Mt. Tamalpais Hill Climb

UPDATE:

The 50th Tam Hill Climb is officially done for 2011. We just don't have enough time to get the event rescheduled for this year. USA Cycling will be processing all refunds for those who pre-registered. Please email us if you don't receive your refund by your next billing statement. See you in 2012 for the 2nd annual, 50th Mt. Tam Hill Climb.

THE 2011 MT. TAM HILL CLIMB WAS CANCELED DUE TO A FIRE CLOSURE OF THE ENTIRE UPPER PART OF MT. TAMALPAIS BY THE MARIN COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT. The red-flag warning came about because of dry thunderstorms in the area (lightning but no rain), low humidity, and high east winds. Bad luck, basically.

Golden Gate Velo Presents
The 50th Mt. Tamalpais Hill Climb
Saturday, September 10, 2011
12 miles, 2,000 feet of climbing

Registration and Start Line at Stinson Beach Park, US Highway 1, Stinson Beach, CA. Race goes north up Highway 1, right on Bolinas-Fairfax Road, right on Ridgecrest, finishing at the Rock Spring parking lot on the West Peak of Mt. Tam. Results will be posted at Stinson.
Final event in the 2011 NCNCA Premier Series for starred categories (***)

This is a Times-7 timed event for categories 4 and higher. Be sure to bring your timing chip if you were issued one at an event earlier this year. If this is your first Times-7 event, you'll be issued a timing chip that will be permanently tied to your USAC license number. Reminder: your first chip is paid for by NCNCA, replacements are $30. Please allow extra time at registration if you need a replacement chip.

RACE SCHEDULE
Registration opens at 7:30, closes 15 minutes before each race

9/8 UPDATE: Pre-registration is now closed. We have room in most fields and should be below our 500 total racer permit limit even with a good turnout on race day. See below for pre-reg totals in each field.

Note: Registration will close if we reach our permit limit of 500 total racers, even if room remains in your category. Pre-registration highly recommended (online only).

Online registration was available at www.usacycling.org (now closed); additional fee applies. $10 fee for registration on race day. Prizes are T-shirts and merchandise, plus $500 in cash in the Elite/1/2/Pro race. Held under USA Cycling event permit & rules. A current racing license is required in all races. Day licenses are available for a $10 fee for Elite 5 men, Elite 4 women, and Public race categories. The Public category, a long-time Tam tradition, is an Elite 5 race by the rules but is intended for those looking for a less competitive feel to the event.

EVENT NOTES: PARKING, WARMUPS, ETC.

This year all event parking will be in the North lot, which is the one immediately after the entrance kiosk. If that lot fills we'll send you to the gravel lot at the south end of the park. Marshals will direct you to the right area - please obey them as well as the rangers on site (that means you RonC!). Our permit does not allow parking in any other areas.

We've been asked to keep Stinson Beach town as clear as possible and for that reason, marshals will direct you to warm up by heading north on Highway 1 until 10 minutes before the first race start - after that the starting area will be tied up with race staging and you won't be able to exit. You may want to bring a trainer or rollers to warm up in the parking lot.

After the finish, please descend to Stinson where we'll post all results by approximately noon. Officials will not post any results at the finish line. If you stay in the Rock Spring area, stay off the road and follow marshals' instructions - it's essential that we keep Ridgecrest and the intersection clear.

SAFE-RACING TIPS

As a hill climb Tam can be a very safe race, because the pack quickly spreads out on the climb and it's more like a time trial. But here are a few course-specific tips to keep in mind in addition to the general principles of safe racing;

1. Pavement is generally good but there are several areas along Highway 1 with wheel-trashing potholes. They're easy to miss if you're buried in the pack. Be courteous to fellow racers and let the pack flow around these. Keep an eye out for this starting at the school, about 1 mile into the course.
2. Don't take risks on Highway 1, it just doesn't matter. Think of Hwy 1 as the warm-up before the climb and don't bother fighting for position - that's been the area of the handful of severe crashes in this event. Every group usually stays together and your positioning matters very little to your result - it's a hill climb after all. Officials, motos and follow vehicles will enforce a strict centerline rule both along Highway 1 and on Ridgecrest. That means if you go over the centerline, even accidentally, you will immediately be disqualified from the race.
3. It's been a wet year in west Marin. Watch for greasy pavement in the trees near the BoFax/Ridgecrest junction, and possibly during that last fast stretch before the finish line. And if the fog is in heavy, consider bringing a shell or vest for the descent.
4. The Cattle Grate is still there right after the turn off Highway 1 onto Bolinas-Fairfax Road. The main risk is that the rider in front of you slows down, not knowing the general rule on cattle grates (just ride straight over them).