Rumble in the Jungle - the 2015 edition!

It's that time of year - everyone wants to know - what's the course, how long is a lap, is XYZ trail in it, is there a beer stop, when will you pre-ride, what gearing are you using, where are the monkeys, can you put my favorite trail in it, what tires are you using - you know, the usual! We can't help you with with all of those questions (although we are in favor of a beer stop - illegal at NJSP's, unfortunately!) but here's what we have. 

• Course marking will start on Friday, May 15, and be finished on May 16. We'll try to have arrows up at critical intersections early on. It's a public park, so we can only tape the day or so beforehand. We appreciate your understanding!
• We will have a course pre-ride on Wednesday, May 13, wheels down at 6 p.m. We will do both the Cat. 1/2 lap, as well as the Cat. 3 lap. Due to the popularity of last year's format, we will again being doing 2 shorter Cat. 3 laps. 
• The course is about 90% the same as last years course, so if you are familiar with that course, you'll do fine with this one. Here is the Strava file for the Cat. 1/2 laps, and for the Cat. 3 lap. As most of you know, GPS is hard at Jungle - between several of the trails being so close to each other, and the weird GPS juju that often haunts Jungle, it's hard to get a super accurate lap. There is already some surveyors tape up to help you out in a few spots. 

As you pre-ride, please be considerate of the other park users - just because they might not be on bikes doesn't mean they aren't good people! Right? 

As always, info@teamtowncycle.com with any questions. Don't forget - this is the NJ State Championship race for this year - just another reason to sign up today!

Rumble in the Jungle 2014 edition - course maps, pre-rides, etc.!

So here we go! We've changed things up a bit for 2014. To start, we're moving the whole show - registration, start area, and finish line - into the upper parking lot. You'll be able to park up there as well - certainly plenty of room to spread out! 

Now, to our stellar crayon maps. The course will run clockwise, and the approximate start/finish lines are indicated on the map. A note about the course - the weather is predicted to dump rain on us Friday. Please note that yes, this is the intended route, but conditions may dictate some slight deviations from this map come race day, and we hope you'll understand if we need to make some changes. We're working on a GPS file - maybe tomorrow? 

Cat. 1 will run 3 laps. Cat. 2 will run 2 laps. Cat. 2 riders - please note the orange "Cat. 2" bypass note on the map - you will not ride that last bottom section known as Babs. It will be taped off for your race only. Cat. 3, you will race 2 laps of a shorter course - please see the separate map for Cat. 3. 

Looking for a tour? We'll lead a ride of the Cat. 1/2 lap.on Thursday, May 15. We'll meet at the gate at 5:30 p.m., and do at least one, possibly 2 laps of the Cat. 1/2 course at a moderate pace. We'll ride in light rain, but heavy rain or thunder will cancel. 

Cat. 3 lap pre-ride will be on Saturday morning, May 17 at 10:30 a.m. Again, we'll meet at the gate. We'll do 2 laps at a casual pace for all those beginners who want a chance to get familiar with the course! 

There are some arrows already up at critical intersections. More will be going up as the week goes by. Weather depending, course should be marked up by Friday night - early Sat. a.m. at the latest. Course designer Dave VW will be out there every evening after work this week - feel free to hunt him down and ask him any course questions you have. 

Get your Cat. 1/2 course map here. Cat. 3 course map is available here. See everyone out there on Sunday! 

Weekend notes!

Start time of Friday Night Clinton Road ride is now 6 p.m.!

Kids MTB race at Kittatinny tomorrow - more info - www.teambulldog.com. 

Last minute addition - Wawayanda race course pre-ride - Cat. 1/2 course - tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. Meet at the boat launch parking lot. Medium paced - and you don't need to be racing to join us!

Jamis Bicycles H2H MTB Race #2 is at Wawayanda on Sunday, May 4 - they have classes for everything from first timers to Clydesdales, to 60+ to Pro/Open - something for everyone!

Have a great weekend!

Rides for April 30-May 2

Due to the forecast, our first Wednesday Night Ladies Road ride for 2014 is canceled. We'll try again next week!

Thursday, May 1, we'll lead a race pre-ride up at Wawayanda. Meet at the boat launch parking lot at 5:30. You don't need to be racing Sunday to join us, but we will be riding the course at a moderate race pace. 

Friday night Clinton Road ride start time is 6 p.m starting this week - yea for more daylight!!!

Blue Mountain Race Pre-ride on 4/23

The first Jamis Bicycles/H2H mountain bike race of the year is coming up this Sunday, April 27 at Blue Mountain Reservation in Peekskill, NY. TTC's David K. will be leading a race pre-ride there on Wednesday, April 23. Meet at the parking lot off to the left (stay to the left when you enter the park, and drive around the lake to the lot.) at 5:30 p.m. Ride will be race pace. Course has not been set in stone yet, but any riding there will be beneficial to anyone planning on racing. 

Ride recap for the week of April 15

Quick recap of rides for this week -

• On Wednesday, April 17, meeting at 4:30 p.m. at Blue Mountain, we will have a pre-ride of the race course for Sunday's Chain Stretcher race.  At least 2 fast, race pace laps, so bring your snacks, water bottle, and race face! 
• Also on Wednesday, weather permitting, will be the first Wednesday night Ladies only Clinton Road road ride of 2013! Meet in the old Village Square Inn parking lot  at the intersection of Clinton Road and Rt. 23 in Newfoundland and be ready to ride at 5:45. Great place to learn about group road riding with a great group of ladies!
• A second pre-ride of the Chain Stretcher course at Blue Mountain on Thursday, April 18 - meet at 5 p.m., wheels down at 5:15. One easy lap to study the course, then one lap at speed. 
• Friday, April 19 - Friday night ride on Clinton Road - great for all levels of riding! Meet at 5:30 at the aforementioned Village Square Inn parking lot at 5:30. Long range weather forecast doesn't look great for Friday night, but they've been wrong before ... 

info@teamtowncycle.com for questions. Have a great week, everyone!