I am offering a special super-early-bird registration on Friday, December 16 starting at 8AM for ONLY $25. The race is capped at 250 riders, so sign up now and do no risk getting shut out! Registration is available at both BikeReg.com and Pre-Reg.com.
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Start training kids, next year’s race is going to be even more epic.
A single 79K loop, 16K unpaved, with 1,440m climbing including a trip up the infamous Koppenberg of the High Country, finishing on the legendary clay of the Boone velodrome. Low gears, high tire pressure, and an iron will are required.
Take a quick 11 question survey to give your feedback on the proposed changes to this year’s event by clicking here
Results are posted for all the categories. See any problems? Email info@pirateraceproductions before Tuesday, and we’ll get it straightened out. Tuesday night they go up on USAC.
Just about 180 racers toed the line today to enjoy beautiful weather and brutal racing. Thank you so much to everyone for coming out. The race would not have been possible were it not for the tireless efforts of the Appalachian State University Wine-to-Water Chapter, the Hardie’s, our hosts at RiverGirl, my former SuperIntern Emma Mazur, and my infinitely patient wife, Rosie. Thanks as well to our officiating crew, including newly minted CR Justin Evans and his mentor Judy Rhyne. Morning results are posted – afternoon results are pending me fixing the numbers for some of the pre-registered riders that I entered incorrectly. I’ll get to it tomorrow, because I’m zonked, its my birthday, and its time to start drinking the wine we got from Dolce Vita.
Race day is upon us! A few important notes:
Check out the Directions page so you do not get lost. Your GPS is not to be trusted and there is no phone service anywhere on the course. Only park at the churches in Todd – NOT RiverGirl or the Post Office. Registration, staging, awards, lunch, and portalets will be in the RiverGirl parking lot. Only female racers may use the bathroom inside RiverGirl.
If you did not pre-register, please download and fill out your waiver (legibly) at home to save time. The Cat 4/5 Men’s Race is SOLD OUT.
There is LOTS OF ROOM in all the remaining categories.
Get your bike ready. With the rain today, and the recent scraping of Secteur Pave Deux, big tires with sidewall protection may be the only way to ensure you neither flat or lose traction on the climbs. Carbon water bottle cages are a bad idea – its going to be hot, and if your bottle gets ejected, you are going to be very sad, to say nothing of all the people behind you.
If you are bringing spare wheels, make sure they are marked with your bib number to expedite the hand off. So that means bring a pen and something you can securely attach to EACH wheel. Carry flat supplies with you as well.
Review the course. There will be course marshals at all the turns, but in case they get sidetracked or distracted, there are also several dozen yardsale-type signs like this:
and in case those get stolen or turned around, there are also stylized “BR” arrows painted on the road like this:
The Feed Zone is in Todd on the corner of Railroad Grade and Carter Miller Road. There will be Hammer Nutrition’s HEED Sport Drink and water in coolers. There is no other potable water available, so come prepared. Please be respectful of the community and pick up your bottles, gel wrappers, etc.,stay out of the neighbors’ yards, and do not block access to the Mercantile or General Store.
The Finish Line is a half mile outside Todd on Railroad Grade Road. There is NO PARKING at the finish – you will be towed if you park on the shoulder or in someone’s yard. Please stay out of the hayfield along the river across from the finish so the young plants are not trampled.
The Podium Ceremony will be next to registration at RiverGirl 15 minutes after results are posted. You must to be present to get you cash, bottle of wine, or gift certificates.
If you have any other questions, email me at info@pirateraceproductions.com.
Our hosts at RiverGirl Fishing Company will be serving up lunch: for $5 you get your choice of grilled or bbq chicken sandwiches, or a vegetarian cold pasta salad. Sodas are buck, and the Hammer Nutrition HEED will be flowing freely.
The weather forecast has officially turned in our favor, so there is no reason to keep waiting to sign up. Online registration closes at NOON Friday, so don’t procrastinate and get stuck standing in line on Saturday and shelling out an extra 10 bucks.
I shot helmet camera video of the entire course this past Sunday, and edited it down to 8:30 of all the tasty bits. Its almost as good at pre-riding! Also, Amy from RiverGirl will be manning the grill on Saturday, serving up grilled and bbq chicken sandwiches as well as vegetarian pasta salad. Only $5 a plate. Wash it down with some HEED or hit the soda machine for a buck.
I pre-rode Le Grand Parcours yesterday with Mark Odendahl (Rocky River Road Club)and Jim Mead (Clif Bar/Giordana). Course is in fantastic shape, and NCDOT treated us to a new one meter pave section on Railroad Grade Road about half way between Todd and the first turn on Castle Ford Road. I decided to move the finish back to last year’s location on Railroad Grade Road near the corner of River Bend Ln, which will shorten both courses by about 0.5 miles, but will make for a much safer finish. Now sign up http://www.prerace.com/races/event/23223/Boone-Roubaix–the-Hell-of-the-High-Country
Long time Wine to Water supporter Dolce Vita Wine Bar in Charlotte is supplying bottles of wine to the winners of the Men Pro Cat 1/2, Women Pro Cat 1/2/3, Masters 35+ and Masters 45+ races. No worries if you do not win, everyone is getting coupons in their shwag bag, along with a Montana Huckleberry Hammer Gel sample and whatever other goodies we can wrangle.
4 Seasons Vacation Rentals is the official lodging partner for Boone-Roubaix Deux. They offer 14 beautiful cabins right on the course. Bring the family for the weekend: the Easter Bunny will love having new hiding places, and will appreciate having a hot tub to rest his feet. Book online or call Toll Free 866-207-4837 or reach Sherrie Matthews directly at 336-977-2597 to request the perfect weekend getaway
