Third Annual Panoche Valley Road Race May 18, 2008

When: May 18 2008. Registration opens at 7:00 A.M. for the juniors and 7:30 A.M. for all other categories; closes 15 minutes before start of each race.

Where: Registration and start at Blossom Hill Winery located at 345 Panoche Rd. Follow Hwy. 25 10 miles south of Hollister. Take a left onto Panoche Valley Road (County Road J1). Blossom Hill Winery is located ¼ mile on the left.

Course: Out and back on quiet country roads. The course is challenging with many hills and serpentine roads.

• 40 mile course - turnaround at Panoche Pass with 2,000 feet of climbing.
  
  
• 55 Mile course - turnaround at Little Panoche Road with 2,650 feet of climbing.
  
  
• 67 Mile course - turnaround at Fresno County Line with 3,500 feet of climbing.
  
  
• Feed stations located at Panoche pass and at the county line.

Prizes: Minimum of $2,550 cash plus merchandise. "Hometown Hero" prize awarded for the highest placed San Benito County resident (relative to number of entries in field). Please patronize our Local Sponsors the day of the race.

Entries: Online registration available at BikeReg.com or send standard USCF entry/release form with check (payable to Greg Bloom) to Panoche Valley Road Race, c/o Greg Bloom, 1381 Panorama Drive, Hollister, Ca. 95023, 831-637-5524. Fee includes $2 USCF and $1 NCNCA insurance surcharge. Entries postmarked after May 12th and race day registration add $5 for juniors and $7.50 for everyone else. Current NCNCA road champions race for $5 if entry is postmarked by May 12th. Refunds will be given if contacted by May 12th, 2008.

Juniors:

• The categories are based on racing age not actual age.
  
• Junior gearing restrictions will be in effect and checked prior to race start.
  
• There will be mentors riding with the 10-12 year olds and 13-14 year olds to keep the race as safe as possible. There will be no follow car for this category.
  
• There will be a follow car for the 15-16 category. If you would like to volunteer to drive a follow car e-mail or call the race promoter.
  
• The 12 mile course is relatively flat with several hills (total of 300 feet of climbing).
  
• The 24 mile course has one significant 3/4 mile climb from mile 11.25 to mile 12. The rest of the course is rolling and mainly uphill on the way out.
  
• The 40 mile course is hilly with up and down terrain (mainly up) from mile 11 to 20.
  
• You must have a yearly license (for sale at race) to be eligible for district championship medals. You can race with a 1-day license, but will not be eligible.