The course map is listed on-line. Also, fields are capped at 100 so you might think about registering at www.athleteslounge.com especially if you are in the C's and B's.

Map: http://www.crosscrusade.com/images/maps/2005/alpenrose.jpg

For those of you familiar with the venue ...

* They rerouted to remove the muddy chute next to the bmx track. I lot of people went down there last year.

* I think the single barrier on near the woods is probably a red herring since UCI says only one set. However, with the mud, that will probably be a micro run-up.

* New routing in the NW pasture that loops into the trees. That section always seems to be soupy and contain some NASTY off-camber.

* The pit near the start is USELESS! You will be going 20+mph through there so you had better have a really good reason to pit.

In general, no surprises. The ground isn't going to dry out from last weekend's rain and since we appear to be getting a shower here and there through Saturday, look for another sloppy affair.

Also, the rumor du jour is that Hillsboro will be used for the Crank Bros Grand Prix event next year.

[QUOTE=Gripped]The course map is listed on-line. Also, fields are capped at 100 so you might think about registering at www.athleteslounge.com especially if you are in the C's and B's.

QUOTE]

The link to the Athleteslounge.com doesnt seem to be working. I tried earlier as well. I checked the start list for Tacoma & its nowhere near full in any category. It would still be nice to check out PDX though. I'll be there pretty early so I'm not too worried about it.

DP

...is to over come it and at least race up to my ability. I've raced there twice and both times have been somewhat of a disaster. Specifically, I was one of those who piled coming down the muddy chute next to the bmx track onto the pavement. I bent my derailleur hanger and skipped around the course over the next few laps. The 1st time I tweaked my back and could barely pedal. I find the track tight, twisty and slow. It seems to favor bike handlers over motors. So, it offers me an opportunity to work on some weaknesses. The element I am looking forward to is that the track has some uphill sections, I wish it had more.

I don't know if you've been out there lately, but the BMX track is gone. (There was some strange wrangling among competing BMX federations). It appears they took all the dirt and graded it along the Northern portion of the property, somewhere near where the fence once was and the single barrier is sketched in. The aerial photo shown is old and still shows the BMX track.

Moving the GP to Hillsboro is a great idea. Parking at Alpenrose could be a real bear.

How do they stage the B's? Someone said is was based on when you registered, so if you registered late you are at the back?

Also, I read somewhere that Kaite Compton was racing in the men's B's at all the Grand Prix races. True?

How do they stage the B's? Someone said is was based on when you registered, so if you registered late you are at the back?

Also, I read somewhere that Kaite Compton was racing in the men's B's at all the Grand Prix races. True?

At Alpenrose, staging for non-UCI cats will be first come, first served. Up at Steilacomb they claim to be staging by bib number which is determined by registration order.

Velonews stated the Katie Compton was going to try to race as many Grand Prix events as she could. Because UCI points disqualify her for Paralympic competition, any races she does have to be non-UCI events. In order to get a good level of competition, she races with the B men. I'd love to see her in Portland.

The course map is listed on-line. Also, fields are capped at 100 so you might think about registering at www.athleteslounge.com especially if you are in the C's and B's.


Hey, thanks for the heads up. I didn't even know there was a field limit, so I wasn't planning on pre-registering.

I got right on it when I read your post, for fear that the B's is going to fill up fast. The on-line registration worked so, that's a relief.

I'm not sure whether I should hope for more rain or dryer weather. I'm lacking a good set of mud tires at the moment, especially if it's really sticky mud. Something soupy might be better.

*"The pit near the start is USELESS! You will be going 20+mph through there so you had better have a really good reason to pit."

Will the pits be on the "wrong side" again? What a trick that was.

*"The pit near the start is USELESS! You will be going 20+mph through there so you had better have a really good reason to pit."

Will the pits be on the "wrong side" again? What a trick that was.

Tell barb I said good luck.

Did her wheelsets ever come in?

*"The pit near the start is USELESS! You will be going 20+mph through there so you had better have a really good reason to pit."

Will the pits be on the "wrong side" again? What a trick that was.

Looks like they are on the "right side" this time.