TRADE ZONE TRAINING SERIES IS BACKKKKKKKK!!!!!!

[Patrick Hogan]

MABRA,

This is a TEAM BIKE DOCTOR. Last year we sadly had to shut down Black Hill Circuit Race after its most successful attended race. The amount of traffic and people just visiting the park in general made it to busy to hold a event at that location anymore. We took some time to think where we wanted to go next. Well we decided where we wanted to go was to revisit what many in MABRA used to enjoy until about 12 years ago and bring back the TRADE ZONE  TRAINING SERIES!!!!!!! What is the Trade Zone you ask?

Trade Zone is a 1.4 mile circuit in a business park, centrally located in Prince George's County just north of Upper Marlboro.

There used to be a time in this region where you would go to this series during the winter months and it would prepare you for the spring racing ahead. Well we are going to do that again. I know you love your cozy trainer. I know you think your watts are real on Zwift haha. Well, prove it. 

Highlights of the Race

• Well paved course on nice wide roads. The turns are easy and sweeping
• The A and B categories for both Men and Women will be racing for 75 minutes. In fact if you double up and are  a Cat 3 or Women's 1/2/3 you can both enter the Men's 1/2/3 field and race for basically 2 1/2 hours. That is TON of race time for a training race.
• The office park is centrally located in the MABRA region and easy to get to.
• The series is 4 weeks long and it's low key. We are not giving prizes or doing podiums. WE WILL HAVE RESULTS, but we don't want you fixated on results. We would rather you just incorporate this into your Long Ride of the week with a bit of race intensity thrown in.  
• We want to make this as cheap as possible and still be able to pay off the costs of the event. Hence, we will just charge $25 for a race and $15 for an additional race. 
• A video of the course  https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=STiP6_-tFjs&feature=youtu.be
• Link to Week #1...Registation goes live 1/30/2023:  https://www.bikereg.com/tradezone1-2023

TEAM BIKE DOCTOR is committed to MABRA and producing events that can cultivate the sport. We think that the region sorely needs more events since Covid. We believe this will be a great way for the community to kick off their race season over 4 weekends. I am attaching the event notes to this email so you can get further answers to questions you may have.  

Patrick Hogan

Cycle For Life Inc.

TEAM BIKE DOCTOR

How many weeks does the series run?

The series runs for 4 weeks.  The dates of the series are Feb. 25th, March 4th, March 11th and March 18th.

What's the course like?

The course is 1.4 miles long and has 3 corners, all of which are very easy, sweeping turns (see course map, below).  The road is wide and the pavement is fantastic.  This is as safe a course as you will ever see.  However, bike racing is an inherently dangerous sport, so be mindful of your front wheel and of not cutting off riders as you try to move up.

Are there prizes, podiums, and/or results?

This is a low-key event.  Our goal is to keep the entry fee low and affordable, so we will not be offering prizes or doing podiums.  However, results will be generated and posted at the race, and will be uploaded to USA Cycling in a timely manner each week. 

What's the entry fee?

BIKE DOCTOR wants to make this race very accessible to MABRA athletes, so we are charging just $25 for your first entry.  The entry fee for Trade Zone is significantly lower than what you will find for most races in MABRA or maybe anywhere else in the country.  In addition, Bike Doctor is offering discounted additional entries at $15 when they are purchased in the same BikeReg shopping cart.

Is this a Criterium?

It is NOT a Criterium.  It is a Circuit Race.  There is no free lap rule, and there will be no pit.

How will registration work?

All registration will be conducted only through BikeReg.  CASH WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED for race day entry!  You should complete your registration on BikeReg before getting in line to check in, and you must present your registration confirmation from BikeReg and your USA Cycling racing license (unless you are a beginner and racing as a 1-Day license) in order to be issued a bib.  Registration will be open for each category until 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the race.  After that you will have to wait until next week.

 What if it rains or snows?

If it snows that is a no-brainer; the race will be cancelled.  In case of rain, we are not going to risk rider safety in the winter when the cold makes everything slicker.  So if we have any snow at all, or significant rain before racing commences, we will cancel.  If rain or snow begins while racing is in progress, the Chief Referee will make the judgment as to whether or not we can continue racing. 

Will there be makeup dates?

No.  If we have to cancel a race we will just move on to the next week as scheduled.  Per the note above re entry fees, you will receive your registation minus the BIke Reg service fee (Around 3 dollars) which we do not control. 

Why are the races on Saturdays?

There is a church in the office park, and we did not want to risk any conflict between the race and motor vehicle traffic arriving for or leaving from any type of church service.  The idea is that since this is really just the beginning of your season, you could come to the park early and start your "Long Ride" for the week and then possibly throw a race near the end of your ride.  Think of it in terms of gaining fitness, vs. winning at all costs. 

I have raced Greenbelt Park, which is similar in structure to Trade Zone.  Do I have to return my number after my race?

You do NOT need to return your number.  We will have a new set of numbers each week.