NorCal Cycling News – Cycling and Racing in Northern California

Annie Fulton may not be leading the Cal Cup series but she’s sucking up points by winning all the hard case races.  So far she’s managed to rack up wins at both Patterson Pass and University by breaking the legs of the competition.  Her recent win’s show a depth of talent and relationship with pain that has taken time and resolve to develop.   Much like her main Cal Cup rival, Jane Despas, Fulton is focused on trying to build her career out side of cycling and managing to race at a high level.  We caught up with her after University to get some insight into her approach.

Give us  a quick recap of your high school and college athletic background.

You know how most little kids take a gymnastics class and learn how to walk on the beam and jump on the trampoline?  Well, I took those classes and just didn’t stopped for 14 years.

Makes sense – you kind of have that tiny pixie climber thing going.

Gymnasts are short. and all around, very muscular.  No velociraptor arms here!

Did you have an event your event ?

There is a common misconception that gymnasts have an “event” – I competed all-around.  Though, I usually scored well on floor and vault.

Where did you peak in your gymnastics career?

I would say the best result I got was placing 3rd on beam at zones (this would be somewhat equivalent to districts in cycling)

You grew up in the area but didn’t start cycling until you got back from college – how did that start?

My dad got me a road bike when I was in college so he could take me along on his summer cycling adventures with his buddies in Europe.  I road a bit while at school, but 6 months of snow a year meant that I got in almost all of my riding time in the summer and while touring.

Riding with a bunch of old guys in a beautiful setting sounds like the Stahl Ride [A famous weekly ride run by Peninsula legend Dave Stahl through the Santa Cruz Mountains] Did you end up riding with your dad in europe?

Haha – you have a point.  My dad passed away three years ago, just a few days after we completed a tour in the Dolomites.  Perhaps the Stahl ride is my favorite because it makes me nostalgic for all those miles spent with my dad when we just rode for the fun of it.

You have managed to become one of the top NorCal women racers and start building a career as a much sought after web developer at the same time – how do you balance the two?

You have to love both cycling and your career to make it work.  Also set realistic expectations for yourself.  I honestly feel like I could have been a better racer or progressed further in my career if I had just focused on one.

Now that you have some semblance of a formula down what do you see as your biggest achievement to date?

While winning Patterson Pass was gratifying, I have to say my favorite moment in cycling was not a race but being invited to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.  It was so amazing to share the facilities with some of the best athletes in the world.

What kind of activities did they have you do at the OTC?

Besides a couple fitness tests, they were really testing our bike handling and grace under fire.  One ride involved riding in pitch-black tunnels on dirt roads.  Another time we were placed in a small area and told to knock off riders until there was one rider remaining!

Did you meet any athletes that inspired you while you were there?

This may sound funny, but Rulon Gardner. [ed note. 2000 Greco Roman Wrestling Gold Medalist and Biggest Loser Contestant] I saw him at the OTC and have been totally inspired by him since.  I relate to Rulon because he is an emotional athlete who goes through many ups and downs, but is always a fierce competitor.

After being exiled to Maine for several years can you attest to how much better the NorCal lifestyle is to east coast living?

I mean, it is nice to not have Wal-Mart be “the thing to do” in town…..

Heh…. and what is your favorite NorCal race?

I’m going to have to go with Pescadero RR.  It’s beautiful, climby, and involves eating garlic artichoke bread afterwards!

Speaking of NorCal races, you always do well in CalCup – what about those races fit your racing style?

I love long epic bike rides.  What is more epic that 4+ hour races in 100 degree heat, gnarly winds, and lots of climbing?  Only the dinner I eat afterwards.

What is the one thing that dinner has to have in it?

There is nothing I crave more after a tough race than a burrito.

You are extremely to the point.  I chalk that up to your time going to college (Bates) in a state (Maine) that would be better annexed by Canada.  On that note…Who talks funnier Canadians, Australians, or the fish-heads from Maine?

Maineiacs.  Who else eats lawbstah with buttah for suppah?

I had a long question about goals, philosophy, and your approach, but in the end… where do you want cycling will take you?

That is a tough one.  I have found myself unwilling to give up my career, so I’d like to take racing as far as I can while working full-time.   Cycling has given me many things, but in general I would say racing has given my life a focus which has been very helpful while dealing with my dad’s death and the confusion of post-school life.

Check back soon for an interview with Cal Cup men’s bad ass Evan Huffman.

 

 

People are getting into the spirit of this years Cal Cup.   First off we got a first class update on the women’s race from “Happy” who sent a quick report through the comments section.

San Ardo Women

Well San Ardo w 1/2/3 race had a strong showing of RED Racing. Its great to see some many people excited to race in August. Where is everyone else?!?! It started with a monster attack from Trish Black (RED Racing) who found herself off the front for about 30 miles. Jane Despas and April Hamlin did a lot of the chasing to bring her back. Once she was caught RED launched more attacks and a counter got Christine Riker away through the last lap. Christine stayed away for the win since the field was tired of working to bring people back. Into the finish Michelle Melka (RED Racing) sprinted first to the line followed closely by Rikke Preisler (metromint), Mary Maroon (webcor) and Jane Despas (yahoo).

Red Racing just worked everyone over with superior numbers till they cracked. They brought a gun to a knife fight and decided to use it, good for them!  Gotta deploy the nukes at some point right?  Red has had a good second half of the year so hopefully they carry that momentum into 2012.

Cal Cup Standings
Trying to figure out the standings for Cal cup probably requires access to Stonehenge and the ancient knowledge of the Druids but everybody likes to give it a shot. “Happy” piped in with their best guess which looks pretty close except I would put Annie Fulton in second or third after her win at University.

W1/2/3 cal cup calculator. these are not official because there are no official cal cup results. but…from my math after san ardo here’s the list. Mary Maroon (webcor) takes over the 3rd spot

Jane Despas (yahoo)- 63
Michelle Melka (RED Racing) – 46
Mary Maroon (webcor) – 38
Jane Robertson (metromint) – 26
Christine Riker (RED Racing) – 26
Anna Barnesfeld (missing link) – 22

I’m gonna find me a little Stonehenge so I can get more accurate calculations!

 

Back to back road races is a tough weekend for any rider but with San Ardo RR and University RR on tap this last weekend NorCal riders had their work cut out for them.  Usually the biggest hazards of these races are the King City cops (San Ardo), and the coastal fog (University) but the dominators of the Cal Cup series emerged in earnest to lay down the law and let the pack know who is in charge.   provided some live coverage, color commentary, and results after the races so better log in to Twitter and look her up for the play by play.

Men

Evan Huffman dominated the weekend with win’s at both races.  Cal Giant posted a prompt article on their site if you want to get the blow by blow from what might be the best team in NorCal. Huffman won both races by making a small selection of riders and using a combination of both strength and brains walked away with the equivalent of Cal Cup black jack.  Huffman followed the right attack at San Ardo and then solo’d away from his break companion for the win.  Huffman was unable to loose his University break-mate, our old friend The Fireman -Justin Rossi, and had to play the long game in order to out smart The Fireman in a sprint finish. Huffman has been on fire the last two months after placing well at Cascade, so the next few Cal Cup races should produce some serious fireworks.

Women

I no not have an update on San Ardo women’s race yet, looks like another Metromint win though the USA Cycling results show that Red Racing threw down with a full seven rider squad and put Christine Riker on the top step.  Until I did up details you will have to satisfy yourself with a first hand account on the University RR from Annie Fulton, who won this leg buster with a long, hour plus, effort off of the front.

My teammates and I started attacking from the first climb. Rikke got away for a few laps, and I counterattacked when she was reeled in on lap 5. A British rider from Stanford tried to come with me but couldn’t stay on my wheel during the climbs, so I decided the next lap to go on without her. I put in a few hard laps, but throttled back a bit when I heard that I had 3 min on the field and growing.   I ended up finishing over 5 min ahead of the field.

Fulton has developed into a tough little rider over the last few years showing her metal in the late season, hard and hilly, NorCal races.  Despite having a full complement of riders Webcor failed to reel her in, and Cal Cup favorites Jane Despas (Yahoo) and Susannah Breen (Fremont Bank) also came up short against the Fulton Freight Train

 

Of course I still have no idea on Cal Cup standings but by his own reckoning Evan Huffman is in the lead in the Men’s Category and I assume Jane Despas and Annie Fulton are going head to head in the women’s Category.

 

 

Hellyer was hopping tonight as the NorCal Elite Championships raged under the purple sky and watchful eyes of Hellyer’s resident coyote community.

Women

Hannan Alves-Hyde jumped early in the Keirin and was able to take a convincing win over Beth Newell (Team Bell Lap.)  Newell took her revenge in the both the Scratch and Points race which she won over Alves-Hyde (2nd) and Jane Wolcott (3rd.)

Men

Sam Milroy (LTO) destroyed the competition in the Keirin and skipped out before I could get a video interview.  I do have his finish somewhere on tape so I will get that up before the weekend ends.  Steve Pelaez (Team Bell Lap) took the Scratch race and Rob Evans (AKA Hooptie – he rides for McGuire) was able to cap off the night with a big win in a hard fought and exciting Points race.

Cal Cup

Tomorrow the Cal Cup adventure continues with the fat guy favorite San Ardo Road Race, and the shit really hits the fan in Santa Cruz on Sunday when the University Road Race gets underway.  In the man time I received an awesome comment from Evan Huffman, the dude has future as a writer, giving some details on how Cal Cup is shaping up on the men’s side.  Check it out below…

Patterson Pass was won by Stephen Leece(NOW MS) ahead of Nate Wilson(Cal Giant). The two got away on the second lap and were left out there to fight amongst themselves for the victory. At some point they caught and passed Yury Yurchanka(McGuire) who was part of the early break, but he was able to hang on for third. I attacked out of an elite chase group to take 4th ahead of Keith Hillier and Nate English. English attacked on the 3rd lap, but the headwind on the main climb was too much for him to drag me all the way across to the leaders. Full results: http://www.usacycling.org/results/?permit=2011-1792

Dunnigan Hills RR was won by Collin Samaan out of a 5-rider break that went late on the last lap. I took the sprint for 6th out of a 3-rider chase and LaBerge senior took the field sprint for 9th. It was kind of a hectic finish with the new run-in and we passed a women’s field within the last few K’s. Full results:http://www.usacycling.org/results/?permit=2011-2665

Can’t find official Cal-Cup standings anywhere, but by my calculations it’s Yury Yurchanka with 38 points, me (Evan Huffman) with 37 points, and Nate Wilson with 34 points. Nathan is going back to Colorado to start school on Saturday so won’t factor in to the overall.

Thanks Evan!