Southern California Prestige Series of Cyclocross, presented by Spy Optic
SCPS 17: Santa Cross Weekend

Photos: Kenneth Hill

Griffith Park hosted the 2-day cross-centric-bicycle festival the Southern California Prestige Series, (SCPS) called Santa Cross. With many years of Santa Cross events nothing came close to this two-day weekend of fantastic racing, advocacy, family (pets included), fun, and friends.

The course was a challenging bringing the longest climb the series has ever seen. It was a one-minute plus pulse pounding grind from the road of the start finish to the top of the park where racers made a long sweeping left back down through the winding grass/dirt sections of the park. And, along this path racers twisted back up punchy climbs that included multiple small six-inch barriers, risky twisting woodchip sections, and the man made Spy Optic, SPY Pit.

Day 1, Saturday, brought early morning rains but it dried out for some perfect cross racing. The grass seemed to have some slick sections that challenged riders but the Hero Dirt was so gripping riders were carving turns like super bike racers, or maybe that was just the Bostrom brothers. The competitors’ battles were exciting all day but, especially the Fixed Gear Championship of SoCal, with the expected winner tattoo on the line. This was a special race brought by Orange 20 and Team Cadence who came out in force to help set up a fun course full of obstacles.

Fixed Gear Championships:Brian Comer (Acua AL2/SDBC) could have raced the some super master’s event but instead brought out his fixed machine to brave the hilly Griffith Park course, showing the crowds and competitors that we are never too old to have fun. While Comer was off the start first with his senior head start discount, it was Austin Horse (Redbull/Oakley) and Hernan Montenegro (Mash) who crushed the first climb ahead of the field to descend into the park.

There was a lot of fantastic riding going on from all competitors whether they decided to ride with or without brakes and actual cross tires or other forms of fixed specialties. Regardless, the skids on course were enough to make people cheer, along with the spring loaded pedal dismounts.

By the second lap Horse had shown who was going to win as he rode himself away from the competition. In second it was Montenegro who controlled the course without brakes and third was Peter Brandenburg.

Elite Women:Turner, Turner Turner! Christine Probert-Turner (The Team SoCalCross) crushed the race from the start showing her form as she continues to get stronger this season. The chase was the Cynergy Bicycles women Julia LaFranchise and Jenna Jammer Kowalski. The two worked hard and separated themselves with Turner away from the field but by the end of lap two it was obvious Turner was going to ride away with the win.

LaFranchise and Jammer went back and forth but towards the end some mistakes allowed LaFranchise to ride in for 2nd. Jammer was a solid 3rd, with Nicole Brandt (LA Velocity) 4th, and Kate Wilson (Connie Cycling) to grab the final podium spot.

Elite Men:The men shot up the hill with Ted Willard (SGD/Felt p.b. iRT) taking the holeshot and leading into the descent. Three turns in Willard crashed in the slick grass where his teammate Jason Siegle took the lead for the remainder of the descent and into the small barrier section. There Siegle bobbled hopping the barriers and riders instantly shot ahead. Gary Douville SGD/Felt p.b. iRT) and Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific/Focus) came around Siegle to take the lead. Douville was quick to snap around the corner and continued the teams control through lap one.

Siegle had to work his way back to the front group with Gareth Feldstein (Ritte Racing) and others in the chase. The pace was hard and riders were falling apart quickly with the crushing climb. On the third lap Douville went down on the slick grass descent and Prenzlow was away solo with a small gap back to the chase. He was ridding strong and the chase was changing riders as they were getting closer to the leader.

Then with three to go Ben Bostrom (Sho-Air) started to close the gap leaving the chase group and continuing to gain on Prenzlow. Douville and teammate Anton Petrov were close to Bostrom and rode themselves away from others, also looking for the leader.

With two laps to go Bostrom was on Prenzlow’s wheel and still riding hard. Douville and Petrov were back about 15 seconds then the leaders attacked the climbs again to open more ground. After the Spy Pit Prenzlow lead into the mulchy woodchip section but then Bostrom came around with his two wheel handling skills sneaking by to lead into the final lap.

The last lap the Prenzlow and Bostrom punished eachother up the climb and through the lap and it was Bostrom who rode to his first win of the season. 3rd was Douville, with Petrov 4th, and the winners brother Eric Bostrom (Sho-Air) who continued to move up in the group all day for 5th.

Day 2, Sunday, brought more overnight showers and then the skies took a break to present nothing but sun. It was another perfectly cool SoCal winter race with more epic course conditions. The fixed gear championships were done which left the team gift relay race, K9 costume extravaganza, along with a lot more fantastic Santa Cross racing, thanks to the help of Universal Cycles.

Elite women:The women flew up the start and were eying each other for position as the previous days top winner was not in the field. And, leading down the descent it was the birthday girl Hannah Rae Finchamp (The Team SoCalCross) with Amanda Schaper (Ritte Racing) and the rest of the chase in tow.

Finchamp looked strong was excited about her lead because the girl was not slowing down. Schaper worked hard but the junior having her sweet sixteen was dancing up the hills away from the women. As Schaper and Nicole Brandt (The Team SoCalCross) could not close the gap Finchamp continued to open they faded back. Then Dorothy Wong (The Team SoCalCross) moved her way up in the group to eventually take control of the chase.

Finchamp in the end rolled in for her best birthday ever and first elite win. Her teammates Wong and Brandt were 2nd and 3rd, with Schaper just behind in 4th. And, 5th it was Mandy Melcher who took the final podium spot.

Elite men:The men finally hit the course for the last race of the weekend. The fresh legs of the Gritter’s brothers Brandon and Kyle (Rock N’ Road) took a commanding lead around the top of the course and into lap one. Quickly, the brothers and Jason Siegle gapped themselves off the chase leading into lap two.

It was John Bailey (Bailey Bikes) and Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific/Focus) who controlled the chase. On lap two the brothers lead through the descent and a small mistake by Brandon Gritters allowed Siegle to sneak up to second wheel. Then by the time the riders hit the small barriers Siegle pulled the move used on him the day before and he attacked hopping past Kyle Gritters to take the lead. Coming through the start finish and into the climb of lap three he held a eight-second gap on the brothers.

The whole field was chasing hard and it seemed like a matter of time until things would reform and settle in for different tactics later in the race. However, Siegle was holding his gap and in some sections of the course continuing to gain room. Halfway through it was the same, the brothers charging hard after Siegle and Bailey leading the chase of Prenzlow and now Anton Petrov (SDG/Felt p.b. iRT) as others had faded back from the pace.

With one to go Siegle was still off the front with a gap that was between 15-20 seconds most of the lap as he happily took his second win of the season and an early gift from Santa. 2nd was Brandon Gritters with his work horse Kyle Gritters 3rd. Prenzlow and Petrov eventually came around Bailey to take 4th and 5th and finishing another strong day of racing.

It was a fun weekend for rounds 17 and 18 of the SoCal Prestige Series with lots of action and shenanigans. The series takes a break with the approaching holidays and will resume December 31, New Years Eve for round 19 in Irvine, California.

For more information go to: www.socalcross.org

Southern California Prestige Series of Cyclocross presented by SPY Optic
SCPS #13: Turkey Trot- SCNCA District Championships

All Photos Credit: Kenneth Hill
Glendale, CA- The Southern California Prestige Series presented by Spy Optic held its annual Turkey Trot event. The race brought its usual fantastic course, one that racers’ were claiming as the best this season, and it hosted the Southern California Nevada Cycling Association’ss (SCNCA) District Championships for the second year in a row. This event was also a Shimano Gold Crown event giving ranking points for not only National Championships, but the Nor Cal So Cal Showdown coming to Bakersfield at the end of the CX season January 21-22nd 2012.

The holiday weekend did not make much of difference with attendance as SoCal cross has continued to grow, the championship event brought a record number of cross racers and made for some awesome competition as riders came ready to take home their Voler California bear championship jerseys.

The fantastic Turkey Trot course had its usual mixture of terrain and challenges like the Turkey Tot Sand Trap, and tough power grass straights, and added some fun features like the stair steps of Spy Hill, burmmed mulchy turns that built up as the day went on, and more off camber fun than usual through the twisting forest turns.

The races all day long brought out some of the best racing this season. There were exciting sprint finishes and maximum efforts by many racers, who impressed the crowds, from the juniors to the masters age groups. Some really notable battles were between legends Johnny O’mara (Sho-Air) and two-time National CX Champ, Mark Noble (Metal Mtn) in the 40+ and 45+ events.

Elite Women:Allison Mann (Rock N Road) was looking strong taking the holeshot as Christina Probert-Turner (The TEAM SoCalCross), and U23 Hungarian Nat’l CX Champ, Barbra Benko (Focus-MIG), Junior National CX Champ, Alexis Ryan (The TEAM SoCalCross), and Jenna Jammer Kowalski (Cynergy Cycles) hung on for the first one and one-half laps. Mann attacked, Turner chased and the two broke away from Benko which split the front group.

Benko was chasing hard with others trying to counter her effort but Ryan and Jammer, got to the backside of the course on the mulchy right hand u-turn, Jammer went straight into the inside post, hooked the tape and it slang her across the course. Jammer unwound her bars, hopped on, and then dropped a chain. The mishaps left her in the dust as the riders rode away. Then Jammer’s teammate Julia LaFranchise came through and passed, as she flailed to get back on her bike but looking to move up to Lafranchise so the two could work together.

Amanda Schaper (Ritte Racing) was riding up through the group and chased Jammer around for the next half lap and eventually made her move passing over the barriers ahead of Jammer. Schaper continued to ride hard and started to battle back and forth with LaFranchise for a couple laps. The battle came to the last lap when LaFranchise got a gap to take 5th. Ryan stayed strong holding her spot to finish 4th and Benko was 3rd. Alexis Ryan took the U23 district title as a licensed SCNCA rider. The front-runners stayed the same with Turner finishing 2nd and Mann taking her second district championship title in a row.

Elite Men:It was a tactical race from the start. Defending champion Brian Lopes (Oakley/Ibis) took the hole shot followed by Brandon Gritters (Rock N’ Road) and Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific/Focus). The rest of the field was trying to sort out and line up behind through the first lap. Gritters went to the front followed by Chris Jackson (Rambuski Law) but the two kept the pace gradual through the lap and front began to look like a line of twelve riders.

Jason Siegle (SDG/Felt p.b. iRT) came through on lap two, pushing the pace that really broke the field apart, and held it through the third lap. The group that held on was waiting for the next move and Prenzlow decided to make things harder. With five laps to go he started making attacks. Nothing was sticking, people were falling off the group but then coming back as the pace slowed again.

With three laps to go, Ryan Cleveland (Fort Lewis College) made an impressive move and attacked the lead group. Lopes and Prenzlow hung on and as the paced slowed again Gritters and John Bailey (Bailey Bikes), who had already won the 35+ championship early, rode themselves back to the front group. The next lap Prenzlow attacked again on Spy Hill and got a gap up the steps. He drilled it thinking it was his moment to get free and he stayed away the rest of the lap but as he came to the finish Lopes soloed back up to Prenzlow.

With one lap to go now it was Prenzlow and Lopes with Bailey and Cleveland chasing. Prenzlow continued to lead and used the steps again to shake Lopes but he stayed glued to Prenzlow. The two passed the pits one last time which only left a few grassy turns left Prenzlow started his sprint. Together they came into the second to last straight away and Lopes beat Prenzlow to take the inside line on the left hand turn. Then quickly again into the next right hander giving him just enough of a lead to set up the final sprint and take his second district championship much similar to his battle with Prenzlow in 2010.

Ryan Cleveland continued to ride hard to out sprint Bailey for 3rd. Morgan Ryan (The TEAM SoCalCross was the best regional U23 rider and took the title. Bailey was 4th on the day but the bronze medalist CX1/2. Brandon Gritters came in to round out the top five.

It was another great sunny warm SoCal weekend and Turkey Trot event with exciting racing as 21 district champions were crowned from juniors to masters and elites. And the season is not over as next week will bring the second round of California Gold Cup events sponsored by Shimano. This UCI event weekend will bring more of North Americas top competitors to the Los Angeles historic park event for some great SoCal action.

For more info go to: www.socalcross.org
Disrict Champions
Men
Elite: Brian Lopes (Oakley/Ibis)
U23: Morgan Ryan (The TEAM SoCalCross)
Cat3: Gareth Feldstein (Ritte Racing)
Cat4: Luis Garcia (Mudfoot)
35-39: John Bailey (Bailey Bikes)
40-44: Sam Ames (Action Sports)
45-49: Mark Noble (Metal Mtn)
50-54: Johnny O’mara (Sho-Air)
55-59: Jonathan Livesay (Montrose Bike Shop)
60-64 : Jon Miller (Platinum Performance)
65+: Robert Llamas (Montrose Bike Shop)
Women
Elite: Allison Mann (Rock N’ Road)
U23: Alexis Ryan (The TEAM SoCalCross)
Cat3: Nancy James-Klinger (The TEAM SoCalCross)
Cat4: Shannon Castle (PAA)
40-44: Laurie Winter (team Redlands)
45-49: Christina Probert Turner (The TEAM SoCalCross)
50+: Carol Ruckle (Team Redlands)
Single Speed
A: Eric Bosrom (Sho-Air)
B: Ricardo Mejia (Golden Saddle Cyclery)
Women: Christina Probert Turner (The TEAM SoCalCross)
Junior Boys
10-12: Nathan Hickey (Pablove)
13-14: Sean McElroy (The Block)
15-16: Doug Hall (The TEAM SoCalCross)
17-18: Tyler Schwartz (Surf City Cyclery)

Junior Girls
10-12: Cheyenne Comer (Acqua AB2/SDBC
13-14: Hannah Eckval (The TEAM SoCalCross)
15-16: Amelia Tanner (JET Cycling)
17-18: Hannah Rae Finchamp (The TEAM SoCalCross)

Youth:
Under 10: Colin Ames (Action Sports)

Southern California Prestige Series of Cyclocross presented by SPY Optic…
SCPS #11: Velocity Cross… a Shimano CACX Rankings Race for Championship Showdown in Bakersfield 1.21-22.2012!

November is California Cyclocross Championships (CACX) rankings month presented by Shimano. Each region, Southern and Northern California, will bring rankings points for starting positions to the Nor Cal-So Cal Showdown and end of season finale in January 21 and 22, 2012 in Bakersfield. Southern California has bragging rights after last year’s event and committed So Cal Crossers lined up this weekend in Chino to earn their SoCal rankings at Velocity Cross. Nor Cal’s Stafford Lake CX race last week earned rankings and each region’s District Championship race along with last year’s winners will bring the best from each region North and South to the $10,000 showdown in Bakersifeld, CA 1/21-22/2012.

The Velocity Cycling Club worked hard with series promoters to bring another fantastic course to the series at Prado Regional Park in Chino, CA less than 40 miles from Downtown LA for the second year in a row. It was predominantly a grass course, with some loose dirt sections through the baseball infields, and road start/finish stretch. The course had a fun mixture of off camber turns, uphill sections including the Spy Stairs, and Shimano Barrier sections. The biggest challenge were the numerous sloggy grass sections aways from Saturday’s rain that did not allow for much rest and proved best for the strongest riders each race.

Elite Women:
Tri-athlete Heather Jackson (K-Swiss) got a little cross bug after a weekend of racing in San Diego two weeks ago and came out to Chino this week motivated and riding strong. Jackson weaved her way to the front to set the pace which split the field immediately and it looked like Christina Probert-Turner (The TEAM SoCalCross-Turner) was the only rider able to challenge as the two got a gap half-way through the first lap.

The chase, just seconds behind, was led by Junior Hannah Finchcamp (The TEAM SoCalCross) returning after a could weeks rest from winning the X-Terra World Championships, but as they came to Spy hill the second wheel, Julie LaFranchise (Cynergy) went down. Amanda Schaper (Ritte Racing) and others moved quickly around to join Finchamp again in the chase. Then on the last part of the first lap there were more crashes as the group snaked through the trees, taking the front of the chase group including Schaper and Anna Fortner out of the race. Jenna Jammer Kowalski (Cynergy) snuck through the carnage and to lead the chase.

The second lap made the race and things began to calm down. Jackson kept charging hard on the front and put in the fastest women’s lap of the day, riding away from all others to eventually solo in for the win. Turner stayed away from the chase group as well to take 2nd. And after some back and forth action the emergent junior Finchcamp rode away from Jammer for 3rd. 4th was Jammer and 5th went to birthday girl and super promoter Dorothy Wong (The Team SoCal Cross).

Elite Men:
Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pcific/Focus) lead down the starting stretch of pavement, but was passed by Brandon Gritters (Rock N Road) as racers entered the grass. Then a couple minutes into the lap Gritters messed up a turn and Prenzlow lead the rest of lap one. The front group was pretty large coming through lap one as riders where waiting for a big attack.

After a few laps it started to shake down. John Behrens (Bailey Bikes) got to the front, Kyle Gritters (Rock N Road), B. Gritters, Gary Douville (SDG/Felt p.b. Irt), and Prenzlow were off to make up the front group. Douville began to let up a bit and Prenzlow had to go around to stay in the front. This lead four established themselves for the next few laps.
After Behrens pulled for a couple laps, K. Gritters took over working for brother B. Gritters. John Bailey (Bailey Bikes) was chasing solo with Jason Siegle (SDG/Felt p.b.Irt) just behind him. The leaders stayed together and with three laps to go Bailey was fading back and Seigle moved up to within fifteen seconds of the front group. With two laps to go K. Gritters lead until his chain dropped. Behrens took over the front, followed by B.Gritters and Prenzlow. Siegle was very close behind alone, but couldn’t get on.

On the final lap, Behrens who was riding impressively strong lead, Prenzlow was watching closely. 1/2 lap to go and B. Gritters passed on the right before the Spy steps and Prenzlow then countered to pass on the left. They quickly remounted and on the off camber Prenzlow went low with more speed and passed Gritters. Prenzlow come out of an off camber 180 degree corner and sprinted, he took the next 2 corners max, and attacked again to get a gap. He applied one more little sprint past the pits and nailed the S-turn through the trees. It was just enough to hold a six second lead to the finish straight. B. Gritters held off Behrens for 2nd. Siegle was alone in 4th, and Kyle recovered to take 5th.

It was some exciting action again in Chino as many groups in the series continue to see different winners each week. A sign that shows the competition is growing and the training riders are putting in this year. With riders now halfway through their season, now is the time to get focused. The Southern California (SCNCA) District Championships take place Sunday November 27 in Glendale – Turkey Trot Cross! Next week the series heads back to the central coast, Cambria, for the last of the central coast events this year and the first West Coast Collegiate Cycling race since Irvine in 2008.

Southern California Prestige Series of Cyclocross presented by SPY Optic
SCPS #10: LIVE! Long Beach CYCLO-FEST

This week was the 10th event of the Southern California Prestige Series of Cyclocross: LIVE! Long Beach, CYCLO-FEST, an idea of promoter Dorothy Wong, advocating a healthy lifestyle and promoting the benefits of the bicycle within each community the Series visits. This is the fourth time El Dorado Park has hosted a cross race, but never has it been like it was this past Sunday. The usually sunny Southern California weekends turned into dark cloudy and cold (40’s) as SoCalCross saw its first forms of Fall this first week of November in addition to falling back with the time change, the stormy weather blew through the City of Long Beach presenting some real cross conditions.

The course was a mixture of about 70% grass, 20% paved, and 10% sand/dirt. The grass, while absorbing most of the rain did have a bit of mud and a lot of heavy pedaling sections. The paved became an area of strategy for racers to recover and the deep left curving Shimano sand pit was the one of the biggest challenges as riders continuously struggled trying to ride the pit. The biggest challenge of all really just came down to muddy turns and the SPY staircase.

Elite Women:
Jenna Jammer Kowalski (Cynergy Cycles) was hot off the start, grabbing the hole shot and pushing the pace through the first half of lap one. The rest of the women lined up after the first turn to chase down Jammer. Series leader Allison Mann (Rock N’ Road) was a few wheels back and Christina Probert-Turner (The Team SoCal Cross) made the first move in the chase coming out of the sand and making her move to past Jammer to take the lead. The rest of the field responded to new pace Turner was pushing as she blew things apart on the second lap taking only a few select riders with her up front.

After Turner it was Mann who continued to work her way up and set the fastest lap of the day, on lap three, as she took control of the race. The entire race remained close as Mann would open some space Turner would close it down. The rest of the women worked hard in the battle for third as these two gained 5-10 seconds on the field each lap. Eventually, Mann took the win holding off Turner as the two put together some amazing racing.

Amanda Schaper (Ritte Raceing) made her move around Jammer early was close with the leaders for a couple laps but settled in for third just ahead of Jammer in fourth. Fifth was Nicole Brandt (LA Velocity) who had a great start and was consistent all race to hold off the experience of Series leader, Dorothy Wong (The Team SoCal Cross).

Elite Men:
It was another exciting, tactical and fast paced aggressive race for SoCalCross’ elite men with challenging course conditions. Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific/Focus) took the hole shot followed by Brandon Gritters (Rock N’ Road) Garry Douville (SDG/Felt p.b. Irt), Kyle Gritters (Rock N’ Road) and Chris Jackson (Rambuski Law). The rest of the field filled in but the front instantly pushed the pace.

The first few laps from front to back were aggressive, blocking, bumping and fighting for positions. Douville attacked at the end of lap one before the log jump so that he could get a clean bunny-hop over it, but B. Gritters blocked and K. Gritters took the outside line attacking into the log section. Through the first two laps this seemed to be the case. There was a lot fighting and blocking for position especially as the Gritters’ brothers strategically tried early tactics.

A few laps in and Douville led the chase to bring K. Gritters back in to the group. Jackson has seemed to have a string of bike issues lately and again he had to pit a couple times which unfortunately pushed him back in the field. The sand section ended up being where gaps were opening and Douville lost ground mid race.

B. Gritters and Prenzlow attacked as Douville had to chase with K. Gritters on his wheel. John Behrens and teammate John Bailey were behind and looked like they could close down the last 10 seconds gap to Douville. Gritters and Prenzlow couldn’t agree to work together which allowed Douville again the chance to pull back on to the front group.

With two laps to go the group of four was back together but B. Gritters again cleans the sandpit and attacks. Prenzlow dismounts which slowed the chase and again Douville was chasing with K. Gritters on his wheel. This time B. Gritters and Prenzlow who quickly surged back up created a big gap that could not be closed.

K. Gritters flats right at the bike pit and Douville attacked ahead to hold off Behrens who was maintaining a close 5-10 sec gap. In the end Brandon Gritters took the win to continue to secure his SoCal Series lead. Prenzlow was a close second, third was Douville, with Behrens just behind in fourth and Kyle Gritters to round out the top five.

Next week the Series will head inland from the beach for Velocity Cross in Chino, California. November is California Cyclocross (CACX) Championships month. One race in each region will bring rankings = starting positions to the Nor Cal-So Cal Showdown and end of season finale January 2012 in Bakersfield 1/21-22/2012. Saturday 1/21 being the Prestige Series finale and Sunday 1/22 the Nor Cal, So Cal Showdown. The two rankings races are:
● NOR CAL’S STAFFORD CX 11/6 in Novato… Marin County.
● SO CAL’S VELOCITY CROSS 11/13 at Prado Dam Regional Park… Chino.
Each region’s District Championship and last year’s showdown will also stage riders to the front for each category race. Southern California has bragging rights so far!

For more information go to: www.socalcross.org

Southern California Prestige Series of Cyclocross presented by SPY Optic
SCPS #8: SPYclocross

The Southern California Prestige series headed south towards the border this past weekend for double days of racing in San Diego. The Saturday event was created by the series’ presenting sponsor, Spy Optic, and hosted by Ranchos Cycling along with Team SPY-Blue. Everyone came together to put forward an event to benefit the San Dieguito river park’s open space and multi-use trails.

Along with raising money for the open space Spy wanted a fun event that would challenge competitors. They explained it best, “it’s a crusty 2.5km, spectator-friendly, all-dirt course that’s fast and furious, difficult and delirious, with downhill sections of varying speed and width, tight sandy turns, a unique “beach” section that runs along the shore of Lake Hodges, a sandpit and long, steady uphill sections with agonizingly placed barriers. This course will challenge every muscle in your body, every cubic inch of your lungs, and we’ll see just how good you are at handling your bike. Somewhere in the mix of it all you will realize just how much fun pain and suffering can be… it doesn’t hurt that there is a strategically placed beer garden where you can sit and imbibe glorious malt beverages while watching others suffer over much of the course or you can hike to the top of a nearby hill and see the entire course.” And, it was exactly that.

Elite Women:
The women pedaled out on the crusty course into the first set of right turns. It was The Team SoCal Cross’ own Christina Probert-Turner, (CPT) with the hole shot and Allison Mann (Rock N Road) close behind. First time cross racer and pro triathlete Heather Jackson joined the mix and the rest filed in as the women set out on course.

By the far-end of the course Mann took the lead before entering the first chicane. By the time the women came through the sandy beach section it was obvious Mann had the race won. Jackson was making moves and chasing down Mann but an unfortunate flat gave CPT an opportunity to monopolize upon. CPT took 2nd, with a hungry Jackson 3rd, Dorothy Wong (The Team SoCal Cross) 4th, and teammate Nancy James-Klinger 5th.

Elite Men:
Four-time cyclocross national champion Steve Tilford (Tradewind Energy) came to town and showed his experience as he snatched the hole shot and set an amazing pace, putting down the fastest lap time of the day. Tilford’s effort split the elite men apart halfway through lap one. A group of five stayed with him and John Bailey (Bailey Bikes) was the first to counter Tilford as the front group was crushing the course.

The front group stayed in tact exchanging work and by the third lap John Behrens (Bailey Bikes) and Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific/Focus), who was in ninth after a bad start, caught their ways back on the lead group. Coming into the fourth lap Bailey and Chris Jackson (Rambuski Law) had both flatted and crashed putting them of the group. By the end of the lap Prenzlow attacked on the climb, Tilford was immediately on his wheel, and Behrens held in too. Brandon Gritters (Rock N Road), Phillip Tintsman (Masi) and Gary Douville (SDG/Felt p.b. Irt) faded back.

The next lap coming out of the sand steps, Tilford hit his knee on this stem (a knee he already he had an issue with), and had to pull out of the race. Behrens was the only one left of the group. Prenzlow rode Behrens off his wheel with 2 to go, and soloed in for the win. When the rest came in the top five were Behrens 2nd, Gritters 3rd, Tintsman 4th, and Douville 5th.

It was a fun day for a good cause thanks to Spy Optic and a great first day of racing as the SoCal Prestige Series headed deeper south day two for Adams Avenue Cyclocross event, part cross, part track, and tech fun.

Southern California Prestige Series of Cyclocross presented by SPY
SCPS #6: Dirt Club Cross

California Happy Cows Looking for a Race

After a fantastic weekend of UCI events the Southern California Prestige Series presented by Spy Optic headed north to Santa Ynez valley for race six of the series. Michael Hecker’s Dirt Club known for its mountain bike races was the host to its second ever cyclocross race and like the year before they put together a fun course of long straights, tight turns, and some technical twisting descents.

Saturday’s racing started off cool but things heated up quickly in the valley of vineyards. It was warm but a typical lovely sunny California weekend. The fields were loving the course and the rest area of spectators and local beers in Charlotte’s Meadow.

Elite Women:
Ellen Sherrill (Bike Station) traveling all the way from Lake Tahoe smashed her pedals down to take the hole shot and lead the women setting a hard pace. The rest of the field lined up chasing Sherrill but half way through the first lap as the women went over the log run up and down through the lose turns Sherrill looked over her shoulder to see her 15second gap that she monopolized on through the entire race.

In second Amanda Schaper (Ritte Racing) was chasing with the women close on her wheel but a slip through the lose corners, caused a spill that lost her position as two riders snuck past. With the group in chase of Sherrill the women of The TEAM made their moves and charged past.

With one lap to go Sherrill kept her lead with Dorothy Wong and teammate Nancy James (The Team SoCal Cross) charging for the line. In the end it was Sherrill who took the win with Wong 2nd, James 3rd, Schaper 4th, and Julia LaFranchise (Cynergy Cycles) 5th.

Elite Men:
The long starting straight went into a loose left turn where riders waded up and a small group formed on the front immediately. Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific/Focus) took the hole shot with Brandon Gritters (Rock N Road) second wheel and then Gary Douville (SDG/Felt p.b. IRT). Other riders rode their way back up behind the front three but the leaders made things hard early in the race.

Prenzlow lead out the first lap then Douville took charge on the second lap and he held it for two. Douville hopped the log run up gaining a few seconds off the front with each lap but by lap four Prenzlow attacked pulling Gritters up with him. Again, Prenzlow was on the front and led until David Forkner (SDG/Felt p.b. IRT) caught the front three. Instantly, Forkner attacked and it blew the front apart as Prenzlow and Gritters counter attacked to ride away from the SDG/Felt riders.

With two laps to go Gritters was able to open just enough of a gap to hold off the rest of the field and take the win. Prenzlow attacked the chase on the last lap to finish 2nd. Forkner was close behind Prenzlow for 3rd. John Bailey (Bailey Bikes) who dangled off the lead group all day put out some impressive late efforts to pass Douville for 4th and Douville was 5th.

A great day of racing at the Dirt Club was a perfect warm up for the double weekend of Central coast racing as the series went to San Luis Obispo, California Sunday.

Results
Elite Women
1. Ellen Sherrill (Bike Station)
2. Dorothy Wong (The Team SOCal Cross)
3. Nancy James (The Team SOCal Cross)
4. Amanda Schaper (Ritte Racing)
5. Julia LaFranchise (Cynergy Cycles)

Elite Men
1. Brandon Gritters (Rock N’ Road)
2. Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific/Focus)
3. David Forkner (SDG/Felt p.b. Irt)
4. John Bailey (Bailey Bikes)
5. Gary Douville (SDG/Felt p.b Irt)

Southern California Prestige Series of Cyclocross
SCPS #3: Krosstoberfest

The Southern California Prestige Series presented by Spy Optic came to Vail Lake Resort in Temecula, CA for Round 3: Krosstoberfest presented by Kenda bringing a new race to the Series. The fun filled 3 day weekend, the Temecula Cyclo-fest included 3-days of cycle-centric rides, clinics, movies all while making a difference for and raising awareness of the plight of women and children in Afghanistan.

The sunny warm SoCal weather made for a perfect weekend of cycling at Vail Lake in Temecula and a final day of cyclocross on Sunday. The course started with some open fast power sections through the first half of the lap then mixed in a tough sand section and a mixture of tight turns through the end of each lap. It seemed to be the perfect mixture as riders are becoming more comfortable on their bikes and in the cross season swing.

Elite Women:
Nancy Klinger (The Team SoCal Cross) and Amanda Schaper (Ritte Racing) took off on from the start quickly gapping the rest of the field. After two laps of battling back and forth, Nancy opened the gap to take the win. U23 Series leader, 17 year old Hannah Rae Finchcamp (The Team SoCal Cross) came in for third after trying to bridge up to the leaders the entire race but also did a nice job in holding off the rest of the field including her team mate, Dorothy Wong (The Team SoCal Cross) in 4th and Susan Thompson (PAA ReMaxx) was fifth.

Elite Men:
Jason Siegle took the hole shot but overcooked the corner where Brandon Gritters (Rock N Road) snuck by to lead out lap one. From the start the field broke and formed a group of four riders chasing Gritters. John Bailey and John Behrens of Bailey Bikes worked together as did Gary Douville and Jason Siegle of SDG/Felt p.b. IRT. They were sharing the work as riders went through the first few laps.

Then at three to go Douville went out front making the group work hard and Teammate Siegle counter attacked and rode the run up through the sand which opened a gap on on Gritters and the rest of the group split apart. He rode up the next two times also, to solo in for the win with Gritters about 20 seconds down. In third and Fourth was a hard charging duo of Bailey and Douville, with Douville opening up the sprint and holding it for Third. And John Berhns rolled in just behind to round out the top five.

This up coming week the SoCal Cross presents the finale race of the Cross After Dark Series heading to Irvine’s Hidden Valley on Saturday October 15 the series lead could be determined by who shows up. Early series races were dominated by riders who are either based in Europe or will be traveling to the first World Cup in the Czech Republic so look for a possible change of leadership on race day.

On the Men’s side look for Ben Berden of Belgium (Stoemper Bikes) to likely take the CxAD winner’s jersey. Known as Mr. Consistent, Berden has steadily improved and settled into the American style of cross during his first full season racing in the U.S.

The Women’s side has Katerina Nash (Luna Pro Team) solidly on top of the standings with her domination at CrossVegas and Star Crossed with Gateway Cross Cup winner Teal Stetson-Lee (Cal Giant/Specialized) lying second. Nash’s trip to her native Czech Republic opens the door for Stetson-Lee or teammate Meredith Miller (Cal Giant/Specialized) to take the series overall title if one of the pair wins in Irvine.

Irvine, CA- The long week of rains gave Southern California a dose of real cross racing this week with the 3rd Annual Spooky Cross event, round 5 of the SoCalCross Prestige Series presented by H2O Overdrive. It was hilarious to see all the action starting earlier in the day with the first ever Kids & Canines Costume Race… The canines joined in to make the circus complete. From there the kids headed off to carve pumpkins and the top 3 were chosen to sit on the Spooky Cross podium blocks!

But, as the skies darkened and the moisture filled the air, the Spooky Cross course went from a sticky course of long straights and few technical sections, to a slick mess that challenged racers through the night. As the moon came out so did the freaks of the costume race, smoke machines, and hard-hitting action as elite racers were bouncing off the ground.

Elite Women:
The women saw the return of Coryn Rivera (Peanut Butter & Co. Twenty12) to the local seen this week as she has taken a little break from the bike after a long road season to recharge her batteries for cross. And it showed once the gun fired. From the first turn it was the youngest in the elite field Alexis Ryan (Team SoCalCross) who took the hole-shot and cranked out the lead pace. Rivera stayed patient in second with Alexis leading the way. There was a strong group of six women together then through the first barrier there was some commotion and the SDG Factory rider Amanda Schaper dropped her chain after being tangled by riders through the hurdles. Alexis held the lead and the group was down to five while Schaper worked hard to get back on.

Rivera said, “After the first lap, I had an instinct to take the front, so I attacked and weaved my way around the course.” After a while she finally looked back to see it was just Megan Elliot (Black MTN Cycles) behind her with Kendall Ryan (Team SoCalCross) not too far back. Rivera held her pace and was focused, sprinting out of every corner and carrying her speed through each lap. With 3 laps to go, Elliot took the lead until they passed through the start/finish and Rivera made her move on the road to take the lead again. She was putting the pressure on and all she had to do at this point was make the least amount of mistakes and continue to flow around the course. One to go, Rivera was still on the front and held it for her first race/win of the season. Elliot took a comfortable 2nd, with Kendall Ryan 3rd, Alexis Ryan 4th, and Allison Mann (Rock N’ Road) rolling in to round out the top five.

Elite Men:
From the start it was the two most talented bike handlers in the field, Sid Taberlay (Sho-Air) and Brian Lopes (Ibis/Oakley), railing their way through the first corner with a large group of hungry riders chasing through the slop. Gary Douville (Platinum) took the lead on the first lap and set the pace for the first two. The crowd was looking for Chris Horner (RadioShack) but the messy conditions left him tangling with riders as he worked his way toward the front. Douville continued his charge leading a group of ten off the front and people were going nuts for junior Morgan Ryan (Team SoCalCross) as he was comfortably riding in the lead group.

Taberlay and Lopes passed through the third lap with Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific/B&L) in third as Douville dropped back from the huge effort. On lap four, Horner was riding to the front group and he passed Taberley and Lopes for the lead. The effort was impressive, and he did not stop. Horner was continuing to smash the pedals opening a huge gap that stuck to the finish. Taberlay tried to close the gap leading the chase with Lopes in tow. But, Lopes would not leave his wheel as he was holding on for the solid finish as the two rode in for second and third. In the last two laps Brandon Gritters (Rock N’ Road) came off the back of Prenzlow as he attacked on a muddy run up where he was able to hold off Gritters for the remainder of the race, giving Prenzlow fourth and Gritters rounding out the top five.

This is one of the most talked about races in the SoCalCross series and it showed, as there was a record attendance for the Prestige Series now only in its 5th season, all told it was nearly 500 participants and a whole lot of wild spectators. Even local companies like Crank Brothers Pedals joined in the festivities bringing out some limited edition Spooky pedals for the event. But, in the end the costume race and stars of cycling stole the show, along with some amazing juniors put out some of their best rides, impressing the crowds and leaving a lot to talk about until next years Spooky event.

SCPS #1- Irvine Lake CX
Photo: MRock Photo Group (Socal FLickr Group)
Despite a cool summer in Southern California, the start of the cyclocross season known as a fall sport saw temperatures hitting 99 degrees just in time for the elite races, and it was a hot start to what looks to be another great cyclocross season in Southern California (SoCal). Even with the record temperatures for the first week of racing SoCal did not have everyone sitting indoors as more than 350 riders who showed for some heated cyclocross competition.

The 2010-11 SoCalCross Prestige Series continues to grow with over 20 races from San Diego to San Luis Obispo this season and so many exciting stories to unfold.
The Series has grown 300% over the past four seasons and in part the women of the sport the largest growing categories. In years past most of the women’s events meshed with men’s fields which either created some conflicts with riders finishing their races early or some aggressive passes from men. However, with some changes and restructuring of race categories this summer the Series has created a structure that allows the women’s fields to race together without the company of men. The response was positive from the women on course and showed some of the best women’s racing in Southern California as the ladies had the stage to put on their own show.

Elite Women:
It was a close battle at the beginning of the race as pro mountain biker Allison Mann (Rock N’ Road Cyclery) introduced herself to the women in her first year of cyclocross by taking the hole-shot. But, coming out of the barriers the field was lined up and Amanda Shaper of the newly formed SDG Factory team took the lead until an unfortunate crash put her out of the running. From this point it was Mann all the way. Dorothy Wong (TEAM SoCalCross) was in hot pursuit of Mann with the rest of the field but once Mann saw her time to break she attacked and continued to open her lead, lap after lap, for her first cross race and victory of the season. Ultimately, the chase group separated and the battle for second was exciting as Wong and Shaper went back and forth chasing Mann. In the end it was Shaper with second, Wong third, Jill Sisamis (Team Duke) fourth, and Rebecca Siegel (TEAM SoCalCross) to round out the top five.

Elite Men:
The pace was set by Sid Taberlay (Sho-Air/Specialized) and Brandon Gritters (Rock N’ Road Cyclery) as the two ripped off from the start to lead out the race. The field stayed together tightly through the first two laps and then began to break apart. Once, the lead group separated it was Taberlay with Gary Douville (Platinum), Dana Weber (Trek), Gritters, Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific/B&L), and John Behrens (Bailey Bikes). But, even this pack did not last long. After a few more laps with the heat, crashes, and water feeds riders were slowing on course. Taberlay attacked and took a lead that separated him from the group and he kept the gas on all the way until the end. While, the chase group duked it out for second place. Eventually, it was Weber who attacked on a pit entry that Prenzlow took to gap the group into three riders. By the end it was Taberlay to take the win, Weber in second, Gritters who fought his way back after some crashes and bike troubles for third, and Douville in Fourth. Prenzlow who was just off the back of the group finished fifth to round out the top five with small gaps him to top of the podium spots. It was Behrens alone in sixth. Fritz Bottger seventh and teammate Eric Christenson (SDG Factory) eighth for the final podium spots.

The hot start to the beginning of the cross season was fantastic and required a lot of sacrifice and help that Dorothy Wong was very thankful to receive from her club team and many other local riders. The racing was exciting and obviously dominated by the strongest mountain bikers in Southern California.

Stay tuned for next weekend as SoCalCross brings back UCI racing to Southern California with UCI Kross-toberfest Weekend presented by Focus Bicycles. The two-day festival will bring a wide variety of bicycle events including a velo swap meet, Route 66 Custom Bike Show, a mountain bike ride for kids hosted by Pasadena MTB Club and IMBA. A women’s road ride around Puddingstone Reservoir hosted by the Women’s Cycling Challenge, themed Meet Up Ride… Route 66 from Santa Monica and San Dimas. A Saturday Night Krosstober-fest Haus Party hosted by Mafia Racing, Attack Cycles and Ritte Racing and of course two full days of cyclocross racing action from Junior to World Class riders such as Danish National Champion Joachim Parbo (Leopard Cycles), Chris Jones and Zach McDonald (Rapha-Focus), Molly Cameron (Portland Bicycles), Adam McGrath (Feedback Sports/Van Dessel), Chris Shepard (Rocky Mtn. Cycles), Nor Cal’s Barbara Howe (Ibis Cycles) and Sarah Kerlin (HRS/Rock Lobster), So Cal’s Kendall and Alexis Ryan (Team SoCalCross), Allison Mann (Rock N Road). Temperatures are predicted to cool off but the racing will continue to heat up!

For more information about the Series and the UCI Kross-toberfest Weekend go to:
www.socalcross.org

Gripped Films presents Chasing Legends, documenting the 2009 Tour de France through the eyes of the Columbia HTC professional cycling team and the legends of the sport.

More info on the movie at: www.chasinglegends.com

Andy B
outsideallday.com

SCPS #13: Gene Galinedo Memorial Turkey Trot Cross – Sunday, 11/29

What an amazing day of racing to end the month of November and the SoCalCross classics brought to you by Shimano… The Gene Galindo Memorial Turkey Trot Cross 2009 turned out to be a classic with nearly 350 racers showing up for a cool and breezy fall So Cal day. ReMax provided a waffle breakfast for the early morning course workers from PAA and the St. Francis Knights high school mountain bike club.

The course, as usual, did not disappoint but there were more mulch piles about than ever before making for loose single track type turns in the trees. There was one double barrier on a small incline and a run-up including three steps on another 180-degree off-camber downhill turn. Two fast straight passes through the sand pit. The wind certainly played a factor with dirt masks worn by many in the end. With some rain/moisture it would’ve been a little friendlier as most riders said it was a little too dusty but this is the life in sunny Southern California.

One unique aspect of this year’s race was the dominance of top-level mountain bikers in both the elite women’s and men’s classes. In 35+ 1/2/3 multi-time four cross world champion Brian Lopes showed up and won proving that you must be able to pedal fast — even when your main style of racing is going down hill! MTB Pro Heidi Volpe (Sho-Air) gave ‘cross a try on her 29er. In the Elite Women’s race, National Ultra Endurance MTB Champion Pua Sawicki came to play. And in the Elite Mens race Sid Taberlay — who is quickly becoming a CX mainstay in SoCal — and beginning to dominate the elite men’s race.

The morning competition did not disappoint with 35 juniors and youth leading the way and highlighted by sponsor Yucycle (www.yucycle.com) who provided each junior winner with a brand new Yucycle! You couldn’t cross the infield without seeing people pedaling away on these unique three wheeled cycles.

The women’s masters 35+ field just about matching the 45+ men’s participation, which was the largest wave of the day: 45+ and 55+ masters men who were followed by 41 – 35+ riders and the cat 3/4 women.

After the morning action it was the elite riders who took the line who not only looked for the podium spots and prize money, but they knew the elite champs also took home specially engraved belt buckles commemorating their wins.

Elite Women:
In the Elite Women’s race, National Ultra Endurance MTB Champion, Pua Sawicki (Mata/Ellsworth) was present to take on the youth who is dominating the elite women’s field. Sawicki had a tough battle back and forth with Rivera, but proved she can race short, intense races defeating reigning SoCal elite champ Coryn Rivera (Proman) who finished second after-sustaining an injury from a crash with Sawicki. What an amazing finish it would have been. In third it was soon to be series leader, Kendall Ryan (Team SoCalCross-CICLE), followed by her teammates, sis’ Alexis Ryan in fourth and current series leader, Dot Wong to round out the top five.

Elite Men:
Sid Taberlay (Sho-air/Specialized) took the hole shot. John Bailey (Bailey Bikes) took the lead before the tight technical turns in the trees and lead the rest of lap one with a large group strung out behind. Bailey’s teammate John Behrens took over to lead lap two with a large group still together including all of the favorites. On lap three Taberlay attacked before the tight turns splitting up the group.

Mark Noble (Nonstop Ciclismo) and Brandon Gritters (Rock N’ Road) were in the first chase group. Behrens, Gary Douville (Platinum), Jason First (Pioneer), and Brent Prenzlow (B&L/Celo Pacific) were the second chase group. On lap four Tableray increased his lead and Prenzlow bridged up to Noble and Gritters to lead the first chase. Unfortunately, the recently titled district champion Douville was having an off day due to the dusty conditions and pulled out.

By lap five Taberlay was out of reach, but the race for second was still tight. Noble bobbled a corner and Prenzlow and Gritters moved ahead to hold a small gap over Noble.
Going into the seventh lap Gritters crashed hard on some high-speed roots and Prenzlow ran into the back of him. Their bikes tangled and Noble took advantaged to surge back into second. Prenzlow was first back on and chasing as Gritters has to remount his chain.

Noble held a seven second lead over Prenzlow with Gritters another 12 seconds back followed closely now by Behrens, who was looking to strike. Taberlay had now extended his lead to a minute. Noble was not looking to get back to the leader as he worked hard to hold off Prenzlow. Gritters was still fourth with Behrens really close and another rider Jason Siegle (Bike Religion) moved up getting close to Behrens.

On the final lap Taberlay easily rode in for the win with Noble second and Prenzlow third. Gritters held off a hard charging Behrens for fourth while Siegle’s efforts were awesome he could not get Behrens to ride in for a close sixth with Bailey seventh and Kyle Gritters (Rock N’ Road) in eighth.

Thanks again to all who come out and our great sponsors. It was another great week of racing. Remember, there are only two races left in the Prestige Series for 2009. 2010 will bring you SoCal ‘Cross Fever, but next week we hit Balboa Park & the velodrome in San Diego as Adams Avenue joins the Prestige Series for race #14 of 15!

SCPS #7: Spooky Cross Night Race, Irvine, CA
Southern California Prestige Series of Cyclocross presented by Shimano

Photos: Joe Lawwill
There were more costumes around the venue before sundown than Target has stocked the first week of October. The racing was great all day but as it got dark the event went from stock to sick! Spooky Cross brought a record amount of riders to the Southern California Prestige series and a high profile group, current and legendary champions of cycling, motocross stars Johnny O’Mara and Ben Bostrom, Pro road rider Tony “The Count” Cruz, and from the world of Mountain Biking there were Ned Overend, Sid Taberlay, and Brian Lopes.

The race was magical. While there seemed to be a lot of long straight sections the guys from Rock N’ Road along with the SoCalCross designers did a great job adding a wide variety of technical aspects to the course. For example, the longest sand section in a race, outside of the beach, which came into a sharp 180-degree turn and up into the dark and spooky forest. It was a great experience for riders and spectators alike as everyone enjoyed the tasty foods from the Green Truck run on veggie oil and the event was solar powered by Energy Efficiency Solar, music from DJ Echo Brown and three different bands kicking off with the Gruesome Twosome, the Rims and feature rock band: Kinkade.

While the elite fields had some awesome racing the Team Duke Spooky Cross Costume relay race spectacle was a frighteningly hilarious sight. The event benefited the John Wayne Cancer Foundation and one lucky participant won a pair of Oakley Sunglasses! The Phelps brothers seemed to take an early lead while their chest were getting chaffed from their medals. And a lot of others did not seem to care about the race as much as showing off their character or smashing the pumpkin hurdles. El Guapo the infamous wrestling sensation body slammed at least four freshly carved harvests before returning to his bike and threatening the crowds.

The young Kendall Ryan (Team SoCal Cross/CICLE) again dominated the elite women’s field. It was a hard fought battle but she was able to monopolize on Megan Elliott’s (Black Mountain Cyclery) bobble in the super sand pit as she opened just enough of a gap to put in one last attack that would stick allowing her to ride in for the win with Elliot finishing second. The first chase was another great battle as teammates Dorothy Wong and Alexis Ryan (Team SoCal Cross/CICLE) battled with “Killer Bee” Beatriz Rodriguez (InCycle), Lana Atchley and Nor Cal visitor Melody Metzger (Cal Giant). The chase group broke apart with Atchley and Alexis Ryan settling into a battle for the 3rd spot on the podium. Rounding out the top five it was Lana Atchley taking third, 16 year old Alexis Ryan fourth, Dot Wong (Team SoCal Cross/CICLE) taking in fifth, and “Bee” Rodriguez taking 6th.

The ultra competitive elite men’s field had the strongest group of the year and the best racing yet. Series leader Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific/B&L) was ready for a battle as Sid Taberlay (Sho-Air) was back out this week looking to take a win after finishing second to Prenzlow the previous week. But, Rock N’ Roads Gritters brothers also had some ideas to take a win at their home course. From the start it looked like it was going to be Rock N’ Road’s Gritters brothers who controlled the race with Prenzlow sitting in second. Taberlay had a fast start and a big crash in the first turn putting him in dead last after he was back on his bike from the wreckage. Kyle Gritters lead through the first lap with Prenzlow in second and brother Brandon in third. It seemed as Kyle was going to open a gap but Prenzlow never let it get too far as he reeled him back in on the third lap to command the lead, leaving Brandon behind setting the pace for the first chase group. The chase group was together at first with Brandon Gritters, John Bailey and Donny Carrol (Bailey Bikes), Ned Overend (Specialized), Gary Douville (Platinum) and others. But, around this third lap things started to break up. Sho-Air’s Ben Bostrom launched a huge effort taking the lead on the chase that broke it apart. However, he paid for the effort ending his night early with three laps to go. It was an unfortunate night for Bailey too as he had to make an early visit to the pits due to mechanical issues but was still able to pull out a top ten finish.

From here is was the second chase group whom started to crack and guys dropped but only because another rider came flying through the field. Sid Taberlay came back from the crash and was on a mission to catch the front. With Prenzlow and Kyle Gritters on the front it was Taberlay and Brandon who opened the next gap on the chase, putting out their own efforts to catch the leaders.

In the end it was a fantastic fight as Prenzlow threw out one more huge effort entering the super sand pit but Gritters was able to hold on. The two came around the last turn and it came down to a sprint finish once the two hit the pavement but it was Prenzlow by a bike length to take the biggest win of the year and Kyle Gritters finishing 2nd. About thirty-seconds behind it was Sid Taberlay and Brandon Gritters. Taberlay squeezed out Gritters with one last effort through the sand and then the dark forest to have a ten-second gap for 3rd with Brandon in 4th. And, to round out the top five it was another battle as the second chase still in tack came flying in with four riders sprinting for the line. It was Donny Carol (Bailey Bikes) who just pulled ahead of Gary Douville, Overend, and Jason Siegle for fifth.

Thank you to all who came out and to Rock N’ Road Cyclery for hosting such a great event! Join us again next week as the forecast calls for sun, sand, surf, and cyclocross with Storm the Beach 2009 at Camp Pendelton in Oceanside, California. We look forward to a tough course with all the classic sandy elements Oceanside has to offer.


COMING UP NEXT: STORM THE BEACH, SUNDAY, NOV 1ST
It’s almost half way through cyclocross season here in Southern California, and there hasn’t been any mud worth mentioning in the SoCalCross Prestige Series presented by Shimano. Nevertheless, we can guarantee that your lust for epic racing will be slated for November 1st when the SCPS makes stop number eight in Oceanside, CA for Storm the Beach Cyclocross. Presented by Celo Pacific, Storm the Beach is patterned after the famous Duinencross race in Koksijde Belgium. Racers will be challenged by steep seaside bluffs, undulating sand dunes, high speed fire roads, and the Pacific Ocean itself as they dodge the surf for 400 meters along incoming waves. The race has been scheduled this year to coincide with low tide so that nobody will actually have to ride in the surf as has occurred previously (then again, if you want to go for a dip with your bike, we’re not going to stop you).

After the race, you’ll be able to wash off those layers of sand, dust, and sea spray courtesy of Nomad Portable Power Cleaners. Fifteen fields across six races means that there is a skill level and an age group for every ability level. In addition, a free kids fun race will take place at 2:25 pm with prizes for all participants.

If you don’t want to race, come on out and watch: spectators can expect to see great racing all day long culminating in the Elite Women’s race at 1:30 pm and the Elite Men’s race, presented by Hoover and Nebrig, at 2:30 pm. The best cyclocross talent in the region will be chasing after SoCalCross series points and a generous prize list of $1200 in cash plus hundreds more in merchandise.

Racers, make sure to sign up at SportsBaseOnline as all pre-registered individuals will be entered in a race day raffle to win a set of wheels from Revolution Wheelworks. For more race information, go to www.celopacific.org

Complete series information can be found at: www.SoCalCross.org

Friends, we are sorry for the hiatus, life and work for Dave, Matt and I has been a little hectic.

- Dave just finished his Master’s Degree in Education and has been racing his MTB.
- Matt just found out that him and Becky and prego and has been training for the Xterra series.
- Julie and I have been chasing 2 boys around non-stop (in-between the mayhem I’ve been kicking her butt in ping pong) and been riding my road bike all over Loveland and Fort Collins.

But all of that to say, we are back in action, no more weeks upon weeks without posting.

Julie has personally been on a racing spree. This season she has done a 5k and 2 half marathons. Next week she is doing the Bolder Boulder and then right to the Loveland Lake to Lake Olympic Distance Triathlon. As of last week she is committed to doing the Oceanside Half Ironman in March 2010. She’s unstoppable.

For anyone who is curious how my Estes Park Cycling Camp went the ride up was fantastic. Amazing weather, beautiful scenery and super challenging climbing. But over night the weather turned bad and we had to descend and come home early without any additional riding. The weekend was still a success and I met a ton of nice people. I fell in love with yoga at camp and have been practicing twice a week.

You can see more pictures at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/veloonepictures/2009VeloOneCyclingCamp#
http://picasaweb.google.com/veloonepictures/2009V1Camp#

More posts to come later today…

Andy B
outsideallday.com