Hello Racers.  Empire State Games are in Binghamton this Year!

 

This is a reminder to everyone that the Central Region Qualifier for the Empire State Games Open Cycling Team will be held Sunday, June 1.  The flier, with all the particulars regarding the qualifier, is attached to this email.  (It is also pasted to the bottom of this email for those of you on lists that do not allow attachments. Please excuse the poor formatting.)  You must live in one of the counties listed on the flier.  In addition to the residency requirement all participants in Open category competition at Empire State Games must be 18 years of age by August 31, 2008.  This is a new rule for this year. (USCF junior gearing rules are in effect for 18 year olds who meet the birth date requirement.)

 

Also new for this season is the inception of an online pre-registration system.  No more Scantron sheets for those who have qualified for the team and for alternates after the race!  Please go to  http://www.empirestategames.org/summer/tryouts/register.asp for more information and to pre-register ASAP.  Be sure to fill in your request for housing and uniform size so that information will be there if you make the team.  ALL Central Open Cycling Team members will be REQUIRED to stay in the dorm.  

 

Although there will be onsite registration PLEASE make my life easier by registering at the above link J.  The deadline for pre-registration is Thursday, May 28.  Please go and register now!  On the remote chance that you give up racing (for basket weaving or bowling)  and decided to not try out for the Games I will simply remove your info at a later date.

 

The Open Cycling Team is made up of ten men and three women.  Top finishers at the qualifier will fill these spots.  We also need several alternates in both categories, as it is imperative that we compete with a full roster.  Even those who do not think that they qualified should remain after the racing to see where they stand on the alternate list. 

 

Empire State Games is a four day event for Open Cycling, and the competitors must race in all four events.  The schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, July 23 -- arrive at campus, check in.

Thursday, July 24 -- 10 mile individual Time Trial

Friday, July 25 -- Road Race, approximately 78 miles for men and 58 miles for women. 

Saturday, July 26 -- Points Race (Criterium with interim sprints)

Sunday, July 27 -- Team Time Trial

 

There is no entry fee to race in the qualifier.  However, anyone who races the qualifier is expected to commit to racing at Empire State Games if he/she qualifies.  The Empire State Games will be held this year in Binghamton -- our home town race!  There is also no fee to race at Games, and we will be housed and fed (breakfast and dinner) at SUNY Binghamton.  The only expenses to you will be your own transportation, lunch and equipment.   

 

Note:  Please forward this email to anyone not listed in the groups above.  Could someone please forward this to FLCC's list and then let me know that it has been done?

 

Empire State Games (ESG)

Central Region Qualifier*

Cycling Road Race

Sponsored by: Tioga Velo Club

http://www.tiogavelo.com

Sunday, June 1st, 2008

Kirkwood Industrial Park

Binghamton, NY

USA Cycling Permit 2008-888

The Races: Open Men’s and Open Women’s Time Trial and Road Race (points format)

Results count towards your USA Cycling National Ranking!

*Only residents of Broome, Cayuga, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Herkimer, Jefferson,

Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Otsego, Schuyler, Tioga, and Tompkins counties are

eligible to ride in this qualifying race and to qualify for the ESG Central Region team. Proof of Residence in one of these counties and of age 18 yrs old or greater as of 31Aug08 must be shown at registration.

To qualify for the Central Region Team riders must participate in both the TT and the RR on this day of

qualification. A 2.8 mile uphill TT will be immediately followed by a points race. Team selection will be

based on combined performance in both events. The Central Region Coach may also select riders to the team based on her sole discretion in the event of extenuating circumstances. To ensure a full team for the Games we will be registering as many alternates as possible. Selection and signup will occur

immediately after the road race, so stick around!

The Course: The TT will start across from the Kirkwood Industrial Park on Barlow Rd. It will run the

length of Barlow Rd (.6 mi), turn right and climb the length of Loughlin Rd (2.2 mi). The Points Races

take place on a 1.6-mile semi-closed circuit around the Industrial Park, located just east of Binghamton,

NY near the intersection of I-81 & Rt. 17. Recommended gearing is 53x 12-23. Porta-potties will be

available on site.

Open Men’s Individual Time Trial & Points Race: 18 laps (approximately 29 miles)

Open Women’s Individual Time Trial & Points Race: 15 laps (approximately 24 miles)

Times: Registration: 8:00am until 8:45am at Kirkwood Industrial Park. Please register at the ESG Website:

http://www.empirestategames.org/summer/tryouts/register.asp

Start: TT starts promptly at 9:00am at 30-second intervals. The RR starts immediately after the

TT (~10:00am).

Fee: No entry fee. However, qualifying riders are expected to represent NY Central Region at the ESG games, 24-27July.

All riders must have valid USA Cycling license or purchase a one-day license at event ($10).

Contact: Margaret Thompson

Central Region Cycling Team Coach

8415 Brimfield St

Clinton, NY 13323

Thompbike@...

Directions:

- North of Binghamton: Take Interstate 81 South, Exit #3. Straight at bottom of ramp into industrial park.

- West of Binghamton: Take Route 17 East, Merge with I 81 South, Exit #3. Straight at bottom of ramp into industrial park.

- East of Binghamton: Take Route 17 West to Rt.11 North (exit 75). Turn right onto Colesville Road (across from Fritolay,

after overpass). At second light, turn right, continue into industrial park.

- South of Binghamton: Take I 81 North, then exit 2 (Rt. 11 North). Turn right onto Colesville Road (across from Frito-lay,

after overpass). At second light, turn right, continue into industrial park.

Park in the TCMF lot; please do not park on the grass!