Conference noted::bicycle

    
    	Yes, its a race.  Yes, its almost completely without disciplin.
    Yes, if you get even the slightest bump on the bars with the rider
    next to you he/she will almost certainly go down.  Yes, if you go
    down you will be run over by at least 40 riders who don't know how
    to handle a race crash.  Yes, someone DID stick their fingers in
    a storm drain gate when they crashed a few years ago and it made quite
    a mess {forget that nonsense about losing speed quickly by throwing
    your arms out flat on the road, curl up and ROLL}  Yes, I WON'T
    be riding it again this year.

	Reg
    

    On a more optimistic point of view, this years race is a different
    course.  It's 30 miles long and strictly a road race(for citizens).
    The CAT I,II,III'S race a criterium later in the day.  I'll be there
    and hopefully in one piece by the end (if it's as bad as Reg says).
    There are 700 people signed up, but there are also age groups so
    everyone won't go off on the same time.  As long as you can stay
    up front with the leaders you'll be with safe riders.  Of course,
    staying up front with the leaders is what everyone hopes to do,
    so it's kind of a catch 22!  Nonetheless, it's a nice course and
    not nearly as dangerous as the previous note implies.  Ride it and
    have fun!
    
    Dave     

    I think the deadline for registrations for the Tour De Lowell has
    already passed (no day-of-race-registrations). You can call the
    Lowell Sun newspaper in Lowell, ask for the Bike Race Dept.
    
    I have already biked this year's 30 mile course; it's a nice course
    with lots of flats, and some rolling hills - no mile long climbs.
    I'm really looking forward to the race this year.
    
    I expect the start will be a little hairy; even though citizen riders
    are started in age group waves, there will probably be 100+ in the
    major age groups. I expect no real problems with the rest of the
    race. It's an easy course as far as directions go. The finish is
    a nice downhill wide stretch.
    
    I did the race last year and saw one nasty crash with an ambulance
    crew working on the guy (he crashed going uphill, somehow), but then 
    I have seen crashes in almost every race. This race is fun. Tons
    of people riding, and of all abilities.
    
    Mark
    
    seen a crash in many races.

The strategy for the Tour de Lowell was simple:

  1) First 3 miles:   Thread your way through the Schwinns
		      until you catch the lead pack.

  2) Next 26.9 miles: Relax.  Try not to get killed.

  3) Last 0.1 mile:   Sprint until your temples burst, 
		      hopefully somewhere near the finish 
		      line.

If you were one of those people who lined up an hour
before the race, you could skip step one.  Of course, that
meant that step two, the most difficult, was just that much 
longer.  

Somehow, I survived steps one and two, but blew number three.  
Just as I was beginning to move up through the pack, I looked
up and saw the big FINISH banner hanging in front of me.  I
laid down the hammer, but only managed to pass half a dozen
riders before it was over.  If only I had a couple hundred 
more yards!  I was barely winded!  (Yeah, I know; it's all
my fault.  I didn't learn the course... but now I'm out for 
revenge.)  I settled for fifteenth or sixteenth (the placings
were pretty confused).

The course was flat by New England standards.  Even with a 
straight block (13-18), I began to wish that bigger hills would 
appear, so there'd be some chance of a breakaway.  No way.

On the positive side, the weather was perfect, the roads were
smooth, and the crowds were supportive; but
I tend to doubt that the race will happen again.  As Reg 
predicted, it was a bloodbath.  In our pack alone, I saw
six riders go down hard in three different crashes.  The group
was scared stiff the whole time, screaming "Brake!" every
few seconds, considering any slow rider on the shoulder a
threat, bickering over the number and ordering of pace lines.  
I got the feeling that some had never ridden in a pack before.

The organizers were equally nervous, and not prepared to support
such an event.  Many of the accidents were caused by the presence
of traffic, or poorly placed barriers.  Both were avoidable.
Marshalling was nonexistent.

    Assuming that you were talking about the B race, I probably finished
    right next to you!  I agree totally with your observations.  I had
    ridden the course earlier but, like you, we all agreed the finish was
    one street sooner.  It was quite a letdown to start sprinting and
    then find out you had another 400 yds. to go!  As far as placing
    I think I was about 15th or 16th.  I went through the A shoot by
    mistake.  I guess I should have known, but things were a mess at
    the finish.  
    
    I thought the race was much easier than it could have been.  True,
    the avg. speed I had was 24.9, but it was like one big group training
    ride.  Luckily I avoided the crash on the hill near the end (I was
    just ahead of it), but otherwise it was safe.  It was weird to have
    30 people yelling BRAKE! or WATCH YOUR LINE! every ten seconds,
    but better safe than sorry.  There were several first timers who
    managed to hang on and cause problems, but that's why they call
    it citizen racing.
    
    I was riding a blue Specialized Allez with a Blue and White jersey
    and helmet.  What were you riding?  With our placings, I must have
    seen you.
    
    What race are you riding next?
    
    Dave
    

    I was the guy on the red Olmo with yellow tape and cables.

    Well I don't remember, but the lead group was pretty huge.  I spent
    most of my time with Dan Mandell(BRC Jersey), Scott Sherman(Prince
    Jersey... and a crash victim!), and a tall guy on a Canondale. 
    Maybe I'll see you at the next race.  For me, that will be the Kiwanis
    road race in North Andover on june 25th.
    
    

    I have the complete race results from the Tour de Lowell, as
    published in the Lowell Sun. If anyone wants to know their official
    place, send me mail and include your category.
    
    -Ken