Cycle races in the region

This year I want to get my head around the realm of cycle races in the area. Are there any readers of this blog who can give me a tutorial? I need some hand holding.

This is what we are talking about.

 2010 BAR Season Is Upon Us As you are aware from my various emails that the PCA is more than the PA road and track BAR but they are an important part of this association and what we do for our membership. The 2010 PA BAR season is here with two races with rich history and challenging courses. Saturday features the SoYoCo Circuit Race (http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=10274) followed by the 23rd, yes 23rd, running of the Lower Providence Spring Classic Criterium (http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=10354). Two great events to kick off the PA BAR series which has became the focus for many a riders season. I'll be there is khaki and blue as the chief referee so stop by the start/finish to say hello. Road Race Calendar Changes The official PA road racing calendar is on the PCA web site (http://www.pacycling.org/calendar/). There have been some changes to races originally scheduled for the next several weeks so please take a moment to look at April and May's events. Thanks Battenkill and Paris Roubaix Monday is a busy day for me at work but I always take a few moments to look at the past weekends race results for PA, NJ, etc. and in Europe. I was keenly interested in seeing where the PA riders finished in Battenkill on Saturday. My good friend Chris Johnson placed 18th in the P-1 race. Andy Munas (Dynaflo), who I race with at the track, took a well placed 9th in the M2 race. Robin Carpenter (Young Medalists/Team Dual Temp) and Zack Noonan (Young Medalists/Team Dual Temp) were in the top 5 for JB 17-18 and strong man Scott Haverstick (ERA Cycling) took the win in the 60+ race. After scanning those results I happened to take a look at what happened in the 122.4 KM Paris – Roubaix Junior race that took place on April 11th. More amazing than US rider Lawson Craddock 3rd place was the rider in 20th place, PA's own Juan Carmona (Breinigsville) who rides domestically for Young Medalists/Team Dual Temp. Wow! Hats off to Juan and May Britt whose work withthe juniors in PA has prepared them to be not only successful in local, regional and national races but as you can see internationally as well. 2010 PCA Junior Race Series The first race in the 2010 PCA Junior Race Series is the Lower Providence Spring Classic Criterium and a reminder to all juniors that double BAR points will be awarded and riders cannot ride up in age groups. Good luck and thanks to Gwen, May Britt, Nathan, and Shippensburg University Cycling for making the series happen. 2010 PA Track BAR This week I will formalize the rules and regulations for the 2010 PA Track BAR series which opens on Tuesday May 25th. The BAR has been expanded in 2010 to include masters who race on Saturday and I will finalize any changes with respect to the series and pass them on to Ben Miller (VPCC) and PCA Track Coordinator Rick Miller (QCW Cycling) for review. Road Racing in April Saturday – April 17th SoYoCo Circuit Race (Thru-It-All Racing, Gretna Bikes, Lupine Lighting Systems)***** PA BAR Race ***** - M1-2-3, M3-4, M4-5, Women Open, and 45+http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=10274 Sunday – April 18th Lower Providence Spring Classic Criterium (TalkSoft Cycling Team p/b Pabst Blue Ribbon)***** PA BAR Race ***** - P-1-2-3, M3-4, M4, M5, W1-2-3, W4, Juniors (all age groups), 45+, 55+, and Special Event Racehttp://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=10354 Mingo Creek Spring Road Race Series (Trek of Pittsburgh) - M1-2-3, M4-5, Women and 45+http://trekofpgh.com/articles/2010-mingo-creek-spring-road-race-series-pg198.htm PICC 2010 Spring Training Series-Fairview (Presque Isle Cycling Club)http://www.picycling.org/events.html Saturday – April 24th Farmersville Road Race (PRO-AM Cycling) – M4, U19 (M4), 45+, 55+, M5, U19 (M5), W3-4, U19 (W3-4), M2-3, U19 (M2-3), and 35+http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=10054 PICC 2010 Spring Training Series-Northeast (Presque Isle Cycling Club)http://www.picycling.org/events.html Sunday – April 25th Mingo Creek Spring Road Race Series (Trek of Pittsburgh) - M1-2-3, M4-5, Women and 45+http://trekofpgh.com/articles/2010-mingo-creek-spring-road-race-series-pg198.htm Final Thoughts Lower Providence has traditionally served as the opener for the PA criterium series and I for one look forward to catching up with many in the PCA family as the race draws the top riders in the region (PA, NJ, DE). I've raced LPC in the past with a top 20 result in the 35+ race being my best result eons ago. Now I view the race from an official's perspective and have a great crew supporting me this Sunday. Best of luck for those racing this weekend and see you on Sunday! Thanks for supporting cycling in PA and ride safe! David H. MitchellHershey Cancer Institute – GPOA - CannondalePresident - Pennsylvania Cycling Association (www.pacycling.org)215-284-2339pcapres07@verizon.net

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