NewYork WNYOA?

[roller62]

I was wondering if anyone here has race one of these hare scrambles? I want to try one out and would like to know

A) What its like?

How much is it going to cost me if I don't have numbers or ever raced?

C) Which one should I do?

[Jim Dettman]

 I've been racing the series off and on for the past few years.  

 

My main goal is to go out and have fun and get different areas to ride in.

 

Typically there is a $7-10 gate fee, which is usually waived for racers.   Entry fee is $30 - $40, and if your not a member of the series (cost $15 pre-season), a "day number" costs $5 per race.   An AMA membership is required ($40 annual).  You can find all the details and a bunch of info at http://www.wnyoa.nety

 

racers are broken up into classes.   If your just starting out, you'll want the "C" class (beginner).  Their also broken down  by age.   Try and find an event where the "C" class is raced separated from the A and B classes.  You'll race a loop that is 10-12 miles.  Your try to do as many laps as you can within a 2 hour period.

 

Scoring is done by transponder, which is a sticker/decal that gets put on your helmet.  There's a one time fee of $5 if I remember correctly).

 

Your lined up by class and start in waves about 2 minutes apart.  Starts are  dead engine.

 

Out on the trail, you my find your getting passed a lot.  Don't worry about it.   You also may get yelled at to move over.  Most of the time, you'll get a nice thank you for doing so.  There are a few though that can be jerks about it.  Just move over when you can and ignore them. The really good riders go by you before you even know their there.

 

It's a lot of fun and that should be your first goal.   Try a few, see if you like it and stay relaxed.

 

Make sure you check out the web site.

 

Jim.

[roller62]

Thank you for the great info Jim. I was wondering if all the races are the same difficulty or if you could recommend one that you have raced?

[Jim Dettman]

 Each is a bit different, so what you may find difficult or not is hard to say.

 

 One race was held at Gore mountain and if you were not into hills, you might consider that tough<g>.  Early spring of course is lots of mud, which many struggle on (like me), so I find those tough.

 

 But one I like to ride is Knobby Acres in Homer.  That's 7/26.  It was a tight twisty course, but they moved it to a new location last year.   Little more open now and I consider that one of the easier ones.  I also like the one down in the King Ferry area a lot, but that's a little more technical.

 

 But with that said, I only manage 3-4 races a year and have not done a lot of the courses.  I think overall though it really doesn't matter which one.   Just pick one and try it.   Don't worry about anything other than learning the ropes and enjoying the ride.

 

Jim.

[53Willys]

At all WNYOA Race Events(with exception, the GNCC Events priced at GNCC price scale) Gate fee is $10.00 per person with no charge for children 10 and under , Event registration for AA bike and
quad is Forty ($40), for 35+AA Bike & for A, B &C bike and quad event registration is Thirty ($30.00) and event registration is Fifteen ($15.00) for peewee riders, for Mini riders event registration will be Twenty($20). $40 WNYOA membership or $7.00 per rider for a day number. $49 AMA annual membership or $20 AMA day Fee and last $10 for a Transponder  ... , Hope this Info Helps

Schedule for 2015....http://wnyoa.net/2015/season_schedule.htm

smile emoticon

[Jim Dettman]

 Sounds like things have bumped up a bit this year.

 

 I haven't been to a race yet this year myself.  In fact I haven't even gotten on the bike yet

 

 Do make sure you check out the web site: http://www.wnyoa.net

 

 as that will have all the current info for anything outside of what's already been mentioned.

 

 and a note on the "day fees"; those are not on top of everything else, but rather in place of if you don't already have whatever.  So if no WNYOA membership, you can either get a membership at the race, or just pay the day fee.   Once you have the membership, you would not then need to pay the day rider fee after that.

 

Jim.

[roller62]

Thanks guys. You gave me a lot of great info. I'm definitely going to try to get out to one and test it out. I don't care what place I come in. Its all about having a good time for me. If you guys are near Albany and want to get together for a ride some time let me know. The more the merrier in our book.

 

mike