NorCal Cycling News

What do I, Hernandito, fear more than anything in the world?

Is it a slow, painful death? No. Is it a cloned Tyrannosaurus Rex? No, because they can’t see you if you don’t move. Is it spiders? Nope. Women? Close…but not quite.

In fact, what I fear the most is being scolded by Michael Hernandez for not blogging frequently enough. I was the recipient of such treatment recently (the pot calling the kettle black, perhaps), and my only hope is that I might regain his affection by spewing words in your general direction as often as possible.

I’ll start by saying that this weekend reminded me why I love the NCNCA.

I love the depth of talent, the intensity of the competition, and most importantly, the broad spectrum of personalities. We have loudmouths, cool heads, clowns, professionals, and up-and-comers. In spite of the diversity, the riders all seem to know one another, so this time of year feels like the “back to school” days of high school. Everyone’s wearing new clothes, reconnecting with friends they missed over the break, and trying to reinvent themselves in a new year. People are excited and fresh, not yet beaten down by the long, hard racing calendar. If you ask me, January-February is the happiest time of the season: the cliques are not yet fully formed, the feuds have not begun, anger has not been incited, and smiling faces are more prevalent than game faces. Like I’ve said before, bike racing is supposed to be fun…and it’s nice to see people enjoying it. Look at all these happy bike racers:

This weekend was a particularly appealing example thanks to the Spring-like sunshine, a welcome intermission in the otherwise dismal weather we’ve had. Here’s to a great season of bike racing!

While the one and only Mike Hernandez has eloquently–if not bitingly–covered the racing at Sunday’s Cal Aggie Criterium, it seems only fair that I write about some of Saturday’s races. I might throw down a few extra words about my perspective on Sunday’s races later this week.

———————————————–

Traditionally promoted during the mid-summer months, the Folsom Criterium elicits memories of soaring temperatures and searing quadriceps. The course is wide open, with two gentle corners and one long sweeper, meaning that the powerhouses can really open up the throttle, but breaks are hard-pressed to get out of sight. On Saturday, this great course hosted the season-opening criterium, and I was amazed to see how many crit-monkeys came crawling out of the woodwork.

W/1/2/3

Knowing you’ve got a race won before you hit the line is a beautiful and all-too-rare occurrence. The pain and dedication required to reach that point is beyond what most human beings are willing to endure; however, once you’ve reached the threshold where the pack can no longer catch you, all that pain and suffering seems to melt away. Given the difficulty of such a feat–especially against a high-powered NCNCA peloton–when a rider wins solo, it’s should be adequately lauded by the cycling media.

The Touchstone Women’s team came out swinging, and after a brutal bit of aggressive racing by the entire team, it was new recruit and ex-Metrominty Elis Bradshaw digging deep for the solo victory.

By the way, is she pointing at her jersey logos? If so, that’s some sponsor-savvy victory salutation, though I’d rather see a good old-fashioned two-handed salute.

Take a good look at the empty road behind her, and imagine the hard work required to get that kind of gap. (Not to detract from the win, but I’m sure her 75 teammates helped her out.)

Anyway, you gotta love watching Elis race, and if this kind of fitness and aggressiveness is any indication of what’s to come, she’s bound to have a good season. Is the 2010 Touchstone squad going to take over the “crit team” mantle from the depleted SugarCRM team? Only time will tell.

P/1/2

In spite of the best efforts of the usual breakaway riders like Max “Sticklegs” Jenkins (resplendent in his new United Healthcare kit), Chad Gerlach, and seemingly the entire Clif Bar team, the pack seemed hellbent on keeping the race together. Lap after lap, a group of overzealous psychopaths would launch off the front of the race, only to be brought back within a minute’s time.

As the laps dwindled and the speed increased, it was evident that a bunch sprint was coming, but there was no clear favorite for the win. With one lap to go, Chad Gerlach looked hungry for an early-season victory, Williams’ Norcal sprinter Randy Bramblett was making aggressive moves to hold position, and Safeway had loaded a bunch of riders onto the front of the pack. As the field hit the meandering backside of the course, several riders tangled and a Chico Corsa rider went rocketing off the course and up a grassy knoll a la Lance Armstrong/Joseba Beloki.

Thankfully, everyone’s bike handling skills prevailed and not a single rider went down; unfazed by the scuffle, the field continued its wild stampede toward the finish line. Out of the final corner, it was still anyone’s race…until Jan Weissenberger (Safeway) mercilessly emasculated the entire, high-caliber men’s field. That’s a sweet, sweet victory for a guy that has narrowly missed the top step of the podium many times; I think this is his first win in the P/1/2’s.

And so, after reflecting on these Folsom races, I’d like to revise my opening statement.

My greatest fear is going head-to-head with Elis Bradshaw or Jan Weissenberger in January. That’s just askin’ for an ass-kickin’.

—————————————————————-

With the first, inspiring races in the books, and a race calendar bursting at the seams, 2010 is sure to bring some of the best races this district has ever seen; here at NorCalCyclingNews, we’ll do our best to document the new season of racing. Stay tuned, and race hard!

Talk to you again soon…