Friday, September 20, 2013

CCCX SERIES & SACRAMENTO SERIES THIS SATURDAY SEPT. 21

Racing rocks on this weekend for NCNCA Cyclocross with 2 great venues for Nor-Cal racers....



Saturday near Monterey is the classic CSUMB course for the CCCX Cyclocross Series.  
The CSUMB is one of a kind for Cyclocross in Nor-Cal and a true gem.  Featuring some amazing trails and roads, plus one long downhill beach section that makes the route super for Cross.


Also Saturday near Vacaville at Lagoon Valley is the Sacramento Series.  The Lagoon Valley course is fast, wide open and features a brutal hill to test strength and fitness.
Fun!


So much greatness at both courses...
Race Cyclocross!


Thursday, September 19, 2013

CX COVERAGE FROM VEGAS

One of my go to forum's for Cross Coverage of all types, inculding CrossVegas is CX MAGAZINE.


I really enjoyed the quick interview at that website with the greatest Cyclocross racer of all time Sven Nys.


And it was super great to see the current World Champion deliver a victory at CrossVegas Wednesday night.


There is even rumor Nys will be doing the CCCX Cyclocross race this Saturday at CSUMB.  


Or was it the Sacramento Series at Vacaville.  


You will have to get out and race to find out for yourself if Sven Nys does make his first ever Nor-Cal appearance!  














Race Cyclocross!

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

CYCLOCROSS PHOTOS


CROSS AGAIN AND AGAIN DELIVERS SOME OF THE BEST RACING PHOTOS.

SO MANY GREAT PHOTOS IN STORE FOR THE 2013 RACING SEASON!
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO TAKE TIME TO FILM THE COMPETITIONS.

THIS COMING WEEKEND WILL BE THE CCCX CYCLOCROSS SERIES IN MONTEREY.
AND THE SACRAMENTO CYCLOCROSS SERIES IN VACAVILLE.

RIDE ON!


Monday, September 16, 2013

CCCX CYCLOCROSS RESULTS

Wow... the CCCX Series went off this weekend with Sat. & Sun. racing on a super cool track that was used in both directions over the 2 days of competitions.  

"World Class" talent showed up to have at it.... with reigning U23 National Champion Yannick Eckmann(Cal. Giant Inc./Specialized) taking the Men's races both days- with Andy Jacques-Maynes(IBIS/Buy-Cell.com) next best over the two days of racing.  While the Women's races were both won by Meridith Miller(Cal. Giant Inc./Specialized) while hard charging Elle Anderson(Cal. Giant Inc./Specialized) proved to be second fastest female over the weekend.

Current World Champions from Northern California Karen Brems(Rambuski Law), Don Myrah(IBIS/Buy-Cell.com) and Henry Kramer(Cal. Giant Inc. Specialized) 
all looked extremely sharp to open up the season.  

And of course there is always surprises to the results sheets that keep the racing fresh...
so much fun and so much drama Cyclocross always delivers!

Other riders showing early season form were Tobin Ortenblad(Cal. Giant Inc./Specialized), Cody Kaiser(Cal. Giant Inc./Specialized), Matt Shriver(Trek CxC), Brian Finnerty(Cal. Giant Inc./Specialized), Murray Swanson(Pen Velo), Tim Cannard(IBIS/Buy-Cell.com), Mark Abele(Rock Lobster), Gannon Myall(Cal. Giant Inc./Specialized), Mark Howland(Family Cycling Center), Julie Bates(Team Roaring Mouse), Livia Perez(Rock Lobster), and Maddie Ortenblad(Bear Development).

All divisions were hotly contested and it was definitely "Game On" for Nor-Cal Cyclocross.
It is only going to get better and better as the 2013 racing rolls on!











Thursday, September 12, 2013

CENTRAL COAST CYCLOCROSS SERIES SATURDAY & SUNDAY

The Nor-Cal Cyclocross race season in on!
Congratulations to Cody Kaiser(Cal. Giant Inc./Specialized) and Emily Kachorek(#GHETMOTO) 
for being the most speedy & top fit 
Men and Women racers for the day!

But do not expect mud just yet!  The course is going to be dry, fast and slick sliding in the turns.  Most of the layout is on dry hard-packed dirt that makes for fun riding.  Yet Northern California is on a very dry pattern, and the ground will be dry as dry gets.  Tire choice and air pressure will already be key and it is just the 
first races of the season...
Saturday and Sunday CCCX Cross races should be very exciting.


Mud is going to arrive one day this 
2013/14 Nor-Cal Cross season!  
This is a fact!

Early season races prepare riders to gain strength and bike handling skills in order to face the challenges the entire Nor-Cal Cross season will bring.  Now it is dry dirt, sand and slick corners in all turns.  Later it will be moist ground, wet tracks and sloppy sections that bring their own unique challenges...
So much fun racing Cross & so much action on every single lap!


The Cross schedule for Nor-Cal is complete and can be viewed here.  September has the CCCX events this weekend & Saturday Sept. 21 & Saturday Sept. 28.  The Sacramento Series kicks into gear on Sunday Sept. 22.  The first Bay Area Super Prestige race closes out the month on Sunday Sept. 29.  Now is time to pin on a race # and get out and compete.  Or you will always be playing catch up to the dedicated Cross racers who hone their skills each weekend at the Nor-Cal  Cross events


The CCCX Series uses day of registration only.  Surf City Series, Murphy Mack's Nor-Cal CX Series, the BASP races, and the Sacramento Series all have Pre-reg links on their web site.  
Do check out each race series website the week of each event, just to make sure there are no changes to schedules or locations...


Tim Westmore clicked some great shots from the first Cross race of the season in Folsom. Please have a view here. 

Nor-Cal has the very best Cyclocross photographers in the country.  The list is long of the great photographers of Nor-Cal Cross.  Tim Westmore, Steve Anderson, Jeff Namba, Paul Doran, Jon Suzuki, Garrett Lau....  And so many more!  
This weekend on both Saturday & Sunday I am sure some very cool race photos will be produced.

This video is gnarly!  All I can say is technical...!!!  Hats of to Katie Compton of the USA for the win.  And check out Lars Boom win... after he has 1/2/3 or more chain trouble issues.  Watching, you keep thinking there is no way he can win after his 
chain drama.... 
What a win, that guy was flying through the snow sections and clearly was putting out more speed and power then the rest!  



I am not supposed to say anything, but Lance Armstrong is supposed to be at the Cross race this weekend.
Keep that on the low please...
Keith DeFiebre is also expected to make an appearance as well!



Cross Vegas is next week!  That race is going to be fast and certainly Lance will not be the only rider working out the kinks this weekend in preparation for Cross Vegas...


This weekend at the CCCX race will be the first real meeting of the fast studs of Nor-Cal Cross.  Our regions best Elite Women, Elite Men, Masters and Juniors will all be in action.  Teams such as Paul Sadoff's Rock Lobster crew & Anthony Gallino's California Giant Inc./Specialized group will be throwing on their proud colors to compete.  Lobster features racers Scott Chapin, Aaron Bradford, Katie Jay Melina, and Ellen Sherrill. The Strawberry crew features Justin Robinson, Tobin Ortenblad, Cody Kaiser and Elle Anderson.  I do have to think that this season will be the very first in a long while where Cal. Giant Inc. Berries and Rock Lobster racers will not necessarily be the most dominate riders at each race.  The riders I listed above are clearly the very best from our region.  However this season both Andy Jacques-Maynes & Ben Jacques-Maynes will be racing under new sponsor logos.  AJM will now be flying Tim Cannard's IBIS/Buy-Cell.com colors. And BJM will be sporting the Jamis Cyclocross rig and kit.  Having the Jacques-Maynes both race on different teams, and not on Cal. Giant Inc. or Rock Lobster, is going to make for the very best Elite racing action we have seen for years. 
Andy can be considered the very best racer from our region for Cyclocross over the past few years.  While Ben has super skills, incredible talent, and Pro Tour races as part of his diet.
IT IS GAME ON!

The speed and talent on course is going to be "World Class". 

 It will also be very interesting to see how our regions World Champions from last season will be racing to start the year.  Karen Brems(Rambuski Law), Don Myrah(IBIS/Buy-Cell.com), and Henry Kramer(Cal. Giant Inc.) will be sporting UCI World Champion kits and will be starting their prep for defending that title!

Much more will be coming in the near future on the throw down battles of our Elite racers from this Blog.
This is going to be a very special year for Nor-Cal Cyclocross!


One web site that is very cool and a go to site I can share with readers is here...
If you love Cyclocross, 
this is a page you will enjoy very much!


Lastly, always remember to keep the racing fun!

Cyclocross season is a special time of year, and Cyclocross is a special sport that brings people together to race fast, compete hard, and enjoy the atmosphere the racing brings on.  
But more then fast racing, and tough competition.... Cyclocross in Nor-Cal is plain fun!

Cyclocross is the best way for amateur riders to improve skills & strength.
Cyclocross is the best way for the top racers to show off their talent and speed.
Cyclocross brings people together to enjoy cycling in conditions that are always challenging, dry or wet.

Keep it fun and....
Race Cyclcoross!



Friday, September 6, 2013

FIRST CROSS RACE OF SEASON THIS WEEKEND- IT IS ON!!!!

Yes... The first Cyclocross race of the 2013 season is this weekend at the 
Oh my gosh it is going to be hot!!!
Then the following weekend is the double day weekend of racing at the 
CCCX Series near Monterey.  Yes... Saturday & Sunday- back to back thrills!
Not sure about the heat wave in Monterey, most likely just splendid weather...
Let's face it... all Cross racing in Nor-Cal is actually super hot!  
So get in gear and get out and race!  
Time to ramp up your training and practice your Cross moves.... 
It is "Game On" for Nor-Cal Cyclocross.
Let the games begin!








Tuesday, August 13, 2013

VIDEO SPECIAL- NOR-CAL SUPER CUP 1999

John Suzuki passed this video on...
This is really good!  
So many familiar faces from 1999.  I vividly remember so much about this event!  The video starts by showing a good friend, and a very young Richard Fries who did the announcing... Richard now announces the UCI World Cup Cyclocross races.  

I like when Daniele Pontoni gets shoulder checked in Boston by Tim Johnson then gets pissed and goes on the attack!  

Seeing Steve Larson racing is sweet!  I won the Pro DH & Dual Slalom one year at the Oakridge Fat Tire Festival in Oregon.  Larson was from Oregon and won the Pro XC race there, and he was very nice to me at the awards ceremony where we both got our cash for winning the Pro races.  So sad he has passed away, or I am sure he would still be drilling it at Cross races, and probably win a Masters Cross National Championship.  

There are a number of Nor-Cal Women and Men stars of Cross from 1999 in this video.  I was on the Voodoo Cycles National Team as a DH racer, and Voodoo's top Cross star was Mark Gullickson who won the 1999 National Championship for Cyclocross!  Gullickson was one strong dude back then... Voodoo Cycles will always be one of my favorite sponsors, and brings back many memories for sure! 

There is Justin Robinson and Damon Kluck making an appearance for the Real Wheels/Voodoo CyclocrossTeam.  Robinson finished 3rd that year in the Super Cup overall standings.  Robinson is such a star, and is still killing it in Nor-Cal's regional races in the Masters & Elite divisions.

And Nor-Cal's Carmen D'Aluisio and National Cross Champion Shari Kain.  Carmen & Shari really set the bar so high for the Women Cyclocross racers of Northern California, and those two ladies very much put Nor-Cal on the National stage for Cyclocross.   

Hat's off to the Nor-Cal Cross fans!  They lined the course at the Presidio and seemed to be the largest fan base of all the Super Cup races shown.  

This video will really bring back some serious memories of days gone by for many of our regional Cross racers.  

So many of today's local Cross players took part in this race, it makes for super good viewing and will bring back thoughts of some great times back in the day from Nor-Cal Cross past....    


Tuesday, August 6, 2013

2013 NOR-CAL CROSS CALENDAR

The 2013 Nor-Cal Cyclocross season is oh so near...


 I have spent countless hours trying to get all 
Nor-Cal & NCNCA Cross Calenders updated and complete.
Thank you to all the promoters who have reached out to me and been very cooperative in bringing the very best Cyclocross action to this region.
Most of the dates have been logged, yet there will of course be 
additions and subtractions to the calendars.
So please always remember to check each race website the week of each & every Cross event.
Just to make sure it is game on with courses set in the proper locations.
2013 looks to be the best year ever for pure Cross racing thrills and fun 
in Nor-Cal.  
Ride on!


 Below are two calendar versions of all the races in store for us lucky Cross competitors ...




I very much wanted to give out a huge congratulations to those riders who topped off the end of last year with super outstanding rides at the USA Cycling National Cyclocross Championships, and the UCI Masters World Cyclocross Championships.  There will be some special jerseys that our best racers will be styling this coming season, such as Don Myrah, Henry Kramer, and Karen Brems who will be sporting the coveted rainbow colored stripes of a World Champion distinction.


Set for Nor-Cal is a awesome schedule, and like I mentioned, there will be additions and subtractions to what you see now on the calendars.  There is guaranteed to be stellar racing in the Nor-Cal region.  The true Cross crazed athletes will be bonus-ed out with fantastic competitions thanks to the dedicated organizers who do the hard work so people can play and compete.

BASP, CCCX SERIES, FOLSOM BIKES, HOMEGROWN SERIES, 
NORCAL CX SERIES, PEAK SEASON, SANTA ROSA CUP, 
SACRAMENTO SERIES, SAGEBRUSH SERIES, SURF CITY SERIES.  

SO MUCH GREATNESS IN STORE FOR ALL!


The season kicks off with racing in September with the Folsom Cyclebration event taking the first pedal stroke for Cyclocross 2013.

The Central Coast Cyclocross Series has their early season races lined up in 
September & October.  Early season Nor-Cal Cross is fast, fun and fresh.
This prepares our regions very best racers to be ready for full fight come racing in
October, November, December and beyond...
The CCCX Series gets support from the most serious racers who want to test themselves against their peers on courses that favor close-technical racing and fun thrills on the Cross Bike.  
Plus the low-key enviroment of the CCCX races are a prefect atmosphere for newbies 
to give Cyclcoross a first attempt.  Don't be shy... get out there and race!
CCCX keeps it fun and fast, so enjoy the ride.


The BASP Cyclocross races are the big show in the Northern California region.  These events have morphed into spectacular Cyclocross events.  Tom & Alec Simpson go full tilt to produce Cyclocross to the masses.  Expect huge fileds and great times.  The Bay Area Super Prestige races are some of the best quality events in all of America!  Do not forget that these events are huge... Pre-Reg is a must in most cases and there is often elbow to elbow racing throughout the day.  Show up to race hard and enjoy some of the finest Cross in the USA.
BASP takes Nor-Cal Cross to another level!


Murhpy Mac has stepped up and will be hosting his "Super Pro" branned  NORCAL CX Series.  These events are frisky fresh and have a feline theme overall.  
This too cool for school series will use some of Nor-Cal's already established events.  Such as the Lion of Flanders, plus new "big cat/kitty cat" named brand races like the Stafford Lake Wildcat Cyclocross race & the Kitten of Vallejo Cyclocross race.  
There will be a combination of new and old venues for the NorCal Series.  
This is a sharp jolt of electricity to the NCNCA region of Cross racing.  
Bring it on!


Mary Perez and her beautiful Ciclista Bonita crew will be hosting the Surf City Series for 2013.  The Surf City Series has some of the deepest traditions and history for Cyclocross racing in the USA.  Champions from days gone by have shone skill and form on the pages of the Surf City history books.  Recent tradition has been one of the very best dates on the Nor-Cal calendar, the Surf City Halloween Cross extravaganza.  Surf City can be considered one of the most basic definitions of Northern California Cyclocross racing.  Simply great!
Awesome Cyclocross for all...


The Sacramento Series keeps on improving year after year and brings ultimate Cross to the State  Capitol area.  The Sac. Town courses are shaped with great care, and the days proceedings roll along with a fun filled theme for all to enjoy.  Brian Joder and his BicyclingEvents.com staff are dedicated to delivering great bike racing.  This transcends in the Cyclocross events they produce.  All care and expertise is shaped into a race day that is first class.  The Sacramento Series has also produced some great racers that venture to events like the CCCX, SURF CITY and BASP  then proceeding to shocking the established protocol of finish order.  
Great races produce great racers!  
This is why all of Nor-Cal Cyclocross simply rocks!  


Brian Staby & Carlos Perez bring the Cyclocross goods to the Santa Rosa Cup.
The farther you venture North, the more epic the Cyclocross racing can become.
The Santa Rosa Cup boasts super solid Cross action that can become very memorable and photo spectacular if conditions are prime.  BikeMonkey is serious when it comes to delivering fast racing and sharp edged Cross.  There is no pretending once the start whistle blows, so be ready to roll in the big ring cause BikeMonkey means business.  Nor-Cal Cyclocross is so much fun, and we are all so lucky to have so many great races such as the ones of the Santa Rosa Cup!


Fresno's Homegrown Series are events you need to take part in!  This series has evolved into some tremendous Cyclocross action.  Woodward Park courses challenge racers who like speed, and fans who love to heckle and keep it fun!  The Homegrown Series also features one of the best true Night Cyclocross races in California.  Lights on the bike or helmet are mandatory for the "Lou Fest" Night Cross Race.  This can only mean some of the very best "night time" Cross action of the season for Nor-Cal racers who dare to compete.
I highly recommend all the Cross races throughout Nor-Cal.  
It is all so good... and the Homegrown Series simply compliments our region with terrific Cyclocross racing in the Central Valley.


I hope to get all events on the Nor-Cal calendar updated asap.
The Peak Season races always go with the CCCX late season races 
to close out Cyclocross for Nor-Cal as December becomes January.
So I do hope David Gill and the Peak Season events finish up what is going to be an incredible non-stop Cyclocross season ahead.

Lastly...
Always remember to keep it fun.
And give a huge "thank you" to the promoters and organizers behind 
the scenes who step up & work so hard to produce the events we all take part in.  
 Nor-Cal Cyclocross rocks.
Ride on..!