I want to fill you in on some team developments as the road and mountain bike season winds down, and we transition to that crazy and well, special for AC, season of cyclocross.
The AC junior athletes have received amazing support over the years from Chad, Kalara and the Above Category Cycling team—we are all very grateful for that. Thanks to our athletes’ successes on the bike (multiple top-5 and top-10 placings at road, mountain AND ‘cross Nationals for example), as well as the strengthening AC brand and franchise, we are starting to get support from others in the cycling community too.
In order to leverage that support to the maximum benefit of the athletes and the sponsors, we are in the process of establishing a non-profit entity to help fund ACJR activities. More on that as it develops.
In the meantime though, the first tangible effect of that support is that we have been able to retain Josh Snead as Directeur Sportif. For those of you that don’t know him, Josh is a very experienced cyclist, mechanic, pro ‘cross racer and former assistant coach of the Redwood HS mtb team. He has the respect of the boys (I think it is mutual!) and a great demeanor. His objectives for the rest of 2010 are to organize a couple training rides per week and provide:
• Safety and race strategy advice
• Mentoring and training plan support
• Keeping it fun & motivational
• Skills work
• Mechanical/bike care advice and training.
After ‘cross season (once he’s not racing), Josh will also provide some of the race logistics (planning, driving, race-day support). For those athletes who are coached by Craig Upton, Craig is aware of Josh’s role, and is going to work with Josh to coordinate the boys’ training plans as much as possible.
Josh will be reaching out to the boys directly to kick things off next week. If you have an questions or feedback, please don’t hesitate to let Josh or me know!
In terms of racing, the road season is winding down, with the final Cal Cup race on Monday (Giro do SF) and the Mt. Tam Hill Climb on September 18th. The first team ‘cross race will most likely be BASP #1 (location still TBA) on Sunday October 3rd. More on the ‘cross season and a season opener social event soon.
Thanks and good riding,
Blair
Friday, September 3, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
AC Juniors Rock Road & Dirt
It was another big weekend for the AC junior team athletes with a win and high placings in both road and mountain events-- all over California!
Rocking the Road
Alex, the current AC roadie powerhouse, and Isaiah traveled deep into VeloPromo territory to contest the Warnerville Road race. This event, like many other VP races, was help on rough back roads in unknown places. Warnerville is a 17-mile loop that Alex and Isaiah's Cat 4 group traversed 3 times. Each lap included a 1-mile dirt/gravel stretch-- conditions that the AC guys are quite comfortable handling a road bike on, given their CX experience.
The 30-odd Cat 4 bunch rode a moderate tempo for the first two laps over the rolling course. On lap 3 however, things really heated up. A small break got free just before the dirt. Alex and Isaiah worked together to stay clear of the ensuing chase group. Isaiah worked hard to keep Alex in the clear. Alex "rode harder than I ever have." It worked because he finished fourth while Isaiah battled within the chase group for a very solid 7th. "I collapsed after the race," said Alex. "I slept the whole way home and went to bed after that!" Readers should note Isaiah and Alex competed in the Elite (19-34 year old) Category 4 Men, not juniors. With this result, Alex secured the points he needed for his Cat 3 upgrade, and with that comes qualification for Road Nationals.
Rocking the Dirt
Meanwhile, about 400 miles to the south, Bob, Spence and new AC recruit Eliel were racing the Pro XCT Kenda Cup West Series cross country in "Fontucky." Although the day dawned clear, with beautiful views of snow on the Angels Crest, the wind was something to reckon with. Blowing a steady 20mph from the northeast, with gusts well over 30, the gale wreaked havoc with the course markings, banners, spectators and most of all the racers. We are still finding sand in various... nooks and crannies!
The Fontana course is set on a small but rugged mountain-- or what's left of it, since it is an abandoned granite quarry. The course was extremely technical with a surprising amount of climbing for its ~5 miles. Lots of rock, decomposed granite, and even man-made "features" like concrete culverts. The rather stunning backdrop on several drop-away turns was the endless expanse of tract homes in the San Bernardino Valley. Cat 1 contested 3 laps; Cat 2, 2 laps.
Spence raced Cat 1 15-16, which started in a field combined with 17-18. The pace was very fast from the gun. The group remained mixed over the first half of the lap 1, at which point the climb and tech sections strung out the riders. The competition was intense, with a high number of mechanicals largely due to the rough course. Spence managed a strong 6th place (1:08:23, 4 minutes off the winner), with familiar names from the NorCal HS MTB varsity ranks above him on the podium.
In the Junior Cat 2 event Bob (17-18) and Eliel (15-16) faced a similar challenge. Bob got the hole-shot from the gun, with Eliel right behind him. It was a fantastic sight seeing the two AC riders negotiate the alternating hard-pack and sandy chicanes and rollers that made up the first half-mile of the race. Bob kept the gas on, and blipped Whole Athlete/Novato High rider Bobby Zideck for the win (0:46:20). Eliel had his own work cut out for him, battling two SoCal riders for an excellent 4th place (0:46:54), barely a minute behind winner and fellow NorCal HS MTB racer Taylor Smith (Whole Athlete/Redwood).
Here are pictures from Fontana.
Great riding, everyone!
Blair
Rocking the Road
Alex, the current AC roadie powerhouse, and Isaiah traveled deep into VeloPromo territory to contest the Warnerville Road race. This event, like many other VP races, was help on rough back roads in unknown places. Warnerville is a 17-mile loop that Alex and Isaiah's Cat 4 group traversed 3 times. Each lap included a 1-mile dirt/gravel stretch-- conditions that the AC guys are quite comfortable handling a road bike on, given their CX experience.
The 30-odd Cat 4 bunch rode a moderate tempo for the first two laps over the rolling course. On lap 3 however, things really heated up. A small break got free just before the dirt. Alex and Isaiah worked together to stay clear of the ensuing chase group. Isaiah worked hard to keep Alex in the clear. Alex "rode harder than I ever have." It worked because he finished fourth while Isaiah battled within the chase group for a very solid 7th. "I collapsed after the race," said Alex. "I slept the whole way home and went to bed after that!" Readers should note Isaiah and Alex competed in the Elite (19-34 year old) Category 4 Men, not juniors. With this result, Alex secured the points he needed for his Cat 3 upgrade, and with that comes qualification for Road Nationals.
Rocking the Dirt
Meanwhile, about 400 miles to the south, Bob, Spence and new AC recruit Eliel were racing the Pro XCT Kenda Cup West Series cross country in "Fontucky." Although the day dawned clear, with beautiful views of snow on the Angels Crest, the wind was something to reckon with. Blowing a steady 20mph from the northeast, with gusts well over 30, the gale wreaked havoc with the course markings, banners, spectators and most of all the racers. We are still finding sand in various... nooks and crannies!
The Fontana course is set on a small but rugged mountain-- or what's left of it, since it is an abandoned granite quarry. The course was extremely technical with a surprising amount of climbing for its ~5 miles. Lots of rock, decomposed granite, and even man-made "features" like concrete culverts. The rather stunning backdrop on several drop-away turns was the endless expanse of tract homes in the San Bernardino Valley. Cat 1 contested 3 laps; Cat 2, 2 laps.
Spence raced Cat 1 15-16, which started in a field combined with 17-18. The pace was very fast from the gun. The group remained mixed over the first half of the lap 1, at which point the climb and tech sections strung out the riders. The competition was intense, with a high number of mechanicals largely due to the rough course. Spence managed a strong 6th place (1:08:23, 4 minutes off the winner), with familiar names from the NorCal HS MTB varsity ranks above him on the podium.
In the Junior Cat 2 event Bob (17-18) and Eliel (15-16) faced a similar challenge. Bob got the hole-shot from the gun, with Eliel right behind him. It was a fantastic sight seeing the two AC riders negotiate the alternating hard-pack and sandy chicanes and rollers that made up the first half-mile of the race. Bob kept the gas on, and blipped Whole Athlete/Novato High rider Bobby Zideck for the win (0:46:20). Eliel had his own work cut out for him, battling two SoCal riders for an excellent 4th place (0:46:54), barely a minute behind winner and fellow NorCal HS MTB racer Taylor Smith (Whole Athlete/Redwood).
Here are pictures from Fontana.
Great riding, everyone!
Blair
Monday, March 22, 2010
Sobrero Has Krabbe-Like Experience at Bariani
Cat 4 masters racer has a very close call at last Saturday's Bariani Road Race. Here's the first-person recap:
First, 100 participants showed for Elite 4 race. Many teams of riders – not too many individuals. Get this, the race was 98% single lane only with strict centerline enforcement – making a tight 5-6 bikes across a single lane with dicey shoulders of pea gravel and such. 5 laps at about 10 miles a lap. Very intense as no where to pass easily and a bit of talk and arguments in the peloton, add to that it was very hard to drop a big amount of the group since there was not that much climbing – about 400ft per lap. Speeds where very high with an average of 25 miles an hour for 50 miles.
I stayed in the first 25 places through the whole race thinking strategy and surprisingly in the end had much energy to hammer down the straight away to the finish. As I hammered down the straight away I reached 36 miles an hour and was moving through to top 10 spots and feeling like I could have been top 5 – that’s where it all ended with the number 6-7 guys crashing and taking out about 20 bikers behind them including me at 36 miles an hour. Needless to say – broken shoulders and a lot of shredded skin amongst the grounded riders. Luckily I have bruised ribs, two nasty strawberries on each hip, sore shoulder, back, neck – well ..just about everything. Total bummer. Bent my shifters back in place, played with the chain and brakes to be able to roll – and soft peddled to the finish – likely bottom 10. Things can change quickly – although I was lucky – I can still ride a bike today. :)
I wont do that ride ever again unless they open the whole road – not worth it.
First, 100 participants showed for Elite 4 race. Many teams of riders – not too many individuals. Get this, the race was 98% single lane only with strict centerline enforcement – making a tight 5-6 bikes across a single lane with dicey shoulders of pea gravel and such. 5 laps at about 10 miles a lap. Very intense as no where to pass easily and a bit of talk and arguments in the peloton, add to that it was very hard to drop a big amount of the group since there was not that much climbing – about 400ft per lap. Speeds where very high with an average of 25 miles an hour for 50 miles.
I stayed in the first 25 places through the whole race thinking strategy and surprisingly in the end had much energy to hammer down the straight away to the finish. As I hammered down the straight away I reached 36 miles an hour and was moving through to top 10 spots and feeling like I could have been top 5 – that’s where it all ended with the number 6-7 guys crashing and taking out about 20 bikers behind them including me at 36 miles an hour. Needless to say – broken shoulders and a lot of shredded skin amongst the grounded riders. Luckily I have bruised ribs, two nasty strawberries on each hip, sore shoulder, back, neck – well ..just about everything. Total bummer. Bent my shifters back in place, played with the chain and brakes to be able to roll – and soft peddled to the finish – likely bottom 10. Things can change quickly – although I was lucky – I can still ride a bike today. :)
I wont do that ride ever again unless they open the whole road – not worth it.
Keane Keeps Cool
Jack Keane, sole representative of the AC squad brave enough to face the muck in Cool, CA, pulled off a strong victory in the recent Cool Mountain Bike Race. Though the weather was clear (but cold) the Olmstead Loop course had been drenched in previous days. Course conditions were foul. Though his age-group field was small, Jack had the second-fastest time of the entire Men's Cat 2 field. Way to go, Jack!
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