March 25 and 26
Two days of slalom, hangin' and twangin'.
IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND, PLEASE SIGN UP. PLEASE USE THE "COMMENTS" SECTION TO TELL HOW MANY IS IN YOUR PARTY (FAMILY, ETC.) THERE IS NO REGISTRATION COST, BUT A HEAD COUNT FOR THE BAR-B-QUE IS APPRECIATED.
Get the 2006 Season off to a quick start at a two-day event comprised of dual tight, hybrid, giant slalom and downhill speed skating. Food, frolic and funk.
This will be a racers' event and an opportunity to see new things, learn new things and pass along some old tricks. There will be no specific agenda other than maybe a specific time to eat some BBQ. Racers will set the courses, set the schedule and skate as they please on TWO prime no-traffic hills:
1. The "main" Hobby Park hill for GS, Hybrid dual racing and downhilling
2. The "runout" hill for tight-dual slalom.
So if you wanna' work the kinks out after a long cold winter, hang with da' crew for a couple of days and just skate like hell til you're tired, pencil it in. The shed is reserved, the leaves are gone and the sun is warm in Carolina in March.
Oh, was there a mention that it's FREE? Well, except the part where you have to pay to get here, pay for a place to stay, pay for something to eat, pay for something to ride, pay for some pads . . . . but, yeah, it's free.
But, hey, all donations will be gladly accepted!!!
No, it ain't BASIC, it ain't MAIN, it ain't PRIME . . . it's CHOICE!!!
See 'ya in March at Hobby Park.
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The Down-Here Retreat is a two-day opportunity to get ready for 2006. Come to Hobby Park and SLALOM SKATE A LOT! Don't worry about qualifying, bracketing or sandbagging. Take the opportunity to dial in the new stuff, listen to what other skaters are doing and PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!
Opportunities will include:
• Hybrid racing
• Giant Slalom racing
• Tight Slalom racing
• Ramp Start technique
• Push Start technique
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ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS FROM A TROUBLED MIND:
Will there be racing?
It's almost guaranteed. If you get a slalom skater and some cones, there will be racing even if it's himself against the clock.
Will there be prizes?
That's strictly for the manufacturers to decide. There will be no soliciting for swag or sponsorship. If riding a hill through cones is nothing but an opportunity to win some cash or wheels, then the Retreat is not an event to schedule. If manufacturers want to promote their products through awarding swag, their participation will be welcome.
What access will there be to start ramps?
Start ramps will be on the hill at Hobby Park on the "run out" side of the hill. Skaters will have unlimited access to work on start techniques, pulling out with speed, working the transition for maximum acceleration and just getting comfortable hitting the ramp on "GO!"
What kind of course will be set?
Hobby Park lends itself to really THREE (3) good scenarios for course setting:
1. The whole hill from the start blocks for Giant Slalom
2. A portion of the big hill for a good single or dual-lane 300-foot hybrid course down to the finish line
3. The "run out" hill running back to the finish line for tight and hybrid slalom racing.
Who will set the courses?
Anyone who wants to take a crack at setting down some cones is welcome. There will be no one dictating course designs or imposing a schedule on participants. This is a retreat to get squared away on all aspects of slalom racing. Course setting is a huge part of this sport so setting courses will be a part of the Down Here Retreat.
What about downhilling?
Bombing the hill is always a part of Hobby Park. There has been several bombing events with total elapsed times recorded. It would be cool to take advantage of the Down Here Retreat Weekend to set an 88-foot "speed trap" on the "sweet spot" of the hill to determine absolute top speed. It's always something to consider.
What about safety?
All pads and helmets must be worn at all times on the hills. Skaters must use a certain amount of common sense in regard to running the courses. There will be two hills coming together at the same finish line in opposite directions.
PAY FREAKIN' ATTENTION TO WHAT YOU'RE DOING!
This isn't some stinkin' skate park where you can snake anytime you want and everyone gets out of your way. Gravity is a bitch. Don't get on her bad side.
What is the schedule?
The Sun shines in Winston Salem from around 6:30 to 6:30 during that latter part of March. Hobby Park opens at 7:00 AM and stays open until 10:30 PM. Skaters are welcome to ride as long as there is daylight.
Will there be food?
There will be a FREE CATERED BAR-B-QUE at the Pic Nic shed Saturday night from 5:00 until. An announcement will be made a later time as to whether or not food will be prepared during the day. THERE WILL BE A CHARGE FOR ANY FOOD PREPARED AT THE PARK DURING THE COURSE OF BOTH DAYS.
PLEASE REMEMBER: BAR-B-QUE FREE, LUNCH AND SNACKS NOT FREE.
Is the Event sanctioned?
There will be insurance liability coverage for the Winston Salem Parks and Recreation Department, the City of Raleigh and the Down Here Retreat Organizers.
What is the cost?
FREE. NO CHARGE. WITHOUT ENCUMBRANCE. ABSOLUTELY NO WAY WILL MONEY BE DISCUSSED.
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An announcement will be made by the first of February concerning group rates at local Hotels/Motels. Also, an announcement will be made regarding the possibility and likelihood of a "Friday Night Outlaw" race somewhere in Winston Salem. As soon as the terrain is scoped out for a good spot, the decision will be made about including a Friday Night race as part of the weekend.
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UPDATE: March 3, 2006
Saturday Night Bar-B-Que:
Little Richard's Lexington Style Bar-B-Que will be providing the Saturday night dinner at the Hobby Park Picnic shed. The menu will be:
Pulled Pork
BBQ Chicken
Baked Beans
Potato Salad
Cole Slaw
Hush Puppies
Iced Tea.
Dinner will be served about 5:00 PM after a full day of riding on the hill. Y'all get hungry!
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Accommodations
A group rate is available at the Extended Stay America motel in Winston Salem. It is located at Stratford Road/I-40, about three miles from Hobby Park.
Location: Extended Stay America
Address: 1995 Hampton Inn Court, Winston Salem, NC 27103
Phone: 336-768-0075
Group Rate: $52.99 (mention the Down Here Retreat to get the rate.)
There is no complimentary breakfast of any kind, but each room is a SUITE with a small kitchen and a full-sized regrigerator freezer.
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The Friday Night Outlaw
Just added will be the Down Here Friday Night Outaw Race. The location is Center Park Blvd in south Winston Salem off of Highway 311/Ridgewood Road. The race specs are:
Dual Hybrid/Tight (6-to 8-foot spacings and moderate offsets with @ 40-50 cones)
Qualifying
Eliminations
The number of racers will determine if there will be A-B-C bracket racing.
The course is on perfect 10-out-of 10 asphalt with a slight grade. Very pumpable but not too outrageous:
Looking down the hill
The street is VERY WIDE and will allow two courses with good widths on the offset but still plenty of room for any traffic to get by:
Looking up the hill
The race will begin with practice at 8:00 PM and qualifying to start no later than 8:45 PM. Race to the finals:
The race location is seven mile from the Extended Stay Motel. Directions are:
Get on I-40 EAST
Take the US HWY 311 Exit to "High Point."(I-40 Exit 196 to US Hwy 311 SOUTH.)
Take the very next exit off of Hwy 311 to "Ridgewood Road."
Turn RIGHT onto Ridgewood Road (A green sign will direct you to the "Business Park.")
Take the first RIGHT onto COLE ROAD into the Business Park
Take the first left onto CENTRE PARK BOULEVARD.
Go one block to the race.
PLEASE NOTE!!!! - Everyone please make every effort to car pool as much as possible to the Outlaw Site. Let's keep the traffic to a minimum and attract as little attention as possible!!!!
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Contact:
Wesley Tucker
wtucker567@aol.com
121 Wendy Way
Summerville, South Carolina 29485
Phone: 843-875-9005
PayPal: ogservice@aol.com
(any donations for offsetting costs and spreading the love will be appreciated.)
