NOVEMBER CYCLOCROSS RACING

Northern California Cyclocross Hits Top Speed During November...

Enjoy The Ride!

This video below by Logan Kelsey shows Nor-Cal's best

doing their thing Cyclocross style. 

There are great races during the Cross season,

because there are so many great racers! 

Riders make the scene so awesome, and the promoters of

this region work hard to keep the dream alive for Nor-Cal's fastest.

Hard work & dedication leads to great racing.

The outstanding camera work of this video clearly shows the

speed and skill of our regions riders.

Please have a view.

Classic Cross events rule the month of November in Nor-Cal.

Saturday Nov. 3, is a must do instant classic where there are

"Big Cash Payouts" at the Lou Festival Night Race in Fresno.

Bring your lights and enjoy the rage!

The Sacramento Series hosts a stellar double-day

weekend of Cyclocross Nov. 3-4.

Lembi Park & Folsom Rodeo Grounds await...

Sunday Nov. 4 is another epic day of Cross in the Bay Area as

Stafford Lake takes the spotlight.

Murphy Mack & team are ready to bring on some fun!

Nov. 10 The Bay Area Super Prestige night race lights up the darkness at Sierra Point.  Combined with the Lou Festival night race the week before, Nor-Cal is incredibly lucky to

have 2 night races on calendar.

The Bay Area Super Prestige night time race is

instant classic status for sure!

Sunday, Nov. 11, is Fresno's Homegrown Series race #3.

The 3rd weekend in November brings on Saturday Nov. 17-

the epic adventure of the Santa Rosa Cup #2 at

Sonoma County Fairgrounds.  Instant Classic here!!

Sunday, Nov. 18, is another sweet Sacramento Series event taking place at Lange Twins Winery.

Super cool Surf City Series race #2 is also on Sunday Nov. 18.

Surf City #2 location is still in the works as of press time,

yet one thing you can count on... it is going to be fun!

Closing out November is the Bay Area Super Prestige event at

Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.

Another Nor-Cal Cyclocross Classic event!

Yes... November is the month of Cyclocross Classic's in the

NCNCA region.

Ride fast, and most of all keep it fun!

As for me, I am checking in, on the way to checking out.

I will be in one of these things in the photo below,

on my way to the other side of the planet.

Thank you to all the readers of this NCNCA CX Blog.

Over the past few Cross season's I have made

187 posts and had 210,000 unique page views. 

I am very thankful to everyone who appreciates my work.

I will return..

For Cross reports while I am gone try-

Fit & Filthy- 2012 NCNCA BAR RANKINGS

or

Nor-Cal Cycling News

For all kinds of race photos and videos go to-

NCNCA Racing Blog

Photo credits above- Jeff Namba, Garret Lau, CX Magazine.

SANTA ROSA - SURF CITY - FRESNO - SAGEBRUSH

Super Giant Weekend Of Cyclocross Racing Goes Off Under

Blue Sky, Sunshine, and Summer Like Temperatures.

SANTA ROSA CUP, SURF CITY SERIES,

FRESNO HOMEGROWN SERIES, SAGEBRUSH SERIES

ALL HOST AWESOME EVENTS!

SANTA ROSA CUP RESULTS HERE.

SURF CITY RESULTS HERE.

SAGEBRUSH SERIES RESULTS HERE.

HOMEGROWN SERIES RESULTS HERE.

WEEKEND PHOTOS HERE.

RACE CYCLOCROSS!

HALLOWEEN CYCLOCROSS

Nor-Cal Cyclocross Racing in October Closes With Awesome Racing In All Corners Of NCNCA Region..

Saturday- Santa Rosa Cup #1 & Sagebrush Series

Sunday- Surf City Series Halloween Extravaganza & Homegrown Series

RACE CYCLOCROSS

Happy Halloween!

Do not let the Holiday themed racing fool you... Cross racing is full speed this time of year!  Halloween Cyclocross is the time of season when riders are finding their sharpest form and dirt conditions are just becoming prime for premier Cross action. 

The Santa Rosa Cup #1 kicks off the racing weekend Saturday at A Place To Play Park in Santa Rosa.  Brian Staby & Carlos Perez- plus team, are sure to throw out a great day of Cyclocross for all.  Staby promises a fast race route where speed is gathered from power to the pedals.  The elevation changes of the course are not extreme by any manner, so riders need to have leg speed and strength to gain advantage over competitors.  Food, beer, cash prizes, and of course lots of fun awaits...  Santa Rosa Cup is going to be good!

Do check out a bikes view of the race course here.

Reno's Sagebrush Series has a double day session of racing planned for their group, with both Saturday & Sunday races going off!

Saturday's event takes place at Clayton Middle School & Sunday's action will be at Indian Hills Park in Carson City.

Full info on the Sagebrish Series can be found here.

Sunday is one of the BIG days of Cross racing for Nor-Cal with the greatest Halloween costume Cross race in America taking place at the Surf City Series.  This Halloween day of thrills, spills, chills, and hills takes place at the always fun & challenging Aptos High School course.  Over the years the Surf City Halloween extravaganza has developed into a true classic day of big time fun and Cyclocross shenanigans that cant be missed.  The Halloween costume race is crazy stuff and shows the great spirit Nor-Cal has for Cyclocross racing & keeping it all fun.

This is an event not to be missed!

Surf City Info Here.

The Surf City Halloween costume race is wild...

Get creative and get on board for coming up with some kind of original & super sick Halloween outfit to throw on for the fun costume ride.

Host Mary Perez has challenged all to do their very best in keeping this event the biggest and most rad Cross costume race in America.

All other regions of the USA look to Surf City for Halloween Cyclocross.. 

SO DRESS FOR THE OCCASION & RACE CYCLOCROSS!

Fresno's Homegrown Series race #1 takes place at Woodward Park on Sunday.  Woodward Park is such a excellent place to race Cross.  The fans do a great job of cheering the action & the racers do a great job of giving the fans something cheer about!

Homegrown Series Info Here.

RACE CYCLOCROSS!

RACE CYCLOCROSS



NCNCA CYCLOCROSS PHOTOS

Great to see Northern California Cyclocross racers venture down South and claim 3 places in the top 10 of the Men's Elite race- a UCI C2 status event part of the So-Cal Cyclocross Series.

Bicycle Blue Book/HRS/Rock Lobster sponsored racers Aaron Bradford &

Scott Chapin finished 10th and 7th place on Saturday near Los Angeles.

However it was young gun Tobin Ortenblad(Cal. Giant Inc./Specialized) who shined brightest with a victory in the U23 race and 3rd overall in Men's Elite!

Ride on Tobin...!

San Francisco's Elle Anderson(Ladies First Racing) also played a

 leading role in the racing down South. 

Anderson has proved to be one of the very best Women racer's in

America this year.  She was on the podium for the Elite Women,

3rd overall in Pomona at Spooky Cross!

Tobin Ortenblad is constantly showing himself to be the real deal for American Cyclocross.  Ortenblad follows in the footsteps of the many great Junior riders from Nor-Cal who have grooved their skill and honed their strength cutting their teeth at regional Cross races in Northern California.  Fun & extremely competitive local races turn out National talent, it is a simple equation!

High winds on Sunday made for great action at the BASP race at Candlestick Park.  Deep & dusty sand was not the only obstacle for racers! 

You know it is all in for the wind when the Candlestick park Sea Gull's are getting tossed around in the air as they fly like moths in a cyclone.  Mother nature always reeks havoc during Cross season, and the winds of change can at times lead to drama on course as was evident from BASP Candlestick 2012 version #2.

Style is important for Cyclocross! 

Not just a riding style, or style over the boards when you bunny hop...

Kit style is key to speed if you dare to race in cycle gear like the one featured in the photo below.

Very impressive I must say!

Gets my nod for one of the best looks on course when fighting for a high placing.

Photo below- Ticking time bomb...

BASP is known for $1 craziness.  If your not grabbing bills as you race, you are actually penalized a few seconds each lap from the chip timing system that is in place.  They have mini helicopter patrol above making sure that all riders are either taking beer feeds, or going for dollar bills when offered. 

Race Cyclocross!

One of the darn right coolest kits this year for Nor-Cal Cross has to be the one featured in the photo below...

Any race attire with the Lion of Flanders flag spread across the chest area in
huge size simply rocks!

Race Cyclocross!

Masters main man of the moment has to be

Justin Robinson(Cal. Giant Inc./Specialized)- pictured below.

Robinson has won his last 2 Masters 35+ A races- CCCX & BASP- both huge victories over groups that were loaded with talent.  Robinson is in a pattern of following up the Masters racing, with battling on in the Elite men's races later in the day.  Doubling up Robinson is earning podiums in those Elite races as well. 

 A true hard-man bicycle racer, Justin Robinson is a Nor-cal legend who appears to be very dedicated this season.  If Robinson can remain healthy his goal of another Masters National Championship for Cyclocross

will be very much within his reach...

Ride on Justin...!

Carolina Gomez-Villafane(Ibis/Buy-Cell.com) is another Nor-Cal racer who is on a roll!  Gomez-Villafane has just ripped off back to back race wins in the Women's "B" group, and is showing promise that maybe she can make that huge jump to Women's Elite racing.  The Northern California Elite Women are out of control quick, so Villafante will need to really up her game to get on the podium in that group.  But for best up & comer during the 2012 Cross season... the award has to go to Gomez-Villafane so far.

Photo below-  Carolina Gomez-Villafane already starts the trash talking as the "B" Women wait for call-ups.  Intimidation is part of her game and she uses her power of persuasion whenever fear is evident from her competitors...
Rumor has it that both Calletti & Ibis brands were seriously close to UFC Cyclocross as the trash talk heated up even hotter on the front row. 

These Ladies can seriously Race Cyclocross!

 Gigantic weekend of Cyclocross awaits Nor-Cal, as the Surf City Series Halloween Extravaganza leads the way..

The Surf City Halloween race has major tradition for pure thrills & fun for all racing Cross in classy costumes or serious cycling kit.

RACE CYCLOCROSS!

Also on tap for Nor-Cal Cross next weekend is race #1 of the Santa Rosa Cup on Saturday!

The Santa Rosa Cup #1 will go off at A PLACE TO PLAY PARK in Santa Rosa. 

This location is a fine spot for a Cyclocross throw down. 

The course will be quality from start to finish and will kick off the weekend racing to close out the month of October.

Wow, time flies when your having fun...

The 2012 Cross season is now in the thick of it!  The racing is heating up as temperatures cool down and rain begins to arrive.

Soon there will be mud??

RACE CYCLOCROSS!

The Fresno Homegrown Series & The Sagebrush Series will also be hosting very fun events this coming weekend.  If your not racing Cyclocross, you are missing out on some of the best fun to be had on two wheels. 

As well as a chance to test yourself against some of the best fields of racers America has to offer. 

Cross is King in Nor-Cal!

LION OF FAIRFAX & BASP SUCCESS

NOR-CAL CROSS IS NOW! 

2012 SEASON RIPPING ALONG...

 

 

LION OF FAIRFAX & BASP MAKE FOR

GREAT WEEKEND OF CROSS FOR BAY AREA.

 

 

Bay Area Super Prestige Results Here.

 

Big Weekend Race Photo Section Coming Monday!

Still Searching For Lion of Fairfax Results...

 

RACE CYCLOCROSS!

BIG BAY AREA CYCLOCROSS WEEKEND

It is going to be a great weekend of Cyclocross racing in the

Bay Area.

Saturday is one of the classic Nor-Cal events, the Lion of Fairfax!

Sunday is the Bay Area Super Prestige Race at Candlestick Park.

Have some time to spare and want to watch something super cool.
HERE...

RACE CYCLOCROSS!

Saturday's Lion of Fairfax will be unique in that the event will be hosted by Murphy Mack and Super Pro Racing.  Murphy's & team have taken the reigns of this year's Lion of Fairfax Benefit Cyclocross Race. Due to construction at White Hill Middle School, this years edition of the race will be relocated to Dan Foley Park in Vallejo.

This race is going to be sweet!

RACE INFO HERE.

AND HERE.

Sunday will be 2012's 2nd edition of Candlestick Park for the Bay Area Super Prestige Races.  The course will most likely be run in reverse direction then the previous edition.  Of course Tom & Alec Simpson and team will be changing things up in certain area's, like parking & start/finish zones.  Also Tom Simpson has guaranteed a few legitimate Viking racers from Norway.  Ex-professional roadies who want to get a taste of Nor-Cal Cyclocross and battle the locals as in the old days when Vikings would pilfer all in quest of dominance.

RACE INFO HERE.

VIKING INFO HERE.

This weekend's Cross proceedings will truly highlight what great diversity Nor-Cal has for pure Cyclocross action.  So much good times to be had!  Be sure and bring plenty of water and some sun-screen as the weather appears to be quite good on both

Saturday & Sunday.

Rain will arrive for the racing one day, just not this weekend!

Some good Northern California Cross Information can also be found here!

And of course always check Fit & Filthy!

RACE CYCLOCROSS

For a great collection of all the weekend racing photos please go to NCNCA RACING.

This is a great location on the world wide web to view photo streams and galleries from many different photographers of the awesome Nor-Cal Cyclocross scene.

Special thanks goes out to Steven Woo who put together some great shots from the past weekend's CCCX race at Manzanita Park in Prunedale here.

Yes I just wrote WOO WHO

The NCNCA Cross season is now in full swing, and certain individuals are making some big noise on the race circuit.

Many riders deserve praise, like Edwin Rambuski(Team Rambuski Law) for his fine victory in the Masters 55+ division at CCCX. 

 

Henry Kramer(Cal. Giant Inc./Specialized) for showing dedication to improving his bunny hop skills and putting them into action during recent races.  Kramer is a legit bad boy of Nor-Cal Cross... A rider who lives and breathes the sport!

Scott Chapin(Bicycle Blue Book/HRS/Rock Lobster) for being the only rider this season to stay with the undefeated AJM during an entire race and take the issue of who will win to the very final lap at Manzanita Park this past Sunday.

Photo Below- Tim Lydon(SJBC) is a story that clearly deserves some mention.  Lydon made a splash last season in the super competitive Masters 45+ division for NCNCA Cross.  Lydon put together numerous standout rides during the 2011 cross season, and this year things have progressed to the point of Lydon claiming multiple victories.  Lydon is a battler on course who digs extra deep when the sparks fly and tempers are needed to fuel the fight for the finish.  Going into last year not many of the fastest Masters racers had Tim Lydon on their radar of riders to mark and watch.

Now Lydon is very easy to spot, he was the guy standing on the top step of the podium last race, and will most likely be in a similar position as the race season unfolds.

Karen Brems(Team Rambuski Law) scored a big win this past Sunday on a similar track to what will be the 2012 State Championship Cross race.  Brems had been beaten down by Ellen Sherrill(Bicycle Blue Book/HRS/Rock Lobster) & Elle Anderson(Ladies First) during the first races of the season in Nor-Cal Cyclocross.  Yet this past Sunday Brems was on her "A" game, and hit out early and often with attacks on her way to victory.  Brems, who now appears to be on fine form, was the leading lady of Cross for NCNCA during the 2011 season.  

However another challenger to Brems is back in the ring, with the return of Kerry Barnholt-Bonar to race action regionally. 

Barnholt-Bonar has just returned from giving birth to a beautiful baby girl.  Yet training and cycling with her strong riding husband Aaron Bonar, should certainly allow Barnholt-Bonar to gain back the fighting edge quickly and her sharpness will return fast.  This only means more challengers for Brems and the other Elite Women of Nor-Cal cross.  Having a plethora of fast females on course continues to elevate the competition making all Elite Women come prepared or suffer the consequences.

Photo Below- Carolina Gomez-Villafane(Ibis/Buy-Cell.com) is starting to really show speed on course.  Her victory over the past weekend in the Women's B division was an example of hard work and dedication paying off.  Gomez-Villafane is the sister of last year's Junior State Champion Sophia Gomez-Villafane. 

Now Carolina is the sibling who is starting to show the finest form on course and her smooth and elegant riding style is refreshing to watch when on display.  So much of Cross racing is being smooth under pressure, and handling the obstacles on course with grace and confidence.  Carolina appears to be on the brink of excellence in her group, and will most likely continue to improve as one of the strong riders from Tim Cannard's Ibis/Buy-Cell.com stable.

Photo Below- Team Roaring Mouse's Beverly Chaney has quietly been improving each season over the past 5 years in NCNCA racing.  Chaney often competes at the highest level against Elite Women who are half her age.  Chaney races year round, taking part in MTB, Track, and Road events, besides the great sport of Cyclocross. 

Over the weekend Chaney's hard work and commitment to Cycle Sport paid off with a dominating ride in the Masters Women 35+ field at Manzanita Park.

It is always nice to see riders who work on their craft year after year get rewarded for the hours spent in the saddle pursuing their dreams of racing.  Chaney had a great ride on Sunday, and I am sure more fast finishes are lined up in her competitive future.

RACE CYCLOCROSS!

Practice makes perfect!  Always take time during the season to practice the unique and special Cyclocross moves that racers are faced with each event.  Starts, dismounts, carrying the bike, running with the bike, getting back on the bike at speed, setting up the finish move for placing...

Cyclocross has so much in play during races, it is very important for athletes to be prepared for all that is faced in each event.

Most of all, through the good and the bad, remember to always try and keep it fun!

 

And some more incredibly sweet shots from

Tim Westmore....