More Non-Biking Smoke Cancellations

Wildfires claim another NorCal legendary ride/race, this time for the horseys:

"After much deliberation and careful assessment, the Western States Trail Foundation Board of Governors regrets to announce the cancellation of the 2008 Tevis Cup Ride."

Via Tevis Cup Ride Home Page. And this one for the humans:

"It is with deep regret that I write to inform you that the 2008 Donner Lake Triathlon has been canceled due to poor air quality caused by the recent and ongoing fires in the Sierras and Butte County."

Via Donner Lake Triathlon 2008

Northstar MTB Park Expands

Not all the news is bad coming from up the hill this week:

"Thanks to the hard work of the Northstar Bike/Hike Park Staff, Easy Rider will open this Friday and the jump park is scheduled to open Friday, July 18th. We are all very excited about these new park features. For those of you who don’t know, Easy Rider is Northstar Resort's new family specific beginner trail that goes from Mid-mountain to the Village. The Jump Park is exactly what it sounds like. An area with a lot of jumps, 3 lines, a Small. Medium and Large set of jumps."

Via Lake Tahoe Mountain Biking.

Northstar XC Opener Cancelled

I just got word from the folks up at Northstar at Tahoe that tonight's Cross Country series opener has been cancelled due to smoke. More information as I get it.

If the smoke up there is anywhere near as bad as it has been down the western slope, this is definitely the right call.

Trek Tests Bike Park Vending Machine

This is far sweeter than the iPod vending machines that I always see in SFO when I am leaving the country:

"For the next few weeks in Madison, Wisconsin, Trek is testing out a new vending machine aimed a bikers, called ‘Trek Stop’. The vending machine sells basic bike repair parts, water bottles, and energy bars. It also has an air compressor so you can put air in your tires. People are reporting that it also has a kiosk with how-tp videos to help you fix your bike."

Via CrunchGear but more info and pictures at Treehugger.

Win Entry to Downieville's All Mountain Race

I am sure some people might want to head over to MTBR to enter this one:

"Didn't get to register for the best all-mountain race in North America? Crankbrothers wants you to have another chance.

Win a FREE DOWNIEVILLE RACE ENTRY and a JOPLIN SEATPOST from CRANKBROTHERS!!

Here's how to enter:

1. Tell the world why you need to race Downieville. Write it down in 5 short lines below. Post it by the deadline: Friday at 9am.
2. The winner will be announced at the Crankbrothers tent at Downieville on Friday at 2pm. You MUST be present at the Downieville race to win!

The prize: One winner will receive a free entry for the all-mountain race this coming Saturday and Sunday July 12th and 13th, 2008 (a $185.00 value), AND a Crankbrothers Joplin Seatpost of your choice (30.9 or 31.6), up to $275.00 value.

Why do YOU need to race Downieville this year (5 lines or less!)"

Go to this Mtbr.com Forum to enter. A Downieville All Mountain entry gets you into the famed Downieville Downhill as well as the XC point to point race.

Tahoe Sierra 100 Update

There's fresh details posted on the Tahoe Sierra 100 race, with a lot of information about the course and race itself:

"Free camping is 95% full! If you have not reserved a spot by e-mailing Jim (see website).

The Tahoe Sierra 100 is not a ‘technical’ course
It is composed of fire roads, double-track and single track with about two miles of pavement. But DO NOT TAKE THE DESCENTS LIGHTLY. There are rocky areas, and with the moon dust that builds late in season the rocks are hard to make out as you are racing in the High Sierras. There will be at least 14,000ft of climbing or more--the course may undergo a few last-minute changes due to the wildfires that have affected the area."

See the rest of the info at Global BioRythm Events

2008 TBF Racing Friday Night XC #3

I must have missed this during my laptop outage, so here are the links to the final TBF Friday Night XC Race from a week ago: Overall and Divisional.

I don't see any series final standings -- leave a comment if you know where these got posted.

NorCal HS MTB Goes to Deer Valley

Cool news from the folks at the NorCal High School MTB league.

Seven of the top riders from the NorCal High School Mountain Bike Racing League, who were selected from a special invitational camp, traveled to Park City, Utah, to compete in the Deer Valley stop of National Mountain Bike Racing Series. The team was hosted by the Subaru-Gary Fisher professional mountain bike team, giving the young riders the first hand experience of preparing to race alongside top American pro’s, such as Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski, and Heather Irmiger, and Sam Schultz.

Early Saturday was the expert cross-country race and in the boy’s race were two sophomores, Bjorn Fox (Redwood) and Ben Sukys (Contra Costa), and Junior Will Curtis (San Rafael). The thin air and a 300-foot climb made for an intense battle to be first on the single-track. All three riders reached the single-track in good position and Bjorn decided to attack early but over-powered the tight single-track and ended up crashing out of the race with some bruises and trail rash. Will and Ben kept up the pressure and Will edged out last year’s winner by a bike length. Ben rolled in minutes later for 3rd place. “That was such a close race – I’ve never had a finish be that close and it made for a very exciting race for me” commented Will. Christine Weir (Nevada Union) overcame pre-race worries to take a 2nd place. “I wasn’t sure I was ready for the expert class and was nervous racing against Dierdra.” Chirstine ended up beating Dierda York, who recently raced at the world championships in Italy.

The remaining NorCal representatives competed in Sunday mornings sport-class race. 11th grader, Nick Newcomb (Drake) settled into what looked like third place and overtook one rider in the final lap when they began to fade. At the end of the race he learned he’d been chasing a rider in an older category. When he learned of his win he lifted his bike over his head and exclaimed “beast mode!” His teammate, Alec Kassin (Drake, 11th grade) sprinted to the line for a strong third place finish. Lauren McQuinn (San Marin, 11th grade) raced uncontested for 1st place – also beating many of the older riders in that start-wave.

This first-ever travel team raised a lot of eyebrows around the Deer Valley race venue as interest seems to grow for the concept of scholastic mountain biking in other states. “The team concept fits our mission for growing the sport in schools, as well as gives some of our top riders an opportunity to reach higher levels; the victories were an added bonus. We plan to return next year – the Deer Valley race is an exceptional event, the trails, the accommodations, and the scenic town made for luxury racing. I predict many more NorCal riders attending next year,” stated Fritzinger.

2008 Tour de Granite Cancelled

Another race falls victim to cancellation:

"NO TdG (Tour de Granite) Race this August"

Via Tour de Granite Race website.

2008 MTB Marathon National Results

Results are in from yesterday's Firecracker 50 in Breckenridge, CO, which was this year's Marathon National Championship:

"More than 800 off-road racers gathered on a picturesque July 4th day to compete for one of a dozen stars-and-stripes jerseys awarded at the 50-mile marathon distance at the Firecracker 50. Last year’s national championship runner-up in Olympic-style cross country, Jeremiah Bishop (Harrisonburg, Va.) came away with the overall victory after completing the marathon event in less than four hours. In the women’s pro/open category a relative newcomer to the mountain bike scene, Sari Anderson (Glenwood Springs, Colo.) took home her first USA Cycling National Championship, besting a packed women’s field.

With numerous riders forced out of the competition, including several pre-race favorites, the story of the day was the slew of flats and mechanicals that riddled the dry, rocky course. From the start, Evan Plews (Salem, Ore.) soared to the front of a talented pack of riders on the first of the two, 25-mile laps. After riding conservatively out front for the majority of the contest, Plews suffered an untimely flat with Bishop on his heels on the final steep descent. Riding the flat through the closing kilometers, Plews was also passed by a surging Mike McCalla (Santa Fe, N.M.) who earned the second spot in a true race of attrition.

The women’s pro race was led out by a four-pack of some of the nation’s strongest off-road riders. Pua Sawicki (Maliani, Hawaii), took off out of the gate to lead Jenny Smith (Gunnison, Colo.), Gretchen Reeves (Edwards, Colo.) and Anderson who rode together in front for the majority of the first lap. An experienced adventure racer, Anderson was able to get around Reeves and sneak away on a steep climb and never looked back. The first woman to cross the line, Anderson recorded a time of 4:29:12 as two-time national champion Reeves took the silver more than five minutes later. Jennifer Gersbach (Avon, Colo.) used a late-race surge to take third.

Men’s Pro/Open
1. Jeremiah Bishop (Harrisonburg, Va.) 3:49:37
2. Michael McCalla (Santa Fe, N.M.) 3:50:47
3. Evan Plews (Salem, Ore.) 3:51:03

Women’s Pro/Open
1. Sari Anderson (Glenwood Springs, Colo.) 4:29:12
2. Gretchen Reeves (Boulder, Colo.) 4:34:13
3. Jennifer Gersbach (Avon, Colo.) 4:36:52"

Via www.usacycling.org.

Racer Jeff Kerkove also has posted his race report.

2008 Shannon Ridge Showdown Cancelled

I don't see any detail on the website, but I am assuming that this is due to the wildfires:

"Due to unforeseen circumstances, Shannon Ridge Vineyards & Winery has cancelled the Showdown event that was scheduled for October 18, 2008. We appreciate your support and your understanding."

Via Shannon Ridge Showdown website.

2008 Bear Valley Grizzly Challenge

This is a bit off the beaten path, but looks like it could be a lot of fun:

Saturday August 16th, 2008 delivers the "Grizzly Challenge" with steep climbs, pine forests trails and fast single track. It's a challenging course that will test your riding skill and fitness. Riders choose between 1 to 3 laps and cash prizes will be awarded to top finishers. Afterwards you can enjoy other festival happenings, join an afternoon ride, or simply chill-out. Then at the end of the day everybody is invited to join the festival barbeque dinner for a tasty meal, awards and good times.
Via Bear Valley Adventure Sport Festival website.

It looks like the XC race of 8.75 mile laps with ~1500' climbing per lap. Registration is $15 - $30 depending on category and there are payouts for podium finishes. Course map and elevation profiles are posted here.

There is also a host of other sporting events like kayaking, rock climbing and road cycling on tap for the Festival that runs all weekend.

And for those of you wondering -- Bear Valley Mountain Resort is located about 25 miles northeast of Arnold, CA.

2008 CCCX XC Series Winners

Looks like a quite weekend of MTB racing in Northern California. This will only build the anticipation of all the thrills and spills coming up the following weekend at the epic Downieville Classic. Here is a report from Dusty Downs covering this past weekends series final of the CCCX XC races near Monterey.

The nine race Central Coast XC Series finished this past weekend, with all division winners receiving a Hot Shoppe custom winners jersey and some tasty Cal Giant Inc. strawberries signifying their series win. Many fine race stories developed throughout the series of races and here are a few notes and info.

Congratulations to CCCX XC Division Champions for 2008!
PRO/SEMI-PRO: Larry Hibbard (Family Cycling Center / Santa Cruz)
PRO/EXPERT WOMEN: Jamie Stamps (Another Bike Shop / Santa Cruz)

EXPERT 18 & under: Davis Bentley (Team Specialized / Mill Valley)
EXPERT 19-34: Scott Chapin (Harbor High Pirates / Soquel)
EXPERT 35-44: Keith DeFiebre (Scott/Ritchey / Prunedale)
EXPERT 45-54: Billy Hall (VOS Racing /Monterey)
EXPERT 55+: Richard Latorraca (Santa Cruz Bicycles / Capitola)
PRO/EXPERT SINGLE SPEED: Mark Howland (Black Market Racing / Santa Cruz)
EXPERT WOMEN 30+: Michelle Monroe (Joselyn's / Salinas)

SPORT 18 & under: Nico Cerna (Cowboy Racing / Salinas)
SPORT 19-34: Chris Sallen (Hup United / Belmont)
SPORT 35-44: Tim Keller (Patullo Racing / Salinas)
SPORT 45-54: Russell G Carmick (Roaring Mouse / So. San Francisco)
SPORT 55+: Michael Simons (Monterey)
SPORT SINGLE SPEED: Colin Daw (Wheel Away Cycle Center / Saratoga)
SPORT WOMEN 19-34: Felicia Reis (MTBR.com / San Jose)
SPORT WOMEN 35-44: Caryn Kralovansky (Castro Valley)
SPORT WOMEN 45+: Daphne Hodgson (Velo Bella/Kona / Monterey)

CLYDESDALE: Scott Harper (Atascadero)

BEGINNER 19-34: Luis Saldana (Salinas)
BEGINNER 35-44: Anthony Silva (Monterey Bay Builders / Marina)
BEGINNER 45-54: William Clevenqer (Cupertino Bike Shop / Salinas)
BEGINNING MEN 55+: Jim Zahraoka (AHS Cougars / Pt. Richmond)
BEGINNING WOMEN: Lesley Galloway (Code 3 Racing / Menlo Park)

JUNIOR MEN 14-18: Bryan Duke (Salinas)
JUNIOR MEN 13 & under: Samuel Cerruti (Cal Giant Inc. / Watsonville)
JUNIOR WOMEN 18 & under: Gabriela Crowley (Cowboy Racing / Salinas)

The Pro/Semi Pro division had Larry Hibbard riding to his third straight CCCX XC series win. Hibbard is super fit for his age and he had to battle riders far younger then him to claim the Pro/Semi Pro title for the third straight year. One of the riders who made a strong impression for the 2008 race series was Eric Ebberoth who rides for Team Joselyn's. Ebberoth, a strong single-speed rider as well, posted 3 solid wins during the CCCX series and proved himself to be a force on two wheels.

Scott Chapin saved one of his best rides of the year for the series final. Chapin claimed a strong win in the final and this result propelled him to series champion status as well. Chapin is also the coach of the Harbor High MTB Team of the Nor-Cal High School league and a excellent coach for his young squad. Chapin edged out Greg Heinz of salinas for the series win. Heinz gave all he could at the series final having suffered some road rash the previous weekend, and having to race with a large bandage on his upper arm at the series final event.

Keith DeFiebre was the Expert 35+ division winner. DeFiebre posted five race wins during the series and became a two time division champion having won the 35+ Expert crown back in 2003. DeFiebre also has claimed the CCCX Cycloross series Masters division in 2004 and won four divisions of the CCCX DH series this season.

Richard Latorraca completely dominated the 55+ Expert division. Latorraca rode to six wins during the season aboard his tricked out Santa Cruz bicycle.

Mark Howland backed up his 2007 CCCX Cyclocross series Masters division win by riding to the Pro/Expert single-speed division win. Howland had to out last Cesar Chavez and Nick Hanni to stand on top of the winners podium in the end in what turned out to be the closest points battle of all the divisions for the 2008 series.

Another Bike Shop of Santa Cruz proved to have two of the fastest female racers on the central coast. Sarah Kerlin and Jamie Stamps both posted multiple wins on the year with Stamps stamping out the series win with a final race victory.

Belmont's Chris Sallen started off the season by ripping off four race wins to open up his account of series points for 2008. Sallen then sealed the deal with a series ending race win to claim top honors for the highly competitive Sport 19-34 division.

Team Roaring Mouse's Russell G Carmick had one of his finest CCCX race series to date. Carmick blasted his way to five race wins on the year which lead to his twenty point advantage over second placed Daniel Crowley of Salinas. Crowley was amazingly consistant during the year finishing second place in five out of nine races.

The Sport Single Speed division was fully dominated by Collin Daw of Saratoga. Daw has a unique Single Speed set up and it was highly effective as the Saratoga based rider posted a perfect record of seven wins on the season.

Check the scales for Scott Harper who was this years Clydesdale division winner. Harper looks extremely fit for a big man and his fitness and strength led the way to five wins on the year and the series crown.

Felicia Reis was quite possibly the most improved CCCX racer for the season. Reis finished the year off riding very strong and fighting it out with many of the men riders out on the trails. Reis posted five wins on her way to winning the Sport Women 19-34 division.

Velo Bella/Kona's Daphne Hodgson always seemed to be riding with a smile out on the trails. Hodgson plays a strong roll in bringing the Tour of California to the city of Seaside each year, and is a local fixture on the trails of Ft Ord and the Monterey peninsula. Hodgson was the Sport Women 45+ division winner for 2008.

Bryan Duke of Salinas was the Junior Men 14-18 series champion. Duke's MTB skills have progressed at a rapid rate during the 2008 CCCX XC series. Duke will now set his sights on competing amongst the highly talented fields at the Nor-Cal High School league races.

Anthony Silva embarked on his first season of MTB racing and came away series champion of the Beg. 35-44 division. Silva was a true rookie when the first races of the year were contested. After winning the Beg. division Silva will now be testing out the Sport division in future races on the dirt.

Samuel Cerruti of Watsonville was the Junior 13 & Under division winner. Cerruti also is quite strong on the Cyclocross bike and his dedication to riding will surely lead to many fine performances in future races for this young talent.

Lesley Galloway had five race wins on her way to the CCCX Beg. Women's division win. Galloway is possibly the fastest starter of all the CCCX racers. She will charge full steam right from the start whistle putting all other riders under extreme pressure within the first 1/2 mile. Galloway will be moving up to the Sport division in future races and will use her hole shot tactics there.

Gabriela Crowley and Katy Kintz are two very fast Junior Female riders who have a very bright future in MTB racing. Both riders rode strong in many CCCX races during the 2008 series. Kintz finished the series off winning the final three races. While Crowley used consistant finishes to tally up enough series points to claim the Junior Women 18 & Under division title. Look for Crowley and Kintz to show strong at future Nor-Cal High School league events representing Salinas High race team and calvary Chappel race team respectively.

Deer Valley NMBS Roundup

Here is the official lowdown on last weekend's NMBS jamboree in Utah:

The fourth round of the US National Mountain Bike Series, the Deer Valley National, presented by Subaru Gary Fisher, concluded today at Deer Valley, Utah ... Ryan Trebon (Kona), of Bend, Or., outclimbed a determined Jeremiah Bishop (Trek VW), of Harrisonburg, Va., who announced his return to form with a second-place result in Saturday's Cross Country. Trebon rode a 29-inch wheeled bicycle to his win, making it the first time a '29er' has won a national series mountain bike cross country race ... It was no surprise to see the world's top women's cross country team sweep the top three places at Deer Valley, but Katerina Nash (Luna Chix), of the Czech Republic, scored the first National Mountain Bike Series cross country win of her career, which so far has been studded with victories in the Short Track.

The three world championships competitors who earned podium positions were New Zealander Justin Leov (Yeti/Fox Shox), who placed sixth in Italy, and Australia's Amiel Cavalier (Giant), who finished 18th, and Leov's compatriot and trade team-mate Sam Blenkinsop, who was 17th at the worlds. Today Leov was once again comfortably ahead of Cavalier, with a 3:01.41 compared to a 3:07.28. Cavalier was very narrowly ahead of another New Zealander, Sam Blenkinsop (Yeti/Fox Shox), who finished with a 3:07.33. Blenkinsop placed 17th at the world championsips.

Joanna Petterson, of South Africa, scored what is thought to be her first National Mountain Bike Series win [Women's Downhill], with a dominating ride of 3:53.21 that left her rivals a long way back ... Finishing second was Darian Harvey (Sobe/Cannondale), of Durango, Co., in 4:05.84, and Lisa Myklak (Spyder/Fox), of Boulder, Co., was third with a 4:09,23.

Full results are available here.

There is also a NorCal angle to the Deer Valley race, as the NorCal HS league sent a team along. I'll have more about that later.

Back

Just a quick note from your editor:

Sorry for the blackout the past few days. My laptop got completely b0rked by Apple's latest service patch and it's taken two days to recover the data. Check back over the weekend as I clear the backlog of stories that I have in the hopper.