2011 Napa Valley Dirt Classic Results

The results have been posted over at http://web2.puc.edu/Pioneers/NVDC/11%20results.htm. Congrats to John Bennett (Open Pro Male) and Sarah Maile (Open Pro Female) for their wins. A race recap thread is going over at MTBR.

2011 NVDC & Howell Mountain Dates Announced

The dates for the 2011 Howell Mountain / Napa county cross country races have been announced:

• Napa Valley Dirt Classic will be April 10th, 2011
• Howell Mountain Classic will be August 7th, 2011

You can find out more information about these races at their website or in the archives (NVDC and Howell Mountain).

2010 Napa Valley Dirt Classic Results

This weekend's Napa Valley Dirt Classic is in the books and it truly lived up to the "rain or shine" warning.

The Men's Pro race was extremely tight with Aren Timmel edging Mark Weir and Jim Hewett by just seconds. Amber Broch was the top female finisher.

Full results from the Napa Valley Dirt Classic are available here.

Team Madcat or MTBR probably have the best race reports / pictures from the event.

Full 2009 Giant NorCal MTB Series Detailed

I've posted bits and pieces of this before, but this is the compete 2009 Giant NorCal MTB series press release (with scoring rules):

With the sport of mountain biking having such deep roots in Northern California it is no wonder that the upper half of the state is so rich with grass-roots events. Known for epic “old-school” courses the heart and soul of mountain bike racing is still beating strong, thanks in part to Giant Bicycles, title sponsor of the 2009 Northern California Mountain Bike Series, consisting of nine cross-country events, five Super-D events, four downhill events and two short-track events.

This season long points series will culminate at the finals at the LaGrange Fall Classic in Weaverville. Champions in each category will be awarded with a 1st place medal, special Nor-Cal Series Socks from Sock Guy, and will be eligible to purchase a championship jersey. Medals will also be presented to those racers whose points have earned them second and third place.

Coordinated by Team Bigfoot, points tallies throughout the season will be posted at www.teambigfoot.net. Full details on the series are also at that website.

CROSS COUNTRY (Best 4 finishes + finals at LaGrange Fall Classic)
04/05: Napa Valley Dirt Classic
04/25: Lemurian Classic
05/02: CCCX
06/09: Skyline Park
06/28: CCCX (XC)
08/09: Howell Mountain Classic (XC)
09/25: Whiskeytown Classic
10/16: Lagrange Fall Classic

DOWNHILL (Best 2 finishes + finals at LaGrange Fall Classic)
03/22: CCCX
05/24: Gravity Day
06/21: CCCX
10/16: Lagrange Fall Classic

SUPER-D (Best 2 finishes + finals at LaGrange Fall Classic)
03/22: CCCX
05/24: Gravity Day
06/21: CCCX
09/25: Whiskeytown Classic
10/16: Lagrange Fall Classic

SHORT-TRACK (Both events count)
09/25: Whiskeytown Classic
10/16: Lagrange Fall Classic

The points structure will be a descending scale based on finishing place.

Team Bigfoot Finalizes 2009 Giant NorCal Series

Team Bigfoot has posted their 2009 race schedule along with this year's NorCal series events. It appears that this year's series will be sponsored by Giant Bicycles and will encompass 11 races stretching from Monterey/Salinas thru Weaverville, CA. Here are the dates for this year's races:

Giant 2009 Northern California Series
03/22: CCCX (DH/SuperD)
04/05: Napa Valley Dirt Classic (XC)
04/25: Lemurian Classic (XC)
05/02: CCCX (XC)
05/24: Gravity Day* (SuperD, DH)
06/14: Skyline Park (XC)
06/21: CCCX (XC but I think this is actually a DH/Super D)
06/28: CCCX (XC)
08/09: Howell Mountain Classic (XC)
09/25: Whiskeytown Classic* (XC, ST, SuperD)
10/16: Lagrange Fall Classic* (DH, XC, ST, SuperD)

* the asterisk denotes Team Bigfoot events.

You can find all these listed under the tag "2009 norcal series" over on mtbcalendar.com.

I'll have Team Bigfoot's 2009 Endurance series dates tomorrow.

NorCal Championship Series Returns for 2009

It looks like Team Bigfoot will organizing the NorCal Championship series again this year. While they are still settling a few dates, the races appear to be locked in:

2009 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
Napa Valley Dirt Classic, April 5, Angwin, Cross Country
Lemurian Classic, Whiskeytown Lake, April 25, Cross Country
Gravity Day, Weaverville, (Date TBD). Super-D, Downhill
Skyline Park Mountain Bike Race, June 14, Napa, Cross Country
Howell Mountain Classic, August 9, Angwin, XC, Cross Country
Whiskeytown Classic, (Date TBD) Whiskeytown Lake, Sept. Cross Country, Short-Track, Super D
CCCX, (2 dates TBD), Fort Ord, Cross Country
CCCX, (2 dates TBD), Toro Park, Downhill
CCCX, (2 dates TBD), Toro Park, Super-D
Lagrange Fall Classic, Weaverville, Oct. 16-18, Cross Country, Downhill, Short-Track, Super-D

The Team Bigfoot Solo Cup endurance series will be back with the following events:
12 Hours of Weaverville, Weaverville
12 Hours of Humboldt, Arcata
Clikapudi Six to Midnight, Shasta Lake
Whiskeytown 9 to 5, Whiskeytown Lake
24 Hours of Whiskeytown , Whiskeytown Lake

Via Team Bigfoot.

I'll add these to the schedule as soon as they get dates.

Preliminary 2009 NorCal MTB Calendar

While it is only the beginning of October, next year's NorCal MTB calendar is already starting to fill up. Here are the events scheduled for 2009 (I'll update with the new USA Cycling events soon):

• 01/25/09: MTB Kickstart (CA)
• 02/08/09: MTB Challenge #1 (CA)
• 02/22/09: MTB Challenge #2 (CA)
• 03/08/09: MTB Challenge #3 (CA)
• 03/15/09: Cool MTB Race (CA)
• 04/04/09: Big Sandy Race (CA)
• 04/04/09: Boggs IV (CA)
• 04/05/09: Napa Valley Dirt Classic (CA)
• 04/16/09: Sea Otter Classic (CA)
• 08/09/09: Howell Mountain Classic (CA)

You can access the up to date list for next year at the 2009 Event on the MTB Calendar site as well as by the "2009 MTB Races" sidebar on the right (below the "2008 MTB races").

2008 Napa Valley Dirt Classic Results

2008 Napa Valley Dirt Classic results have been posted.

Congrats to Pro Barry Wicks, who completed the course in 1:23:44, about two minutes in front of Kris Sneddon and Kenji Takeya. NorCal locals Aren Timmel and David Yakaitis came in fourth and fifth respectively.

On the ladies side, Stacy Marple edged Sarah Maile by about a minuted to claim the Women's Pro/Semi-Pro competition.

I haven't seen many pictures, but there is an active race report thread at MTBR.

Napa Valley Dirt Classic Preview

It looks like the NVDC got some local newspaper love this week:

"The 15th annual Napa Valley Dirt Classic bike race takes place in Angwin on April 13.

This 22-mile circuit at 1,667 feet elevation began as the ‘Romp Stomper’ and became the Dirt Classic 15 years ago, in 1994. The race is a part of the 2008 NorCal Mountain Bike State Championship Series and is open to riders of all levels. It takes place on trails on Pacific Union College property, and funds raised from the event benefit PUC recreational projects." (Via Sports Capsule: Napa Valley wrestlers place in meet | Napa Valley Register)

Not bad press, considering most papers avoid any bicycling news not involving Lance like the plague. Anyway, The Dirt Classic is Sunday up in the Napa / North Bay (Angwin to be exact) and is the yearly kickoff for the Big Event / Non-Series races in the Bay Area. It's a cool course that can be a bit challenging (if you miss this, Howell Mountain in the summer is a similar course of the same site). See full details at MTB Calendar or peruse the archives for previous year's race results.

2008 NorCal Series

The 2008 NorCal Series schedule has been announced. Series champions will be crowned in every category at the finals in Weaverville on October 17th, 2008. Champions will be awarded with a 1st place medal, special Nor-Cal Series from Sock Guy, and will be eligible to purchase a championship jersey.

CROSS COUNTRY (Best 3 finishes + finals at Weaverville)
April 13: Napa Valley Dirt Classic (Angwin, CA)
April 26: Shasta Lemurian (Whiskeytown Lake)
June 1: CCCX (Toro Park near Monterey)
June 29: CCCX (Toro Park near Monterey)
August 10: Howell Mountain Challenge (Angwin, CA)
September 27: Whiskeytown Classic (Whiskeytown Lake)
October 18: Lagrange Fall Classic (Weaverville, CA)

DOWNHILL (Best 2 finishes + finals at Weaverville)
May 3: CCCX (Toro Park near Monterey)
May 25: Gravity Day (Weaverville, CA)
June 22: CCCX (Toro Park near Monterey)
October 19: Lagrange Fall Classic (Weaverville, CA)

SUPER-D (Best 2 finishes + finals at Weavervile)
May 10: CCCX (Toro Park near Monterey)
May 25: Gravity Day (Weaverville, CA)
June 8: CCCX (Toro Park near Monterey)
October 17: Lagrange Fall Classic (Weaverville, CA)

Points tallies will be kept current at the Team Bigfoot website.

NVDC and Howell Mountain Announce 2008 Dates

The Napa Valley Dirt Classic and Howell Mountain Challenge events have announced their 2008 dates:

• Napa Valley Dirt Classic (website): April 13, 2008
• Howell Mountain Challenge (website): August 10, 2008

From their websites, it doesn't look like much has changed for this year (which is good). These events are probably the best Bay Area (Napa) XC races. For more information, see the archives (links at the top of the article).

RACE REPORT: Napa Valley Dirt Classic

Results have been posted for 2007 Napa Valley Dirt Classic. In this year's Men's Pro race, David Yakaitis edged Mark Weir by 27 seconds for the win (although both may have been beaten by Semi-Pro Corey Ward). In the Ladies Pro race, Emily Van Meter edge Barbara Howe.

A race report (along with some photos) is posted over at MTBR.

Rainy Sunday

If you are getting up later this morning to go do the CHDH #1, Napa Valley Dirt Classic or the Jetway Rainbow Ridge Challenge, you'd better grab your rain gear, breakout the towels for the truck and dress warmly.
It's raining cats and dogs through the Bay Area and Tahoe's getting snow.

2007 Napa Valley Dirt Classic

The Napa Valley Dirt Classic has been scheduled for 2007. The XC event is a "22 mile circuit, hilly, smooth to medium-rough trails, service roads, double track and single track, lots of trees.... fun course" and will be held at 10:30 AM on April 22nd, 2007 in Angwin, CA (near Calistoga, CA in Napa). The race entry fee is $30 until April 14th, then $35 afterwards. This is a NORBA event and licenses will be required (one day NORBA licenses are available).

Last year's race was won by Aren Timmel, who edged out Jason Moeschler by less than a minute. You can check out all of last year's Napa Valley Dirt Classic race coverage in the archives.

Event: Napa Valley Dirt Classic
Dates: April 22nd, 2007
Location: Angwin, CA
Competition: XC
Cost: $30 ($35 after 4/14/2006)
URL: http://www.puc.edu/Pioneers/NVDC/
License: NORBA
Registration: not yet open

RACE REPORT: 2006 Napa Valley Dirt Classic

So they have posted the results from the 2006 Napa Valley Dirt Classic. In the Pro category, Aren Timmel (Soulcraft) edged Jason Moeschler and last year's winner Mark Weir by one and two minutes respectively. I like how the NVDC has all the racers run the same course so that you can compare all the times -- I like how some of the begineers would have placed in the top five in some of the sport divisions. They've all posted some of the official photography.

There are also some race reports over at MTBR.

Below is the satellite map following Mark Weir's race.


UPDATE (04/25/06): The SFist has a race report.

Late April Race Updates

Here are some updates on some of the races scheduled through the end of this month:

• The LemurianGuy has posted some trail pictures over at MTBR for the April 29th Lemurian Shasta Classic course. It looks like they may also be posting GPS trail profiles. The trail doesn't look too muddy at all.
• MTBR has posted some trail pictures from next weekend's Napa Valley Dirt Classic course. It looks like it might still be a little bit wet.
• There are no updates for Velo Promo's Glory Hole MTB race. Although the race is still listed on their MTB race page, there are no details posted and they haven't responded to email inquiries. After the Iron Angels race was cancelled earlier this year, this one may also be in trouble. I'll will keep you updated. UPDATE (04/18/06): It's on. See here for details.
• There are also additional details on The Slippery Eel Chainless downhill (DH) race. The Trinity River Pirates have also tentatively scheduled a few more races for this summer.

I'm heading out to the Napa for the Dirt Classic next weekend (assuming that it isn't raining buckets like today), so I should have some more updates this week.

Technorati Tags: mtb, mtb-race, mtb-xc, norcalmtbracing

Napa Valley Dirt Classic

The Napa Valley Dirt Classic has opened for early registration. The event is a "22 mile circuit, hilly, smooth to medium-rough trails, service roads, double track and single track, lots of trees.... fun course" and will be held at 10:30 AM on April 23rd, 2006 in Angwin, CA (near Calistoga, CA in Napa). The race entry fee is $30 until April 16th, then $35 afterwards. This is a NORBA event and licenses will be required (one day NORBA licenses are available).

Last year's race was won by Mark Weir in 1:23:55, a two minute gap in front of Andy Jacques-Maynes.

Event: Napa Valley Dirt Classic
Dates: April 23rd, 2006
Location: Angwin, CA
Competition: XC
Cost: $30 ($35 after 4/16/2006)
URL: http://www.puc.edu/Pioneers/NVDC/
License: NORBA
Registration: active.com

Technorati Tags: cycling, mtb, mtb race, MTB XC, norcalmtbracing