NorCal Cycling News – Cycling and Racing in Northern California

Now is your chance people!

Make your January plans.

Our time for complete California CX domination has come.

If you’re interested in participating in great charity race – please come to the Supermarket Street Sweep! It’s our 6th year, and it benefits the SF Food Bank. The event takes place on December 3rd and there’s two categories: SPEED and CARGO. SPEED = go around to grocery stores and buy food as quickly as possible (we give you the list of stores to shop at and the shopping list) and CARGO = bring back as much as possible.

We have awesome sponsors this year, including Ritte van Vlaanderen who are throwing in a Bosberg or Crosberg frame; Montano Velo’s donating a Volume frame and fork; Burley and Box Dog are donating a trailer – and much more!

Visit our blog for more info: supermarketstreetsweep.blogspot.com.

Race Details
WHEN: Saturday, December 3rd, High Noon.

WHERE: Cupid Span’s (Bow & Arrow) atFolsom and Embarcadero.

CARGO RACE: Bring back the heaviest load of food from the designated grocery stores.

SPEED RACE: Buy specific food items from the designated grocery stores and get to the finish as soon as possible.

DOLLARS FOR DINNERS: Raise money for the SF Food Bank. Every $1 you raise provides 4 meals for those in need.

WHAT TO BRING: Bag, box or crate (whatever you rock to the grocery store), a lock and money to buy items (suggested $15-30, whatever is comfy, everything helps).Both races end @ 4pm.

The after party location is TBD.

All items will be donated to the San Francisco Food Bank.

 

I’m a proponent of free stuff during the holidays.  Flood this contest so that the lights do not leave NorCal.  It’s the holiday season so every free piece of equipment is fair game..go get ‘em!

As we head into the darkest season of the year, Blackburn is encouraging cyclists to take extra care to stay visible on the road.  One of the best ways to stay as safe as possible is to equip your bike with front and rear lights (and in most states in the US, this is a requirement by law).  If you’re a cyclist who frequently rides at night, or someone who sometimes finds themselves out on their bike after dark, then you owe it to yourself to make sure you have a proper set of lights to stay seen and stay safe.

To keep cyclists safe on those night rides Blackburn is giving away Click Light Combos to ten winners a day between November 22 and December 1, 2011.  For your chance to win, visit the Blackburn Facebook page, complete the sweepstakes entry form and you’re on your way to staying seen and staying safe this holiday.

 

Vanderkitten

If you are not on Jono Coulters publicity fire hose, he’s brought Ruth Winder onto the Vanderkitten team. Winder was in purgatory last year after ending a promising run at Peanut Butter, and then breaking her leg in a horse accident in the spring.  She’s an amazing rider and will be an exciting addition to Emily Collins finishing kick.  Podium Cafe is rumoring there will be another big Vanderkitten signing… maybe another Aussie seeing as how the big US folks seem to be committed.

Beth Newell

Speaking of Vanderkitten, Beth Newell is not going to Vanderkitten after all as previously reported.  She’s going with the Now Novartis program, who put together a national championship with Robin Farinha last year.  Looks like Now-Norvatis is stepping up their game brining back Farinha, Samplonius, and brining on Alison Powers too.  Looks like a great stepping stone for Newell who impressed many, except the US Track coach, by winning the Omnium and Points Race at US Track Nationals.  For the record, i’m not Hernando so I can write about this shit as much as i want.

Webcor

The last vestiges of the Webcor pro program appear to have folded.  Rand Miller, the only producer on the men’s side, is moving onto greener pastures, pun intended, while the Women’s Bridge Team (Maroon/Wombat) has disbanded due to contracting budgets. A whimper ending for one the coolest programs in the United States, let alone, NorCal.

Steven’s Bikes

In their place a new women’s team, Stevens Bikes p/b Pactimco. has popped up under the guidance of former beleagured NCNCA president Bill Nicely.  It kind of looks like Touchstone 2.0 with Elis, Pryor, and kinda Mary Maroon, who’s also kinda riding for Rouse/FCS out of Texas. Just received word from Mary Maroon she’s full on Rouse/FCS, team captain y’all, will not be riding for Stevens, and (this is my extrapolation) is helping the Steven’s team in an advisory capacity, in a roll which is yet to be defined. Looks like Mary Ellen Ash is going to Steven’s too, first year teams are rocky but with an experienced roster it might go smooth.  Good Luck Bill.

Counter Attacking the Word “Signing”

Further on Webcor news Rand Miller sent and email to his club and announced he would announce his new “signing” soon.  Aside from the clear over use of the word “signing” by amateur club riders in Northern California this is really the only news I’ve been interested in other than finding out where Gaurnier and Olds were going.  After all the build up Rand is going to Cal Giant? I’m not sure how i feel about that.  I don’t see it.  It’s sort of seems like getting bought by Google – great prestige factor, okay money, and you are never seen again until you resign with a flourish.  Plus – the personality combo of Rand Miller and James Mattis sounds combustible, which on second thought, is just the kind of fire works we need around here. Taking on Rand is like hiring a reality TV star for the Sunday night news, who knows what he’s going to say.  Will he play it straight?  Will he get crazier?  Whatever… this should all be good foder for his blogging.  His last two posts have been awesome – cross and Cal Giant look like they they have rejuvenated his creativity. See the Nemesis post for some funny stuff.

NorCal Big Shots

On the Olds and Guarnier topic…. Megan “Mega” Gaurnier, who’s Italian win was the biggest NorCal win last year IMHO, is sticking with NorCal’s TIBCO program for next year, along with Amanda Miller, who both appear to have just missed the Lulu Lemon train.  Shelley Olds left her Italian team after Bronzini came aboard as the top sprinter, to take up a spot on the Dutch AA Drink leontin.nl with Kristin Wild.  I think that’s cool.  Olds seems more Dutch team, than Italian team anyways.

I’m still trying to dig up a few other NorCal “signings” if you hear anything let me know…

 

Sacramento Cyclocross Series, Round 6
Howard Park, Ione

Sarah Maile (Ventana Mountain Bikes) and Marja-Liisa Magnuson (Kinetic Cycles) jumped out to an early lead in the Women’s Category A race. They were soon joined by leaders from the Women’s A35+ field as Joan Gregg (ProTek Abruzzo) and Lauren Liden (Michael David Winery Cycling Team/Delta Velo) made quick work of their 1-minute start deficit. The Women’s A35+ field included a strong and confident Linda Elgart (Webcor/Alto Velo) but she dropped off due to a flat tyre before catching the Category A women. Gregg was next to suffer a mechanical failure leaving Liden in the right position at the right time to win the Women’s A35+ category.
Although Maile appeared in control, she slowed for a distraction at the finish; finish-line judges were changing the remaining lap counter and the number six briefly came into view. This slower pace allowed Magnuson to make a last dash for the finish line but she needed another wheel rotation to win the race. “I was looking for her shadow on the straight”, remarked Maile, “and I didn’t see her. She actually came on the other side.” Maile said that she did not handle the bumpy course well. “The bumps slowed me down a lot. With my thumb injury I can’t grip strong enough so I was losing my bike under me and my handling [left] me.” Maile did praise the layout of the course but noted the lack of cycling at the park left the course in its condition.

Final positions were Maile on the top step of the Women’s Category A podium, Magnuson in second, Amanda Seigle (Metromint Cycling) came home third, with Stace Cooper (The Bicycle Business) in fourth. After Liden’s win in Category A35+, Gregg followed in second, Trudy Bjornsen (Davis Bike Club) was third, with the unfortunate Elgart finishing fourth.

In the Category A Men’s Race, Cody Kaiser (California Giant Berry Farms) found himself in the second row after the call-up. Halfway into the first lap, however, the World Cup competitor had stamped his authority on the race. Kaiser easily stormed away from a strong field and went on to solo for the win, “It was fun. I had a really good time. Right from the start, I just rolled off the front and kept my pace. I tried to keep my lap times as consistent as possible.” Kaiser continued, “[The course was] really bumpy but I always tend to roll a bigger gear and [the bumps] didn’t seem to affect me too much.” Kaiser will next prepare for the World Cup in Koksijde, Belgium.

With Kaiser away early, the race appeared to be for second. However, Gannon Myall (CalGiant/Specialized) emerged with a sole lock on second. “After the stairs I was able to ride the turns a little faster than the other guys,” said Myall, “I put a little effort in with four to go, held that gap, and just built on it.” After this, Myall had no need to look over his shoulder and joked that the racers behind him were “too young and let the old guy go.”
The final battle in the race then went for third place. “After [Kaiser and Myall] rode off the front, I just had to play the race smart,” said Keith Hillier (Marco Pro-Strava), “As long as I was on their wheel I could come around them and I just had to be first coming through that last corner.” Hillier’s strategy paid off as he did come around the final corner ahead and held off Matt Obregon (Team Bicycles Plus/Sierra Nevada) for third. Obregon finished a close fourth with Collin Samaan (The Bicycle Business) coming home fifth. Full results from these and all races for Round 6 of the 2011 Sacramento Cyclocross Series are available at http://www.bicyclingevents.com/SacCx/Results.asp.