Check it out...Cyclocross Weather

Guess what, cross fans... according to the Weather Service, we've got your first genuine 'cross weather of the year on tap for this weekend with rain through Friday and Saturday.

On the plate for this weekend: On Saturday, round 2 of the Bike Monkey Santa Rosa CX series. For those of you who think that the North Bay is only about Marin land rovers and Humboldt weed, you should venture up to check out the very solid cycling scene in Santa Rosa. The first race was very well received and remember, this is the only series outside Belgium to feature racing in February...it's the real deal, folks. Sunday, we have the ever popular Candlestick course for the SuperPrestige Round 2, and also another Homegrown race down in Fresno.

This early in the year the rain will probably do little more than tamp down the dust at Candlestick, but Saturday's race in Santa Rosa may actually feature mud. Mount up your best wet gear and let 'er rip!

Big Weekend Ahead with Surf City - NCNCA Cup Round 2

Following a massive turnout last week at the BASP McLaren Park race (see Dave Carr's Babble post on this race), we are now rolling into the real meat of the season - great races, great weather, great turnout, and now another big week with three races on calendar including Round 2 of the Santa Cruz Bicycles NCNCA Cup.

The NCNCA Cup hasn't received quite the level of hype it did with its debut last year, but the foundation concept remains rock-solid: Take a selection of great races and venues from around this great land of ours, and tie 'em together into one season-long series. Even if you're not a points chaser, the NCNCA Cup is a great thing because you know that on that day, in that spot, that will be the place to go for the best CX scene that the region has to offer. And this week's round 2 of the NCNCA cup at Surf City is no exception - from the great venue at Soquel HS, to the kids event and the ever popular costume race - this is one event you won't want to miss.

Meanwhile, on Saturday there are events to select from all over the place - from the Sagebrush race at Genoa up in Nevada, to the Livermore series closer to the Bay, and the Velo Bella 'cross clinic down in Soquel. The weather will be great so there's no excuses. See you all out there, and check out the details in the calendar.

NCNCA Cup Underway, BASP Series Kicks Off this Weekend

The NCNCA Cup started off with a bang this weekend with a tough course put together by the CCCX folks at Laguna Seca Raceway. Ben Jacques-Maynes (Bissell) and Stella Carey (HRS/Rock Lobster) took top honors in the Elite categories. See Dusty Downs' full report in the Race Reports section.

The Bay Area Super Prestige series kicks off this weekend in San Francisco's McClaren Park. Look for a Press Release from Tom Simpson later this week...

Full-Swing, Baby!

We are now entering the heart of the cyclocross season, and race reports and photos are trickling in. If you have any reports or photos to share, please send me your reports or links, or post in the comments for a particular race if there is already a report in the Race Reports/Photos blog. I'm still waiting to see if there was any mud to be found in this past weekend's races...do tell!

The 2008 NCNCA Cup starts this Sunday at the first-ever CCCX race at Laguna Seca. I'm sure Keith will have a great course lined up for all to enjoy.