I see a post on the new Centurion in wisconsin. Thougt it would be a good time to introduce the concept to the tri world . What we are doing is taking the best parts of the tri/running and cycling worlds and developing an event series for the masses in cycling. Based on the gran fondo concept in europe the races are like riding a stage of a tour race with a festival atmosphere . what is the difference between this a a typical Century ride..

-closed and controlled roads..the first 30 minutes of riders will have a rolling closure..after that the courses will be controlled like an IM race course...police etc..but riding will be in one lane..

-will have 3 set distances ..100, 50 and 25 mile races...why..so we can establish goal times that each athlete wants to beat..when you enter a tri or marathon almost everyone has a time goal. athletes want to improve and meet individual goals..basically look at the 100 as the IM, 50 as the 70.3, and 25 as the Olympic distance,,or marathon, half marathon ,and 10km in runnning.. each course will be different and athletes will adjust time goals as they do at different IM courses.you can't compare IM wisc to IMFL..

-events will be timed and will have section awards for hill climbs..

-there will be age group awards

-there will be a national point standings with points for each race and double points for a championship race (Mammoth 2010)

-categories..we will have team awards, bike shop awards, bike clubs, charity group ..family awards(eg mom , dad, two kids)

Other points

2010 races

Inaugural event July 17-18 Centurion Colorado boulder (at lyons)..goes up to the Peak to peak highway,,,finishes in lyons..11,000 ft of climbing in the 100

August 14-15 Centurion Wisconsin (middleton/Madison)..tours Dane County plus Iowa County...10,500 ft of climbing i the 100...Centurion 25 is a Time trial event on the saturday

Sept 11-12 Centurion California at Mammoth ..the Centurion Championship (double points race)



-the 25 mile race will be a road race or time trial..varies per race

_the Centurion 25 is on the saturday, Centurion 50 and Centurion 100 on sunday..therefore riders can do both events if you choose (can do that in cycling)

-races are mass starts..faster riders at the front..then age groups, then rec riders by club or team.(athletes choose)..this will be detailed in 3 weeks...great photos with the mass start..great atmosphere..helicopter for TV shots and mass start shots

-there will be prize money and TV coverage on Universal sports..pros riders will be a mix of developing riders, guest riders from sponsor teams

-there will be an expo, and festive post race party, jumbotron, music and great food
-there will be medals for the 100 and 50 finishers

-there will be a finish line party and announcer at each event

-Centurion/Nas Foundation..the goal of the foundation is to raise $ to create programs to buy bikes for kids/adults who cannot afford bikes/ plus create school cycling programs..basically help stop the spread of childhood obesity and health issues. Sport is the way to accomplish this and if we all work towards the goal we can do our part..need ideas on this ..how do we get into the schools..

-charities..we want to give charities a platform to come raise funds at an evetn that everyone can do..not everyone can run a marathon or do an IM,,but most can ride a bike. This is a great platform for the smaller charities who cannot afford to put on their own event.



Courses

What will make this fun and special is riding epic courses. My daughter and i did the Etappe de tour at the Tour de France and finished up Mont Ventoux after riding 93 miles..it was an accomplishment..did levis Gran fondo and the course was spectacular..I knew i worked,..the courses in Boulder, madison and mammoth will all be rides you earn and will love..spectacular scenery, great towns.etc..plus its fun to ride wit hthe other riders..by the way.the etappe had 9500 riders and with the hills it spread out fast..felt safe all day..

_drafting..is allowed and encouraged..but if you don;t feel safe doing it , you can ride with friends or ride on your own..its your choice. whatever you feel safe doing or enjoy.

_ feed stations ..will be 3 tiers..grab a bottle or food and keep riding.2/ stop and fill your own, visit washrooms..3/ rest area to sit and take a break and enjoy the food..

summary'

A great event to get new people into fitness, or use for your tri training. Events will be very social and great for teams and groups..

We will be updating the web site in 3 weeks and taking registration at that point..lots of great sponsors so far and its been a blast developing something new..you will know our race directors and team...a group that loves putting on events and growing something which can benefit so many

any idea on new locations would be welcome..especially in the North east

thanks Graham Fraser..see you at the races