| Hi,
I beleive the races at Ft. Devens are only for NEBC members. The
issue has to do with allowing civilians on the base. Membership
is currently $18. The NEBC used to hold Thursday races at Hanscom
under the same conditions, you had to flash your membership card
to get in/out. I think Mass Bay might still be holding Tues crits
at Wompatuck?
Joe
|
| Hi,
Tuesday night is sponsered by Mass Bay at Wompatuk. Call Bill Sykes
at Corner Cycle (617-746-4544) for info. This is a Cat 4,3,2 race.
Usually start at 6:00. Take Rt. 3 south to Norwell exit - follow
cars with bikes from there!
Can also get information from New England Hotline (203-453-3041)
May also want to call NEBRA for info. Velo-News lists the person
to contact as Craig MacFarlane (617-484-0711)
Good Luck,
Mark
|
| I took my friend's brother (a Cat IV) to the Wampatuck races on
Wednesday. Getting there was fairly easy -- from the Boston area,
take 128 or I-93 South to Rt 3 South, and get off at 228 North.
After a few miles, there's a sign for Wampatuck on the right.
Once you're in the park, you drive straight along the main road,
passing the campground and a spring before you arrive at a paved
fire road heading to the right. There's a gate on it that's closed
until 5:15 or so; afterwards, there's a small sign that says
"Caution: Bike Race in Progress."
This side road goes for about 1/3 mile or so. Everybody parks
along the right. At the end of the road, there's somebody to
collect the $4 entry fee and check licenses. The course starts
at this point -- it's a 1.3 mile loop of paved road through the
woods, with nothing but hiking trails intersecting with it.
The course is beautiful to ride around. The bushes and trees
along the sides of the road bend inwards, giving a tunnel-like
effect. When a pack gets going, you can watch the branches
bend as they blow by, and hear the whoosh of their draft through
the leaves.
There's only one sharp corner, and one tiny hill, making it hard
to recognize exactly where you are on the course. The only
sensation riding is of one continuous path veering left. With
the smooth pavement, the course is already fast, but the
tunnel effect makes it seem even faster.
Two packs start at about 6:15 -- Cat I, II, and fast III's in the
first, Cat III and IV about 30 seconds later. The race is 30
miles -- about 24 laps. The first group usually laps the second.
There are preems every few laps.
About 50-100 riders show up for this series each Tuesday. There's
also a series for Citizens on Wednesday: this draws only 25-35
riders, and is less formal.
MATT
|