NorCal Cycling News – Cycling and Racing in Northern California

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.

Big time cross, or a big time freak show, will be hitting the Bay Area this year with the SSCXWC taking over Golden Gate Park in November.  While it should be a great event I find single speed CX endeavors stressful. Unlike the track where you can buy a cheap bike and then ride one of several gearing options, which experts will lecture you on ad nauseum, single speed cross is more black art than science.  Every year I spend countless hours trying to figure out how to configure my bike.  There are so many choices its worse than picking a healthcare plan.  Take my opinions with a grain of salt, and check out the resources listed below for more informed opinions.

The easy way out

First of all just buy a bike. Getting a factory spec is the easiest way out, especially on the gearing issue, since you don’t have to think and they are not ridiculously expensive.  I even saw one on steepandcheap.com for $600 at one point in the summer.  Felt and Kona both have factory specs that are under $1000.  If you want to be cool then go for a Surly, since they have perfected the art, and if you want to support local, check out the Swobo Crosby.

Gearing

The biggest question is always around gearing. First of all, don’t even think about setting your bike up as fixed.  That would just be insane, stupid, and will likely tear your ACL.  To dial in your drive train you have to figure out the perfect gear inch ratio which will require a little calculating, so math skills, or comfort with numbers is helpful.  There are  online calculators but if you are a real denizen of the art you will use a slide rule to figure out your chain ring/cog ratio, based on your tire & wheel size.  Riding style and course types will have a big impact on which direction you go.  Most Norcal riders seem to be in the 60-68 gear inch range.  We don’t have a ton of hills or mud so stay out of the 50′s unless you have chicken legs.  CX Magazines Andrew Yee recommends 62″ gear inches, I opt for 64′, which is why i beat him all the time. (BAM take that andrew!) I swear I’ve seen some of the big boys using stuff in the 70s”, but that sounds kinda hard.

- Gear Inch Calculator:  http://www.bikecalc.com/gear_inches

- Black Dog Gear Calculator iPhone App

Online Resources

It used to be impossible to find anything out side of one or two articles.  Knowledge was more closely guarded than the secret gear combos’s that track riders use.  That seems to be changing as cyclocross grows and single speeding has become a more acceptable practice off road.  These days CX Magazine is the go to source when I need to re-aquaint myself on single speed issues, with a few Sheldon Brown pieces to make sure I don’t royally screw something up..

CX Magazine Forum

I have found this to be the best resources since there is a wide range of opinions, and folks are friendly when answering questions.  Don’t start a new thread, just find the major one and jump in.

CX Magazine Forum

http://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/group/singlespeed/forum/topics/1198434:Topic:13093?commentId=1198434%3AComment%3A14577&groupId=1198434%3AGroup%3A12573

The CX Magazines Holy Bible on Single Speed Set Up

CX Magazine put out a ‘How To” article that is pretty comprehensive.  It’s focused mostly on the conversion process but worth checking out as a starting place.

How To Article  http://www.cxmagazine.com/how-to-convert-your-bike-to-singlespeed

The Tech Guru: Sheldon Brown

Brown may have passed away but his encyclopedic, and arcane, knowledge of parts, technology, and compatibility comes in pretty handy at all points during the set up process.

Sheldon Brown on Single Speed Set Ups http://sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html

The First Article on SS CX Ever: Tarik Saleh on Single Speed Cross

This is like the old testament.  Its an old classic and for years was the only resource i could consistently find on the topic.  The info seems a little antiquated now but it is one of the original sources for single speed info so it’s a good starting point.

Tarik Saleh on Single Speed Set Ups http://sheldonbrown.com/singlecross.html

 

If you have any other notes or resources shoot them over.  I’m sure there are a few single speed hopefuls that need to get their rig’s dialed in before the weekend.

 

Kind of like boxing’s Marquess of Queensberry Rules, but more about making sure nobody gets arrested.

1. No touching riders actively racing

2. No throwing, spitting, or discharging objects from a device at riders.  Even if you know them.

3. Heckling insults should rely on wit rather than obscenity, replies will reflect the original statement.

4. Foul language is permitted as long as there are no children within an acceptable distance. Acceptable distance will be defined as the length of the biggest hill in the race since it is a well known fact that sound travels down hill.

5. Hand ups are permitted as long as a person’s body remains behind the course tape

6. Acceptable handups include: Beer in cans, paper money in denominations of $1 and higher, pizza or other awesome type of food like donuts, beer in plastic cups.

7. Unacceptable handups include: Beer in bottles, canadian paper money, slimy food like baloney, and weather inappropriate items such as Hot Chocolate on a hot day.

8. Spraying riders with beer or other liquid is acceptable only if the promoter has designated a portion of the course as a “spray zone.”

9. Heckling shall be confined to portions of the course a rider is most likely to wipe out and suffer further humiliation.

10. Acceptable Locations include run ups, steep inclines, difficult barriers, mud pits, sand pits, or high speed down hill turns.

11. A rider hopelessly out of contention and suffering shall be heckled excessively, and offered double beer, but no cash.

12. Costumed hecklers will be given priority placement along the course tape.

13. Excessively drunk obnoxious hecklers will leave the venue upon first request.

14. Heckling requires a minimum group of three persons.  A group of less than three hecklers will be considered lame losers and risk being heckled by riders for their lamosity. Solo hecklers armed with megaphones shall not require teams. This is applicable to and shall include all foreigners, and even Canadians (THE ALTI AMENDMENT)

15. Priority heckling position will be given to those with voice or noise amplifying instruments such as air horns or electronically powered megaphones.

16. The Stevil Compromise: Onsite amendments are deferred to Stevil or other riders called Stevie.  To learn more about Stevil go to to allhailtheblackmarket.com.  He will most likely approve or deny anything, he hates rules but loves loud and drunk.

17. Unicorn Rule: All rules are null and void if a unicorn with a rainbow tail shows up.  (THE INNES TANAKA COMPROMISE)

18. Foreigner Rule: All foreigners are exempt from rules because “they just do not understand.” (THE YUKIE/JONO APPEASEMENT)

 

 

BASP Sierra Point Night Race and Other NorCal CX Action

BASP Sierra Point CX was customarily cool with a lively tent city and even livelier HecklerGate up in the dirt jumps area.  Apparently several hecklers from the road scene ran afoul of the NorCal CX Code of ethics with their animated and somewhat alarming actions.  While all in good fun I suppose it’s time to create a NorCal CX Heckling Rules list so that we don’t get shut down like one of our old leader’s, the now retired Josh Snead, Occupy protests.   The event was dominated by the usual suspects, Rock Lobster’s Aaron Bradford, and Rambuski Law’s Karen Brems, who won the respective events.  Again full coverage can be found NCNCA CX site run by the Shakespearian Dusty Downs. Prize for single best photo goes to Ted Ketai who nailed runner up Scotty Chapin who did his bit to rock HecklerGate with some serious air time.

Off the Back Photo

Part time racer, ever present photographer, and full time freak, Rob Evans showed up with his artist hat on at Sierra Point and captured some wicked shots. If you are not on Facebook this is as good of a reason as you are ever going to get to check out some cool shots of NorCal night racing.  

Slonie/SupCat/CX Comic started taking aim at the Tumblr blog who were both lifting photos without credit, much like i have lifted above, and taking a good run at the Pucci inspired Sheila Moon kits.  It’s actually a pretty funny site, and worth checking out.  At least he hasn’t gotten all self righteous like the the aging  Slonie will be providing me with full daily, life coverage from the Single Speed World Championships next week… right Slonie?

The Big “Freak” Show

It’s not going to get much better than this.  I cannot think of a town more equipped to deal with The Single Speed World Cyclocross Championships, than San Francisco.  It’s the birth place of all things freaky cool…. Pride Parade, Folsom Street Fair, Grateful Dead, you name it if it’s about dressing up, having fun, and being awesome it probably started in SF.  For a full list of events check out the website at http://www.sscxwc2011.com

 

 

 

Sierra Point CX Tomorrow – Best Night Race Ever

Okay… i love night races.  Sierra Point is awesome for spectators and racers alike.  With the rain creating some true cross conditions the racing under the lights should be epic.  I encourage everybody to wear as many lights and as much sparkly clothing as you can cobble together.  This is cyclcocross after all.  I’m hoping my favorite Twitter correspondent, , will be present to provide race updates, heckle your pants off, and offer you her speciality, corn dog handups.  I’m hoping NorCal will embrace the style needed for Sierra Point and SSCXWC the way Liberace embraced his mother and diamond studded piano robes… with both arms in a big bear hug.

Single Speed World Championships

The big CX Freak show is coming to SF! Communique on the race happenings went out today, read it below

Schedule updates and new information available on event website ; Rally cry for women to meet 100-field limit challenge for first-ever all-women’s championship event

San Francisco, CA – November 11, 2011 – Organizers for the 2011 Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships today announced new details for the three-day event, being held in San Francisco on November 18-20. The schedule for events during the championship weekend is now updated on the event website (www.sscxwc2011.com),which provides additional information on timing and logistics for all activities as well as an FAQ.

“We’ve got a full three days of activities mapped, planned and timed, in a singlespeed cyclocross kind of way,” said Murphy Mack, race co-promoter. “While the men’s championship field is sold out, we’re still welcoming women to the first-ever all-women’s championship race with open arms, and yes, ladies, you can race a singlespeed mountain bike. For all racers, if singlespeed isn’t your cup of tea and you still want in on the action, we have geared races on Sunday as well. Also, don’t forget to hit up our online store for cool schwag – you don’t want to wait until the race to commemorate your hella good time, because when it’s gone, it’s gone.”
Activities for the three-day affair are as follows:

1. Friday, November 18 – Ride, Kick-off Party and Registration Packet PickupThe weekend’s events kick-off on Friday, November 18, with a cyclocross ride in the East Bay hills. Starting at 1:30pm, the ride starts and ends at Sheila Moon Athletic Apparel headquarters in Emeryville (5900 Hollis St, Unit T-2) and will split into two groups to accommodate hammerheads as well as flower-smellers. For public transportation options and specific directions to the ride start, please visit the SSCXWC blog post: http://bit.ly/sAP58W.

Beginning at 6:00pm on Friday, organizers are hosting the event kick-off party, also at Sheila Moon Athletic Apparel headquarters, with gourmet taco bar, NUUN-sponsored cocktail beverages and New Belgium beers on-tap. Entrance to the kick-off party is free and is open to participants, volunteers, race affiliates and their guests. Food tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door and can be purchased through the SSCXWC store: http://www.sscxwc2011.com/store/.

Registration packet pick-up also begins at 6pm on Friday at Sheila Moon Athletic Apparel headquarters and ends at 9:30pm. Racers who are unable to pick up their registration information packets prior to 9:30pm on Friday evening will be able to retrieve packets from Mojo Bicycle Café in San Francisco (639-A Divisadero Street: http://g.co/maps/4c5a2) from 10:30pm to 1:00am, as well as on Saturday from 8:30am to 5:00pm.

2. Saturday, November 19 – Qualifiers and Blow-out PartySaturday, November 19, both men and women racers will be subjected to the SSCXWC qualifying event, which will include a ride to some of San Francisco’s most notable landmarks and a series of Five Feats of Strength. Staging for the qualifying event will begin at 8:30am at Mojo Bicycle Café (639-A Divisadero Street, http://g.co/maps/4c5a2), where flights of riders will leave every 10 minutes. Start times for flights will be provided to riders via email prior to Saturday, included in registration packets as well as published in a blog post next week.

Saturday evening, SSCXWC 2011 organizers will host a no-holds barred pre-race party, where remaining qualifying positions for Sunday’s championship race will be determined by a special Sixth Feat of Strength. The party is from 7:00pm to 11:00pm; announcements to reveal Sunday’s qualifying racers and the Sixth Feat of Strength will take place between 8:00-11:00pm. The party is located at Sports Basement on Bryant Street (1590 Bryant Street:http://g.co/maps/ucyhz) and is open to participants, volunteers, race affiliates and their guests.

3. Sunday, November 20 – Championship Races and Send-off PartyChampionship activities culminate on Sunday, November 20, with racing in the Metson Lake area of Golden Gate Park (http://g.co/maps/gqj8w) starting at 9:00am. With the start/finish line located on Middle Drive, racers will battle it out to determine which man and which woman will be crowned the next Singlespeed Cyclocross World Champion. An updated schedule of races for Sunday can be found online at http://www.sscxwc2011.com/race-info/.

Following Sunday’s races, participants and spectators alike will be heading to Buckshot Bar (3848 Geary Street: http://g.co/maps/evtps) to try their hand at skeeball, Buck Hunter or pool and to graze on chicken-fried bacon while snapping pictures in the photo booth. Buckshot Bar is an easy 10-minute bike ride from Golden Gate Park; bicycle racers and participants will be treated to a bike valet watching over their wheels while they are inside reliving the weekend’s shenanigans.

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