2013
A Collegiate and USAC Open Race Weekend
The race is over...and we're pleased to announce that it was a great success. If you raced or volunteered, THANK YOU for your support! We couldn't have done it without you.
For a (too brief) write-up of the event, and links to lots of pictures and race reports, visit the blog.
CAMPUS CRITERIUM (collegiate only), Saturday, April 6
We've got a terrific course on tap for both racers and spectators. Racers will start a 0.7 mile loop northeast corner of campus beginning with a run south on Cumberland Drive, making a left onto Adams Dr, swooping down left past the dorms, then turning left again through the Bucks/Cumberland chicane and up the little kicker to finish between the Ceddia Union Building and Reisner Hall. Music. Live commentary. Students racers and spectators a plenty. Bring a lawn chair. Bring the family. The racing begins at 8:00 am. The elite men's and women's fields set off at 12:45 and 1:55 pm.
Map and GPS download available here.
For more details, please see race flyer (download the flyer with the link below).
SOUTH MOUNTAIN HILL CLIMB (collegiate only), Saturday, April 6
Beginning at the Southampton Township Park on Airport Rd (one mile southeast on Airport Rd from Walnut Bottom Rd--the Wal-Mart/Rutters intersection--or one half mile south of the Walnut Bottom / I-81 interchange on Hershey Rd), the route proceeds south on Neil Rd, through Cleversburg, and then south again White House Rd and onto Shippensburg Rd and into Michaux State Forest. The climb begins gradually, the first mile or so not much more than a false flat incline. But as White House Rd intersects Shippensburg Rd the pitch rises a bit, then again after Milesburn Rd. Total elevation gain: 1400'. Total distance: 7.1 miles. First field rolls at 4:30 pm.
Map and GPS download available here.
For more details, please see race flyer (download the flyer with the link below).
HORSE KILLER ROAD RACE (collegiate and USAC 2/3 and 4/5 fields), Sunday, April 7
We're really excited to offer up this tasty bicycle racing treat. A circuit worth of a world championship*, this has a little something for everyone. It has climbing, but you'll have to do more than climb to win this race. It has a more or less flat finish, but if you try to sit on to win a sprint you may be disappointed. And there's lovely south-central PA farms to roll past and forays into the margins of beautiful Michaux State Forest. It's a lovely course. We are confident you will enjoy.
The race stages at Southamption Township Park (one mile southeast on Airport Rd from Walnut Bottom Rd--the Wal-Mart/Rutters intersection--or one half mile south of the Walnut Bottom / I-81 interchange on Hershey Rd) and rolls just under two miles east on Airport Rd before making a left-hand turn onto the course proper at Gilbert Rd and past the finish line. From the there the course takes a left on Whitmer Rd and another left on Walnut Dale Rd. As Walnut Dale Rd ends, racers will run through a right-left-right chicane onto the fast pavement of Sand Bank Rd for a quick descent through the woods to Gutshall Rd, where racers turn right and begin to climb (the Walnut Dale / Sand Bank Rd / Gutshall Rd segment overlaps a portion of the famous Iron Cross course). The climbing ends after a mile with a curvy left-hander onto the Furnace Hollow Rd descent. At this point some fields will proceed to Rehobeth Rd, while most (including the USAC 2/3 & 4/5 fields) will take a sharp right onto Horse Killer Rd.
Old-timers will tell you the road is aptly named. However, not because of the difficulty horses had in making it up the 0.9 mile climb, though that surely had to tax the beasts, but because coming down, their wagons heavy-laden with timber, brakes would sometimes fail and the heavy wagons overtake the poor animals. Our racers won't need their brakes, at least not until the descent down High Mountain and Mountain View Roads.
From here the short and long course combine again for the false flat descent down Rehobeth and then the long, subtle incline on Chestnut Grove Rd. The Chestnut Grove hill crests at Strohm Rd, where a right-hand turn leads to a fast descent and a left-hand turn back onto Gilbert Rd. From the corner, it's a 1.4 mile run into the finish.
Payouts for both the 4/5 and 2/3 fields are relative to field size (see race flyer).
Map and GPS download available here.
For more details, please see race flyer (download the flyer with the link below).
* We say the course is worthy of a world championship course because remember that great Swiss course a few years back where Cadel Evans won the UCI Road World Championships? A slightly shorter version of this loop has an uncanny resemblance to that course. One medium hill. One more significant climb. A run in of a few miles from that more significant climb. It's not really a climber's course. Not really a sprinter's course. Just a really exciting race course. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
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#ShipScurry -- Race Day Info
Thank you for registering for the Shippensburg Scurry! We’re so very excited to host you. Here are a few important details about the weekend.
Campus Criterium
Parking for the criterium is very specific. Racers, volunteers, spectators, etc. MUST park in the Queen St. commuter parking lot. The entrance to the parking lot is at the intersection of Queen St & Richards Ave in Shippensburg 17257. Here’s a link to a map: http://goo.gl/maps/mmPSs
From the parking lot follow the signs to the race. There are no bathrooms next to the parking lot, but there are plenty in the Student Union building (we call it the CUB) which is where the start/finish/registration area is.
There is A LOT of stuff happening on campus that day, so please do NOT warm-up on campus. There are great warm-up roads just off campus on Britton and Fogelsanger Roads.
Also, please, please, please be nice to police officers and anyone else you encounter on campus. There are A LOT of activities on campus Saturday and folks may be a bit stressed. Please take this into account and just be super courteous. Our being able to do this again is dependent upon rider behavior Saturday. Thank you.
South Mountain Hill Climb
Our base of operations for both the South Mountain Hill Climb and the Horse Killer Road Race is Southampton Township Park on Airport & Hershey Rd, Shippensburg 17257. Map link: http://goo.gl/maps/zr6y8
Do NOT, however, park at the township park (overflow parking only). Instead, please follow the race parking signs and park behind the Southampton Township Building which is across Hershey Rd from the park. There will be soccer games and other activities going on at the park and we want to leave those parking lots free for resident use.
There two sets of bathrooms (men’s/women’s) at the park itself, and three port-a-potties in the parking lot of the township building. (That’s right, seven bathrooms total!) We’ve reserved the picnic pavilions at the park, so feel free to use. And there is a sand volleyball pit, so bring a ball. And just lots of nice grass to lounge around on.
Here’s a link to the actual course: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2161302
Staging will be in the front of the Township building, facing Airport Rd.
The race begins with 2-3 miles of gradual climbing/false flat, then the pitch steepens. However, for nearly a mile at the top the road is flat again.
Yellow-line rule applies the whole race. There will be 1 km and 200 m to-go signs at the top.
At the finish, you’ll be directed to continue on the road for another quarter mile or so to a dirt ATV parking lot. You can rest and regroup there before heading back down the hill. We’ll have water there for you to refill/replenish. Those who wish to stow jackets or other clothing in the pace car for your race can do so—the pace car will drop your stuff off with a volunteer at the ATV parking lot. It will be much cooler on the way down. We are not responsible for your lost items.
Be careful on the way down! You must obey the rules of the road, which means staying right, stopping at stop signs, etc. Other racers and non-race traffic will be using the road. Be courteous to motorists and residents!
There will be food, chocolate milk, and soda for sale at the park upon your return!
Horse Killer Road Race
Race parking is again at the Southampton Township Building / Southampton Township Park (see note above regarding parking).
Staging will be in front of the township building, facing Airport Rd. From staging, there is neutral section just over one mile long as we bring you out to the race loop.
The race is along narrow country roads. There are very few potholes or that sort of thing, but the road surfaces vary from super smooth to chip-seal rough. All of the corners have been well swept, but in some places there is significant cinder/gravel build-up along the side of the road…so be cautious of the shoulders.
The yellow-line rule will be strictly enforced. It will be so tempting to cross the line on these windy roads…RESIST THAT TEMPTATION. The roads are not closed to traffic and sometimes folks get cooking right along in their cars on these empty country roads. Use caution!
The Horse Killer Road climb comes at about mile six on the map. It’s a very steep (but mercifully short) climb. STAY IN THE RIGHT LANE ON THIS CLIMB.
The climb is followed by a steep (but very fun) descent. The descent begins with a right and then a VERY SHARP LEFT-HAND TURN. The turn is much sharper than it seems—please use extreme caution your first time down the hill.
The feed zone for the course is shown on the map and is ONLY available for those in the third wave—specifically the Men’s A, Women’s A/B, and Men’s 2/3 fields. Parking for the feed zone is on the shoulder of the dirt road that intersects the race course at that point. DO NOT PARK ON THE RACE COURSE IT SELF. The feed zone itself will be marked with paint on the road.
There will be hot food, cold soda, chocolate milk, chips and cookies for sale in the park all day.
Looking forward to a great race weekend!
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