Ronde von San Raflaanderran - Race Announcement

Official Race Announcement:

Ronde von san Raflaanderran

 Presented by PHRO.

April 14th, 2009

Event Schedule:

6:45 pm – Ceremonial parade departure from the Hushvod Boosters Clubhouse on B St, San Rafael.
7:00 pm – Neutral Zone Ends

7:15 pm – Gerstleberg

7:45 pm – Fairberg

8:30 pm – Kingberg (cima Jimmi)

8:45 pm – Finish (estimated)

9:00 pm – Results and podium ceremony at Hushvod Boosters Clubhouse.

Event Description:

The premiere event and crown jewel of the Marin World Cup "Super Month," the Ronde von San Raflaanderrs is a legendary event in the storied history of Marin County.  Heroes are made and broken on the steep slopes of the many bergs, which are the signature in this test of courage.  Littered throughout the countryside, these often savagely steep climbs are as varied as the riders who will contest the victory.

Several new climbs are featured this year that have not been used in past editions of the Ronde.  Riders get a rude awakening right out of the gate as they are forced to ascend the Gerstleberg, a medium length climb that begins with an average 22% asphalt slope that abruptly turns to dirt with no relief in the grade.  While tough, this early in the race, this will more likely serve to wake up the riders than create any selections.

The other key bergs to note are in particular the Kingberg, which is the longest and highest point in the race, featuring an almost 1k climb entirely on dirt with a less than ideal surface, the Bridgeberg which will likely be the last opportunity for a break to form and the last climb, the entirely new Havenberg.  The Havenberg, while not especially steep, has it's peak at exactly 1k to go in the race.  With its repeated switchbacks (a la L'Alp d'Huez) the Havenberg will be the final opportunity to attack before the final uphill sprint to the top of Seminary hill and the finish line.

While the field will come for a myriad of backgrounds, San Raflaanderrs caters to the strongmen of the spring, riders who are able to attack with power up the short climbs as well as descend with abandon are the rule of the day.  The only sure outcome is that whoever ends up on the podium will, no doubt, have earned their place.

The course starts at B St and finishes at the top of the hill at the San Anselmo Theological Seminary and is run in a clockwise circuit.  It is NOT a closed course and riders can be expected to see automobiles, pedestrians, hikers and possibly other cyclists.

*******This event is run entirely for fun and not for profit.  To borrow a phrase: "The less fun you have, the more you'll pay."  Anyone over the age of 18 is welcome to attend.  Registration is free but the promoter is accepting donations.  Leffe, Duvel and Stella Artoisare preferred but anything of Western European origin is acceptable currency.  Anyone found taking this event seriously will be banished from all Marin World Cup events for a time period no less than 1 year.  Also, you will suck.  Safety first.********