still waiting

Haven't written it yet - (day 2 report).  Spent yesterday morning helping to set up the Providence Festival of Cyclocross Course.  Stevens has some new wrinkles that should make it pretty interesting and while still PVD should be fresh and new (and harder).

Fortunately (in my opinion) the 'Tree Warden' is feeling the pain of losing 250+ trees in the Hurricane and had declared the tree and the roots around the trees off limits for the course.  Which I like, but also means Stevens has added some crazy turny shit that is very new.

Those of you who showed up in 2005 and 2006 for Nationals might remember the whole Jelly Belly bowl and that side of the hill.  There wasn't a blade of grass there.  Or in a few other spots.  What the crew putting on the race has done is pay for re-seeding of the whole place each year.  They are the only group doing that and the Park doesn't do it.  Because of a big time cyclocross race the venue has IMPROVED, not been degrade.  The park is better due to cyclocross than the opposite.

Pretty cool bit of trivia I think.

Parking is going to nuts because the old racer parking (the road at the top of the hill leading from the Boathouse above the Carousel) is full of trees and limbs and leaves and all sorts of Hurricane Irene debris.

There's space but it will be a bit more creative than in the past.  Pit tent parking is going to be on the backside, and of course, no open grills/fires/cooking at the race.  You want to be subtle about it, fine, but this isn't a tailgate venue.

I'm going to try and get out and pre-ride tomorrow afternoon, come join the fun if you're local.

Heading back out today to help finish up.  We got it almost all staked when I have to leave at 2pm, hopefully the wind will stay mellow and we can get the snow fencing up and most of the course tape up, and what ever else the crazy race designer has in store for those who show up to help.

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