There are few things I enjoy more than super sweet bikes. Rock N’ Road Cyclery is where I’m purchased my super sweet bikes for the last 5 years. Right now get the best deals of the year on 2008 closeout bikes along with free holiday lay-a-way ($100 down at a time baby!). Their inventory levels are the best of the year and they have all the latest 2009 bikes from Specialized in stock including the new Epic and new dura-ace Tarmacs. Crap, I love bikes!
This video is hilarious, yet still interesting. The man is a machine and has had the winner mentality for a long time.
-DSheek
Favorite Line: “Yeah, Obviously, I have some talent… 3.01 on video”
I have been thinking this for years but I am waiting for my body to adapt to my mental ability.
The SoCalCross Prestige Series rolls into Los Angeles;
Eco-Sportfest ‘08 & UCI National Elite cyclocross racing!
UCI DAM CROSS WEEKEND 11/8-9… Hansen Dam Park - Los Angeles,CA
Sat, Nov 8th - Eco-Sportfest 5k’Cross Run and cyclocross racing!
Sun, Nov 9th - UCI Dam Cross… The only UCI CX race in California!
Pre-reg on Sportsbase Online by 9pm tonight and save $$$ win a Fuji CX Pro!!!
Don’t miss Dam Cross Weekend beginning Saturday, Nov 8th at CICLE’cross as the SoCalCross Prestige Series presents… ECO-SPORTFEST ‘08 making its second stop at Hansen Dam Park in Los Angeles starting out with the 5k ‘Cross Country Run at 8:00AM. The ‘cross 5k course is a mix of pavement, dirt, and grass with a couple of race obstacles in between. Runners will do two laps of the 2.5k course. With our focus on youth fitness the 5k is FREE to all Juniors 18 and under! The day continues with a full schedule of cyclocross racing from Juniors to Masters and Beginners to Elite. Demo bikes are available in all sizes. Junior sizes bikes from Redline provided by the SCNCA! Each day the Clif Kids GoGreenRacer run and bicycle race will treat young ones to a part of the racing action. Kids treats, helmets and jerseys will be given away thanks to Montrose and H&S Bike Shops, Clif Bar and the LAPD with its focus on bicycle safety will provide goodie bags.
Bring a friend to race any of our Eco-Sportfest ‘08 events: 5k cross run and CX racing. Each time you bring someone new to ‘cross, you get a $5 discount coupon off the next Prestige Series race! Do the 5k run AND the cyclocross race for only $5 additional. Special prizes for best overall “IRON CROSSERS” best male/female finishers overall for 5 race eco-sport series! LAST CHANCE TO SAVE $$$ ON SERIES PASSES! Go to: www.SoCalCross.org and sign up at Sportsbase Online by 9PM tonight!
Don’t miss Sunday’s UCI Dam Cross presented by Calrad Electronics.
The day will feature a full day of cyclocross racing complete with national-elite cyclocross. The best ‘crossers from the Western US will make their way to Southern California as they chase UCI points in their quest for national and international glory!
So Cal’s elite men favorites include:
Celo Pacific/Alan’s, Brent Prenzlow
PAA/Vitamix/Sixtufit’s, Frtiz Bottger
Action Sports, Michael Easter
Bailey Bikes and 2-time National CX Champ, Mark Noble
Team CICLE’s Jason Siegle, Jr. elite Morgan Ryan
Team Bearclaw’s, Jason Lowetz and John McKeen
Cal Giant’s Team:
Featuring two-time US World Team racer, and local U23 Elite Male, Chance Noble,
Elite Woman, Rachel Lloyed, currently on fire finishing 2nd at the Boulder Cup.
Junior elite male, Cody Kaiser,
Elite Male, Justin Robinson
Elite Male, Jeremy Ferguson
So Cal’s elite women favs include:
Team CICLE’s, Carolyn Popovic, Elite Jr. Kendall Ryan, Dorothy Wong, Heidi Kanayan, Lisa Crowe
Coach Garth’s, Joy Duerkson
Redline Factory Team:
Featuring two-time Junior National CX Champ and home town favorite, Coryn Rivera,
’07 Bonze medalist in the Master women—Kristi Berg—of Arlington, WA
Elite Master, Chad Berg-of Arlington, WA
Elite Male Lapierre USA rider, Ryan Iddings of Bellevue, WA
Elite Male Team Redline rider, Russell Stevenson, of Seattle, WA
Velo Bella’s Team:
Bringing their powerful women,
Elite Female, Barbarella Howe
Elite Female, Kari Studley
Elite Female and 2007 US National Masters Champ, Shannon Gibson
… look for more VIPs of cyclocross to challenge the SoCal’s best in a West Coast Showdown! Rumored to make an appearance is Chris Jones - top elite CXer (Team Type 1) and Sid Taberlay (Rock N Road) Australian World Cup and Olympic MTBer.
SRAM Neutral Support will be in the bike pit for the entire weekend and will provide Zipp wheels and Orbea CX bike and tech support for all racers!
Look for the Dash for Cash CX Sprint Time Trial over the weekend where racers will race the clock to see who is the fastest ‘crosser male, female and juniors. Proceeds will benefit the new Children’s Museum of Los Angeles located at Hansen Dam Recreation Area.
Awards and Prizes from CyclocrossWorld.com, Stone Brewery, Williamette Valley Vinyards and more!
The Prestige Series will strive to educate racers and spectators by promoting reduction of car use and transportation bicycling. Each event in the Series will be solar powered by Energy Efficiency Solar.
EcoSportFest ‘08 will feature sponsor booths from SoCalCross ‘Green’ sponsors, as well as each respective city’s Green Programs. Look for the Green Lunch Truck to roll in with lots of organic goodies! Proceeds from Eco-Sportfest ‘08 will benefit CICLE www.CICLE.org promoting transportation bicycling.
The “Fitness” portion of the expo FREE GoGreenRacer kids fun run and bicycle race, as well as beginner cyclocross clinics and sponsor booths from Arbonne, Kool N Fit Sport, Fluid, Jamis Bicycles, Specialized, Townsend Cycles, Bailey Bikes, Williams Wheels, Acid Zapper and more promoting healthy lifestyles.
Eco-Sportfest is five events of the SoCalCross Prestige Series beginning 11/02 at Convert Cross, 11/8-9 UCI Dam Cross Weekend, 11/22-23 Collegiate & Disctrict Championship weekend, 12/7 - High Desert Cross, 12/21 - Santa Cross… take a break in between with the Prestige Series classic, Turkey Trot Cross hosted by PAA in Glendale 11/30. More info can be found at: www.SoCalCross.org ; Questions? Contact: Dot@SoCalCross.org
Remember to Be Green…
- Don’t forget to enter your Go Green Racer Points before Thursday at 9pm!
- CARPOOL OR RIDE TO THE RACE. VALET BOX WILL BE PROVIDING VIP PARKING TO CARPOOLERS AND OUR WEEKLY GOGREENRACER WINNERS!
- Eat Organic from The Green Truck that will be at Dam Cross on 11/8! 10% of all proceeds will be donated to the Children’s Museum! http://www.greentruckonthego.com/
- Remember to look for and use the recycle bins at the race! (Please make sure your containers are empty before you dispose of them!)
Come by the Go Green Racer Booth…
- You can buy $2 Clif Bar Cool Tags to help offset your carbon footprint! (good for Go Green Racer points)
- Bring your old & new bike stuff to swap, sell or donate to the Bike Swap! We need your old parts for our series best team trophies
A few weeks back while riding my mountain bike at Whiting Ranch, the original MTB saddle and post on my bike cracked in half. I’d like to think it wasn’t from the excessive weight of my stout manly frame but I know the truth. It came out of nowhere and just snapped leaving me to ride the next five miles standing up. Then, later in the week I crashed on my road bike at 30 MPH and tore my road saddle and hip to shreds, it was great week. After some research I picked up 2 saddles from SDG.
Since that time I’ve fallen in love with the company and their products. Everything they do is:
1. Easy to install and size. I did everything myself and I’m a tool weenie.
2. Looks great! Both my road and mountain set-ups are pretty much the best ever. They kill anything Old Man Sellers could ever muster up from his vintage collection of 1993 vintage mountain bikes.
3. Is super comfy but with high performance. I race*
The boys at SDG Saddles recently posted their 2009 bike saddles and seat posts catalog. It’s worth the click, these guys know how to build bike product.
If you’re in the market for a new post or saddle SDG is who you should be supporting. They love cyclists and the local biking community needs to back that.
Eco-Sportfest ‘08 5k Cross Run Series begins 11/2 in Ventura
2008 SoCalCross Prestige Series is proud to introduce ECO-SPORTFEST ‘08: Each event will take place in a scenic park or lake front setting - making it a welcoming atmosphere for the entire family and begins at 8am with a 5k ‘Cross Trail Run on the cyclocross course followed up by a full day of cyclocross racing action!
-Read more: Eco Sports Fest Press Release
THE SOCALCROSS PRESTIGE SERIES ROLLS ON FULL SPEED AHEAD! SATURDAY 10.25 with… “SPOOKY CROSS” PRE-REG SAVE TIME IN LINE AND SAVE $$$ - CLOSES TONIGHT (THURS) AT 9:00PM (PACIFIC)
You are invited to be a part of: Spooky Cross Night Race on Saturday 10/25 in Irvine… first ever night race in So Cal! CX Demo Bikes available. Beginner’s Clinic begins at 2:00PM. Racing starts at 3pm with Juniors, Beginners and Master races. The racing speeds up at 6:30pm as darkness falls as the Cat 3/4 men and elite women and men show off their ‘cross skills under the lights! At 7:30pm, everyone will get the chance to participate in night cross racing for the Spooky Cross Costume Contest and Fun Race… who will win the coveted CX Pumpkin! The Elite Men finish off the night at 8PM with the fastest men in the west!
Throughout the day’s festivities there will be: Kids Spooky Fun Zone play area, Kids Spooky Race Course-bring the helmet and bike, Moto-CX demos, ferris wheel for Breast Cancer Awareness Month fundraiser, BBQ food and drinks, racing levels for all including fixed gear, fun! fun! fun! This historic event is like none ever seen before in So Cal!
This event is preceeded by the SCNCA Annual Meeting at 10am and SoCalCup Awards Banquet at 1pm, and So Cal’s cycling teams are invited to set up their team tents in the expo and continue the celebration into the night. BRING YOUR TEAM AND TENT AND ENJOY THE PARTY!!!
In November, please join us as the 2008 SoCalCross Prestige Series is proud to introduce ECO-SPORTFEST ‘08: combining a 5k ‘Cross Run - a combination of pavement, dirt, and grass courses - at five premier cyclocross races across Southern California. Each event will take place in a scenic park or lake front setting - making it a welcoming atmosphere for the entire family. EcoSportFest ‘08 will feature sponsor booths from ‘Green’ sponsors, as well as representatives from each respective city’s Green Programs. The “Fitness” portion of the expo includes our FREE Kids Race, Fun Rides, ‘Cross Run, free beginner ‘cross clinics and sponsor booths promoting healthy lifestyles. Every event in the Series will be solar powered thanks to Energy Efficiency Solar. Proceeds from the event will benefit CICLE www.CICLE.org promoting transportation bicycling and will benefit a local youth/fitness charity specific to each event.
Eco-Sportfest is five events of the SoCalCross Prestige Series beginning 11/02 at Convert Cross - voted number one CX race in 2007-08, 11/8-9 UCI Dam Cross Weekend, 11/22-23 Collegiate & Disctrict Championship weekend, 12/7 - High Desert Cross, 12/21 - Santa Cross… take a break in between with the Prestige Series classic, Turkey Trot Cross hosted by PAA in Glendale 11/30.
Saturday morning I got up early, dressed quietly, made my lunch, grabbed the dog, slipped quietly into the garage to hook the boat up to the truck, and proceeded to back out into a torrential downpour.
The wind was blowing 50 mph. I pulled back into the garage, turned on the radio, and discovered that the weather would be bad throughout the day.
I went back into the house, quietly undressed, and slipped back into bed. There I cuddled up to my wife’s back, now with a different anticipation, and whispered, “The weather out there is terrible.”
My loving wife of 20 years replied, “Can you believe my stupid husband is out fishing in that?”
I still don’t know if she was joking, but I’ve given up fishing.
Storming the Beach at SoCalCross Prestige Series #3
Need a little more Euro-style cyclocross in your life? Well, then make sure to come out to the Storm the Beach Cyclocross in Oceanside, CA this weekend. The race, presented by Celo Pacific, is considered by many to be the “Queen Stage” of the SoCal Cyclocross Prestige Series.
It is patterned after the famous Duinencross race in Koksijde Belgium and takes place on Camp Pendleton’s “Red Beach” where the U.S. Marine Corps practice their amphibious landings. On Sunday you’ll find racers lugging their bikes up steep seaside bluffs, plowing across ever-morphing sand dunes, and dodging the surf in search of a perfect line as they ride parallel to the Pacific Ocean. Wide tires, low pressure, running fitness, and enough power to leave a rooster tail of sand in your wake are the keys to doing well here. Mixing this tough course with the best cyclocross talent in SoCal will ensure an
exciting day of racing.
Six different races will provide the opportunity for sixteen different categories of riders to test their skills against the course and against each other. Categories include: Elite Men 1/2/3, Elite Women 1/2/3, Men 3/4, Men 4, Women 3/4, Masters Women 35+, Elite Masters Men 35+ (1/2/3), Masters Men 35+ (3/4), Masters Men 45+, Masters Men 55+, Junior Boys 10-14, Junior Girls 10-14, Junior Boys 15-18, Junior Girls 15-18, SingleSpeed 1/2/3 and SingleSpeed 4. Competitors will be vying for over $2000 in cash and merchandise as well as much coveted points towards the season-long individual and team SCPS standings.
In addition to the categorized racing, a free Kids Race will take place at 12:00 pm with prizes going to all participants. There will also be a “Boardshorts and Bikinis” race at 1:30 pm (no USA Cycling
license required) with prizes awarded to the riders with the wackiest beach attire.
Yesterday, October 12, 2008, was the first race of the Southern California, Urban Cyclocross Series. We are at a beginning point in the cyclocross season but after a few races this year in the Southern California Prestige Series, SCPS and a lot of practice one would think I would not be trying to kill myself on the first lap…
The group started fast and I was in the top 5 coming out of the first climb and into a tight barrier section. The group was 30 deep and the small area was creating a lot of pile ups. No big deal. I ran, hopped the barrier, and jogged with the group down and up the revine which followed the single barrier. It was here my race went to $hi*.
Once at the top of the revine the course took a hard right turn onto an open fire road. It was in this change from the tight single track to the open road where riders where trying to jump past eachother to push another spot forward in the pack. Unfortunate for me, as I went to remount my bike an overly eager freak decided to try to take an inside line through some bush’s which were almost on the trail, but his goal was to get a few strides ahead to slow others down as they remounted and gain another position.
I was on the outside of his attempt and as I was in mid air during my remount, he clipped my back wheel pushing my bike back towards my body as my right leg was flying to land on the saddle with my inner right thigh muscle… Instead, the bike pushed under me, made me land on my left testicle… THE PAIN!
I went from 5th to 15th in a matter of seconds, which felt like minutes. I bounced forward off the saddle and tip toed to the side of the trail, trying not to throw-up, gather my breath, and make sure everything was still intact.
In the end it was still a fun race but painful lesson in Cyclocross Racing.
-DSheek
If I would have lost it, I could be like Lance!
Race #2 of the SoCalCross Prestige Series takes place this Sunday, 10/5 at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa, “Psycho-Cross” presented by Lightning Velo.
Look for some exciting action as the SoCalCross Prestige Series Points leaders will dawn their Voler leader jerseys and Sock Guy leaders socks on Sunday at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa. The course consists of a mixture of grass, pavement and dirt. The start and ÿnish winds its way through grass and a dramatic barrier finish. Overall the course is fast, mostly ÿat with one moderate downhill and an equally moderate uphill run up. Hold on as you ride through the infamous Kool N Fit whoop zone. The entire course, except for the course barriers, is rideable. Each lap is approximately 3km in length. Races are timed circuits on the course based on category. Fairview Park is a family oriented park. It is open and easy to walk around in. It is a great spectator venue–most of the course can be viewed from the start/ÿnish area. Parking is adjacent to the race course. Surf City Cyclery will be providing our mechanical support and also have some demo bikes available…
From: Cyclocross Magazine
Katie Compton (Spike Shooter) and Ryan Trebon (Kona) beat the heat, their toughest competition of the year, and the hype and distraction of Lance Armstrong’s attendance to win the second annual Cross Vegas UCI C1 race.
Compton, after a successful mountain bike season this summer which included the short track national championship, started her first ‘cross race of the year tonight, and left off just where she ended her U.S. campaign in Kansas City last December - with a win. The hot and dry course through thick grass favored a powerful rider, and Compton quickly distanced herself from the field, with only two Luna riders in tow: Katerina Nash and Georgia Gould. Gould crashed after tripping on a barrier on the third lap, and Compton gassed it, permanently dropping the Luna-sponsored American.
Georgia Gould trips on cyclocross barrier at Cross VegasUpfront, Nash and Compton pulled away, with Compton doing most of the work but looking very comfortable. But entering the last few turns, Nash was in command, leading Compton until taking the second to last turn a bit wide. That left the door open for Compton to get by and take her first Cross Vegas win. Gould kept her position to finish fifth.
In the men’s race, most of the pre-race attention was not on the world-class ‘cross riders assembled in Vegas for the first UCI C1 race of the year, but on the former world-class Tour de France rider Lance Armstrong’s (Livestrong) last-minute appearance. Flying straight from New York City, Armstrong used Cross Vegas as another step in his comeback from retirement.
Early in the race, a group of 15 riders quickly formed a lead pack, while Armstrong, starting from the fourth row, moved up quickly through the field and threatened to join the leading group until a hard crash caused him to lose time. Tim Johnson (Cannondale - Cyclocrossworld.com), Jonathan Page (Planet bike), Geoff Kabush (Litespeed - Maxxis), Adam Craig (Giant), Todd Wells (GT) and Trebon all traded attacks, but in what Trebon would describe as “negative racing”, nobody was really willing to work together to make a gap stick.
Adam Craig Endo Over the Bars - Cross Vegas 08Craig surged to the front with four laps to go, and entering the barriers in the lead, he attempted to bunnyhop them and went over the bars. Page attempted his own attack, but it was matched by the others. With a lap and a half to go, Trebon finally took control, accelerating around a corner and quickly gapping the big group. Johnson and then Page gave chase, but Page’s earlier effort had cost him, as he couldn’t bridge to Johnson. Craig, recovering from the time lost from his bunnyhop crash, passed Page and set off in pursuit of Trebon and Johnson. But everyone had left it too late. The long straightaways and thick grass were to Trebon’s strength, and the powerful rider would continue to put time into Johnson and beat him by nearly 10 seconds at the finish to defend his last year’s title.
Armstrong, after a strong start, faded as the laps wore on and finished outside the top 20. Check back soon for full report, photos, and videos.
Yesterday was my first ever cyclocross race. I think I’m hooked. Sorry for all the vanity shots in the photo gallery, I’ll have to train the family take more general shots next time. After the race a dude came up to me and told me how awesome my family was for cheering so much. Thanks to Julie, Carter, Landon, Alison, Alex, Dave and my mom for the on course love.
The 35 minute race went 42 minutes for me. My average heart rate was 176 with a max of 186, that’s way faster than I imagined I could hold.
Get out there and race, its fun and everyone is laughing the entire time. Hopefully Old Man Sellers will come out sometime so I can drop some pain on him. That is if he can find his MTB shoes.
From: Cyclocross Magazine
by Brook Watts
Riders to Watch in the First Cyclocross Showdown of the Season
Cross Vegas 08
With a short week to go the field is almost set for the first cyclocross showdown of the season at CrossVegas. Both the men’s and women’s field will feature strong fields of competitors including many riders just off of a summer of racing including the Beijing Olympic Games and the just concluded Tour of Missouri.
CrossVegas takes place Wednesday September 24 at the Desert Breeze Soccer Complex in Las Vegas located a few miles from the famous “Vegas Strip.” Timed to take place during the Interbike trade show, CrossVegas attracted over 5,000 spectators in its first year in 2007.
The evening of racing kick off with the “Alpha Q Wheelers and Dealers Race” featuring bicycle industry participants vying for bragging rights in categories that include media, manufacturer, retailer, distributor and advocacy.
In the “Scott USA Elite Men’s Race” look for inaugural CrossVegas winner Ryan Trebon to bring his always strong form to Las Vegas where he will line up with fellow Kona strongman Barry Wicks. The duo used their collective strength last year to set up Trebon’s last lap attack that took him to victory.
Just a few of the others on the start line will be:
- Jonathan Page, silver medalist in the 2007 world championships now racing for the Planet Bike team
- Tim Johnson and Jeremy Powers of the Cyclocrossworld.com Team, both coming from strong performances in the Tour of Missouri will be
- Craig Adams of Team Giant and Todd Wells of GT who are coming off of Beijing Olympic racing
- Tony Cruz of the BC Racing Team who just completed a strong road season that included the Tour of Missouri
Of special note is Thomas Frishknecht of the Scott-Swisspower Team who will be competing in the final event of his 19-year career. Frischknecht has selected CrossVegas as his final race in the U.S. with longtime sponsors Scott USA and Ritchey Design pitching in to throw a farewell celebration that promises to be unforgettable.
The “Scott USA Elite Women’s Race” will be without a returning champion with the retirement of Lyne Bessette but the talent pool will be just as deep. Katie Compton of the Spike Shooter team finished 2nd in the 2007 race and promises to start the new season equally strong.
Other riders to watch include:
- Luna Women’s Team riders Katerina Nash and Georgia Gould, finished 3rd and 4th last year and should be eager to challenge Compton for the top step of the podium
- Wendy Simms cracked the top ten in 2007 and should be eager to climb up the ranking
New to CrossVegas this year is the Double Down at Mandalay Bay award that will recognize those riders with a vacation prize for the top men and women riders who compete in both CrossVegas the USA CRITS Finals scheduled the next night.
CrossVegas is owned by Cross Partners LLC, a Boulder Colorado based group headed by Chris Grealish and Brook Watts that stages international cyclocross events including CrossVegas. 2008 Sponsors include Alpha Q, Scott USA, Yakima, Clif Bar, Challenge Tires, TRP, Dale’s Pale Ale, VeloNews, Qdoba Mexican Grill, Vermarc and Clark County Parks Department.
-DSheek
I will be there in full force yelling at the So. California riders to pick it up… Prenzlow, Siegle, Etc.
HUP!
Cyclocross Ride & Clinic Monday, September 15th
Meet us at Rock N Road Cyclery…
27825 Santa Margarita Pkwy Suite A - Mission Viejo, 92691
949.859.5076
5:30pm CX Clinic Ride
Bring your ‘cross bike and a friend. Meet us for a short ride & CX clinic. Brush-up or learn CX techniques:
Dismount, remount, barriers and run-ups. Demo bikes available or bring your mountain bike… hard tail is best.
7:00pm - Happy Hour CX Presentation!
If you can’t make the ride, please join us for Happy Hour Food and Drinks. Hang out for our presentation… “What is cyclocross?” Including: Latest CX videos! Latest CX Equipment, CX 101 Training Tips! Learn more about the 2008-09 SoCalCross Prestige Series & Eco-Sportfest ‘08! Don’t miss our drawing from our series sponsors!
Photos:
If you have your own photos to share send them over or join the SoCalCross Photo Gallery: http://www.flickr.com/groups/socalcross/
Thanks to Eric Colton for join the SoCal Cross Flickr Group. I was able to steal a few of his shots and enjoy the galleries.
Real MUD!
Any racers who want to share their race story, pictures, etc. email me or leave your comments:dave@outsideallday.com
Photos:
Join the SOCAL Prestige Series Photo Group on FLICKR: http://www.flickr.com/groups/socalcross/pool/
There is a photo contest each week and prizes to match! All photos by: Eric Colton and Richard Murphy
