Prairie-Roubaix IV. Tech Guide, Parking, and Details

The iconic Spring Classic is back for a fourth time!

Volunteer website here!

Video of the course here.

If you are NOT part of STC or Crankmasters, you MUST have a valid 2013 ABA racing license. If you do not, you cannot race. The ABA will send us a list the day before the event, if you are not on it, you do not race.

OK, here are some details about a wicked Alberta Spring Classic Monument.

Women: As part of our ongoing initiative to encourage women to get out and race. We are going to offer free admission. Sure this doesn't save you a ton, but we want it to indicate that we are thinking about you and will continue to give you perks to come out and race. You still need to register and get a number though! Now get out and race!

You may park in the spots indicated. Notice NO PARKING inside or along race loop.

Parking: As we all have encountered on many occasions, for some reason farmers are the most stressed out when it comes to people on 'their' public roads. Please park somewhere AWAY from the race course and ride the couple km's into the sign-on. We will have a tent there for people to put theirs jacket's/bottles/etc for after the race. All you need to race is $20 and ID/ABA license/UCI license. Use the ride in as warm-up. The registration for this race is going to be super casual, so no need to stress about being early. The less cars on Glendale the better the chances we hold this again. PLEASE DO NOT PARK INSIDE OR ON THE RACE LOOP !!

Porta-potties: There will be 3 toilets at registration. They are predominately there for the women (and they will be pink!), but are open to everyone.

Registration:  This will be done when you RIDE up to the race start between 8:00 - 8:30am. You will drop your jacket and leggies under the tent and sign on. You will show us your VALID ABA race license, sign the waiver, slide over $20, and get ready to hammer at 9am!! (No ABA race license required for STC or Crankmaster members)

Littering: Of course no littering. We will leave the race course exactly how we found it.

Locals: We are hoping the locals will be accommodating to us. Please be courteous and friendly. Having ridden this loop hard a few times now and held this event once, it would be great if we could use this course year over year, it is totally awesome.

Ambulance: We have hired a full ambulance for this race. Aaron Paramedical Services. It will be parked on the SE corner of the course. Tell your spectators where it is located please.

Spectating: The best place to watch this event would be on Willow Way as it is slightly uphill, twisty, almost cobble quality road, and has the feel of a spring classic. Please bring out flags, air horns, face paint and take pictures. Let's show those Belgians who REALLY likes cycling more! If you can get some totally awesome photos of some awesome action, SpeedTheory Cycling will reward you.

Categories: We have intentionally made these Cats dissimilar to the ABA Cats for two reasons. The first is to ensure no one thinks upgrading points will be awarded. The second is to let you race where you want. If you are a Cat4 that wants to see if you can keep up, then race CatA. If you are a Cat2 that is out of shape, race CatA or we will call 'sandbagger'.

Distances:  Cat C will race 3 laps at around 43km, Cat B will 4 laps at around 58km, Cat A will race 5 laps at around 72km. The women have typically competed in the Cat C heat, but there is nothing stopping you from trying out higher Cat's. The finish line will be packed up approx. 15min after the first place finisher of the Cat A race raises his/her arms in victory.

Jerseys: This is pretty early in the year to expect everyone to have their team jerseys. Don't worry about having a proper team jersey for this event.

Body Numbers: Don't wear your ABA body numbers or number plates. We will have our own numbers for you to pin on.

Bikes: I am racing on my road race bike with 25's. No other modifications. I have heard some people wonder if CX bikes are going to be used. You can, but they will be slower than your road race bike. In the video, I had 23's on and was able to hammer as hard as I could on the gravel. The only reason I am going to 25's is so I can lower my psi for Willow Way. Last year, guys pretty well raced their full race kit, including Zipps and full carbon everything.

Awards and Results: Awards will be based on bragging rights. Last year we had amazing little trophies made by Mike Godfrey that we themed like Paris-Roubaix and has actual gravel from the course incorporated into it. These MAY be done again. Imagine being able to say to your kids you podiumed at Prairie-Roubaix, that is priceless. As for results; you will know if you are top 5, if you are not, be pumped you finished and thank all the volunteers on your cool down then set your sights on Velocity Stage Race, forget about results.

Volunteering: If you cannot race, or want to watch the action instead, please consider volunteering. I have set up a really slick sign up sheet. Please use an email that works as this is how I will communicate with you pre-event. Go to volunteer site here.

Get pumped: We are less than 2 weeks away!