Cyclocross, the Bike Race Season Never Ends
Sep 5 2010
Nick Schaffner in Spoke N' Words | No Comments Yet
Suffering in the sand at a local Reno Wheelmen Cyclocross race
This article was originally published in the Friday September 3rd 2010 edition of the Lake Tahoe paper, theSierra Sun.Summer is winding down into fall in Tahoe with frost covered mornings, early sunsets and a reduced time to ride. The 2010 road bike and mountain bike race season is also closing its doors for the year. Many racers and riders hang up their helmets in September, relax, indulge themselves and watch their bellies grow as their legs shrink. For some, this transition period into winter is an important act of recovery from a long summer of cycling. But for those who may have gotten a late start to their season or racers with a competitive fire that cant be doused, the end of summer bike riding is an unhappy time.
If you find yourself lamenting the cold weather and lack of serious bike riding, I have a solution to your problem, Cyclocross. Cyclo-what? Say it slowly, Sahy-kloh-kraws. Its an off-road style of bike racing, a mix of riding on pavement, dirt, grass, sand and mud combined with some running, obstacle hurdling and bike shouldering. The courses are usually short, no more than a mile or two and are run for multiple laps for up to an hour. Its designed to be a fast, hard event that can performed in any type of weather, including snow. Cyclocross events are usually ridden on mutated road bikes with knobby tires and cantilever type brakes, however specialized equipment is not needed to be competitive. Many Cyclocross racers simply use a mountain bike.
Does the experience of an hour of bike racing, suffering and possible puking whilst leaping over obstacles into ankle deep mud sound appealing? If so, I have more good news. Thanks to the Reno Wheelmen Bike Club, all of this fun can be experienced locally.
2010 Sagebrush Cyclocross Schedule
- September 25th at Squaw Valley Resort
- October 9th at Kirkwood Resort
- October 23rd at Clayton Middle School in Reno
- October 30th at Indian Hills Community College in Carson City
- November 20th at Clayton Middle School in Reno (District Championships)
- December 11th at Bartley Ranch Park in Reno
Visit http://renowheelmen.org and http://ncnca.org/cyclocross for further information.
From: Allison Pedley [mailto:truckeetrailsfoundation@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, August 30, 2010 9:47 AM
To: allison@truckeetrails.org
Subject: Trail Crew Wednesday at Waddle Ranch -- No Crew Saturday
Hi Everyone,
Looks like the sun will return to shine on our Wednesday trail crew this week, where we have another trail building day at Waddle Ranch! Interested volunteers should meet Crew Leader Bill Person at 4:15 on Wednesday evening (September 1) at the first parking area on Martis Dam (or Creek) Road just off Hwy 267. Please sign up at least 12 hours in advance at http://www.gooddirtyfun.org, e-mail myself or Bill directly (bill@billperson.org), or call 530-563-6867 if you plan to show up and/or you have any questions.
Please note we will not have a crew out on next Saturday (Labor day weekend).
Don’t forget plenty of water, sturdy boots, sunscreen, gloves, and all-evening happy hour at Cottonwood for Wednesday volunteers!
Thanks everyone!!
Allison
Truckee Trails Foundation
PO Box 1751
Truckee, CA 96160
(530)587-8214
Posted via email from Andy Scott PqP
Sent: Monday, August 30, 2010 9:47 AM
To: allison@truckeetrails.org
Subject: Trail Crew Wednesday at Waddle Ranch -- No Crew Saturday
Looks like the sun will return to shine on our Wednesday trail crew this week, where we have another trail building day at Waddle Ranch! Interested volunteers should meet Crew Leader Bill Person at 4:15 on Wednesday evening (September 1) at the first parking area on Martis Dam (or Creek) Road just off Hwy 267. Please sign up at least 12 hours in advance at http://www.gooddirtyfun.org, e-mail myself or Bill directly (bill@billperson.org), or call 530-563-6867 if you plan to show up and/or you have any questions.
Please note we will not have a crew out on next Saturday (Labor day weekend).
Don’t forget plenty of water, sturdy boots, sunscreen, gloves, and all-evening happy hour at Cottonwood for Wednesday volunteers!
Thanks everyone!!
Allison
Truckee Trails Foundation
PO Box 1751
Truckee, CA 96160
(530)587-8214
Posted via email from Andy Scott PqP
So long 3’s. So long top tens.
University was my Cat 3 swan song. Any result would push me over the 40 point mandatory upgrade. That, and I need to start racing my age (like, old man division vs. young strong division). Anyway, the whole weekend experience here was fantastic sometimes the stars align in what is my world (family + work + OP (other passions)) and it feels pretty damn good . . .
To wit:
*Mother/Father in-law live in Santa Cruz 2 miles from campus / University Course
*They have pool that kiddies love (and so do my legs)
*Cool ocean breezes, marine layers . . . ahhh . . .
*Mother-in-law 65th b-day party on Saturday + race tune up ride on course
*Race start time 10:30am . . . family sleeps in until 7am (no 3am dawn patrols to drive Truckee to somewhere for 8am start) . . . ride from house at 10am perfect warm-up right to start line!
Form is off a little since Cascade (and week of drinking/vacationing w/ 6 families) . . . but whatever. Left it on the course, got sixth. 15 X 5’ L5/6 Intervals. Family watched and inspired . . . wife gave me a hand-up (somehow this is like my favorite thing in the world . . . need to probe in here) rode back to in-laws and played in pool with the kids. Bay Area for work for a couple days wrapped around the weekend . . . Family Weekend + Extended Family Visit + Racing Bike + Work/Bay Area Trip = NorCal living at it finest.
Mandatory Cat 2 upgrade time to go get shelled . . . or maybe explore endurance mt bike racing instead hmmm . . . . .
Happy Birthday Kristin!
Race Stats:
Race Power File
Posted via email from Andy Scott PqP
University was my Cat 3 swan song. Any result would push me over the 40 point mandatory upgrade. That, and I need to start racing my age (like, old man division vs. young strong division). Anyway, the whole weekend experience here was fantastic sometimes the stars align in what is my world (family + work + OP (other passions)) and it feels pretty damn good . . .
To wit:
*Mother/Father in-law live in Santa Cruz 2 miles from campus / University Course
*They have pool that kiddies love (and so do my legs)
*Cool ocean breezes, marine layers . . . ahhh . . .
*Mother-in-law 65th b-day party on Saturday + race tune up ride on course
*Race start time 10:30am . . . family sleeps in until 7am (no 3am dawn patrols to drive Truckee to somewhere for 8am start) . . . ride from house at 10am perfect warm-up right to start line!
Form is off a little since Cascade (and week of drinking/vacationing w/ 6 families) . . . but whatever. Left it on the course, got sixth. 15 X 5’ L5/6 Intervals. Family watched and inspired . . . wife gave me a hand-up (somehow this is like my favorite thing in the world . . . need to probe in here) rode back to in-laws and played in pool with the kids. Bay Area for work for a couple days wrapped around the weekend . . . Family Weekend + Extended Family Visit + Racing Bike + Work/Bay Area Trip = NorCal living at it finest.
Mandatory Cat 2 upgrade time to go get shelled . . . or maybe explore endurance mt bike racing instead hmmm . . . . .
Happy Birthday Kristin!
Posted via email from Andy Scott PqP
Vacaville Gran Prix 2010 Race Report (Pro 1/2)
Aug 30 2010
Nick Schaffner in Race Reports | No Comments Yet
Rolling up the power climb at Vacaville
Normally its 100 plus degrees along the streets of downtown Vacaville in late August. However, a freak cold snap over the weekend saw the temprature hovering at a nice 80. Out of the frying pan and into therefrigerator.
My plan for the race was to sit in, get into a late break and launch a last lap hail mary. My power numbers showed that I was on form, however a sore throat revealed I was under the weather. My legs felt great and the race was easy, but my minor cold robbed me of that fighting spirit I need to make anything happen. So I followed my plan and sat in, bored in the back as pathetic pack fodder.
A four man break stuck out the final laps for the victory, as the field sprinted for 4th. I made a push for position on the final hill and sprinted for 9th place. Not a bad placing considering my condition, but I wanted the podium. My performance was so pathetic that Velopromo didn't even place me in the results. But it was probably pretty hard to see me thrusting across the finish line surrounded by 200 pound sprinters types.
As we rolled up to the first climb I was about mid pack. Jesse Moore (Cal-Giant), Max Jenkins (United Health Care), Phil Mooney (Yahoo), Paul Mach (Bissell) and a couple other strong riders attacked and got a sizable gap. I could do nothing but watch them pull away. With the roads narrow and the centerline being strictly enforced, therewas no way to move up in the pack.
After the climb and descent, there was a chase group that rolled off the frontwith about 10-15 guys and about a 30 second gap. I immediately realized that Iwas not in a good spot, so I attacked trying to gap up to the chase group. Idangled about midway between the two groups for a few minutes before surrendering back to the main group. Once there, I quickly regained my breath and went to the front and began taking hard pulls along with Andy to try and pull back the chase group.
At about 5 miles into the second lap we caught the chase group, and I was worked. I had about 10 dudes tell me "nice work" as they rolled by with fresh legs, and all I could think was where the hell where you.The second lap was uneventful as Team Yahoo played their typical blocking game so we would not bring back thebreakaway.
By the third lap the break had about 4 minutes on the field and the race was decided. As the pack soft pedaled I began getting bored. Mike Taylor and I decided to attack and make things interesting. We got a good gap with 4 Yahoos. I was pushing way too hard again and as we rolled through the feed zone on the climb I blew up. Back to the main group and off the back.Everything came back together after I chased back onwith Nate. That is when Andy, who racedwaysmarter than I, rolled by and said he had a flat in the front and was out. Bummer man, but nice work.
The goal now was to survive to the finish and try to sprint. I havea lot to learn about pack sprinting. I was attempting to follow MikeTaylor's wheel, butgot pushed around abit by Team Yahooguys and ended up 21st. Another race down and much more lessons learned. That hurt!!!
Crews Wednesday and Saturday - Another Great Week of Trail Building at Waddle Ranch Ahead
Aug 24 2010
From: Allison Pedley [truckeetrailsfoundation@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, August 23, 2010 4:53 PM
To: allison@truckeetrails.org
Subject: Crews Wednesday and Saturday - another great week of trail building at Waddle Ranch ahead! [logogdf.gif] Hi Everyone, Were still out building trail at Waddle Ranch this week, as our summer of Good Dirty Fun continues! This week, volunteers should meet Crew Leader Bill Person at 4:15 on Wednesday evening (Aug 25) and/or 9 am on Saturday (Aug 28) at the first parking area on Martis Dam (or Creek) Road just off Hwy 267. Please sign up at least 12 hours in advance at http://www.gooddirtyfun.org, or e-mail myself or Bill directly if you plan to show up and/or you have any questions: bill@billperson.org.
Dont forget plenty of water, sturdy boots, sunscreen, gloves, and all-evening happy hour at Cottonwood for Wednesday volunteers! Thanks everyone!! Allison Truckee Trails Foundation
PO Box 1751
Truckee, CA 96160
(530)587-8214
Posted via email from Andy Scott PqP
University Road Race Report (Masters 35+)
Aug 23 2010
Jamie McJunkin in Race Reports | No Comments Yet
Conrad, Glenn, and I started the 35+ race, about 3 minutes after Justin rolled off the line in the Pro 1-2 field. We would race the same up-down circuit, though with about 6 fewer laps. We discussed strategy before the race: get one or two of us up the road in a break about half-way through. I personally was eager to trade an even tempo of the break for the violent short efforts up the climb. Glenn wasted no time and drilled it up the hill on the second lap, waking up everyones legs. Morgan Stanley continued what Glenn had started, and shattered what seemed like half the field by the 3rd lap. Glenn and Bill were unfortunate casualties of this early intensity.
Thinking that the best defense was a good offense, I rolled off the front on the following lap so that I could ride my own tempo up the climb, hoping some others would come across. None did, and I was reabsorbed by the top. The pattern was becoming clear: agony for about a mile on the hill, then easy elsewhere on the course. Conrad and I chatted, and planned to drill it at the hardest part of the climb and initiate a break. Fortunately, Phipps and a teammate had the same idea. Unfortunately, they were quite a bit stronger than us and I transitioned rapidly from hammer to nail. Unable to respond, we watched Phipps, the teammate and two guys go up the road. The timing was unfortunate as it looked like this break caught the Pro 1-2 field and presumably got a brief respite (at a critical time). Our chase group of about 10 lacked the muster to pull back the break. We watched as the pro field drilled it " our race for the podium was over. Our group spent the next 8 laps repeating the hard-easy pattern, catching dropped riders from the P-1-2 race ahead and lapping some 35+ riders. A Safeway rider from the group up the road dropped back, leaving our chase group competing for 4th.
Conrad and I discussed initiating a break with 3 laps to go but werent sure what was left in the tank. We decided to sit in and have Conrad attempt the sprint. The last lap was ridiculously slow as our small group conserved energy, preparing for the drag race up the finishing stretch. The pace got so pathetic that I made a snap decision to jump away on the descent " hoping that Id have the legs to hold off the group ...and potentially entice some others to chase. It didnt work, and I was reabsorbed by the group well in advance of the line. Conrad had a nice sprint to take 2nd in our group, 5th overall. I was not seeing straight, but think I held on to beat at least one guy in the chase, which would put me 10th- 12th or so. Overall a very fun day with great representation by CWC through the morning!
Thinking that the best defense was a good offense, I rolled off the front on the following lap so that I could ride my own tempo up the climb, hoping some others would come across. None did, and I was reabsorbed by the top. The pattern was becoming clear: agony for about a mile on the hill, then easy elsewhere on the course. Conrad and I chatted, and planned to drill it at the hardest part of the climb and initiate a break. Fortunately, Phipps and a teammate had the same idea. Unfortunately, they were quite a bit stronger than us and I transitioned rapidly from hammer to nail. Unable to respond, we watched Phipps, the teammate and two guys go up the road. The timing was unfortunate as it looked like this break caught the Pro 1-2 field and presumably got a brief respite (at a critical time). Our chase group of about 10 lacked the muster to pull back the break. We watched as the pro field drilled it " our race for the podium was over. Our group spent the next 8 laps repeating the hard-easy pattern, catching dropped riders from the P-1-2 race ahead and lapping some 35+ riders. A Safeway rider from the group up the road dropped back, leaving our chase group competing for 4th.
Conrad and I discussed initiating a break with 3 laps to go but werent sure what was left in the tank. We decided to sit in and have Conrad attempt the sprint. The last lap was ridiculously slow as our small group conserved energy, preparing for the drag race up the finishing stretch. The pace got so pathetic that I made a snap decision to jump away on the descent " hoping that Id have the legs to hold off the group ...and potentially entice some others to chase. It didnt work, and I was reabsorbed by the group well in advance of the line. Conrad had a nice sprint to take 2nd in our group, 5th overall. I was not seeing straight, but think I held on to beat at least one guy in the chase, which would put me 10th- 12th or so. Overall a very fun day with great representation by CWC through the morning!
