Today's Coutelenc Road Uphill Time Trial Results..........

Today's Coutelenc Uphill Time Trial Results - March 13, 2011:

Hi Everyone! Well, we had freezing cold rain for this morning's Coutelenc Road Uphill Time Trial, but 19 riders came out to take part in the event! Thank you ALL for coming out to that one this morning - although it was a bit miserable, it was awesome seeing y'all out there - you amaze me!! And, obviously, with the miserable conditions comes "misery points", which will be added to the totals from this morning's event. Today's climb was Event #11 in the 2011 25-race Butte Hill Climb Time Trial Series, and was considered a Category 3 Climb in the 2011 Series. And a HUGE thank you to KNVN TV's, Rick Carhart, for starting the riders off this morning! And another HUGE thank you to
Sierra Nevada Brewery & Modern Building for their wonderful sponsorship of these events!

Okay, the next event in the 2011 Butte Hill Climb Time Trial Series is next Saturday morning:

Saturday, March 19th - The Dark Canyon Uphill Time Trial - 9:00AM - This one will be held rain or shine(snow & ice will postpone it though), and is a Category 3 climb in this Series. Registration will open at 8:30am, with the 1st rider taking off at 9:01am - and we will go in 1-minute intervals. The Dark Canyon Uphill Time Trial course was used last year for the first time and - wow - what a climb! The road is very quiet - and the climb is very consistent, with some steep sections. The course is just off of Hwy. 70 - further up from Yankee Hill and Lunt Road. Take the Right Turn at Big Bend Road off of Hwy. 70.....and follow it down and down to Dark Canyon Road. The start location is at the bottom of Dark Canyon Road - near the old boat launch. Just look for me and the R.A.C.E.mobile at the start location(there's a parking area near the start). The last time we did this climb, I don't think we had a single car on the road during the entire Time Trial - had the road all to ourselves......and the area is very beautiful!! The Dark Canyon Uphill Time Trial course is approximately 3.5 miles in length, climbs approximately 2,200 feet, and is considered a Category 3 Climb in the Series. For a map of the the Dark Canyon Uphill Time Trial course, please visit:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Dark-Canyon-Uphill-Time-Trial-2011

***And, I still need 1 volunteer to help me start the riders off next Saturday morning as well - If you can help out, just send me an e-mail - you get a 3-point bonus in the Series, you still get to race it(just be the last rider to start), and you will have my undying gratitude.
(Event #11 in the 25-Race 2011 Butte Hill Climb Time Trial Series)
HELD RAIN OR SHINE! Helmets are mandatory!

For some photos of this morning's Coutelenc Road Uphill Time Trial, please visit the following link:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chicovelo/

For other upcoming R.A.C.E. Events, please visit the R.A.C.E. blogsite at www.ChicoBike.com

Current leaders in the 2011 Butte Hill Climb Time Trial Series after 11 events include:

Kris Blee for Category "A" Men
Patrick Clark for Category "B" Men
Rick Carhart for Category "C" Men
Caryn Jones for the Women's Category
Mike Ruffner in the Masters 50+ Category
Garrett Marking in the Junior Category

Overall Series Points Leader: Mike Ruffner - 284 Points.

We have a whopping 14 events remaining in the Series - hope you can get out there and give 'em a shot.......it's just you against the clock - no big whoop - just test yourself! It is NEVER too late to get in on the Series - LOTS of points and events left - and lots of fun too!! Hope you can join us out there - remember, they are just training events, and we're out there to just ride our bikes and get some good fitness built for the cycling season! Trophies and whatever prizes I can get for the Series overall winners/placers. Helmets are mandatory.

Please let me know if you see any additions, subtractions, corrections, deletions or any other changes that need to be made in the results below - I may have guessed on some of the Categories, so let me know if there's an error. Results will be final after a 24-hour protest period:

COMBINED RESULTS FROM THE COUTELENC ROAD UPHILL TIME TRIAL - MARCH 13TH, 2011:

1. Jim Roberts 25:46
2. Kris Blee 26:01
3. Ben Wentland 26:27
4. Josh Bullock 26:45
5. Charles Locke 26:58
6. Patrick Clark 28:14
7. John Touchette 29:11
8. Mike Ruffner 29:23
9. Garrett Marking 29:42
10. Sarah Johnston 30:33
11. Jay Coughlin 30:41
12. Mike Watson 30:55
13. Ryan Hiner 30:56
14. Chris Marking 31:14
15. Byron Fountain 32:36
16. Chris Lambert 33:11
17. Jim Mensching 38:38
18. Rick Carhart 41:57
19. Skip Lees 42:23

CATEGORY RESULTS FROM THE COUTELENC ROAD UPHILL TIME TRIAL - March 13th, 2011:

Category "A" Results:
1. Jim Roberts 25:46 (33 points + 3 = 36 points)
2. Kris Blee 26:01 (29 points + 3 = 32 points)
3. Ben Wentland 26:27 (27 points + 3 = 30 points)
4. Josh Bullock 26:45 (25 points + 3 = 28 points)

Category "B" Results:
1. Patrick Clark 28:14 (33 points + 3 = 36 points)
2. John Touchette 29:11 (29 points + 3 = 32 points)
3. Jay Coughlin 30:41 (27 points + 3 = 30 points)
4. Chris Marking 31:14 (25 points + 3 = 28 points)

Category "C" Results:
1. Rick Carhart 41:57 (33 points + 3 "Volunteering Points" + 3 = 39 points)
2. Skip Lees 42:23 (29 points + 3 = 32 points)

Women's Category Results:
1. Sarah Johnston 30:33 (33 points + 3 = 36 points)

Men's Masters 50+ Category Results:
1. Charles Locke 26:58 (33 points + 3 = 36 points)
2. Mike Ruffner 29:23 (29 points + 3 = 32 points)
3. Mike Watson 30:55 (27 points + 3 = 30 points)
4. Ryan Hiner 30:56 (25 points + 3 = 28 points)
5. Byron Fountain 32:36 (23 points + 3 = 26 points)
6. Jim Mensching 38:38 (21 points + 3 = 24 points)

Junior Category Results:
1. Garrett Marking 29:42 (33 points + 3 = 36 points)
2. Chris Lambert 33:11 (29 points + 3 = 32 points)

CURRENT OVERALL STANDINGS IN THE 2011 BUTTE HILL CLIMB TIME TRIAL SERIES AFTER 11 EVENTS:

Category "A" Overall Standings:
1. Kris Blee 176 points
2. Ben Wentland 175 points
3. David Albrecht 173 points
4. Jim Roberts 133 points
5. Tim Olson 113 points
6. Rich Thurman 103 points
7. Mark Wolford 102 points
8. Josh Bullock 98 points
9. Luke Wentland 87 points
10. Brad Foster 84 points
11. Aren Timmel 50 points
12. Lowell Moural, Jr. 36 points
13. Gary Towne 34 points
14. Ian Boswell 27 points
15. Steve Wright 24 points
16. Jeff Galland 23 points
17. Tyler Honeyman 15 points
18. Anthony Ferretti 11 points
19. Sean Dugan 5 points

Category "B" Overall Standings:
1. Patrick Clark 264 points
2. John Touchette 197 points
3. Jay Coughlin 190 points
4. Alex Roberson 131 points
5. Chris Marking 110 points
6. Randy Will 106 points
7. Rudi Lange 81 points
7. David Dura 81 points
9. Chris Devine 42 points
10. Chris Gray 33 points
11. Chris Iufer 29 points
11. Tim Mallen 29 points
13. Dain Melton 23 points
14. Paul Begbie 17 points
14. Daniel Law 17 points
16. Ferdinand Batatan 15 points
16. Steve Chollet 15 points
18. Dave Hernandez 13 points
19. Colin Moakley 11 points
20. Boyd Sears 9 points
21. Don Curtis 7 points

Category "C" Overall Standings:
1. Rick Carhart 219 points
2. Skip Lees 194 points
3. Russ Fortier 83 points
4. Stephen Greenen 27 points
5. Ryan Laine 22 points
6. John Harris 21 points
7. Greg Hollis 19 points

Women's Category Overall Standings:
1. Caryn Jones 71 points
2. Diann Harger 69 points
3. Janine Rood 56 points
4. Teresa Kludt 46 points
5. Sarah Johnston 36 points
6. Elizabeth Brent 33 points
7. Marley Anderson 27 points
7. Mindy McPherson 27 points
7. Maggie Jones 27 points
10. Aliya Traficante 25 points
11. Mandy McKay 23 points
11. Deanna Wentland 23 points

Mens 50+ Category Overall Standings:
1. Mike Ruffner 284 points
2. Gary Fowler 159 points
3. Byron Fountain 157 points
4. Ryan Hiner 148 points
5. Jim Mensching 100 points
6. Phil Weintraub 82 points
7. Mike Watson 57 points
8. Mike Trowbridge 38 points
9. Charles Locke 36 points
10. Leif Peterson 33 points
11. John Alden 28 points
12. Gary Witteman 25 points
13. Roy Holley 23 points
13. Doug Weseman 23 points
15. Jack Coots 19 points
16. Steve Chamberlain 17 points

Juniors Category Overall Standings:
1. Garrett Marking 225 points
2. Aliya Traficante 190 points
3. Chris Lambert 166 points
4. Davis Foster 23 points

2011 BUTTE HILL CLIMB TIME TRIAL SERIES INFORMATION:

Hi Everyone! It's that time of year again - The 2011 Butte Hill Climb Time Trial Series bicycling event will start up on Saturday, January 1st with the Humboldt Hill Climb Time Trial!! This Series will visit various parts of Butte County, with the climbs and dates below. There was a similar Series done years ago here in Chico - 1981 or 1982 - by Tom Devol and Jeff Smith, who owned Cyclesport bicycle shop at the time. And, of course, there is now that almost-famous Low Key Hillclimb Series in the Bay Area every fall. In any case, we decided to have our own and revive the old Hill Climb Series.......with a few route changes. Below is a list of the tentative events with dates. It should be mentioned that these dates could change depending upon other events going on. And, of course......the weather! Rain will NOT cancel - but snow and ice COULD cancel the events. This is a FREE Series, so just come on out and take advantage of these great climbs and gain some good fitness(and fun!) for the upcoming cycling season!!

25 events - 260 Miles & 62,000 feet of total climbing - held over a 6-month period from January through June 2011!! Bound to be a very challenging and memorable Series. Sure - there will be pain and suffering - but it's the good kind!!

Note: The Chico Hill Climb Time Trial Series will be back in the Fall/Winter of 2011 - starting the first weekend in September with the Cohasset Hill Climb TT!

Build-up: The Butte Series will go from January 1st, 2011 through June 2011. This Series follows a progression over 6 months - starting with the "easier" Category 5 climbs early in the year to get your legs ready and all warmed-up.....building up to Category 4 climbs....then Category 3....then Category 2.....then Category 1.....and ending with the biggest Hors Category climbs in June. This should help you take advantage of those springtime miles - and get you ready for those hilly summertime Centuries, rides and races!!! It should also be noted that we are using a NEW Point Categorization for the Butte Hill Series(see below).

How does it work??? Below are each of the 25 Events in the 2011 Butte Hill Climb Time Trial Series. Each climb has been given a rank based upon feedback from some well-known riders in the area (and climbers in particular - yes, I know - everyone is different, but this is just a low-key have-fun series, so no big whoop). Hors Category and Category 1 climbs are the hardest, with Category 5 being.......let's not say easiest.......let's say........not quite as hard as Category 1! Points will be awarded to the finishers in each Hill Climb Time Trial - the folks with the most points at the end of the Series wins the overall title in their respective categories........along with the coveted Butte Hill Climb Champion Trophy.

Never done a Time Trial before?? No problem - it's just you against the clock.....go your own pace and just do what you can out there!!! Remember - I have all types of riders out there........from people who can climb Humboldt Road in 13 minutes(record pace!)......to me(I take 41 minutes to climb Humboldt)......and everyone in between, with all kinds of different bicycles out there!! This is a no-big-whoop Series - just go out, have fun, test yourself a bit on your bicycles, explore some new roads and climbs in the area.......and just do what you can out there!!! We are just out there to have fun, and gain some good fitness!! All are welcome to come on out!!

RESULTS: I will try my best to have results out from each Time Trial within a 24-hour period, as well as the Updated Overall Standings after each event. The results will be posted to the e-mail group, on Facebook, on Twitter and at ChicoBikedotcom.

EVERY competitor who starts and finishes an event receives an additonal 3 points PER event. It should also be noted - there may be an additional points awarded for "adverse conditons" - known as "misery points". One year, we had an absolute freezing cold downpour of rain at the Centerville Time Trial and I awarded everyone 2 extra points for "adverse conditions"........but, again, this is a big "might" and the conditions would have to be atrocious. ANY person who helps me start the riders off at the events receives an additional 3 points for volunteering - I usually only need 1 or 2 people, and can almost always use the help.....and you can still race the event - just be the last one out of the starting gate and you'll be good-to-go!!

The Point Breakdown for placings is as follows:

Hors Category Climb = 60-54-52-50-48-46-44-42-40-38-36-34-32-30-28-26-22-20-18-16-14-12-10-8-6-4-2-1-1-1 (In other words, 1st place in an Hors Category Time Trial gets 60 points, 2nd place gets 54, 3rd place gets 52, and on down the line - every person who competes in the event gets at least 1 point....and it is like that for each of the Time Trials).

Cat. 1 Climb = 44-38-36-32-30-28-26-24-22-20-18-16-14-12-10-8-6-4-2-1-1-1 (1st place in a Category 1 Time Trial gets 42 points, 2nd place gets 38 points and on down the line).

Cat. 2 Climb = 36-32-30-28-26-24-22-20-18-16-14-12-10-8-6-4-2-1-1-1 (1st place in a Category 2 Time Trial gets 36 points, 2nd place gets 32 points and on down the line).

Cat. 3 Climb = 30-26-24-22-20-18-16-14-12-10-8-6-4-2-1-1-1 (1st place in a Cat. 3 Time Trial gets 30 points, 2nd place gets 26 and on down the line).

Cat. 4 Climb = 24-20-18-16-14-12-10-8-6-4-2-1-1-1(The winner of a Cat. 4 climb gets 24 points, 2nd place gets 20 points and on and on.)

Cat. 5 Climb = 20-16-14-12-10-8-6-4-2-1-1-1

And here are the Time Trial courses, the tentative dates, and their listed difficulty category. Starting times for the events are normally consistent - 8:30am registration opens, 1st rider off at 9:01am.

**PLEASE NOTE - These dates are extremely tentative, and most of them fall on Saturdays. However, that does NOT mean that they will stay there - any sort of scheduling change for an event could put it on a Sunday(very easily) and dates may be switched around or pushed until June or even July 2011. Reasons for a change in dates include snow and ice on the climbs, a change in the R.A.C.E. calendar or Rodney being ill or out-of-town, etc. So, take the dates with a grain of salt....for now:

Saturday, January 1st - Humboldt Road Time Trial - Cat. 5 - approximately 3.4 miles & 700 feet of climbing. - COMPLETED!

Sunday, January 2nd - Centerville Time Trial (From Covered Bridge to the gravel) - Cat. 5 - approximately 6.6 miles & 1,300 feet of climbing. - COMPLETED!

Saturday, January 8th - Cherokee Time Trial - Cat. 5 - (Start at Coal Canyon Road - across from Wheelock Road - and go up Hwy. 70, turn right at Cherokee Road) - approximately 4.8 miles; 1,100 feet of climbing. - COMPLETED!

Saturday, January 15th - Neal Road Time Trial - Cat. 5 - approximately 8.3 miles & 1,400 feet of climbing. - COMPLETED!

Saturday, January 22nd - The Lime Saddle Time Trial - Cat. 4 - approximately 4.7 miles & 1,100 feet of climbing. - COMPLETED!

Saturday, January 29th - Cohasset-to-Store Time Trial - Cat. 4 - approximately 5.1 miles & 1,600 feet of climbing. - COMPLETED!

Saturday, February 5th - Pentz Road Time Trial - Cat. 4 - approximately 5.8 miles & 1,200 feet of climbing. - COMPLETED!

Saturday, February 12th - Clark Road Time Trial - Cat. 4 - approximately 7.7 miles & 1,700 feet of climbing. - COMPLETED!

Sunday, February 27th - The Dogtown Time Trial - Cat. 4 - 7.3 miles & 1,400 feet of climbing. - POSTPONED!

Saturday, March 5th - Honey Run Road Time Trial - Cat. 3 - approximately 5.3 miles & 1,900 feet of climbing. - COMPLETED!

Saturday, March 12th - Vilas Road Time Trial - Cat. 3 - (From Nicalog to the end of Vilas) - approximately 7 miles & 2,400 feet of climbing. - COMPLETED!

Sunday, March 13th - Coutelenc Time Trial - Cat. 3 - (Just stay on Coutelenc) - approximately 6.8 miles & 1,600 feet of climbing. - COMPLETED!

Saturday, March 19th - Dark Canyon Time Trial - Cat. 3 - approximately 3.5 miles & 2,200 feet of climbing.

Saturday, March 26th - Lunt Road Time Trial(From Coal Canyon Road) - Cat. 3 - approximately 8.1 miles & 1,600 feet of climbing.

Saturday, April 2nd - Table Mountain Time Trial (Wildflower Century Side) - Cat. 3 - approximately 5.3 miles & 1,600 feet of climbing.

Saturday, April 9th - Forest Ranch-to-Lomo Time Trial - Cat. 2 - (starts at Forest Ranch Store; ends at entrance to Butte Meadows) - approximately 13.2 miles & 2,400 feet of climbing.

Saturday, April 23rd - Lomo-to-Jonesville Time Trial - Cat. 2 - (starts at Hwy. 32 at entrance to Butte Meadows - ends at parking lot in Jonesville) - approximately 10.2 miles & 2,100 feet of climbing

Saturday, May 7th - Lovelock-to-Inskip Time Trial - Cat. 2 - approximately 10.4 miles & 2,800 feet of climbing.

Sunday, May 15th - Cohasset-to-Gravel Time Trial (from Nicalog to the end of Cohasset Road) - Cat. 2 - approximately 9.4 miles & 2,900 feet of climbing.

Sunday, May 22nd - Garland Time Trial - Cat. 1 - approximately 16.5 miles & 3,500 feet of climbing

Saturday, May 28th - The Pulga Time Trial - Cat. 1 - approximately 17 miles & 4,500 feet of climbing.

Saturday, June 4th - The Hwy. 171 Time Trial - Cat. 1 - approximately 18.1 miles & 3,100 feet of climbing.

Saturday, June 11th - The Oro-Quincy Time Trial(Mass Start) - Hors Category - approximately 21.8 miles & 5,900 feet of climbing.

Saturday, June 18th - Toomes Camp Uphill Time Trial(Mass Start) - Hors Category - approximately 17.5 miles & 5,600 feet of climbing.

Saturday, June 25th - Jonesville Time Trial(Mass Start) - Hors Category - approximately 35.5 miles & 6,200 feet of climbing.

25 Climbs, approximately 260 total miles, and about 62,000 feet of total climbing, held over a 6-month period from January through June 2011(if dates need to be changed, we could go into July 2011). Consistency will be key to winning the Overall Series. This should provide you with plenty of good climbing and get you ready for some great Century riding, the Death Ride and some spring/summer races!!

PARTICIPANT CATEGORIES: The following categories will be offered for the Series(see below). The winner in each category will receive the 2011 Butte Hill Climb Champion Trophy, along with Bragging Rights.........as well as any stuff we can get to give away as prizes.

The Top 3 in each category will receive trophies:

Category "A" - Advanced.
Category "B" - Intermediate.
Category "C" - Novice, and slower climbers(like myself!)
Women's Category
Mens 50+ Category
Juniors (Looking at 10 to 16 years of age for this particular Category, but may be changed depending upon who shows up!).

***In addition - The rider who has the MOST points in the Series at the end will receive the "Grand Champion's" Plaque as well.

As usual, sandbaggers are strongly discouraged (A Sandbagger would be a Category "A" rider entering a Category "B" event). Also, if there are a lot of folks in one particular category, we may split those up into sub-categories, if needed. However, please note - if nobody, or very few folks are in one category, we may eliminate that category. and add an additional category where the numbers allow it(these COULD include tandem categories, fixed gear category, Clydesdale category, or any other age Categories). At the end of the Series, we will have an Awards Ceremony at an establishment that would have us invade with cycling trophies/awards!! Hope to have some 2011 Butte Hill Series T-shirts to give out as well, but will be dependent upon my extremely limited budget.

One note - Any rider caught giving grief to the Promoter, the Timers or the Starters of these events will be automatically disqualified from - not only the event - but the entire Series. So, do what ya always do, and just have fun with the Series - it's no big whoop, we're just out there having fun and getting some good fitness!!! (No no - we've never ever had a problem with getting grief - just wanted to state it so it will continue to just be a fun event for everyone involved!!).
AND - Helmets are MANDATORY!

This Series is FREE - so come on out and take advantage of some, or all, of these Time Trials in Spring 2011! Although donations are always extremely appreciated, they are NEVER necessary to enter these events - I just want y'all out there testing yourselves on your bicycles and having a good time!!! Also, this Series and ALL of the R.A.C.E. events are not associated with any cycling clubs, so you don't have to be a member of any club to take part in any of these events!!(Sorry - get asked that question all the time). Hope to see you out there - and I will have more details, maps and information as we get closer to the events.

Rodney...........
R.A.C.E. - Rodney's Amateur Cycling Events
Chico, California
www.ChicoBike.com