Conference noted::bicycle

< Note 1186.0 by WMOIS::C_GIROUARD >
                          -< TOUR DE LOWELL-GREAT!! >-

>    I get lined up and they annouce SCOTT BARS will not be allowed.
>    Nothing was put in the material sent us. Someone jerk just thought

There was probably something in the material that said "all USCF rules apply".
Those rules include one that states something to the effect of "no aero bars 
in mass start events".  Its up to you to know what the rules are, and if you 
don't, to ask.  I've seen riders pulled out of races for this very reason.  I 
don't necessarily agree with the rule, but that's the way it is.
    
>     Anyone know where a listing of all finishes and times can be had?????

The Lowell Sun will have complete results.  When, I don't know.  If they 
published an issue yesterday, I'd expect the results to be there.
    
Kevin

    The Lowell Sun did not publish an issue yesterday but I expect results
    to be in today's paper.  I thought it was run very well (except
    for 1 lady that strayed on the course and seemed terrified at all
    the bikes).  
      

    FYI: There were no statements in the flyers or the materials I
    received from the SUN stating anything about USCF rules. The only
    specification were no "hair-net" helmets, only full shells. That's
    why, like myslef, many people were more than a little upset. A 
    definite lesson learned here. I will phone prior to sending any
    dough in to get the "hidden agenda" items.
    
     One note, it was so windy a major limb had fallen off in the middle
    of the road and everyone had to either suck the shoulder really
    tight or go into the other lane. 
    
     There were a lot of "A" for efforts passed out to people who did
    participate from all shapes and sizes of people and machines. My
    hat goes to 'em!
    
    Chip

The Tour de Lowell has been described to me as a dangerous race but I
found it to be quite the contrary. It was well run and a clean contest.
I did see one crash but it was not serious, two riders went down in a
large crowd at a fairly slow pace and neither seemed hurt. The crash did
allow a break of 13 riders to get away in my class, men 40-45. The
paceline passed a lot of riders all behaving in a very orderly fashion.
We were down to 6 by the final sprint and the line to the finish was not
congested at all. This allowed a very exciting full bore sprint finish.
This race was the most fun in a while. 

Al

    I noticed in the Globe this morning that Frank McCormack,
    IME/Panasonic,who won the Tour de Lowell, placed 3rd in the men's
    four-event stage race at the Tour de L'lle de Montreal.  He won
    a criterium and a time trial.  He lives in Plymouth MA.
    

    Yeah, I was watching it on the french cable station. My family
    thought I was nuts! The coverage sure did blow away anything
    U.S. stations do, that's for sure!!! 
    
    I just wished I could understand all they were talking about!!
    
    Chip

    

Small correction.  The Tour de L'ile Montreal is a mass participation ride.
The race is called  Le Classique Cycliste de Montreal (or something like that).
After racing in Canada a few times last year I can surely say that Americans
could learn a thing or two from the Canadians about organizing a race.

Frank was the leader going into Saturday's road race.  The course is
approximately (if not exactly) the same as that used in the Olympics in '76
(i think) and more recently for the Grand Prix De Montreal which Steve Bauer
won last year.  Anyway, without going into too much detail, Frank's teammate
Graeme Miller won the road race and ended up winning the race overall and
another IME/Panasonic rider Jeff Slack from Lexington, MA got fifth.

This race is really hard and very well organized.  I didn't go this year but
I went as a manager for my club's cat 2 team last year.  I was just as tired
as they were afterwards (at least I thought so) and I didn't even race.

ABC

    The 1990 Tour De Lowell will be held on Sunday May 27, 1990.
    
    Citizen race is a 30 mi RR, same course as last year; $17 reg. fee.
    Registration deadline is May 10. For more details and a reg form,
    contact The Lowell Sun (508)458-7100 x303.
    
    For info about the USCF PRO/I/II race contact Dick Ring (508)251-4802
    or look in an upcoming Velo News issue.
    
    USCF III and IV's are not allowed in the citizen race! Last year a
    licensed USCF IV racer won one of the citizen races...
    
    Mark

    According to the Sun's promotional race director,
    registration forms can be picked up soon at local bicycle shops,
    or can be found about 3 times per week in the Lowell Sun.
    The $17 fee includes a $2 mailing fee, which can be waived
    if you're willing to pick up your packet at the Sun's 
    downtown office.
    Registration includes a neon-print short-sleeve T-shirt.
    There will be water bottles for the 1st 500 finishers
    and prizes awarded to the top 12 in each category.