Urban CyclocrossTM – Event # 2 Race Report
10/31/07 - The Urban CyclocrossTM Series continued with the Black Cat CrossTM at Ken Malloy Park. The cat grab once again entertained both spectators and riders. Bonus series points were picked up in the Masters 45+ by Greg Castaneda (Lightning Velo) and in the Singlespeed A by Noah Holcomb (Cannondale Factory) for grabbing the ornamental cat and tossing it at the announcer. The weather cooperated as clear skies and clean air were the norm despite the recent wildfires. The Elite Men 1,2,3 race was treated to an appearance by Tony Cruz (Discovery Channel Team). Initially missing the lead break of riders, the cruiser was able to get rolling to eventually catch the group that included Jason Lowetz (Team Bearclaw), Brandon Gritters (Rock N Road), Gary Hanson (Giant), and John Baily. more >
Brent Prenzlow puts in a good ride at the USGP in Louisville, KY.
photo © Mitch Clinton
November Fun Rides, Mountain Bike and Cross Events
10/30/07 - If your looking for some fun events to keep your legs turning in November, we have some good ones coming up. For more great events check out our Fun Ride and Mtn and Cross Schedules.
| Fun Rides | |
| 11/10 | |
| 11/10-11 | Tour de Julian |
| 11/17 | First Magnus El Tour de Tucson |
| Mtn Bike & Cross Events | |
| 11/3 | Giant Dust Devil Mtn Bike Series |
| 11/17 | Giant Dust Devil Mtn Bike Series |
| 11/18 | Urban CX #3 - Turkey Cross |
Hundreds Ride for Multiple Sclerosis at the Start to Finish MS Bike Tour
10/29/07 - The Southern California Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society held its Start to Finish MS Bike Tour, from Camarillo to Santa Barbara on Saturday & Sunday, October 20 & 21. More than 750 cyclists rode through the beautiful Ojai Valley to breathtaking Leadbetter Beach in Santa Barbara, aiming to raise a record $600,000 for local MS services and programs and to support national cutting-edge MS research. Criminal Minds’ star Shemar Moore said, “Every hour of every day, someone is diagnosed with MS -- eight years ago that someone was my mom.” Moore participated in the Start to Finish MS Bike Tour, for the second time. more >
Shemar Moore, his mom Marilyn Wilson Moore and Paget Brewster
at the Start to Finish MS Bike Tour from Camarillo to Santa Barbara.
photo © Brian Hodes
Unhealthy Air Quality - To Ride or Not to Ride? - By Christy Nicholson
10/27/07 - The recent wildfires have left their mark over Southern California with an endless layer of smoke and particles in the air that are unhealthy to breathe and ride in. The experts are saying that unless the weather patterns change it will be dangerous until at least next week in most SoCal areas. Not what we want to hear, right? As a cyclist, it's really hard not to ride outside on the road or trails everyday. However, you need to ask yourself if it's worth it to expose your lungs to dangerous particulates that can cause long-term health damage. To avoid exposure to the dangerous air quality, I suggest doing some indoor trainer and gym workouts or if you have the time, drive to a location that has good air quality and ride there. Lastly, don't stress!!! You will not lose fitness in this short amount of time. It's the off-season, so enjoy the downtime and do other things you don't normally get to do. This temporary setback will be over soon. If not being able to ride due to the smoke is our only problem from these devastating wildfires, then we are one of the lucky ones.
U.S. Cyclocross National Championships Course Unveiled
10/26/07 - The course for the 2007 U.S. Cyclocross National Championships promises to be challenging for competitors but perfect for spectators. The nearly two-mile-long course through Wyandotte County Park in Kansas City, Kan., was unveiled today on the race’s official website. Online registration for the Dec. 13-16 National Championships continues through Dec. 8. Race Director Bill Marshall of KLM Marketing Solutions had a solid blueprint for the national championship course design, having staged several UCI races in the 360-acre park, which features rolling terrain in the scenic setting of hillside oak and lakeside sycamore trees. more > Right now airfare to Kansas City and hotel prices are very reasonable. From LAX you can find fares for $ 142 with a weekday arrival and Monday return and hotels are running $70-$100. That sounds like a great deal to me!
A cross rider leaps the barriers, while keeping an eye on his competitors behind him.
Forum Back Online
10/25/07 - The forum is back online after a short off-season. One of our forum members said he might have to go to rehab (FA - Forums Anonymous) if the forum was still down and we don't want to be responsible for that. Get to Talking >
History Made with SoCal's First UCI Cyclocross Race - By Dave Sheek
10/24/07 - Damn windy, bumpy, and bloody hands express this past weekend for stops 3 and 4 of the Southern California Prestige Series (SCPS) as Southern California hosted its first ever UCI Cyclocross race. The events were held at the Hansen Dam Recreation Area which offered an impressive backdrop for UCI-level racing. This San Fernando Valley location is the home of last year's SCNCA district championships and the Hansen Dam Park's bowl-like features were a perfect setting for lots of dramatic racing action. The course designer, Jonathan Livesay, pulled out some of his course-design magic to create a top quality UCI power course consisting of 60% grass, 30% pavement and 10% dirt that demanded the most from its challengers! more >
Hi-Tech Bikes Swap Meet this Sunday in San Diego
10/24/07 - Come sell all of your old bikes, wheels, gear and find new treasures at Hi-Tech Bikes 6th semi-annual swapmeet on October 28th. Sellers in at 7:00 for only $5.00 and buyers in at 8:00 for free. more info >
Forum Set Up to Help Fellow Cyclists Effected by the Wildfires
10/23/07 - Many of our readers are being effected by the wildfires that are ravaging So Cal. We have set up a forum to connect those of you that have been forced to evacuate or may have lost your home with those that can offer a place to stay or store things for you. These fires are devastating for everyone and if there is anyway you can help or if you need help please get the word out in our forum. Talk about the wildfires >
Watch the UCI Cyclocross World Cup on WCSN
10/23/07 - World Championship Sports Network will provide coverage of the UCI Cyclocross World Cup. Cycling fans can log onto wcsn.com and watch the first three races in the nine-part UCI Cyclocross World Cup series. The UCI World Cup Cyclocross will include races in Men's Elite, Men's Under 23, Men's Juniors and Women's Elite categories.
Schedule:
October 21 Kalmthout, BEL View
October 31 Tabor, CZE 1 pm ET
November 11 Pijnacker, NLD TBD
SoCal Wildfires Cause Evacuations and Health Advisories for Cyclists
10/22/07 - With wildfires burning all over Southern California, cyclists are being effected in many ways. There have been evacuations in Malibu, San Diego, Ramona and Irvine. We hope that all of you that have been forced to evacuate will be able to return to your homes safely very soon. In addition, eye-stinging, choking smoke from the wildfires has led to health advisories for residents living far away from the flames. Please exercise caution and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities in the smoke-impacted areas.
SoCalCycling.com Elite Men's Team Now Accepting Resumes,
Sponsorship Opportunities Available for 2008
The SoCalCycling.com Elite Men's Team is looking to expand the team with a few additional riders for the 2008 season. The team will be accepting resumes through October 26th and riders will be selected prior to October 31st. Riders must have a USA Cycling Category 1 or 2 license, be team players and live in SoCal. Please send resumes with a photo to [email protected]. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for companies that would like to be aligned with a high visibility program. Please contact [email protected] for more info.
TEAM NOW-MS raised over $ 48,000 for MS during the MS Bike Tour! Great job!
photo © Larry Andries
TV Stars Support Start to Finish MS Bike Tour October 20th and 21st
10/19/07 - This weekend “Criminal Minds” stars Shemar Moore and Paget Brewster, “The Amazing Race” host Phil Keoghan and Lance Armstrong’s coach Chris Carmichael will cycle in the Southern California Start to Finish MS Bike Tour. They, along with more than 750 cyclists are all riding to create a world free of multiple sclerosis (MS). More than 2.5 million people worldwide live with this unpredictable disease. In fact, MS is the most common neurological disease leading to disability in young adults. The ride will start in Camarillo and finish in Santa Barbara on October 20th and 21st. Come join the festival and expo in Santa Barbara from 11:00 – 7:00 on Saturday and watch Moore, Brewster, Carmichael & Keoghan cross the finish line at approximately 3:30 pm. more info >
Bart Hitt (SoCalCycling.com) snakes through the Urban Cyclocross course in PV.
photo © Mitch Clinton.
First Ever UCI Cyclocross Weekend in SoCal, UCI (C2) Dam Cross
10/18/07 - On October 20th and 21st cyclocross will come alive in Southern California at Hansen Dam Recreation Area in the San Fernando Valley for what is sure to be one of the most dramatic backgrounds for a fun weekend of UCI-level racing. The weekend forecast of 80 degree weather will surely heat up races #3 & #4 of the SoCalCross Prestige Series. CICLE Cross starts the weekend with grassroots racing as TeamCICLE shows racers how to pedal their way to a greener future. Dam Cross on Sunday, 10/21 will go down in history as the first ever UCI cyclocross race in So Cal. more >
Morgan Ryan wins the 2006 'Dam Cross.
Urban Cyclocross – Event # 1 Race Report
10/17/07 - Riders at this year's first Urban Cyclocross SeriesTM were treated to an exceptional course at the Palos Verdes Peninsula High XC running course due to the rain and thanks to hundreds of student runners the day before. Men’s Elite 1,2,3 category started out with a lead group of eight riders breaking away from the rest. Team Bearclaw’s duo of Fritz Bottger and Jason Lowitz rolled away only slowing down when Fritz stopped to pick up the greenbacks scattered on the ground and pocketed them. Yes, that was real cash handed to the riders at random on the course just for racing! Team BearClaw went on to sweep the top three places in the Elite Men’s category. Prestigiously nestled among million dollar homes, with an ocean view, Urban CyclocrossTM #1 was an awesome race with perfect weather conditions, no heat, no wind and no dust. Just cool and sunny weather. The course was lengthened, several new sections were added including Capital Hill where cash was handed to (and thrown at) the Elite Men and Women riders. This was a huge success. Singlespeed categories were also bigger than ever with a $100 value JANDD messenger bag awarded to the fastest rider on the first lap, Cid Castillo. Closing the day was the Shimano Youth series which brought out a peloton of young riders from SBW. Watch for lots of cash to again be handed out at upcoming Urban CyclocrossTM #2, the Black Cat 'Cross/Ken Malloy Park on October 28th. This newly configured course will have more grass, more turns, more hotdogs, more pavement, and no rocks. The Black Cat 'Cross is hosted by SoCalPOBA and South Bay Wheelmen For more info visit backontrackproductions.com.
Team BearClaw podium sweep in the Elite Men 1-3 at Urban Cyclocross #1.
1st Fritz Bottger, 2nd Jason Lowetz, 3rd Lyle Warner. Photo © Lisa Hackenberg
Specialized Decibel Helmet Product Review - By Frank Sarate
10/16/07 - Specialized is well known for making great bikes, components and accessories, including the stylish Decible Helmet. You can find the Decibel helmet on a large percentage of the top pros and pro teams in the peloton. This helmet is extremely light and has plenty of large vents for those hot days in Southern California. Aside from being light and well ventilated, the Decibel helmet can also save your head from a potential mishap. The Decibel helmet meets SNELL and other safety standards. The Pro Fit 2 retention system is easy to adjust and makes the helmet fit snug on your head without flopping around on your head. The straps are also easy to adjust and are comfortable on long rides. When looking to purchase that new helmet I would consider trying a Specialized Decibel on. You can find the Decibel helmet at Incycle and other fine shops.
Training: How to Have the Best Season Ever! - By Mike McKovich
10/15/07 - OK, the season is almost over. Has it been a good season (lots of podiums), a breakthrough season (you are starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel), or is it the same old stuff (lots of hard work, same old results.) For many cyclists, “IT’S THE SAME OLD RESULTS.” Ever wondered WHY? In my experience, cycling is one of the few sports that the athlete really doesn’t look back at their past performances; at the end of the season access their strengths and weaknesses; and than lay out a plan to improve their results for next season. more >
The NOW-MS Women's Racing Team at a recent training clinic. They had a
great year with several podiums and won a CA State jersey on the track.
Tour of Utah to Return in 2008
10/11/07 - The Tour of Utah, billed as "America's toughest stage race" will return in 2008, organizers of the cycling event announced Thursday. The race, founded by Larry H. Miller in 2004, was cancelled this year because of financial constraints. It's fourth edition is scheduled for Aug. 13-17 and will cover 342 miles and 30,000 feet of climbing over the five days. "The purse is $75,000, which includes a brand new automobile," said Terry McGinnis, the Tour's executive director, in a statement. "We're expecting more than 120 cyclists from the best teams in North America. This tour draws national attention, top-tier athletes and will likely be one of only 25 USA Cycling National Race Calendar events." Promoters were able to resurrect the Tour by restructuring financial operations, eliminating two of the seven stages and focusing on attracting domestic teams.
Landis Appeals Tour Ruling
10/10/07 - Floyd Landis has filed an appeal of the decision that cost him the 2006 Tour de France victory, according to sources familiar with the case. An arbitration panel ruled last month that Landis was guilty of using a performance-enhancing drug during the 2006 Tour. The appeal was filed this Week with the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport, the court of last resort in such cases. LA Times >
What Do You Think?
Race Face Cadence Handlebar and Revolution Stem Product Review
By Mike Tettleton
10/9/07 - Race Face is a Canadian components manufacturer based in Vancouver, British Columbia, and is known for its rock-solid mountain bike parts. This year marks their first foray into road componentry. I’ve been running the Cadence handlebars and Revolution stem with great results. Here are the specifics: the bar is made with 6061 aluminum with internal butting, has an anatomic shape for comfort, and a standard 31.8mm handlebar clamp. The stem is made of 7050 aluminum with a 2014 aluminum, 31.8mm clamp. Both are shot peened for fatigue resistance. The bar weighs in at a 280g while the stem is at 140g.
Installation was a breeze, just standard procedure like any other bar and stem combo. The faceplate is a four-bolt, two-piece unit that has an interlocking u-shape that is aimed at eliminating stress risers in the handlebar. The bar has cable grooves on the front and rear of the bar for compatibility of Campagnolo and, in our case, SRAM drivetrains.
On the road, this bar/stem combo is as stiff and comfortable as they come. I’m running a 44cm bar and a long 130mm stem and can’t find a hint of flex when sprinting to the finish line or up short hills. The shape of the bar offers comfortable hand position when sprinting, climbing, or hammering along. If you’re in the market for a new cockpit, put Race Face at the top of the list.
The InCycle Cross Country Challenge at Bonelli Park got a great turn out.
Risk: The World Championship Road Race - by Amber Neben
10/8/07 - I raced my 6th world championship road race a few days ago. Since the USA team had just placed 3 riders in the top 5 of the time trial, we had high hopes for a good result in the road race. Oh we were so close. The course was a challenging 19.5km circuit, so challenging that I think it discouraged early racing. The start finish was on a 7% hill. We moved in a general upward direction for a few minutes before taking a hard left onto a fast downhill. At the bottom of this downhill, we made a fast right from a two lane road onto a one lane road that started climbing immediately. This was the steep climb…maybe 2 min long and 13% at it’s steepest. more >
Team Events, Men's Keirin Conclude USA Cycling Track Nationals
10/7/07 - The 2007 USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships concluded on Saturday as the final five national titles were awarded in one individual and four team events. Just six weeks before making its debut on the UCI World Cup program in Sydney, the women’s 3-kilometer team pursuit event was introduced to the national championships as the trio of two-time world champion Sarah Hammer (Temecula, Ca/Ouch Pro Cycling), Thursday’s individual pursuit national champion Dotsie Bausch (Irvine, Ca/Colavita-Sutter Home-Cooking Light) and this year’s sprint and keirin national champion, Jennie Reed (Kirkland, Wa./Momentum), rode to a victory in the inaugural edition. The threesome clocked a winning time of 3 minutes, 34.783 seconds for a nine-second victory over South Bay Wheelmen’s Becky Quinn (Manhattan Beach, Ca), Christen King (Huntington Beach, Ca) and Neva Day (Manhattan Beach, Ca). more >
South Bay Wheelmen’s Becky Quinn, Christen King and Neva Day
placed second in the team pursuit, but went on to launch Quinn to
gold in the points race. photo © Mitch Clinton
Phinney, Bausch Begin Track Careers with National Pursuit Titles
10/6/07 - Competing in his first-ever track race, 17-year-old Taylor Phinney (TIAA-CREF) captured a national title in the elite men’s individual pursuit on Thursday as one of seven national champions crowned on day two of the USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships. In addition to Phinney’s debut, another promising career on the track began in the women’s 3-kilometer individual pursuit when Dotsie Bausch (Colavita-Sutter Home-Cooking Light) earned a national title in only her third-career track race. After just six weeks on a track bike, Bausch clocked an impressive 3:44.354 in the morning’s qualifying session to earn the top seed by nearly three seconds over Christen King (Huntington Beach, Calif./Young’s Training). Both Bausch and King – who clocked a 3:47.026 – earned spots in the Talent Pool by surpassing the time standard of 3:49.12. more >
Junior World Champion Taylor "Mini" Phinney at Track Nats.
photo © Mitch Clinton
Tara Llanes Blog Update - Making Progress!
10/5/07 - Okay some funny stuff went down yesterday. Here's how it all played out. I was given a new medication earlier in the day to help my nerve pain. Then around 2:00 pm I headed to my PT class. Midway through my back started to hurt a bit so one of the nurses came up to give me some pain meds. No biggie, right? Hah! About 15 minutes later I was standing up in the stand assist machine and literally fell asleep. And when I say asleep I mean I was in pretty a coma. more >
Six National Titles Awarded on Day One of Elite Track Nationals
10/4/07 - Six national titles were awarded on Wednesday as the 2007 USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships began at the ADT Event Center Velodrome in suburban Los Angeles. Four elite titles and a pair of U23 stars-and-stripes jerseys were claimed on the opening day of the four-day competition in which 198 athletes are competing for national championships and a spot in the 2008 USA Cycling Track Talent Pool. more > results >
Sarah Hammer, Jennie Reed and Dotsie Bausch get ready for
their winning ride in the team pursuit. photo © Mitch Clinton
Young Belgian Seeks Cycling Exchange Program with SoCal Racer
10/4/07 - "My son, Loïc Marcourt, 19 years old is a Road Cyclist from already 4years. Cycling now for PREDICTOR-LOTTO - VCA Belgium. He would like, for three months (November - January) to stay in Southern California for training and preparing the next Cycling season that begins in February in Belgium. He is searching for a family with one child as old as him and interested by the same sport and the same proposition. It could be possible to offer the same possibility to an American boy and make the exchange by coming in Belgium from February to April, and participate to cycling races in Belgium. Loïc searches too for a Road Cycling Club arround in the country, to train with partners and be coached during this training period. If you know somebody interested, or the way to make our request a success, thank you for contacting us at the same mail address." - Charly Marcourt (Loïc's Dad) For more info - [email protected]
Interbike, Vegas Baby! - By Christy Nicholson
10/3/07 - After barely recovering from a reunion in Vegas just ten days before Interbike, we headed back to Sin City for round two. Interbike was Interbike – an explosion of all things bike. I love to ride my bike, but the sensory overload of gadgets, carbon, and bike geeks rolling around the aisles on recumbents is almost too much to handle all at once. I am pretty sure I get a bad case of Attention Deficit Disorder at Interbike. Maybe it is due to the Interbike diet, which consists of way too much caffeine, candy, energy bars and drinks, Clif Bloks, Sports Beans and Happy Hour beer. Whatever the cause, I am glad it only happens once a year.
Seeing Old Friends
The one thing I do enjoy at Interbike, is running into old friends. This year I ran into my old Chevrolet/LA Sheriff and Chevrolet/Klein teammate Carmen D’Aluisio and caught up with her over some Jittery Joe’s espresso. She is doing a great job as the Team Director for the Aaron’s Pro Women’s Cycling Team. We were talking about all of the women we raced with that are now Team Directors and are directing the next generation of women to win bike races. More Interbike Tales & Pics >
Ivan Dominguez (center) on the podium with second-place finisher
Martin Gilbert (left) and Dave McCook, both of Kelly Benefit Strategies-Medifast.
Photo © Kurt Jambretz
Velo Club La Grange named Official Club of Start to Finish MS Bike Tour
10/2/07 - Velo Club La Grange, one of Southern California’s largest and most established cycling organizations, has been named the Official Bike Club of the 2007 Santa Barbara START TO FINISH MS BIKE TOUR. In just its second year, turnout for the two-day ride on Saturday and Sunday, October 20th and 21st, 2007, is expected to draw more than 1000 riders and be supported by 300 volunteers. Billed as one of the most rewarding and scenic bike rides in Southern California, the MS Bike Tour offers something for everyone: one-day or two-day rides and routes of all types to satisfy a broad range of experience levels, from recreational riders to elite level cyclists. La Grange board member Neil Leventhal says the Club’s participation is in keeping with its long tradition of community service. “We’re excited to be participating in a leadership role with the Start to Finish MS Bike Tour,” says Leventhal. “With an active membership of 500 members, many of whom have years of experience in both racing and recreational cycling, Velo Club La Grange is providing a number of benefits and opportunities for the MS Bike Tour.”
Several SoCal cyclists gather at the top of the Mandeville climb in
Santa Monica with renowned cycling coach Chris Carmichael.
Worlds Time Trial Report - By Amber Neben
10/1/07 - The weather stayed dry. Since we were broken up into four different waves with the first rider off at 13:00 and the last at 15:15, there was plenty of time for rain to either start or stop or winds to change and affect the results. It would have been unfortunate if the championship was influenced by changing conditions, so it was important for the weather to stay consistent throughout the day. more >
What Do You Think?
