Tour de Gruene FAQ’s
1. Should I enter in Saturday’s or Sunday’s ride?
The Saturday Recreational Tours are just for fun. There are rest stops set up around the course so that you will be able to stop, replenish your liquids and get a snack before continuing. There are no prizes for who finishes ahead of who. It’s a day to enjoy the camaraderie of a beautiful bike ride along River Road, then get back to enjoy the charm and ambiance of Gruene or to head for the Wursthall for the celebration.
Sunday’s Time Trials are a competition. Two person teams race against the clock for cash prizes or awards in 30 different categories. The fastest times in each category win the prizes. The categories are set up by age and ability level. Each team may be eligible to enter more than one race. Many riders race twice during the day with different partners.
2. Do I need a USCF racing license to compete? Last year, the Team Time Trial was sanctioned by the United States Cycling Federation. It is an independent race this year.
A rider does not need an annual USCF license, nor does he or she need to purchase a “one day” license to compete in the 2007 Tour de Gruene. Current USCF license holders may compete and are encouraged to enter in the category as recommended in the entry guidelinesoutlined in FAQ#5.
3. What is a team time trial?
Let’s start by explaining what a time trial (TT) is. A TT is a race against the clock. Riders start at an assigned time, usually with one minute intervals between each. A time is taken from the leading edge of the front wheel when they cross the finish line after completing the course. A time trial has been aptly termed “The race of truth.” The French also call it “Contre la Montre.” - or a race against the clock.
A Team Time Trial (TTT) is a TT with a team made up of two or more people. The team’s time is taken by the leading edge of the front wheel of the second rider. So, both team members must finish together.
3. Is the course hilly?
Both the out and back route for the Recreational Tour on Saturday and the Team Time Trial loop on Sunday are considered challenging. For the tour, the beginning is hilly starting, the middle part is fairly flat along the river with a slight climb going out and a slight descent coming back, and at the end climbs up and out of the river basin.
The TTT starts at river level, then immediately climbs up out of the river basin. After a few miles it drops back down to river level. For the next 10 miles or so, the route literally follows the banks of the GuadalupeRiver. There is some elevation gain as you are riding upstream, but this section is fairly level with a very, very gradual grade in some places. There are some short climbs as the road dips in and out of feeder creek beds.
After passing Sattler, the route heads back in towards Gruene. Here is where the really hilly part starts. The climb back up out of the river basin this time is accomplished in a very long, steep climb marked on the ride map as “Very big hill.” After getting over that climb, the rest of the way has “rollers” which aren’t super long.
4. How are age categories determined for the Time Trial?
Racing age is defined as your age on December 31 of the current year. If you are 35 on race day, but will turn 36 by the end of the year, your “racing” age is 36.
Age categories are determined by adding the racing ages of each team member. For instance if a father and son team up and the dad’s racing age is 46 and the son’s is 15, then they ride in the appropriate 60 - 79 race (46 + 15 = 61.)
5. What are the ability levels of the different races, Blitzgruppe, Mittelgruppe and Leichtestengruppe?
Blitzgruppemeans “lightning group” or fastest. It is equivalent to USCF Pro 1,2 and is the most competitive category.
Mittelgruppe means “middle group” or moderate, medium. It is equivalent to USCF Cat 3, 4.
Leichtestengruppemeans “easiest group.” It is equivalent to USCF Cat 4 or 5 for men and USCF Cat 4 for women. Beginners or first timers should consider this level.
These are suggested training distances to prepare for competition in a particular gruppe:
Blitzgruppe: 200-400 miles a week of riding,
(Fastest level, compares to USCF Pro, 1,2)6 to 7 days a week at a fast pace unless active recovery is required.
Mittelgruppe:100-250 miles a week of riding,
(Middle level, compares to USCF Cat 3, 4)4 to 6 days a week at a variety of up tempo paces.
Leichtestengruppe:50 – 150 miles a week of riding,
(Easiest level, compares to USCF Cat 4, 5)2 to 5 days a week riding at a variety of paces
Below is a general guide for the categories of the Tour de Gruene in terms of times and average speed in elapsed time and miles per hour (mph). Generally optimum age for cycling performance is from 20-30 years of age so you can add a minute to your time for every 5 years older or younger you are than the upper and lower limit of optimum cycling age. 26.6 mile distance divided by 60 minutes (time) = mph. Please note this is merely a guide to target your training effort to be competitive and help the event continue to be fun and fair for all that enter.
Blitzgruppe:
women66min/23.8 mphto74min/21.2 mph
coed60min/26.2 mphto66min/23.8 mph
men56min/28.7 mphto60min/26.2 mph
Mittelgruppe:
women74min/21.2 mphto84min/18.7 mph
coed66min/23.8 mphto74min/21.2 mph
men60min/26.2 mphto66min/23.8 mph
Leichtestengruppe:
women84min/18.7 mphto96min/16.4 mph
coed74min/21.2 mphto88min/17.9 mph
men66min/23.8 mphto78min/20.2 mph
6. What can I do if my partner becomes incapacitated after we’ve registered?
There are three options: One is to have a backup partner who is in the correct age, gender and ability level. You can get someone outside of your pre-registered age, gender and ability category and race in the “Ride for Time” category. Another option is to ride alone and inform the starter so the timers will record your time as a SOLO and be recognized as a hardship entry.
7. What is the Ride for Time category?
This category is made up for contestants that do not make the online pre-registration deadline and register day of (space permitting) --- OR their partner becomes incapacitated and their replacement does not match their pre-registered category. They can “ride for time” and compare the results on their own, however, they will not be included within specific categories for awards.