Nov 23 2007
2008 Preview
Just got the OBRA preview schedule for ‘08 in the mail a few days ago. Some stuff looks intriguing but without more specific details, it’s hard to start setting a schedule yet.
I raced a decent amount this past year, more than some but probably less than most: a few road races, couple PIR’s, the Tabor series, one MTB race, one short track, and 5 Cross races. It kept me in shape and motivated during the year while not feeling burned out by July like last year. I did Elkhorn in June of ‘06 and never really recovered until after cross was over. For a new rider, it was too much, too soon. I wasn’t all that interested in repeating that again.
For ‘08, I’d like to do about the same with a few changes. I’m an opportunistic-type of racer, meaning if I see an opening or free weekend, I’ll take whatever I can get. Here’s my tentative schedule & goals for next year.
Overall
- Find a team
- Move up a road cat. Am I a 4 or still a 5? How am I not a 4 yet? I need to follow up with Kenji or somebody else at OBRA on this.
- A top 10 finish in MasterA’s.
Road
I wouldn’t mind doing a couple of the Banana Belt’s this year with one caveat - not if I’m still a 5. There’s way too many brand new riders out that early in the season. There’s a reason they dub cat 5’s as ‘The Crashers’.
I need to think, and decide relatively soon, if I want to do the Mt Hood SR (5/13). I’d like to but judging on how I did at Elkhorn, I will need to get more longer rides in.
Hell of the Cascades (7/6). Any race title with ‘Hell’ and ‘Cascades’ has my interest.
Mt Tabor series. 5 minutes from home. 25 minute race. How can I not do these races.
MTB
3 MTB races, moving up from Sport to Expert. I don’t know which ones yet though. There are very few relatively close to town so I’ll need to wait for more details.
A couple short tracks. It’s a bummer that it overlaps the Tabor series and also that it takes roughly 4 hours to get there from SoPo during rush hour.
Track
I keep telling myself each year that I’ll go and give it a try. But each year rolls on by and other stuff takes priority. Maybe I’ll surprise myself this year. Probably not though.
Cross
Move up to Master A. 5 to 6 races, typically skipping the Halloween one and one other. I may, repeat may, go back east for a USGP or other big race if there’s one held in New England.
The Kruger’s Kermesse series looks interesting too as a good tune up. I didn’t head out this year as my bike wasn’t in yet but maybe next year if the timing works out.
That’s all I can think of so far. I’m sure this will change as more details come out and the exact schedule is finalized.
I did the track for the first time this year, well worth giving a try!!! Mt Hood as a Cat 4 is not too bad. I would think that you are a cat 4 on the road, but Kenji or Candi can help you with that one. If you want to travel to a race, Starcrossed in Seattle is a great event. But plan to stay for the pro men or don’t go. That event is just great!!!
I will see you in the Master A’s, hoping to finish in the top half of the field. There are some great racers in that group.
Umm… you were a 5. No longer.