Pre-ride Renfrew Ras Race Course

Date and start time: 06/27/2009; 11:00 am

Location: Renfrew, PA

Type/distance: Rolling hills with a technical turn and a short steep hill ; 8-mile loop

Weather: 70-80 degF

Course condition: The Three Degree and the Renfrew Rds are about two-lane wide but have no yellow line. The Meridian and the Brownsdale Rds are two-lane roads with yellow line. They are pretty well maintained. The corner of the Refrew and the Meridian rds features a 120-deg turn with a steep climb coming out of the corner

Race goal: Hold the position in top one-third until the end

Race strategy: Advance on the Renfrew Rd to avoid the bunch-up at the corner of the Refrew and the Meridian rds. Advance near the end of the Meridian Rds to avoid being dropped at the uphill corner of the Meridian and the Brownsdale Rds. Sprint hard coming out of the corner of the Three Degree and the Meridian rds.

Fueling strategy:
2 24-oz of water bottle with 100 kcal sports drink in each (200 kcal)
1 8-oz gel (630 kcal)

Note:
1. Need to practice cornering with hill climb coming out of the corner
2. This will be a fast but safe race, but the speed will depend on the direction of the wind.


I think this is where the race will start and finish, instead of at the address provided on Bikereg. Because the road narrow considerably after going through here. Nice Cobra attack helicopter!


The corner of the Three Degree and Renfrew Rds. Coming down the Three Degree Rd shouldn't be a problem for most experienced riders - there are no corners and the road is wide. Once you see the stone figures on the right side of the road, as in the picture, prepare to make a left. The corner is wide and smooth.


The intersection of the Renfrew and the Hicks Rds. Follow the Renfrew Rd on the left. There's a waste water processing plant on the right after this.


Near the end of the Renfrew Rd. Once you see the "Village of Renfrew" sign, get into low gear and prepare to make a sharp left turn and climb up a steep but short hill.


The corner of the Refrew and the Meridian rds. This is where I think some riders will bog down due to poor cornering skill and steep climb. This might be a good place to try to break away, but the climb is less than 2-min long, and there's a long flat section afterward. If the wind is coming from south and west like what I had during the ride, the breakaway is probably not going to stick


A green house on the right side of the Meridian Rd. There's small hump after this.



Near the corner of the Meridian and the Brownsdale Rds. Sprint hard once you see this sign and make a left climbing turn.


Near the corner of the Three Degree and the Meridian rds. There's a short climb coming out of the corner. Making to the top with the pack will ensure you have a chance at the the bunch sprint


Long, wide and flat section leading to the finish line - this means bunch sprint!