[NCNCA] New Upgrade guidelines

[Brian Boerman]

As an Early Bird "graduate" I completely agree -- it's a fantastic training
ground for newbies, and there's a HUGE contrast in racer behavior/ safety
between the well-mentored EB's and other 4/5 crits.

The only thing that kept me out of repeating EB's was weather this year.
(Yes, OK, I'm a weenie. Guilty.)
I'd do them every year just for the coaching.  Why not?


-----Original Message-----
From: ncnca-bounces+brianjboerman=msn.com at ncnca.org
[mailto:ncnca-bounces+brianjboerman=msn.com at ncnca.org] On Behalf Of Dan
Connelly
Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2008 11:29 AM
To: Jim Volsansky
Cc: Luke2 at ix.netcom.com; Chris Black; ncnca at ncnca.org
Subject: Re: [NCNCA] New Upgrade guidelines

Jim Volsansky wrote:
> Ding ding ding ding, We have a winner!
> 
> Chris you've pretty much nailed it on the head. This
> is exactly the program we've (EBC crit) been running 2
> years straight at our crit.
>  From the promotional side of the world, it really
> doesn't make a numbers difference when you get down to
> it. Having a 4's only field allow for 100 riders which
> more than makes up for the smaller 5's field of 50. In
> a sense this makes it doubly safe smaller pack for the
> 5's, and no 5's in wiht the 4's. everybody wins.
> 
> Jim
> Race director of EBC crit.


At the Early Bird Criteriums this year, there were higher-category "mentors"
at all beginner-racer events.  This, I feel, made a huge difference with
safety.  Larry Nolan runs a fantastic program there.

For road races it may be impractical.  But it's a practice I think would
benefit all cat 5 crits.  I don't know how to legislate a mandate for this
sort of thing, or if there are potential perverse liability issues, but in
the best of worlds, every cat 5 race would have this type of supervision.

I don't think there'd be a shortage of volunteers at any mixed-category
event.  It's a good opportunity for a pre-race warm-up for higher category
riders.

Dan

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