BigDave
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Homepage: http://BigDaveSports.com
Jabber/GTalk: bigbikerdave@gmail.com
Posts by BigDave
BigDaveSports’ T-Shirt Design Contest
Apr 13th
I think it’s time to have some fun and see what kind of creative minds cyclists have. We are going to have our first T-Shirt Design Contest.
In (amateur) bike racing, we often forget that you have to build your fitness to be competitive and think that just buying the latest and greatest, lightest and most aerodynamic equipment will make us when races. It might help, but it still comes down to the riders fitness and abilities. Many coaches will even tell you that you are better off losing weight off your mid-section than losing weight off your bike. More >
BigDave Speaks on Chip Timing
Mar 22nd
This past weekend, we had the 1st race of the 2012 Ohio Spring Race Series at Deer Creek. The season was starting off HUGE with over 300 riders starting the race. Yes, you read that correctly, 300 riders participating in a road race and racing for t-shirts and socks to the top 3 finishers. Three of the five fields were sold out with the other two having very respectable turnouts. Out of curiosity, I did a little math. If we would have sold out all five fields, we would have had 400 riders racing. Here’s a term we never talk about in bike racing, “Race Capacity”. With 300 riders, this race was at 75% capacity. Most race promoters would be happy with their race being at 40-50% capacity.
Winter MTB XC Series #3 NEWS
Mar 3rd
As much as we were hoping a ninja cold front would come through and freeze the trail for us and leave us with sub-freezing temperatures for Sunday’s rescheduled Series Finale Race, it doesn’t look like that is going to happen. Thus, we are saddened to announce that Winter MTB XC Series race (re)scheduled for Sunday, March 4, 2012 is being cancelled with no reschedule date.
HOWEVER, we will be gathering at 9am to present series prizes and thank our sponsors and supporters of the race series. Please be sure to come out and party with us!
NEW Crit Clinic Designed for Women and Juniors
Feb 28th
BigDaveSports and Coach OB are teaming up to bring you a crit clinic designed from “bridging the gap” between recreational riding and racing.
Winter MTB XC Series #3 RESCHEDULED
Feb 23rd
Here we go again. Another weekend in February with unseasonably warm temperatures leaving us with wet and muddy trails. Therefore, this weekend’s Winter MTB XC Series final race will have to be postponed. The NEW date for the series finale will be Sunday, March 4, 2012. Looking farther down the calendar, the weekend after that is the Sub-9 Death March, and the weekend after that is the start of the Ohio Spring Race Series. SOOOOO, if we are unable to run the final race on March 4th, then it will most likely get cancelled. However, we will still meet on March 4th at Harbin Park to distribute prizes and eat cake. Stay tuned for more details and be sure to support our sponsors!
MTB Upgrading Through USA Cycling
Feb 16th
It has been over 5 years since a mountain bike race in Ohio was sanctioned through USA Cycling. As I work to reverse this trend and bring USAC-MTB races back to Ohio, I will work to educate riders on some of the differences they may encounter.
The biggest issue that people are encountering is with licenses and categories. Riders do have the freed om to self-categorize themselves between Cat 2 (Sport) and Cat 3 (Novice). Cat 2 and Cat 3 also do not require an annual license to compete. They can compete on a one-day license which will be available from the race promoter/registration. There is no set charge for a one-day license, and these funds go to the promoter as they see fit. Cat 1 (Expert) riders are required to have a USA Cycling race license that list their MTB XC category as a Cat 1. This is where most “experienced” mountain bikers are having issues. They may have been racing the Cat 1 races in the non-USAC sanctioned races but now have to race the Cat 2 races and earn their upgrade with USA Cycling.
Thus, we get to the question of how do you upgrade? It is actually pretty easy, and I will break it down for you and be glad to answer any question you may have. First, here is how the 2012 USA Cycling rulebook reads for MTB upgrades: More >
Winter MTB XC Series #2 RESULTS
Feb 12th
The temperature was a little colder, but the wind chill was a lot friendlier as we saw faster lap times today. We even had a couple of juniors make the trip from Illinois to race along with the Cleveland area Father-Daughter duo that was in town for the whole weekend of racing.
Race PHOTOS
Race RESULTS
MEN Pro/Cat 1 More >
Winter MTB XC Series #1 RESULTS
Feb 11th
If it wasn’t for the wind, it would have just been cold instead of stupid cold. Great fun and great racing by everyone!
Race PHOTOS
Race RESULTS
MEN Pro/Cat 1 More >
Winter MTB Races ARE ON!!!!!!
Feb 8th
I just saw the weather forecast for this weekend, and the Winter MTB XC Series races ARE ON!!!! We have a cold front coming through tonight which will bring us a little snow and chill us down to the mid teens by Saturday morning. It will only warm up into the mid 20s on Saturday and then back down in the teens for Sunday morning. These are ideal conditions for keeping the trails frozen throughout the racing.
Don’t forget that you can still register online for the entire series on BikeReg.com and save money! Online registration closes Friday at noon!
USA Cycling Regional C Official’s Clinic
Feb 3rd
For those interested in becoming a USA Cycling Race official, our friends in the IN/KY Association are putting one together near Lexington. Below are the details…
USA Cycling Regional C Official’s Clinic
Saturday March 3, 2012
11:00a to 3:00p
100 United Drive, Suite 4-C, Versailles Kentucky 40383
Instructor(s): Mike Hanley, Melissa Shuey
This is an entry level certification clinic for those who wish to become a USA Cycling (USAC) Road, Mountain, Track or Cyclocross race official. Anyone 14 or older may become a race official, and although helpful, previous cycling or racing experience is not
required. The clinic is designed to prepare new officials for their first day on the job. The class takes about 4 hours to complete including an open book test. Participants will receive a 2012 USA Cycling rule book and info packet.
