NorCal Cycling News – Cycling and Racing in Northern California

Snelling Road Race ~ are you ready for this?

Who knows what the weather will end up being for this Saturday’s mysteriously popular Snelling Road Race. There could be rain, there could be snow … hell, there could be frogs dropping from the sky, for all I know.  But, racers will show ~ and punish themselves by under-dressing against the chilled rain, or smothering all fashion sense with layers of uber-poof jackets and rubbermaid rain capes.

Snelling is a bit of Belgium-lite racing for us Norcal softies.  The race has windblown a few riders sideways on more than a few occassions, and pummeled many a carbonium frame into submission with well placed potholes and wheel seeking rocks strategically landmined. But mostly, it’s Belgy-like because Snelling is Norcal’s early season proving grounds for the hard riders … with speeds, distances, and aggression whipping the cream of the year’s crop to surface, giving all an early taste of what’s to come.

This year’s edition looks to have a strong chance of rain, but winds barely reaching the teens.  The 8am waves will have temps below freezing … which will likely reduce field sizes significantly.  But, with the pre-reg requirements now in full effect and providing cash in hand to the promoter, they won’t mind too much.

Which brings me to Bullshit Promoter Point #1: adding a $7 penalty for week-of ONLINE REGISTRATION.  From the race flyer, registeration:

On-line at www.sportsbaseonline.com, from January 11, 2011 7pm PST to February 20, 2011 for above fees plus on-line surcharge. From Feb 21-23 the fee on-line is $7 additional. No on-line entry after midnight PST Wednesday Feb 23.

Adding a $7 fee for registering online in the week before an event is ridiculous.  The deadline for reg is 3 days before the race … how much time does one need to print out the reg sheets and prepare?

The additional fee is crappier than the roadgrimed effluvium we’ll be wiping off our faces from those cowpattied country bumpkin roads.
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P1/2 … Yahoo deleted

The CalGiant Berries are fielding a 14-strong team for the Snelling RR.  Which brings me to Bullshit Promoter Point #2:  limit your team sizes to 10 per field, for f*cks sake.

Having more than 10 riders per team, per field is asking for trouble.  It negatively impacts more than just racing tactics – it also screws with the safety of a race, especially in a race buffeted by winds and diving through narrow sections of road.  If you’ve got 6 riders blocking the front end of a field, with 6 more attacking to form a break … chaos will ensue with other riders/teams jostling for position and advancement.  Honestly, I think 8 riders per team, per field should be the maximum for local races … but, getting a promoter to stop extorting a $7 week-of online reg fee is about as likely as getting them to stop sucking down race entry fees no matter if it inhibits the quality or safety of an event.

Now, I loves me some CalGiant – great team, great organization, great launching pad for young riders looking to make the commitment to the life.  But, until a promoter like Velopromo gets their eyes off their wallet, maybe we’ll need to police ourselves.

Speaking of policing ourselves … how about we don’t have another 30 rider mash-up in the first kilometer of Snelling this year?  Last year, under peaceful skies and relatively mild winds … a quarter of the field fell on themselves in the opening minute of the race when guys dove for wheels and fought for position when there was absolutely no need.

oi veh.

This year, with the CalGiant Armada in effect – of course, they will be dictating (but more importantly – SEEN to be dictating) the race’s tactics and speeds.  With the degenerative decline of the Yahoo’ligans in Norcal, there doesn’t appear to be a PRE-REG’d team big enough to force attention away from the Berries.

With Reaney, Mattis, and Moore – CalGiant has three of the most decorated, hardened battle veterans in the nation leading an already immensely strong team for the Snelling Road Race.  Hopefully the team will be classy about how they stack the breaks and let the other kids in the playground have a taste of the front end of things.

But look to their young phenoms to be out and ravenous for results … guys like John Bennett, the STAZ, Brandon Trafton, and Jared Barrilleaux will be hard to keep in the pack. And they don’t even have Evan Huffman registered …

Fremont Bank, McGuire Cycling, Metromint, Webcor, and the interesting Form Fitness squads will be among a handful of smaller teams and individuals fighting against the machine.  Legendary gladiator Eric Wohlberg will be again in the Form Fitness colors and should be worth a few berries out amongst the farmlands.

Last week’s Pine Flat and Cantua road races showed that the Marc Pro-Strava is a power stacked contingent and a squad to watch for 2011.  The races also showed that Sierra Pacific’s Vincent Owens and Joe Galloway will be heavy factors in any hardman’s event, as well.  It will be interesting to see if those riders, or the biggest sensation of the Norcal pre-season thus far, Logan Loader, will race at Snelling and throw their wildness into the mix.
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Women’s P1/2 … TIBCO emerges

The women’s field at Snelling will be lacking the taste of PeanutButter&Co, as they have a VIP event in Marin planned for Saturday.   The battle of the Norcal superteams will have to wait until the MERCO Stage Race.  But this weekened, the team to beat will be the TIBCO riders as they conclude their training camp for the 2011 season.

Last year the TIBCO team pulled a super-class move by splitting their squad into different jerseys and racing against each other in the women’s field.  I think it’s a safe bet they’ll do the same this year if they get more riders into the field.

The pre-reg lists show strong squads from Metromint, Webcor, Red Racing, and Fremont Bank for this Saturday’s race.  Fremont Bank has been the dominant squad in this pre-season, with Susannah Breen taking another 2 wins for the team at Cantua and Pine Flat.  But Snelling will be a bigger test for the all the regional women’s teams, and good indication of who will be prepared for the big show at MERCO the following week.

Another rider worth watching is the new transfer to the HDR/Lombardi squad, Ruth Winder.  Winder has shown growing form in her last year as a junior and has an instinctive ability to position herself well in the wind and for the attacks.  Look for a good punch from the Lafayette rider.
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Masters … old guys are boring, but they race asses off

The 35+ races thus far in Norcal have been heavy with Safeway riders at the top end of things.  Jon Eropkin took Pine Flat over the weekend, with Dan Martin notching a victory for the team at Cantua, as well.   They will have their hands full with a very strong and coordinated Thirsty Bear squad in effect for Snelling, however.

Fielding similarly strong teams will be Sacto area squads from FolsomBikes/Mercedes and Rocknasium.  And the Simple Green/Bike Religion squad from SoCal should not be underestimated.

The 45+ fields can add to those teams riders from Davis Bike Club, Webcor/Alto Velo, Wells Fargo, and Morgan Stanley.

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Dress warm, ride safe, see you out there.

In a masterful piece of blogging last year Hernando provided both tips and a critique of the first major NorCal SPRING CLASSIC Snelling Road Race. Check it out….

Snelling Road Race … where all the kids play
With well over a thousand participants already registered for this event, there are some pretty significant issues of logistics that surround a race like Snelling, and they’re worth talking about and sharing. So please feel free to add your own thoughts in the comments section and spread this discussion around to your club & teammates.

Originally posted on February 25th 2010 READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Norcal emigree, and TIBCO professional, Megan Guarnier is blossoming into one of the highest profile riders in the American peloton. A powerful bike handler, one with an insatiable desire for pain (inflicted on self or others), and a rider who’s race intelligence continues to be refined by international competition ~ Guarnier is a huge prospect for the coming years.

Megan has shown an ability to light up any type of race with her all-around’er strengths and fearless racing style. In her 2nd year under TIBCO tutelage, she’s also learning the ropes and responsibilities of being on a 1st tier professional team.

Norcalcyclingnews caught up with Guarnier after her trip to the UCI-opening Tour of Qatar, and she shares her thoughts on the race, what’s up for 2011, and the difficulties of having a boyfriend who has more flamboyant footwear than you.
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Norcalcyclingnews:
Last year you took some big wins (Green Mountain, TdNez, Mt. Hamilton) – how do you measure 2010 in regards to your overall development as a pro cyclist? What will you aim for in 2011?

MEGA:
I feel as though last year was a great step in my progress and growth as a professional. I’m starting to see results from my hard work in training and racing. Team TIBCO gave me an awesome opportunity in 2010 to grow and develop. Fortunately, Linda saw the investment pay off and offered me a spot for 2011. My goal is to continue my upward progression and build on Team TIBCO success in 2010.
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Norcalcyclingnews:
You were recently at the UCI Tour of Qatar with the American National Team … tell us, who among your teammates was most likely to where a burka and why?

MEGA:
Jackson Stewart. He was trying hard to blend in as much as he could with 6 American women.

.Norcalcyclingnews:
With the growing talent pool in American women’s cycling, getting on the National team must be difficult. Could you tell us how that came about for you in this year’s Qatar? Any future events with the team scheduled?

MEGA:
Jim Miller and I had a conversation in the Fall of 2010 about where I’d like to take my cycling career. In that conversation he mentioned he had an opening for Qatar and that it was mine if Team TIBCO/To the Top wasn’t planning on going. TIBCO didn’t send a team, so I took the spot on the National Team.

I only know that I’m going to Europe to race for Team TIBCO/To the Top in the Spring Classics, races like Flanders and Fleche-Wallone. I’m not sure what the schedule looks like much beyond that.

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Norcalcyclingnews:
We heard that there were some decent crashups at Qatar this year, any details on how that went down?

MEGA:
The crashes were typical racing mis-haps: riders trying to fit through gaps that weren’t there. It was the first race of the season, wide roads, massive winds, high speeds and unfortunately Team USA had some tough crashes. Thankfully, now we are all home and healing.
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Norcalcyclingnews:
Speaking of crashes, and considering riders like Jens Voigt taking a strong stance, what are your thoughts on the use of race radios? Are you in favor of the ban? Against?

MEGA:
Definitely for the use of race radios. We all know that they are useful as far as race tactics go, however, what often gets looked over is that they are invaluable tools when it comes to crashes, mechanicals, and upcoming hazards. I understand the biggest issue challenging the use of race radios is being spoon fed race tactics, however, name another sport where the athletes aren’t allowed to talk to their coaches during competition? (Don’t try to say swimming! I was a swimmer and knew exactly what my coach was asking of me on the sidelines.) Last year there were numerous times where we were lacking key race information from the officials. The ban of radios has put much more responsibility on the race commissaire and officials to provide crucial information to racers beyond just officiating the race.
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Norcalcyclingnews:
You’ve been viewed as one of the toughest, hard as nails competitors on the scene today. How does that impact your romantic relationship with one of Norcal’s more astonishingly metro-sexual men?

MEGA:
It’s a good balance; he really brings out my feminine side. Just don’t think that makes me soft on the bike.
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Norcalcyclingnews:
Speaking of people who haven’t gone soft, many of us have seen TIBCO owner Linda Jackson glaring at riders from the sidelines like Vince Lombardi on estrogen … is she as intimidating to ride for as she appears?

MEGA:
Didn’t you just call me ‘tough as nails’? How could I be intimidated?

Seriously though, no – she isn’t intimidating because her passion is simply her desire to see us succeed. Linda invests a lot of heart, emotion, and energy into the team and into the sport of women’s cycling. She is an amazing woman and I am proud to ride for her.
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Norcalcyclingnews:
Let’s talk about women’s cycling in general – you’ve raced some of the hardest events in Europe, been around much of the US NRC scene … what do you consider the state of women’s cycling? Are there things we, as fans, could be more vocal about supporting?

MEGA:
I think the level of women’s racing is rising here in the US. More women have been racing in Europe and they come back to the US and noticeably raise the bar. Cycling in Europe is like football here in America; it is much more popular (with athletes and fans), and women start at a much younger age. When American women go to Europe to race, we have to step up our game in order to compete. This translates to faster, more aggressive racing in the US.

What can the fans do? More coverage, more talk, more blogs like norcalcyclingnews.com. The enthusiasm is there we just need to get the media behind us. Cycling, in general, gets very little airtime in the US and women’s cycling gets a fraction of that allotted coverage. The Tour de Nez women’s races received some coverage during the Tour de France on Versus last year (this was huge!). We need more of that. We need the fans to demand more of that. Whether it’s coverage for road, cyclocross, mountain bikes, or track we need the media to know that people want to and will watch cycling. The money will go where the media coverage is. More hype, more coverage will ultimately result in a higher level of women’s racing.

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Thanks to Megan Guarnier for the interview, and best wishes from the Norcalcyclingnews crew on her continued happy riding and growing success.

So my NorCal friends… i feel our twitter experiment is about to take off. I got a few bites and here they are. Sure they are raw and not packed with detail but it’s a start until folks start calling me (DM me on twitter and I we can set that up!) In reverse-time-order…

Evan Huffman
wins and I came in 4th #dinuba #nccn

Brandon Trafton
#pineflat pro 1/2 results.

Frank Spiteri
went 2-4-6-7-9 at #pineflat road race today!#nccn

BBC Racing

Terence places 3rd at Cantua and overcomes mechanics placing 11th at Pine Flat. #ncnca:http://berkeleybike.org/?p=425

Granted that last one might have been tweeting before our twitter request but maybe not. We have some work to do on narative like… “Who, What, How”… but i think these folks get it. Huge thanks to Evan, Frank, Brandon, and the BBC team for getting the Twitter coverage started. I’m out for a few days but will try to get a quick post up if Hernado doesn’t chime in first.

Here is the original request..which i have hence corrected to ensure that the hashtags work… as designed by Twitter-Monster

Tag Race Info in Twitter

Here is the real use for twitter, real time race coverage and results. Eventually we’ll have some t-shirts and schwag to give out for folks tagging race info in twitter. What does this mean? If you send an update to twitter and include a hashtag, which means the # symbol, it makes it easier to find info. So.. if you are at the Beat The Clock TT, and you send an update to twitter like

“Crappy day to TT! Rain, Sleet, and Snow. Still got under 22 mins. #btc #nccn”

we can all find the race a little easier. Below are some suggestions for tags to use.

• #[racename - no spaces] – ex. #cherrypie (make all one word)
• #nccn
• #ncnca
• #norcal
• #norcalrr

The weather this weekend was rather epic with rain, hail, cold, etc blowing in from Oregon, Canada, or some such place that most of us don’t really want to end up after we pass. Here are a couple of quick hits from the results pages.

Beat The Clock – results
* Weather played a big role in this Peninsula series as riders decided to stay in their beds, and got hammered by intermittent shows and cold air pushing over from the Pacific. Mostly the BTC is re-known for inventing the “Merckx TT” division but it’s also a warm up event for most of the big TT’s. Times were a lot slower than normal but some interesting performances popped up none-the-less. Photos by Allan Amrstrong

* Beth Newell put in a surprising ride to put herself almost 50 seconds ahead of local time trial aces and VOS winner Van Houweling. The conditions have to be a shock for Van Houweling fresh off big ride out in sunny weather, but no matter how you look at it it’s a big ride by Newell, who apparently is setting herself up as an all-a-rounder like other former Hellyer-ite sprinter Shelley Olds.

* Apparently it was a household affair as Hernando snuck in ahead of BTC main stay, John Ford. There are a few nice pics of Hernando on a TT rig. He may be serious again, and a racer to but, but remember…i’m the funny one.

Cantuna Creek
* Velo Promo is getting really efficient with their results posting. If this keeps up then we might be able to retire. I suppose the color commentary is always welcome.

Susannah Breen continued Fremont Bank’s early season domination with a win at Cantuna. She added a win at Cantuna to a growing list of road race and time trial palmares. Rookie Webcor rider Holly Liske, still a Cat 3, came in second showing her Wisconsin accent, love of inclement weather, and mountain bike past are going to make her a rider to watch this year.

* Eric Wholberg showed up in Form Fitness colors to show the locals that “The Wolverine” still has some bite. I have a small book of Wholberg quotes i hear from people. If anyone heard some good ones during the race let me know. I try them out on my friends when i want to sound tough.