Thursday, October 30, 2008

BASP this Sunday - Mud on a Stick?

From Tom Simpson:

We've checked all of our photos and records and believe you can count on the fingers from 1/2 of 1 hand the number of wet Bay Area Super Prestige Cyclocross events in history. Just 2, as a matter of fact, way back in December of '03 at a windy, drenched Coyote Point and January of '04 on a separate Coyote Point circuit no longer in use. Except for those 2 events, it's been a duh-rye run ever since. Since 2004 riders have had more concern with the problems of dust than the wet, messy stuff.

But a fall storm window may have opened up for this weekend's 2nd round of the Bay Area Super Prestige Series, presented by Kaiser-Permanente/Team Oakland. As of 8:00 pm wednesday night, we stand a decent chance of soft (OK, "Softer") ground at Candlestick Point for Round 2. Showers are forecast for tomorrow night (80% opportunity), showers are forecast for friday (another 80%er) and actual rain on Saturday. Not nearly so much fun for the Pilarcitos and Roaring Mice crews building the circuit - but they'll have everything ready for pre-ride by 3:00 pm.

And Sunday, you ask? Less than 40% chance of showers on race day itself - sounds like Candlestick will be the Vortex of Cyclocross! Wonder how the ground squirrels will handle that action?

Past Candlestick Elite Division winners include:

2004 - Brent Prenzlow and Gina Hall in the first weekend.
2004 - Daniele Pontoni and Gina again in the 2nd Candlestick weekend
2005 - Aaron Odell and Christine Vardaros in the 1st weekend
2005 - Andy Jacques-Maynes and Melodie Metzger in the 2nd weekend
2006 - Justin Robinson and Shelly Olds
2007 - Justin Robinson and Kathleen Hannon

and for Masters

2004 - Chris D'Aluisio 1st weekend
2004 - Chris D'Aluisio 2nd weekend
2005 - James Coats 1st weekend
2005 - David Eastwood 2nd weekend
2006 - Steve Reaney
2007 - Gannon Myall

Softer course? Who's the "mudder" (or "sander") among the favorites for Candlestick)?

Round 2 starts off with HRS/Rock Lobster leading both Elite Men and Women's standings as Josh Snead rode to a 44 second victory over Robinson, the defending ‘07 series champ as the '08 season opened at McLaren Park. Robinson has mastered a dry and dusty Candlestick for 2 years running – with softer ground, no dust in ‘08 – does that play into his strengths? Snead finished 3rd last year, and in ’06 just 12 seconds behind Robinson for 2nd place. A softer Candlestick surface would be sweet payback for Robinson’s aching back after a wicked McLaren Park experience. Robinson is currently slated to ride Saturday’s 1st round of the Boulder Classic, but not for Sunday – Justin – you flying back and defend your Candlestick title?

The significant UCI weekend in Boulder has lured a trio of Northern California’s top Women with Series leader Kerlin, Rachel Lloyd and Sarah Maile heading for the high country and UCI points. Kerlin led a 1-2 finish for the Lobsters at McLaren Park in the Elite Women's contest with Stella Carey the runnerup and her absence opens the door for a new series leader to emerge. And reigning US Masters Champ James Coats earned first row call-up with his victory at a very bumpy McLaren Park and typifies the specialist in the muck. All THREE of his National titles came in messy conditions – at Baltimore in 2000, in Portland in 2003, and last year in Kansas City. You know what he’s wishing for….


No dust? What are the odds?


"Rain, Rain, please DON'T go away"

Tom & Alec Simpson
Pilarcitos Cyclesports
and those Magnificent Mice who Roar

Monday, October 20, 2008

Surf City Cyclocross Clinic Saturday

From Beth Welliver - note the clinic instructors - they got GAME!

Have you wanted to learn how to race cyclocross, or improve your racing in a fun low key atmosphere? Maybe just curious...

What: Surf City Cyclocross Clinic
When: Saturday, October 25th
Where: Soquel High School
Time: 10:00 am
Cost: $20, Juniors attend for free!

Who should attend: Anyone!! If you’re just curious about giving cyclocross a try..if you’ve done a few races and want to improve that dismount/remount/run-up/etc...if your a seasoned racer looking for a few tips to take a few seconds off that lap time..then this clinic is for you!

We’ll have some of the very best cyclocross talent NorCal has to offer there to give expert instruction in all aspects of ‘cross racing:

Ben Jacques-Maynes
Shauna Potocky
Kathleen Bortolussi
Mark Abele
Clark Natwick
Sheila Moon
Barb Howe
Stella Carey
Steven Gile
Cal Giant Team Racers

The clinic will go something like this:
9:30 Registration Opens
10:15 Clinic Start/Instructor Introduction
10:30 Lecture & Skills Work
11:30 Break
11:45 Resume Skills Work on Course
1:30 Lunch - FREE BURRITOS!!
2:00 Open Course

If you’d like to attend, please pre-register at http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=7220
. (Clinic registration is at the bottom of the page). Registration will also be available on the day of the clinic, but we are ordering lunch from Lety's Tacqueria nearby and want to make certain we have enough yummy burritos for everyone, so please pre-reg if possible!

More info on the clinic is here:
http://surfcitycxclinics.blogspot.com/

If you have specific questions, please feel free to e-mail me.
Beth Welliver
Velo Bella Surf City Cyclocross Clinic Coordinator
bethwellie@mac.com

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

BASP - McClaren Teaser

Perhaps we should refer to "Lower down" at McLaren Park, Round 1 of the 2008 Bay Area Super Prestige Cyclocross Series, presented by Kaiser-Permanente/Team Oakland.


Since 2003 and our UCI events we have used barricades that mimic heights seen at UCI events both stateside and in Flanders. Those barricades have seen a lot of use, almost 30 events and are getting a little tired - lots of scars from chainrings, cleats and who-knows-what-else. Some of you know that we completed a garage project this spring and we've got some leftovers! Extra floor joists, almost 11' wide and only 12" high. (Don;t tell Alec because HIS tape measure
said 14"). What's that mean? Maybe, with some careful placement, hurdle-hopping time!


For those of you familiar with McLaren Park in our past 2 years 2008 will have a few new twists to throw into the mix. The fabulous soccer fields are finished and you'll be sharing the parking lots with heaps of soccer players. That's also caused a slight revision to our circuit. We still start on pavement under the alley of pines, turn quickly onto the outfield of the softball diamond to encounter the "Beast", the traditional 30 meter run-up before encountering McLaren Park back country. We're going to shorten the topside of McLaren this year because....we've been invited to race on the football field adjacent to the start/finish zone. We've taken 500 meters from the topside and replaced it with 500 meters of football field grass. That's also where the 50 meter long "Super Quad" lives - those 4 new ex-floor joists - now 12" high barricades. 4 in a row and
then a short distance back into pine tree alley and the start/finish zone. As we say in France, "Ooooh La La!"

More coming this week

Tom & Alec Simpson
Pilarcitos Cyclesports
and many Roaring Mice-kateers