2014 Wednesday Night SuperPrestige--Cyclocross Practice

I am of 2 minds about hosting WNSP event in 2014.

Firstly, I am heartened and encouraged by the overwhelming turnout and positive feedback in 2013.  I still love hosting the event and I am glad that I am able to add value to the Boston area Cyclocross community

Unfortunately, some riders used the high turnout to simulate race conditions: complete with chopping beginners corners and shouldering rivals into the "tape."  Some riders even rode with broken or otherwise unsafe bicycles.  These unsafe practices spooked other riders and caused me to question the wisdom of hosting WNSP in its current format.   Furthermore, the event has experienced some static with locals (really just a local crazylady, but static nonetheless) and the city parks department has been unresponsive to our requests for a permanent, sanctioned venue.

With these conflicting thoughts at the forefront of my mind, I will continue to host the event in 2014 at the Smith Playground on Western Ave in Allston, MA.  We are working on securing a sanctioned venue, but we'll use Smith until further notice.

Policing of bad behavior will be more aggressive this year.

There are a few changes for 2014:

• Registration will cost $10 
• WNSP riders will insured against injuries ($10k) while riding the event (thus the price increase)
• Event is capped at 50 riders per heat.   First come, first served.  
• A riders and B riders will have staggered starts.  
• All nights will feature 3 x 20 minute cyclocross efforts.  10 minute rest between each heat. 
• Every night there will be 2 free registrations available for riders who break down the course. 

Rules for 2014:

1. NO PASSING ANYONE IN ANY CORNER.  Pass only in non-taped straightaways.
2. YIELD TO ALL PEDESTRIANS, DOGS AND BUNNIES.  Buzzing a pedestrian will get you an automatic ban from the event.  We share the park, so if there are any pedestrians where you intend to ride, SLOW DOWN and ANNOUNCE YOURSELF.  No exceptions or excuses.
3. VERBALLY ANNOUNCE YOUR INTENT TO PASS.  This rule especially applies when you are lapping riders since you will be moving much faster than the lapped rider. 
4. If you knock it down a course feature, stop immediately and fix it.  
5. All riders must wear a helmet and have a safe bicycle. 
6. Second violation of WNSP rules results in a permanent ban from the event and a public shaming.  Warnings from last year apply.  

Calendar:  

Every Wednesday at 6pm: Aug 27th--Nov 19th

We'll cancel for Night Weasels and possibly other Wednesday night races.  In case of bad weather within 24 hours of the event, check the facebook page by 3pm on the day of the event. 

If I get ill or have other emergencies, I will cancel WNSP on the WNSP  facebook page no later than 24 hours before the event.  

I look forward to hosting this year.  

Send any inquiries to rmckittr at g mail dot com

RMM

WNSP Starts on Wednesday August 29th at 6:30pm

"When are you starting Wednesday Night SuperPrestige"

"September...you know, when...er...cross season starts?"


I digress.


For those not in the know:  Wednesday Night Super Prestige is a fast cyclocross training ride that takes place at the Smith Playground in Allston, MA every Wednesday night at 6:30 pm from early September through December.   The event will be cancelled if it is raining at or after 3pm on the day of the event.

Check Twitter for updates.

The terrain is entirely flat and well tended grass athletic fields.  The course is taped off to include tight corners, chicanes, S turns, high speed "barriers" and power sections.

Early in the season, we share the park with other users, whom we route the course around.  RIDERS ARE ALWAYS REQUIRED TO YIELD TO OTHER PARK USERS!!  Later in the season (after daylight savings time ends) we have the park to ourselves, but have no overhead lighting.  The course is carefully designed to provide the safest riding possible, even without the overhead lighting.  Riders are strongly encouraged to supply their own lights.

The ride consists of  two or three 20 minute mass start efforts with a 10 minute rest in between sets.  There are lap cards.  Cat 3's generally post 4 minute laps.  The last lap ends on 200 meters of pavement.

$5 donation per night of riding.

The first event is August 29th at 6:30pm.  Registration will begin at 6:15.  NO RIDER WILL BE ALLOWED TO RIDE WITHOUT A SIGNED RELEASE AND AN APPROVED HELMET.

We look forward to seeing you out there.

Questions can be addressed to rmckittr at gmail dot com

Beginner Road Racing Clinic at Wells Ave

Sunday June 24^th at 7:15 am-9:30am

Presented by the Broadway Bicycle School/Igleheart Frames Racing Team

Are you interested in trying road racing?  Don’t know where to start?  The Broadway Bicycle School/Igleheart Frames Racing Team wants to help you learn the basics of road racing.  Riders will receive instruction in racing safety and technique and then have the opportunity to try out their new skills in a beginner-only race.  Woman and junior racers will have a separate race to compete in.   

Riders will receive:

1.       Water, coffee and Snacks

2.       30 minutes of oral instruction on the basics of group riding and road race safety. 

3.       30 minutes of group riding instruction with expert racers.

4.       The opportunity to race in a Beginner-only race

5.       Instruction DURING the beginner’s race at Wells Ave

Notes:

·         There is no cost for the clinic.

·         Entry to the beginner’s race at Wells costs $20 ($10 for one day license + $10 race fee)

·         Juniors’ race fees will be paid by Mike Keough (Bay Hill Capital).  Thanks Mike!

·         All riders must have a helmet, a working road bicycle with drop handlebars (no aero bars or clip ons) and a jersey with sleeves (per USAC regulation)

·         Minor must  bring a USA Cycling release form signed by a parent or guardian (http://www.usacycling.org/forms/rider_release.pdf) 

Wednesday Night SuperPrestige 2011

I have been fielding emails all day, so here are the details for WNSP 2011.

We will start this training event next Wednesday night. It will run through Nationals in December. We created a Facebook invite, which we encourage you to respond to.

PARTICIPATE AT YOUR OWN RISK. There is a course set up. We make no claims about its safety. If you feel unsafe in any way, you should stop riding immediately. The course is demanding: lots of sharp rocks, off camber turns and steep descents. Be prepared.

Items of Note:

1. Location: Ringer Park, Allston, MA aka Blood Park. We will use this venue until daylight runs out (sometime in September) then we will move over to the Harvard location for the remainder of the season.
2. Start time: 6:30 pm August 17th, 2011
3. Format: 2 x 20 minute efforts.
4. Waiver: I'll have them, you'll sign one. One will serve for the whole 2011 season.
5. "Suggested"Donation: $5 to cover supplies and time spent on course set up.

Tell your friends, but only if they can Keep it Tight. Because of the demanding nature of the course and the presence of other park users, we strongly discourage beginners from riding this event. Juniors only invited with special permission from parents.

Erratic riding will not be tolerated. There is a strict 2 warning policy. Any rider creating ANY dangerous situations will be given one warning, then banned from WNSP. No exceptions.

I hope that you can join us for at least one WNSP this season. The courses are challenging and some heavy hitters show up to keep the pace high. Just like any cross race, all ability levels are represented; you'll have someone to race against no matter how fast or slow you are.

Train hard.