March 3/98 12:23 pm - Redlands Report

Posted by Editor on 03/3/98
 

Redlands Report

Ed Schum will be filing reports to us from the Redlands Classic stage race, which gets underway later this afternoon. Here are his first impressions of the town and the race.

Hi Rob,

Arrived in Redlands late yesterday afternoon. This is mainly to try my email system out and to let you know that I've arrived. The town is just as beautiful as ever. I love those huge palm trees along the wide boulevards. Oranges are plentiful in all the plantations on the outskirts of the town. And then there are the people! I have not found friendlier folks anywhere I've ever been. This is particularly amazing when one considers Redland's proximity to the huge metropolis of L.A., where people get beat up just for saying hello to the wrong person.

The race should be well organized as usual. I was at a meeting with just all the key people involved with the organization of the event. There were about 35 of them! And all of them cheerful and friendly in spite of the pressure the upcoming event, now the biggest bicycle event in the U.S., must be putting on them. Also went to the early registration for a while. No sign of the Canadian team so far. At least not while I was there at about 7:30. They may have shown up later as registration went on until 9:30. Registration will continue tomorrow a.m., so there is still lots of time. Someone was saying that some of the teams who were in Malaysia had just arrived in L.A. last night (Monday) and are trying to make it to the race. So, let's hope this does include the Canadians and we will have a competitive team in the event. By the sound of it Eric (Wohlberg) has been going particularly well so far this year. (Editors Note: we have received reports that Eric Wohlberg and Tim Hadfield will be racing at Redlands) We'll find out more later today.

The only negative thing about this event is the smog. Driving in yesterday from Las Vegas it seemed like a whole wall of it hit us coming into San Bernardino valley. Here in Redlands it is not as bad as it is relatively flat and any breeze blows the gray mess away, but is it is noticeable for someone living on Vancouver Island, more than 60 km's from the nearest pulpmill.

Talk to you again as soon as there is something happening.

Ed

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR THE REDLANDS CLASSIC:

TUESDAY, MARCH 3:
BUD LIGHT Sprint Prologue, Women and Men

WEDNESDAY:
HIGHLANDS FOOTHILL CIRCUIT RACE
WOMEN 13 Laps = 37 Miles (59k)
MEN 18 Laps = 51 Miles (83k)

THURSDAY:
THE SUN CALIFORNIA SPEEDWAY TIME TRIAL
WOMEN 10 Miles (16k)
MEN 10 Miles (16k)

FRIDAY:
SATURN ROAD RACE:
WOMEN 70 Miles (112k)
MEN 95 Miles (152k)

SATURDAY:
BEAVER MEDICAL GROUP CRITERIUM
WOMEN 60 Minutes
MEN 90 Minutes

SUNDAY:
ARROWHEAD CREDIT UNION SUNSET ROAD RACE
WOMEN 8 Laps = 62 Miles (99k)
MEN 11 Laps = 88 Miles (140k)