Well... So much for that idea.

I got some bad news from Crusty today:

"Guys thanks for getting a team together BUT unfortunately due to low number of teams the race is being cancelled.
Thanks for getting it."

In other words: No teams signing up means no MWI Gentlemen's Race

This is the 2ND attempt by Crusty to put on this event.
In 2010 about 12 other teams were all ready to go. Then a snow storm rolled into town dumping almost 6 inches of heavy wet snow the early AM hours of race day.
Watching the weather build up Crusty was forward thinking enough to go ahead and pull the plug the day before. It made sense. The course would have been treacherous in those conditions.
The local half of my team went out and rode most the day anyway.
It was good fun but really wet.

Jump to 2011 and the problem was lack of interest from other teams.
WTF?
Sure, the race would have been long and hard, the course was predicted to be between 75 to 90 miles of rolling hills with up to 50% of it gravel.
Hell my team doesn't have a "real" racer on it and we were all willing to do it.
Plus it was no entry fee. As in FREE
I'd bet money if Rapah showed up to hold their Gents Race here those same teams would be falling all over each other to sign up AND pay a big entry fee (*disclaimer* I have no idea if Rapah charges an entry fee. I know their event is "invite only" but I would suspect that if they do charge, much like for their clothing, its a lot).

Needless to say I'm a little disappointed in the those other teams.
Obviously the other real race teams in KC felt they had better things to do.
Although I would prefer to think the other invited teams were just too afraid of the powerhouse team that I was bringing to toe the start line.

So it goes.
Guess if I want to race, I'll have to find another race to set my sights on for the Spring.
Until then I guess I'll just keep doing what I've been doing.
Riding my bike and having fun.

A shot from Sunday afternoon's foggy ride

Gentlemen. Lets race.

Once again I have found 5 like minded individuals willing to ride all day with me to take part in the 2011 MWI Gentlemen's Race.
Just like last year the event will be held on March 19th the first day of Spring.
Hopefully unlike last year we don't get a huge amount of snow overnight cancelling the event.

Info straight from the man himself Crusty:

Why recreate the wheel when it has been perfected? Well that is not the intention here, what we want to do is replicate what has been done by others.

Here is a quote straight from Rapha's first Director " I sold it to the racers as an unsupported, unsanctioned, unmarshalled, six-rider team time trial meets alley-cat, meets ‘Cannonball Run’. Inspired in large part by the Rapha Continental style of riding long days, gravel roads, hard miles and finding your own way," Slate Olsen.

The course will be in and around rural Jackson/Johnson County on March 19th, 2011. The first day of Spring.

For those of you who live in this area know that these roads are rough, narrow, and hilly. On top of that this year the gravel sections will make up more than 50% +/- of the race . The plan is having two checkpoints, a pass near one convenient store, and a party afterwards to celebrate our accomplishments of the day. The mileage will be in the 75-90 mile mark.

Rules:
Start with 6 members. Finish with 6 members to be officially scored/bragged about or harassed.
Elect one(1) person to contact for the event and pass on news to the team members.
Staggered starts will be required depending on the USCF category of team members.
Six(6) member rosters will be requested 4 weeks before the race. Must have rosters before team races, with 2 substitutes. Reminders will be sent out. NO Roster, NO Race.
Self supported, drop bags will be allowed with the checkpoint crew.
Remember you/team are volunteering to participate in this event.
Recommend not using your race wheels, we are not responsible for your choice's of equipment.
Have someone take a phone in case of emergency. Checkpoint crew #'s will be given day of event.
If you have a couple of volunteers please nominate them for help, just in case we might need more.

Rosters are due Sunday. I have sent ours in.
Looks like a good squad of locals and out of towners riding with me this year.

Our line up:
One Eyed z
Mr. Joshua
OMB
CVO
Raj
Mr. Clark

Should be good times.
We don't have illusions of winning.
We just want to have a good day on the bike, riding hard & having fun.
Hell if we can find a bar along the route we may not even finish the race.
After all we are flying the Evil flag.
Besides the other invited teams are filled with "real" racers.

The other invited teams:
360 Racing
Bicycle Shack Racing
Bike Iowa
Cow Town Cycling
Cycle City Racing
Epic Cycling Team
GP Velotek
KCOI Boulevard
LocalCycling.com
My Wife Inc
Slimenundgrossen
Team Colavita/Parisi Coffee
The Wheel Cyclery
In A Tub Cycling Team
LocalCycling.com
St. John's Shack
Team KCCX/Verge

We'll see in the coming weeks who has teams signed up.
Should be an interesting day.

For a little taste of what the Gentlemen's Race is all about heres a video of Rapha's West Coast Gentlemen's Race from 2010

2010 NW Gentlemen's Race from RAPHA on Vimeo.

Stuff is happening

Did another training ride for the up coming MWI Gentlemen's Race this past weekend.
Its was a wet one and pretty chilly too.
Which, as it turns out, might be a good thing to get used to.
Weather for race day is looking to be wet & in the upper 30 with a chance of snow.
SNOW.
I hate to sound like a puss but I was really hoping for sunny and in the 50s.
Ah well. Fortunately I've got a good crew gathered to do this with me.
Plus I found out today that one of the 8 teams has dropped out because of the "possible inclement weather".
Which of course means now we are guaranteed at least 7th place.
Assuming we finish at all.
*
The KC Sprints crew has announced a few more dates coming up in April.
Saturday April 10th at the Buzzard Beach in Westport
Friday April 30th at the Replay Lounge in Lawrence
Should be good times. Mark your calenders.