Cycling News

Ring in the New Year with a Traditional New Years Day Ride
12/30/08 - It's hard to believe that another year has flown by and we are about to ring in 2009 already. If you are looking to celebrate the New Year with a group ride, then there are a few traditional New Years Day rides that will help you sweat out the bubbly from the night before. The Mt. Wilson New Years Day Ride will give the climbers their fix and will offer some beautiful views of the snow capped mountains. If you prefer a flatter ride with coastal views and a peloton of 400 riders, then the Long Beach New Years Day Ride is the place to be. We wish you all a Happy New Year and much success in 2009!

The annual New Year's Day Ride rolls through Laguna Beach.
photo © Jim Parkhurst

Free Valet Service for Bicyclists During the Holidays in Pasadena
12/30/08 - Bicyclists wanting to shop, dine, sightsee or rendezvous with friends can take advantage of a complimentary valet parking service at Los Robles Garage, courtesy of city of Pasadena’s Department of Transportation. “We’re promoting bicycles as everyday transportation. Bicycles have advantages over automobiles, especially this time of year when traffic is heavy,” said Bill Bortfeld, city parking manager. In partnership with Modern Parking, Inc., the city is sponsoring the bicycle valet service December 26 through January 1. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. everyday except December 31, when it will be extended throughout the night, ending at noon on January 1. The service, similar to valet parking for vehicles, will provide a safe and convenient way to secure bicycles. The bike owner hands his or her bike to an attendant to be parked and receives a claim ticket for later retrieval. Entrance to Los Robles Garage is on Green Street, near Los Robles Avenue. For more information call (213) 482-8400.

Cross Fever #1: Hart Park Cross Ready to Rock on January 4th
12/29/08 - Got 'cross fever?  The cure is coming January 2009 starting with Round #1 of the 'Cross Fever Series kicks off in Bakersfield on Jan. 4th. 2009 brought to you by the Kern Wheelmen Bicycle Club, Action Sports, Glinn and Giordano Physical Therapy, Guinn Construction and Bidart Farms. The rains have passed through and the parcours is the best its been in years. Green grass and awesome soil conditions will treat racers to the classic style Euro course that Bakersfield is famous for! Will some good mud be present? Cold fog and Belgian style weather? We'll just have to wait and see! Ample pavement for the start will lead riders into the twisting grass downhill and off camber sections followed by technical twists, turns and wide open power sections. The true test lies in the 3 run ups strung together in succession. While not very long, they are challenging and will prove to be the deciding factor before the start finish. Cross racing at its finest on the best course southern/central California has to offer! And just when you thought it was over, stick around for the highlight of the day, the Bidart and Ablin Hillclimb Challenge! Racers, fans and all have a chance at $100 CASH...first one to the top of an amazing run up climb that rings the bell wins the cash! Bring you friends a family for a day at the races. Fresh roasted coffee and lunch will be available. For more info. check out kernwheelmen.org for a race flyer or contact Sam Ames at [email protected]. more >

Juniors Danny Heeley and Ian Moir placed 7th in their first UIV/6 day race in Zurich Switzerland.
They were invited to to participate after their 3rd place showing at elite nationals in the Madison.
photo © Josef Herzog

Troupe Racing Company Announces 2009 Sponsors + Team Roster
12/27/08 - Southern California mountain bike team Troupe Racing Company is please to announce that they'll be back in force for the 2009 season. This marks the second year for the amateur team which participates in all forms of cross country racing. Team Captain Tim VanGilder said that the response from Troupe's first year from both the riding community and sponsors was beyond expectations. "Our goal will be to continue to build a small and unique mountain bike team similar to a pro team. We're amateurs, but we try to present ourselves as if we're all pros. That takes work, but in the end, its actually a lot fun and adds something special to our team's brand. We're very active in sharing our rides and races online, too - we hope that helps inspire others to get into racing." Troupe had a solid performance in their first season that saw members consistently in the the top 10 and on the podium. "We win some... we loose some. We take all races seriously, but in the end, we're racing bikes and enjoying the spirit of competition," Tim added. The 2009 race schedule will reflect the team's interest in endurance racing. Members have their sights set on events like the Warriors' Society Vision Quest / Counting Coupe, solo and team entries in the 12 Hours of Temecula series, 24 Hours of Adrenaline events, and 24 Hour National Championships, as well as a host of traditional cross country races like Sea Otter Classic and the Rim Nordic series in SoCal.

Troupe Racing Company looks forward to more success in 2009.

SoCal Cross Prestige Series - Santa Cross Report
By David Sheek and Dot Wong
12/24/08 - Women in red danced the day away while Snotty Scotty and the Hankies played their rock n roll holiday tunes including the theme song of Santa Cross, “Run, Run Rudolph” while competitors twisted through the hillside on the tacky dirt course surrounding Pierce College in Woodland Hills, CA. Santa Cross was the season finale of the eco responsive Southern California Prestige Series (SCPS) and it went out with a bang as riders saw the best course, prizes, raffles and awards in amateur cyclocross racing and the eco-sportfest 5k cross country run. Team CICLE and SoCalCross hosted the event and presented everyone with the three B’s (Bitches or Bastards, you fill in the blank) as the course had three demoralizing climbs. While handling skills helped on this course the most important skill was the ability to climb and then have enough power to get back on the gas, yet allow one to rest, for the next B. It was awesome to hear expletives from the racers and legendary announcer, Larry Longo throughout the day. more >

The Cat 4 men get off-camber at the Santa Cross.
photo © SCPS - Eric Colton

Lance Armstrong and Girlfriend Are Expecting a Baby
12/23/08 - Comeback kid Lance Armstrong and his girlfriend Anna Hansen are expecting a baby in June. The couple has been quietly dating since July and met through Armstrong's charity work for cancer. Hansen is from Vail, CO and is the Program Manager and Recruiter for a nonprofit organization, where she helps offer outdoor adventure experiences for young adults with cancer. It was thought that Armstrong was sterile due to the chemotherapy he underwent for testicular cancer in 1996. In vitro was used when he had his three children with ex-wife Kristen. So far, he hasn't mentioned the happy news on his Twitter yet. Congrats!

Team Type 1 Announces Davidenko and Fraser as New Directors For 2009
12/22/08 - Team Type 1 has hired a new director sportif, Vassili Davidenko, and a new assistant director, Gord Fraser, for the 2009 season. Davidenko was Team Type 1’s assistant director last year under Ed Beamon, who is not returning. “We were very fortunate to have someone with Ed’s experience to help guide us down the path of success in our first year,” said Team Type 1 General Manager Tom Schuler. “With Vassili and Gord, we have two former pros who can also relate well to the challenges a rider faces on and off the bike.” Davidenko, 38, brings more than a quarter-century of bicycle racing experience to the team. During his 14 years as a professional, he won the Russian national road (1996) and cyclocross (1998) titles and was a silver medalist in the 1988 Junior World Road Race Championships. He also represented Russia at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games and won the Athens Twilight Criterium in 2005 and 2006. Fraser raced professionally for 13 seasons and represented Canada in three Olympic Games and five Commonwealth Games. A veteran of the Tour de France, the 40-year-old works for Carmichael Training Systems. He helped the revolutionary training system developed by Chris Carmichael open a regional training center in Tucson, Ariz. Team Type 1 is the only professional cycling team in the world with a mission to instill hope and inspiration for people around the world affected by diabetes. “With everything that we accomplished last year, we certainly set the bar high for what lies ahead in 2009,” he said. “But with a solid management team in place, we are well on our way toward accomplishing our goal of participating in the Tour de France by 2012.” In 2009, Team Type 1 is expanding to include a triathlon team, a developmental squad, a women's professional squad and two teams for the Race Across America (RAAM): Team Type 1 and Team Type 2. The athletes with diabetes in these programs serve as examples that diabetes can be controlled through diet, exercise and the use of the best treatment and technology available today.

Cross action at the High Desert Cross.
photo © Eric Colton

Bike Culture: Spokes People
By Matthew Segal - Los Angeles Magazine
12/22/08 - As longtime activists push to make the gridlocked city more bicycle friendly a new wave of riders is partying in the streets, challenging city hall, and even taking to the freeways. Is bike culture here to stay?
Perhaps the most hallowed crossroads in Los Angeles bike culture is the intersection of Melrose Avenue and Heliotrope Drive. That’s where you’ll find the Bicycle Kitchen, a tiny storefront with screwdrivers and wrenches adorning its smudged walls and salvaged bike frames hanging from the ceiling. For a suggested donation of $7 an hour, you can come in, throw your bike on a rack, borrow tools, and get guidance on how to make repairs, whether it’s fixing a flat or fashioning a rim. The enterprise offers an affordable alternative to regular bike shops, which can charge as much as $75 for a tune-up, but what galvanizes the volunteers who work here is the idea of building a self-sustaining community. A messenger named Jimmy Lizama started the Kitchen in 2002, when he was living in the L.A. Eco-Village, a residential cooperative near Vermont and 1st. Tenants didn’t have a good spot to park their bikes, so Lizama installed racks in a vacant studio apartment. A repair area went into the kitchen, and the place filled with riders hanging out and working on their equipment. more >

Training: Rolling the Hot Spots - Stretching Using the Kinetic Foam Rolling Loop
By Michael Lovegren M.S. OPT PES, Kinetic Loop Training System
12/21/08 - Every athlete should train addressing the five components of fitness in order to achieve peak performance. The five components are as follows: Aerobic endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and body composition. As the average or elite endurance athlete trains, he or she continually observes both their aerobic and muscular endurance because of its effect on body composition. Usually, improving muscular strength is done in the off season when one builds a stronger fitness foundation as well as increasing the athlete's strength to weight ratio. Muscle flexibility is the component of fitness often downplayed or neglected by many athletes. Most people wonder why flexibility is important to peak performance. The normal range of motion becomes altered as we get older and creates postural distortion patterns. A cumulative injury cycle is caused by postural distortion patterns. If we lose muscle elasticity, a component of the muscular makeup, athletic injuries may increase. Professionals usually treat this with practical stretching which, if properly done, improves flexibility and increases elasticity. There are two important factors that influence or inhibit flexibility: the golgi-tendon organ (GTO) and the muscle spindle. more >

Velo Club La Grange: 39 Years of Putting Cycling First
By Mark Johnson
12/20/08 - Velo Club La Grange is a 500-member West Los Angeles cycling club that takes three things seriously: bike racing, fostering a cycling community, and the politics of bike riding. The three are inextricably linked to the club's deep sense of mission and tradition. Whether you are a triathlete, road racer, fitness rider, or just like to spin around with your 6 year old, you do your thing at the intersection of personal interests and government policy. "We're one of the few sports in the United States that is regulated by public policy, by the mere fact that we use public property to do our sport," notes the club's director of public policy, Jeffrey Courion. Rather than running from the reality that riding is a political act, the club, founded in 1969 by Frenchman Raymond Fouquet, tackled bicycle policy with gusto. Courion, 54, has been with the club since 2002. He was inspired to step up as a public policy leader after two riders - one a La Grange member - were run over and killed by a truck on the Pacific Coast Highway near Malibu in 2005. After the accident, Courion recalls, "I didn't know what to do, so I called my state legislator's office." more >"

Georgia Gould (Luna Chix) and Coryn Rivera (Team Redline) brave the cold at Cross Nats.
photo © Mitchell Clinton / www.clintonphoto.com

Sacramento to Host Official Amgen Tour of California Team Presentation and Gala
12/19/08 - The City of Sacramento, the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau and AEG will host the Official Team Presentation and Gala for the 2009 Amgen Tour of California on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009, at Sacramento’s Memorial Auditorium.  A portion of the proceeds from the black tie-optional event will benefit Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer™ initiative — a complementary component to Amgen’s race sponsorship that is designed to increase awareness of the important resources available to cancer patients from prevention to education, and patient care to advocacy and financial support. All of the professional cyclists competing in the 2009 Amgen Tour of California will attend the black tie-optional evening reception where the riders will be introduced on stage.  Many of these athletes have competed in the Tour de France and previous Amgen Tour of California races. In addition to the professional cyclists who will race in the Amgen Tour of California, celebrities, local dignitaries, legendary cyclists and retired racers will participate in the festivities.  Representatives from host cities throughout the state also will attend, as will executives from AEG and race sponsor Amgen. The evening will include an elegant dinner by award-winning caterer Classique Catering, the team presentation, a variety of entertainment and the opportunity to bid on one-of-a-kind live and silent auction items.

Eight ProTour Teams Announced for the Amgen Tour of California
12/18/08 - The 2009 Amgen Tour of California will once again bring together a world-class field of cycling teams from multiple nations, including eight of the sport’s top-rated ProTour teams.  Race organizers confirmed today that entries for the fourth annual race will include Lance Armstrong and the Amgen Tour of California’s two-time defending champion Levi Leipheimer’s team, Astana, along with two of the top U.S.-based teams, Garmin-Slipstream (new to the ProTour circuit) and Columbia Highroad (formerly Team High Road).  Also racing will be Team Saxo Bank, which finished in the top-three of the world rankings last season and Quick Step, which claimed 55 victories in the 2008 season. The 2009 Amgen Tour of California roster includes the following eight ProTour professional cycling teams:  Ag2r-La Mondiale (FRA), Astana (LUX), Garmin-Slipstream (USA), Liquigas (ITA), Quick Step (BEL), Rabobank (Netherlands), Columbia Highroad (USA), Team Saxo Bank (DEN). "The success of the Amgen Tour of California has created a very positive reputation among the professional cycling community, which has helped to ensure the high level of competition that people have come to expect from our race," said Andrew Messick, president of AEG Sports, presenter of the race.  “We have invited the best teams that the world has to offer to compete on an outstanding course.  The success of the race, combined with an updated, world-class route will ensure a level of competition that is unprecedented in the United States.”Several of the ProTour professional cycling teams will hold their pre-season training camps in California, which will give residents throughout the state an opportunity to watch these elite athletes prepare for the top professional cycling race in the United States.  

Help World Bicycle Relief by Donating to DoubleBikeMatch By Friday
12/17/08 - World Bicycle Relief, a nonprofit organization that provides access to independence and livelihood through The Power of Bicycles is asking for your help in providing bicycles to Africa by donating to DoubleBikeMatch! When you give one wheel, a generous supporter will give the other. Donate a whole bike, and recipients in Zambia will get twice as much.  Their goal is to raise $13,400 before 12pm CST on Friday, Dec 19th. That's 100 bicycles (200 when you add the DOUBLEbikeMATCH). Any amount helps – $10 can make a difference and $134 buys a new bike. This year an angel donor will match all donations – dollar for dollar – up to $750,000.  One bike can help up to 20 people, which means 200 bikes will affect the lives of over 4,000. Please give today and tell your friends. The more donations they receive – no matter how large or small – the more they can improve access to healthcare, education and economic development. more info >

SCPS #12 – Series Finale: Santa Cross & Eco-Sportfest '08
12/17/08 - The SoCalCross Prestige Series comes to a close Sunday, 12/21 with Santa Cross & Eco-Sportfest '08: XC run and CX racing at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, CA. Presented by Landmark Insurance and hosted by Team CICLE and SoCalCross, the day will begin 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 which will include the scenic Pierce College cross country trails treating the runners to a spectacular view of the San Fernando Valley. Cyclocross racing begins at 9:30am with the Juniors followed at 10:15am with the CX4 Men – Beginners. Do the 5k run AND the cyclocross race for only $5 more! A FREE CX Clinic starts at 9AM. Demo bikes available in all sizes from Jamis and Specialized. Junior sized bikes from Redline provided by the SCNCA! With our focus on youth fitness all events are FREE to all Juniors 18 and under! The GoGreen Racer Kids Fun Run and Bicycle Race will treat the young ones to be a part of the racing action and is free to all participants. EcoSportFest ‘08 will also feature sponsor booths from SoCalCross 'Green’ sponsors including Energy Efficiency Solar will power the day’s festivities. Look for The Green Lunch Truck to roll in with lots of organic goodies! more >

SoCal Interscholastic Cycling League Spotlight: Rim of the World High School
12/16/08 - The SoCal Interscholastic Cycling League is gathering more steam than anyone imagined; six schools have registered for the inaugural season and fourteen other prospective teams are working towards that goal. Scott Craft of Rim of the World High School, a public school in Lake Arrowhead, was the first coach to register a team and some of his students have been chomping at the bit for over a year now. Four years ago, Scott managed to get mountain biking approved as part of his P.E. curriculum. Using the 50 mountain bikes for P.E. class, interest in the sport grew quickly and soon Scott had a few students itching to compete with other high school riders. In fact, the interest was strong enough that plans were made to drive to the NorCal League races for the 2009 season. Once the SoCal League was formed, Scott jumped at the opportunity.Every Tuesday there is a group ride in Lake Arrowhead. Scott has been participating in these rides for several years and decided to approach his fellow riders for funding to the team -- the amount of support was tremendous. Both Assistant Coaches, Jon Tanklage and Seamus Tansey, came from the Tuesday group rides. One rider convinced his employer to donate $2,500, telling Scott that “he only wished he had a high school mountain bike team when he was a kid.” In a little over 24 hours after being approached, the local riders had donated almost $5,000. While Scott received great support from the community, including enthusiastic support from the local shop Don’s Bikes, he still felt he needed to get a bit creative to get the all funding he needed. “My goal was to ensure that if a student wanted to participate, cost would not be an issue,” said Craft. Each student interested in the team sent out several fundraising letters. There are also plans to make a promotional calendar with information about the team, important dates and spots to sell advertising to local businesses.   The Rim of the World High School Mountain Bike Team is off to a great start. “When you look at the whole package, you see right away that they've got all the ingredients for a great team,” said Quintin Easton, President of the SoCal League. There are 30 students who have shown a commitment to the team, including 4 girls. While the team is technically a club, Scott will soon be joining his Athletic Director in asking the school district for official recognition as a school sport. For more information about the team contact Scott Craft.

Trebon & Compton Win Cyclocross National Championships
12/15/08 - The final day of the USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships was highlighted by the powerful performance put on by Ryan Trebon (Kona) on his way to the elite men’s national title. There were no surprises in the elite women’s race as Katie Compton (Spike) rode to her fifth consecutive cyclo-cross national championship despite a talented field. After an unfortunate crash removed him from last year’s race, Trebon seemed determined to wear the Stars-and-Stripes in 2008. The elite men’s contest was a heavyweight fight from the gun with most all of the big names positioning themselves in the front of the 94-rider field. Multiple leaders tried to take control in the early going, including Olympic mountain biker Todd Wells (GT) and three-time national cyclo-cross champion Jonathan Page (Planet Bike). It wasn’t until about halfway through the eight-lap, 60-minute contest however that Trebon was able to push the front of the bike race and separate himself from youngsters Jamey Driscoll (FiordiFrutta) and Jesse Anthony (Jamis). Seemingly in control after that, Trebon went on to ride alone to a nearly one-minute victory and earn the elite title for the second time in his career. Last year’s collegiate national champion, Driscoll won his bout with the surging Page to take the silver. The twenty-three-year-old Anthony crossed the line in fourth while last year’s champion Tim Johnson (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com) out sprinted Wells for the final podium spot. After winning one UCI World Cup event and finishing second in another in the month of November, Compton seemed poised to win her fifth straight elite women’s cyclo-cross national title and she did not disappoint. Although Rebecca Wellons (Ridley), the winner of this year’s Verge Mid-Atlantic ‘Cross Series, grabbed the holeshot, it didn’t take long for Compton to move to the front of the 81-rider field. In hot pursuit however was Olympic mountain biker Georgia Gould (Luna) and the U.S.G.P. series’ third-place finisher Rachel Lloyd (Giant Berry Farms). The three rode a steady pace throughout the remainder of the contest, leaving the excitement to the trio of Amy Dombrowski (Velo Bella-Kona), Laura Van Gilder (C3-Sollay) and Maureen Bruno-Roy (MM Racing-Seven Cycles) who were in a fierce fight for the remaining podium spots. Ultimately veteran road rider Van Gilder won the sprint over yesterday’s U23 champion, Dombrowski, and the 30-34 master women’s winner, Bruno-Roy.

   
Katie Compton (Spike) and Ryan Trebon (Kona) won the Elite CX National Championships.
photo © Mitchell Clinton / www.clintonphoto.com

Juniors and Masters Bring Home Medals and Titles from Cyclocross Nationals
12/14/08 - Friday’s racing at the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships crowned 16 national champions in both junior and master categories and locked up a spot on the U.S. World Championship squad for one junior rider. Cyclists from as young as nine to 67 years-of-age contested the muddy course at Kansas City’s Tiffany Springs Park on the second day of competition at the 2008 national championships. With staggered starts, all four junior women’s age divisions began their quest for a national championship on the mud-slick 1.67-mile course at Kansas City’s Tiffany Springs Park on Friday morning. The 17-18 group started out hot-and-heavy, but quickly settled down as the seven starters hit the slick technical off-road portion of the course. Moving up an age group didn’t however seem to stall multi-time national road champion and defending 15-16 national cyclo-cross champion, Coryn Rivera (Team Redline) who took the early lead and never looked back. Rivera earned her 22nd Stars-and-Stripes by only thirty-three seconds.The majority of the 15-16 junior women’s group suffered a major crash in the first turn as Alexis Ryan (Team C.I.C.L.E) slipped and ultimately fell to the back of the field. The former mountain bike national champion however would not be deterred and, after a tire change, surged to take a six second victory. As expected, the final race of the day saw Steve Tilford (HRRC-Trek Stores) win another national championship in the 45-49 men’s race, but this time not without challenge. After starting somewhere in the third row, Noble, California’s Mark Noble (Time Factory Team) made his way to the front of the field and began gunning for Tilford. With a captivated crowd cheering him on Oxnard closed the gap to within about 20 seconds with two laps to go before Tilford held steady to win another national title. Other medalists from SoCal include, John Rubcic (UC Cyclery/JW Flooring) who took the bronze in the 60-64 men's race and last year's National Champion, R. Lee Wilmore (Celo Pacific), who took bronze in the 65-69 men's race. results >

USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships Live Updates
12/13/08 - Follow live updates from the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships at CXMagazine.com.

2009 USA Cycling National Championship Dates & Locations Announced
March 21: USA Cycling BMX National Championships – Desoto, TX
May 15-17: USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships – Fort Collins, CO
June 28 – July 4: USA Cycling Masters Road National Championships – Louisville, KY
July 2-5: USA Cycling Junior Track National Championships – Carson, CA
July 4: USA Cycling Mountain Bike Marathon National Championships – Breckenridge, CO
July 8-12: USA Cycling Junior, U23 & Elite Road National Championships – Location TBD
July 10: USA Cycling Tandem Sprint Championships – Trexlertown, PA.
July 16-19: USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships – Granby, CO
Aug. 15-16: USA Cycling Elite & Pro Crit National Championships – Downers Grove, Ill.
Aug. 18-23: USA Cycling Masters Track National Championships – Indianapolis, Ind.
Aug. 29-30: USA Cycling ProRoad & Time Trial National Championships – Greenville, SC
Sept. 30 – Oct. 4: USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships – Carson, CA
Dec. 11-14: USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships – Location TBD
Date TBD: USA Cycling Collegiate Track National Championships – Location TBD
Date TBD: USA Cycling 24 Hour Mountain Bike National Championships – Payson, AZ
Date TBD: USA Cycling Collegiate Mountain Bike National Championships – Location TBD
Date TBD: USA Cycling International Omnium National Championships – Location TBD

SoCal Cross Prestige Series - High Desert Cyclocross Report
By Christie Pleiss, Team CICLE
12/12/08 - The history making cyclocross race and SoCalCross Eco-Sportfest 5K Fun Run presented by Landmark Insurance at Pelona Vista Park in Palmdale hosted by the High Desert Cyclists will go down as a fantastic event. 165 seasoned elite level riders and amateur cyclocross fanatics and runners from all over SoCal made the trip to the high desert for the 11th race of the SoCalCross Prestige Series. The day brought us cooler temperatures and even a light rain fell blessing the new race venue. The 2.5km course offered a nice mix of grass, dirt (with the occasional jack rabbit crossing the trail) and a bit of pavement to give the legs a little rest from the grass. Handling skills paid off on the backside of course with some windy turns, sandy ruts and a good heart pumping power ascent back up to the grass fields. more >

The Elite men in the rolling trails at the High Desert Cross.
photo © SCPS / Eric Colton

SoCalCycling.com's Holiday Gift Ideas for Cyclists
12/11/08 - We have put together some Holiday Gift Ideas, including some our favorite products that we use and that any cyclist will love. They are affordable, fun, must have items and we guarantee that you'll like them! If you've been good (or even if you've been bad), then why not treat yourself to some gifts too!

Ivan Dominguez Signs with ProTour Team Fuji-Servetto
12/10/08 - Things are already changing on the Rock Racing roster. It was previously announced that Ivan Dominguez would race for Rock Racing in 2009, which seemed to be a deal in the making since last summer. Now Dominguez will achieve the dream of a lifetime and will be racing the big races on a ProTour Team for Fuji-Servetto.  We’ve already seen the damage that Dominguez can do at domestic races and look forward to watching him win some ProTour races. Now, the next question is ... will Bahati get promoted from Rock Racing’s “club” team with the open spot that Dominguez is leaving open? Stay tuned ...

Watch for Ivan Dominguez to bang out some wins in the ProTour races.
photo © SoCalCycling.com

PV Groupo Ciclismo to Host Urban Cyclocross, International Field Expected
12/10/08 - On Sunday, December 14th prepare for Dutch, Haitian and American cyclists to complete the seasons final event, the PV Groupo Ciclismo in Palos Verdes Estates! Who knows what other celebrities will attend? Over 600 cyclocross racers have participated in the Urban Cyclocross including the latest notable Brian Lopes, who won the Masters 35+ Urban Cyclocross/Turkey ‘Cross in Irvine. Try cyclocross if you have not had a chance. You do not need a cyclocross bike and can use a mountain bike. Also there will be demo cyclocross bikes available for juniors provided by the SCNCA. Series winners will be awarded the HotShoppe Urban Cyclocross Series Winners jersey and we’ll be announcing our Fuji Pro ‘Cross frame winner and awarding the frame if winners are present.  Anyone can win the frame drawing by signing up for the race through Sportsbaseonline.  Free hotdogs will again be offered too and be sure to sample free Larabars, Kool N’ Fit, and Fluid Recovery drink from all the sponsors.

Riders jump the barriers at the Urban Cyclocross.
photo © Back on Track Productions

Quote of the Day
12/9/08 - "I'll put it to you this way. This is how I feel. It’s like MB and his expensive clothing line. How would he feel if the fashion world did a review on some of the best designer jeans in the world and Rock and Republic fell under the category with Old Navy and Gap? When the whole world knows they are no Old Navy or Gap. Well that’s how I feel. One of the fastest guys on the bike and I’m dropped to the amateur team." Rahsaan Bahati, on getting relegated to Rock's amateur team. Keep your head up Rahsaan and the big wins will keep coming!

Join Rock N' Road Cyclery in the "Beat Hunger" Ride and Canned Food Drive
12/9/08 - Rock N' Road has joined forces with Feed America to help feed the poor and displaced in Orange County.  This will be the second year that Rock N' Road has joined with their customers to help in this effort. During December, if you bring in 3 canned goods or 3 of any other items on the list below to a local Rock N' Road Cyclery location, you will receive a Free Rock N’ Road Cyclery water bottle. All customers are encouraged to come in and give a little to those who need it most. Needed items include: canned meats, canned fish, beef stew, chili, pasta, macaroni & cheese, rice, beans, canned fruit & vegetables, canned juices, soups, hot & cold cereals, peanut butter.  To help raise even more canned goods, Rock N' Road's Irvine Store is hosting a “BEAT HUNGER” ride on December 13th. The ride will be  starting at 8:00 am from the Irvine location (located at 6282 Irvine Blvd, just off the tollway).  The ride will head counter clockwise through Santiago Canyon for approximately 33 miles and will regroup twice on the ride with no one will being left behind.  Additional miles will be added afterwards for those really hungry people. At the end of the ride enjoy coffee and treats together! There will also be a raffle at the end of the ride for a Rock N’ Road kit including a jersey and shorts. Raffle tickets will be given to those who bring in food items that day with one ticket per canned good item. For more info please visit rocknroadcyclery.net or call the Irvine Store at 949-733-2453.

Tim Johnson (Cyclocrossworld.com-Cannondale) on his way to winning the USGP in Portland.
photo © Mitchell Clinton / www.clintonphoto.com

UCI Continental Teams Announced for 2009 Racing Season
12/8/08 - USA Cycling announced thirteen squads that have been registered as UCI Continental teams in the US for the 2009 racing season and their rosters. Including the UCI Pro Continental squad, BMC Racing, and UCI Pro Tour teams, Garmin-Slipstream and Team Columbia, the US will feature 16 pro cycling teams recognized by the UCI. US teams receiving Continental status for 2009 include: Amore e Vita/McDonalds/Velo Vie Pro Racing Team, Bissell Pro Cycling, Colavita/Sutter Home pb Cooking Light, DLP Racing, Jelly Belly Cycling, Kelly Benefit Strategies, Kenda Pro Cycling pb Spinergy, Land Rover/ORBEA - Benefiting the Lance Armstrong Foundation, Ouch pb Maxxis, Team Mountain Khakis, Rock Racing, Team Type 1, and Trek LIVESTRONG U23 Team. According to the Rock Racing roster, US Pro Criterium Champion, Rahsaan Bahati, is not currently listed on Rock's UCI Continental Team, but is listed on their "club" team. Hopefully, he'll be able to wear the Championship jersey he earned this year and defend his title when the time comes next summer.

Team Columbia and Garmin-Slipstream Take Part in New Anti-Doping Program
12/8/08 - Both Team Columbia and Garmin-Slipstream both announced their participation in a new program run by the Anti-Doping Sciences Institute (ADSI). Designed by leading anti-doping expert Don Catlin, the new independent testing program will build upon the comprehensive testing conducted on the team’s athletes in 2008 and complements the UCI’s Biological Passport program.  “Make no mistake about it. We take our anti-doping efforts very seriously,” says Team Owner Bob Stapleton. “Don Catlin is passionate about uncovering cheats and supporting athletes that compete by fair means. We have been discussing this potential with Don for over a year and ADSI’s new program will be the perfect continuation of what we have embarked on as a team since our introduction to the ProTour in 2007.” The program will use data from samples collected by ADSI during 2009, and will incorporate data from the UCI and build on the athlete profiles established over the last year and a half.  A combination of urine and blood testing will be used to: expand and deepen the scope of testing for EPO, CERA and other related drugs; identify steroids and other drugs that may be in a sample; and continue to develop longitudinal profiles for blood markers and steroid levels.  Analytical work will be performed by Anti-Doping Research, under contract to ADSI, as well as other labs selected by ADSI.  Combined with the UCI Biological Passport, the expectation is that athletes from Team Columbia will have 600 samples taken during the season. Test results from ADSI’s program will be made available to the UCI and WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency).

As The Cycling World Turns...
12/8/08 - Last week, Bjarne Riis’ Saxo Bank Team lost the sponsorship funding of Denmark’s IT Factory. IT Factory filed bankruptcy after CEO, Stein Bagger, embezzled millions of dollars and disappeared from his Dubai vacation. On Saturday morning, he showed up at a Los Angeles police station near skid row wearing an Armani suit and $65,000 Rolex and turned himself in. "You never know who's going to walk through the door,' said LAPD Lt. Paul Vernon. "Today we got the millionaire next door -- the only question is, Whose millions does he have? " ... In more legal news, Floyd Landis has dropped his lawsuit against USADA. No details of the settlement were released or if the $100,000 financial penalty was dismissed. Recently, Floyd has been seen tearing it up on the local group rides and drinking milk as a mid-ride beverage... In mountain biking news, USA Cycling is appealing Sue Haywood’s recent verdict that awarded her nearly $320,000. Haywood sued USA Cycling for failure to submit her results and points to the UCI, which ultimately cost her a spot on the 2004 Olympic team ... Some great news for mountain biking has come, in the form of a new race series called the US Cup, which will replace the NMBS. The US Cup is sponsored by shipping company, Sho-Air, and will consist of two six-race sub series called the Kenda Cup East and Kenda Cup West, with six races taking place in California and a final race in Las Vegas during Interbike.

USA Cycling Club of the Year Application Deadline Extended to December 12
12/5/08 - The Club of the Year Application deadline has been extended to December 12, 2008 for all USA Cycling Registered Clubs. The Club of the Year Award will be given for the following divisions: Division I (76+ licensed members), Division II (30-75 licensed members), Division III (1-29 licensed members). Club of the Year Special Awards will be given out for the following categories: Junior/High School, Masters, Women, Best New Club, Track, Mountain and Collegiate. more info >

SoCalCycling.com's flickr group feature pic - Join Now

Jake on his Xtracycle at the Bikerowave, a bike repair collective where
you can learn to fix your bike on the cheap. photo © Flunky Carter

Paramount Racing Seeks Category 2’s
12/4/08 - Paramount Racing is pleased to announce that it will continue to be supported by Jax Bicycle Centers for the 2009 season.  With support from Jax, our parent club Orange County Wheelmen (OCW) and our other sponsors, Paramount has decided to field a men’s Cat. 2 team in 2009.  Support will be comparable to other Cat. 2 level teams and will include equipment, clothing and prepaid race entry for a significant number of SoCal races.  We are seeking riders that are team players and that will act as mentors to the lower category riders in our club.  If interested, please contact Paramount president, John McKee, at [email protected] with a summary of your experience or a race resume. Paramount is also seeking racers of all categories, including women and masters, for the 2009 season.  Owing to our relationship with OCW, Paramount benefits from a solid infrastructure and provides access to recreational, as well as competitive pursuits.  In addition, Paramount members have access to special product discounts from our sponsors.  2009 team clothing will be high-end, Italian-made apparel produced by Capo custom.  Contact John McKee with any questions, or join at ParamountRacing.org (click through to the Orange County Wheelmen site).

Amgen Tour of California Route Announced, Women's Race in Santa Rosa
12/4/08 - Specific route details for the 2009 Amgen Tour of California professional cycling race were revealed today by AEG, presenter of the fourth-annual event, which will once again have a world-class field of competitors, including two-time defending champion Levi Leipheimer and seven-time Tour de France Champion Lance Armstrong.  Already considered cycling’s most important and successful stage race in the United States, the 2009 Amgen Tour of California will be expanded to cover more than 750 miles over nine days.  In its fourth running, the race will travel almost the entire length of California on a demanding course from the state’s capitol, Sacramento, to Escondido, in San Diego County.   Scheduled over nine consecutive days from February 14-22, 2009, the race will visit 16 host cities for official stage starts and finishes, with communities along the route getting the chance to see, firsthand, a lineup of some of the most elite, recognizable teams and athletes in the world.  Host cities for the Prologue and eight stages include: Sacramento, Davis, Santa Rosa, Sausalito, Santa Cruz, San Jose, Modesto, Merced, Clovis, Visalia), Paso Robles, Solvang, Santa Clarita, Pasadena, Rancho Bernardo and Escondido. "Each year, we continue our commitment to upgrading and enhancing every element of the Amgen Tour of California, not only for the cyclists, but also for the spectators along the route, by creating an even more challenging and exciting race," said Andrew Messick, president of AEG Sports, presenter of the race. “The added element of the Amgen Tour of California Women’s Criterium in Santa Rosa allows us to bring professional women’s cycling to the fans as well, even further enhancing the race experience.” more >

After climbing Highland Valley, Lake Wohlford, and Mt. Palomar, Tour of California riders will
finish the final stage into San Diego by ascending the a very tough Cole Grade. Here Neil
Shirley and Cody Stevenson climb Cole Grade with Palomar in the background.
photo © Ironstring.com

SoCal Cross Prestige Series - Gene Galindo Memorial Turkey Trot Cross Report
By Eric Colton
12/4/08 - Dave Sheek is out this weekend, for holiday shenanagins in Colorado, so in the mean time you'll have to listen to me. Just be thankful that it's only this once (or so I'm told). It was a little bit of a surprise to everyone when we realized that the Gene Galindo Memorial Turkey Trot Cross Race, hosted by the Pasadene Athletic Association (PAA), has been going on strong for the past five years, and has proved to be a success every single time. This year as race #10 in the SoCal Prestige Series more than 300 racers rolled in to Verdugo Park in Glendale, CA to the scents of freshly cooked waffles and the sight of some squishy turf. Thanksgiving not only brought with it enough tryptophan to kill a horse, but also some wet weather that had stubbornly persisted long enough to leave conditions foreign to many Los Angelenos. Baffled by this new phenomenon that one racer was heard referring to as "mud," the day's events continued un-phased. The snaking course maneuvered through technical wooded areas,,several stream crossings, greuling straightaways, and the infamous "Tot Park Sand Trap." Just over 3km in length the course provided plenty of punishment, and several opportunities to show if you blew off your inlaws and trained through turkey day. more >

Astana Training Camp Kicks Off
12/3/08 - The Astana Camp got under way this Monday on the Island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands. So far, the riders have been bonding, catching some waves and getting some good rides in, while staying at the Hotel Las Madrigueras, a plush five star hotel. It looks like Lance picked up some surfing skills from his time in California ... A hammer session took place on yesterday's ride, when Lance and Levi's group started with twelve riders and ended with four. More than likely, a case of half wheel hell occurred ... While riding, San Diego's Chris Horner ran into a little trouble with the law and was pulled over for riding without a helmet. After a routine identification check, all was good since professional cyclists are not required to wear a helmet in Spain ... 2007 Tour de France winner, Alberto Contador is back on the bike and training with the team after his recent septum surgery ... The team has been training in a colorful mix of kits. New Astana team members are currently training in their 2008 team's clothing, since they are still under contract with their team until December 31. Armstrong will be wearing the LiveStrong kit during training allowing him to promote the LiveStrong Global Campaign, but will be racing in the Astana kit.

Kayle Leogrande Gets Two Year Suspension
12/2/08 - Local rider, Kayle Leogrande received a two year doping suspension today. Leogrande sued USADA earlier this year to prevent them from completing a drug test, but that lawsuit was dismissed. However, USADA continued the case, finding a “nonanalytical positive” and determined proof of doping through documentation, witnesses and other evidence. Former SoCal racer, Suzanne Sonye and Frankie Andreau were two key witnesses against Leogrande. Leogrande was drug tested at Superweek in July, 2007, with his ‘A’ sample was ruled negative because of a technicality.  A  three-person arbitration panel ruled testimony from Sonye and Andreu, along with other evidence, was convincing enough to prove doping. Sonye testified that Leogrande told her he had used EPO and she told Andreu.  Other evidence included pictures of Leogrande taken at the home of cyclist Joe Papp  holding vials of EPO and a letter that read: “Joe, 2 boxes G. 100 iu; 7 boxes E. 60,000; $500. I owed you! Thanks, Kayle.”  Papp’s cell phone records also showed 274 calls and text messages to Leogrande during a 12-month period ending in July 2007. Rock Racing Team Owner, Michael Ball released the following statement regarding Leogrande, “Whenever a rider is suspended – be it for doping or any disciplinary issue – it brings negative attention to  the sport that so many of us are working hard to cast in a positive light.  In Kayle’s case, knowing that several of the sport’s governing bodies were also conducting their own investigations, we felt it was  not appropriate to prevent him from racing until a verdict was  reached. USA Cycling and the UCI did not deny him the right to race. Rock Racing absolutely and unequivocally does not condone doping, but we do respect due process. The decision to not re-sign Kayle for the 2009 season had nothing to do with this case. It was based on performance."

Lance Armstrong Has Announced He Will Race the Tour de France
12/1/08 - Lance Armstrong just announced that he will be racing the 2009 Tour de France. Astana has plenty of star power when it comes to riding the Tour de France, including 2007 Tour winner Alberto Contador, podium finisher Levi Leipheimer in addition to Armstrong. Armstrong said "I'm committed to riding for the best guy. We'll abide by the same code that I do: cycling is a team sport, while we'd all like to win." Armstrong will be taking on a heavy stage race schedule, especially after taking three years off the bike. He plans to race the Tour Down Under, Tour of California, Giro di Italia and Tour de France, which will allow him to get the message against cancer out on a global scale. It will be interesting to see how his body handles and responds to this demanding schedule ... Over the weekend, Don Catlin told the Associated Press that he is still in negotiations with Armstrong regarding the drug testing program that will be available online. It was later announced that they plan to have the program in place sometime in January. According to Armstrong, he has already been drug tested seven times in the last few months by USADA and the UCI.

Riders navigate the course at the SoCal Cross in Irvine.
photo © - Myke Baldivino

Video of Armstrong Winning the '93 World Championships
12/1/08 - Lance Armstrong's '93 Worlds win was a preview of more big things to come for the young Texan. This particular win is even more impressive to watch as he soloes ahead of a chase group that contained names like Miguel Indurain, Bjarne Riis, Andre Tchmil, Claudio Chiappucci, Dag Otto Lauritzen and Johan Musseeuw in the rain.