2011 Ring of Fire presented by the Wild Wing Cafe in Asheville, NC.
Wild Wing Cafe Ring of Fire on FaceBook!
2011 June 4th:
The 2011 Ring of Fire is off and running, with our 6th event of the year approaching rapidly on June 8th. So far, we’ve significantly exceeded last year record turnouts. On average, we are seeing nearly 20 more riders per evenings. The result of which is larger, more competitive fields, and higher speeds. The A race has been averaging close to 30 mph most nights, with the B and masters races hovering around 27. The new Women’s series began May 11th and has attracted 10-20 ladies per night so far.
However, we are seeing the biggest increases in the kids, juniors, and C races, which are the events where we’re typically introducing new riders to the sport. We’ve sold almost a dozen annual licenses to date, another sign that we’re creating a new, or renewed, interest in racing for quite a few locals.
Racers are coming from Boone, Lenoir, Morganton, Southern Pines, Franklin, and Greenville, SC and spectators are increasing, with 50 or more non-racing attendees per evening.
Ring of Fire T-shirts are currently on sale, with all sponsor logos on them, at the event and local bike shops. Proceeds from the T-shirts benefit DIY Music presented by Asheville Youth Cycling, our junior development squad registered together with Velosports at USA Cycling.
On the track, Velosports riders have done their part to win several races in the B and masters categories. It’s been a fun and record setting year of racing. Below are some details from this year’s races.
WEEK #1 March 30th 2011
Unexpected cold and the threat of rain made for a lukewarm start to the season. We had 64 riders who accounted for 93 race entries.
WEEK #2 April 13th, 2011
Better weather produced new record turnouts. 109 riders, raced 152 times.
WEEK #3 April 27th, 2011
RAIN! We were only able to get the kids race off, before our juniors got doused at the start line and everything was put on hold. We still had nearly 60 people show up and register to race despite deadly tornadoes moving through the Southeast.
WEEK #4 May 11th, 2011
Questionable weather did not keep anybody away this time. Again we had 109 riders and they raced 147 times.
WEEK #5 May 25th, 2011
Powerful Spring heat had everybody feeling less than 100% and working to stay hydrated for the event. We had 108 racers show up and toe the line 152 times.
Racing begins at 5:30 every other Wednesday. Please join us, if you haven’t yet.