2008
Dead Dog Classic XX

Race News for 2008
 

 
Kim Viner
kdviner@msn.com
 

DEAD DOG CLASSIC XX UPDATE #4

I drove the portion of the road race today the goes over Snowy Range Pass to Ryan Park. I am happy to report that the road is open and in great shape. WYDOT crews were out today with their sweeping machine clearing residual gravel from the shoulders. Temperature at the top was a pleasant 57 degrees so most of the snow in the picture below will be gone by the end of the month. The picture was taken at the Blackjack turnaround point. One of our traffic control volunteers will be at the crest of the hill with a good view of oncoming traffic (which they will stop - obviously) so you can make your turn safely. The other will be just behind where I was standing when I took the pic. Both of the cattle guards were in good condition (remember that we are not allowed to cover them in Wyoming). Lots of spaces along the road race course for your supporters to stop and cheer you on (we would ask that they not park at the turnaround locations). If you happen to be up in the area and drive the course in the near term, don't worry about those spots where there is some water trickling across the road. Those are usually gone by mid to late June. We will let you know if any remain at registration. Check out all the course details in the race bible at www.deaddogclassic.com Oh and don't forget, if someone coming with you would like to volunteer to help at a feedzone or for other duties, let me know! We would appreciate any additional help.

Kim Viner

Dead Dog Classic XX Update #3

Everything is set to go for the Dead Dog Classic on June 28^th and 29^th.   The weather in S.E. Wyoming has been very tough on cyclists this spring.  Lots of high wind and even some snow falling at the TT venue as late as 15 May.  There are still are about 55 inches of snow on the RR venue. But, the forecast for next week is looking very good, WYDOT almost has the RR course cleared and we are sure that great weather will stay with us right through race weekend!

We wanted to clarify a few points on the FIAC National Championships for the Men’s 40+ race.  If you intended to compete for the Men’s 40+ FIAC Championship you must register in the SM 35+ category. If you remain in the SM 45+ category you are only eligible for 45+ BAR/BAT. If you are 45+ and race in the SM 35+ category race you will receive no BAR/BAT points as a SM 45+.  There now, isn’t that simple!  We received the Jerseys and they look really nice.  High quality Hincapie gear!

Medals will also be awarded to the top three finishers in each of the three races, Elite Women, Elite Men and the aforementioned Men 40+.  One other slight change; we would like the winners of the Championship races to stay for the awards ceremony which begins approximately 4 p.m. Sunday at race HQ – The Laramie Train Depot Museum. 

Watch the website for the race bible which will be posted not later than early next week.

On a final note, gas prices remain about a dime cheaper per gallon here than in the Denver area.  But, along with everywhere else, they will probably go up some more before the race.  Save some cash and help us reduce our carbon footprint by carpooling to Laramie and the race venues!

See You in June!

Kim Viner (cat 6 national jersey photographer)

April 2, 2008 --Dead Dog Classic XX Update #2

Registrations for the 2008 Dead Dog Classic are coming in and you can now see who is racing by going to the Dead Dog Participants Listing as noted on the home page.  Note that Jonathan Baker will be back to defend his RR course record. Additionally, so you will know what the competition has been able to do in the past, here are the records for the courses you will race this year.  Many categories are not listed for the RR due to course changes. Of those listed below, most are new with the exception of Bob Dahl, Dennis Hastings, Whitney Henderson and Kimberly Nuffer.  Bob Dahl is the only racer to break his own course record on the TT course. For the first time in two years a racer, Brett Tack - SM3 , holds course records on both the RR and TT course.  Interestingly, over the past four years only four people, Chris Orton in 2004, Clayton Barrows and Joanne Kiesanowski in 2005 and Whitney Henderson in 2006, have won all three races in a single year.

Dead Dog Classic Course Records

Road Race
SMPro, 1,2, Jonathan Baker 3:44:39
SM 3 Brett Tack 3:54:56

Time Trial
SM Pro 1,2 Jonathan Garcia 20:44.58
SM 3 Brett Tack 22:26.18
SM 4 Cory Sova 23:16.03
SM 35+ Bob Dahl 22:28.90
SM 35+,4 Matthew Segur 23:09.65
SM 45+ Jim Dickerson 22:57.72
SM 55+ Dennis Hastings 24:33.32
SW 1,2 Carol Hutton 24:59.63
SW 3 Terrie Clouse 26:34.26
SW 4 Whitney Henderson 27:55.94
SW 35+ Kimberly Nuffer 26:52.54


Racing and Weather Conditions

Weather recently wreaked havoc with the Koppenberg.  While we do not expect any snow or mud on the course for the Dead Dog, the former is always a remote possibility when racing over 10,000 feet elevation in Wyoming.  The course this year will probably have more snow on the sides of the road.  For the first time in several years, the Snowy Range has had above average snowfall and, barring a very warm spring, highway crews will have to make larger cuts through drifted snow than in the recent past.  That could result in colder temperatures at altitude and a bit of water running across the road.  FYI, On 31 March it was 13 degrees about ½ mile from the Blackjack turnaround and there was 76 inches of snow on the ground.  You can always check Blackjack turnaround weather conditions at
http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/snotel/snotel.pl?sitenum=367&state=wy

March 12, 2008 --Dead Dog Classic XX Update #1

We are proud to announce that the Dead Dog is the 2008 FIAC Stage Race national championships.  As you may know, three national championship jerseys will be awarded:  Elite Men, Elite Women and men 40+.  This is the first time a national championship bike race has been held in Wyoming and we hope to do well by it.

Each year we strive to make the RR safer than the year before.  Therefore, we have eliminated one turnaround.  SM Pro 1,2 and SM 3 will race that same route as in previous years – all the way to Ryan Park and back.  ALL other races will now turn at a new location.  This will result in a bit harder race for SW 35+, SW 4, and SM 4 and a bit easier race for the rest of you.  The new distance will be about 54 miles with about 4100 feet of climbing.  That will please some racers and not please others, but we want to be as safe as possible.  The new RR profile can be seen at www.deaddogclassic.com under the “Courses” tab.  The new turnaround is located near 41.21.1N 106.16.3W for those of you who want to see it on a map.  Lots of other good info on the website too!

There are also major changes for the some BAR/BAT categories.  Because of limited time on the Crit course and new ACA BAR/BAT rules, the Dead Dog was given an exemption by ACA from those rules. The Chief Referee (Andy Rosen), the state rep (Yvonne van Gent) and the race technical director (Kim Viner) decided the best of a few unattractive alternatives was this:
--SM 55+ will not race for GC nor race a crit.  Rather they can race the RR for BAR/BAT points and prizes and also race the TT if they wish (no BAR/BAT points or prizes for TT and you must do the RR in order to race the TT).  Registration will be at a reduced cost for those who still choose to race that schedule.  If any of those racers wish to compete for the FIAC national jersey, they will have to register in an eligible category.
--SW 35+ and SW 4 will race together in RR and Crit but be scored separately.  Normal TT - with prizes for GC.  A reminder to the women though, is that the Dead Dog does offer prize money equal to the men for top placings.

Litter was a problem on the RR course last year and a similar problem this year could result in the loss of use of the course (yes this is a broken record and yes cyclists are unfairly being singled out).  This was a very serious issue with the U.S. Forest Service (which also requires a permit from us).  Therefore, to help you out, we have established another discard zone (just east of Centennial – approx 15 miles from start/finish line) that you can use both going out and returning.  Feed zones are also discard zones on the uphill side only.  To help us out, please impress upon your team mates the seriousness of the situation.  You are, of course, aware that time penalties can be imposed for littering.  Finally, racers who are reported as littering also risk being cited by the Albany County Sheriff for violation of Wyoming anti-littering laws.  Any citizen has only to report your race number and you are at risk of a $750.00 fine and possibly a required court appearance in Wyoming.   Be a smart racer and do not litter!

The race bible is nearing completion and will be up on the website as soon as it is approved. 

Registration opens on 17 March 2008 on active.com (online registration only).  A wait list will also be established and open until 21 June.

Suspension of the centerline rule for the finish of the RR will NOT be done this year.  Referees will strictly enforce the centerline rule on the entire RR course as it is part of our WYDOT highway use permit stipulations.

Crit and TT remain the same as last year (except for SM 55+).

Finally, please carpool if at all possible! The National Forest Service is imposing a fee for parking during the Road Race this year (included in your registration fee). Since there is a very limited amount of parking, we strongly encourage racers to carpool. Carpooling helps us use our limited parking wisely and helps keep the cost of the race down.

Back to Laramie Bike Net Website

Race contact e-mail:  deaddogclassic@hotmail.com

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