the recent Muni race in Cool.

This race is bigger (it's a pre-Amgen race) so we will need at least 10 racers to have our own division with medals on the podium as in Cool. Come out and race - criterium racing is the best on uni!

The course is 0.97 miles long, basically two triangles. There is only 23 feet (7m) of climbing and descent on each half of the course. Here is the KML you can view in GoogleEarth.

We haven't decided how many laps, but it will be at least two and possibly 3 or even 4. Bring your fastest uni!

Here's what it looks like in GoogleEarth:

I also have a geared 36er with 150 cranks that I would be willing to loan to a uni-less traveler PLUS I am familiar with that area and I don't believe the 23ft of climbing is accurate, maybe on the lower triangle but definitely more climbing on the upper triangle but still not excessive.

[naturequack]

The race is a month away. At last count we were still short several racers to meet the 10-rider threshold.
Who's in? Let's get a wheel count.

[tholub]

I'm in if it happens.

[nathan]

Originally Posted by tholub

I'm in if it happens.

Ditto.

[naturequack]

Looks like we need a little more momentum here. Corbin? Chuck? John? Reed? Hello hello! Who's out there? Don't feel pressured or nuthin. Nope, uh uh. It's not like we'd appear too wussy if you couldn't coral a measly 10 riders.

[johnfoss]

Why would I not be still in? Now I'll send out an email blast to the local uni groups to drum up some more. One month to train for this, and one month after that for me to train for the century at Lake Tahoe!

[maestro8]

I'm having a hard time getting excited about driving 3 hours (each way) to participate in a <5 mile race on pavement.

Can someone tell me there'll be throngs of unicycle fans begging for pictures and autographs, scantily-clad cheerleaders, free beer at the finish line and eternal fame and glory?

[johnfoss]

Originally Posted by maestro8

Can someone tell me there'll be throngs of unicycle fans begging for pictures and autographs, scantily-clad cheerleaders, free beer at the finish line and eternal fame and glory?

Sure, why not? And your picture on a Wheaties box.

Last place buys the beer?

Also free lodging at my house, swimming in the pool (which should be warm by then), and some riding on the Auburn trails after the race, and possibly on the day before. A technical ride on the famous Clementine Loop, or a more fitness-type ride on the Foresthill Divide (good for 29" or 36"), or a combination.

BTW, here's my pictures from the Knickerbocker Race last year (same organizers). That was the hardest unicycle race I've ever been in. The hot rods were in a neighboring parking lot. Remember to click past them to get to the podium photos!

[johnfoss]

Race course update:
I was there on Saturday, and drove the route several times with my Garmin 305 on. The distance seems very accurate, at .97 mile per lap. The elevation change is probably a little more than the 23' per half; I got something like 60' from the lowest point to the highest.

The route starts southward on High St., going mildly downhill. Then you turn right onto Oakwood Dr., which dips down in the middle of the block and has the second steepest climb of the route in the second half of the block. Then right on Lincoln Way (Highway 49), which is flat back to the start area. You then go left on High St., which is mildly uphill.

Then there's the part I don't get. Why have the riders crossing each others' paths instead of riding the upper "triangle" clockwise? That's the way I drove it, but the diagram Nathan posted shows it with that dangerous crossover. Anyway, if we go that way, you'll turn right onto "upper" Lincoln Way, which will be the steepest spot. Steep at the beginning, then steadily uphill all the way until you turn left on Cleveland Ave. That's downhill at about the same angle, to a left turn back onto High St., and a fast, mildly downhill sprint to the start/finish (or onward to Oakwood for the next lap).

Entry into the race is free for us unicyclists. Arrive by 10:30 am to get registered and ready.

We still need the minimum # of riders to commit. Anyone else? We're also talking it up on our local mailing lists, but want to keep it open to you travelers out there by keeping it up to date here in the forums. My house is available for out-of-towners that may need a place to stay. Based on the race schedule, we should do our extra-curricular riding on the day before (April 30). This would give us the whole day to ride where we want; could be Stevens Trail, any of the trails in Auburn (MUni or Coker MUni), or other rides in the area.

So who else is in? Looks like our definite riders so far are:
Nathan Hoover
John Foss
Jim Sowers
Tom Holub

Our "maybe" riders include:
Beau Hoover
Chuck Edwall
Unireed
Daytripper63?
Maestro8

C'mon guys, move yourselves up to the top list. And what about Corbin, Naturequack, all you Berkeley riders, etc.? Name the type of ride you'd like to do the day before, and let's make a weekend of it!