Surf City #1 - Sacramento #2 On Tap This Weekend
David Gill, Team Santa Cruz, Jeff Clark, Mike Evans- these are the names of some of the key figures to reignite the Surf City Cyclocross Series flame for 2009. Yes! The Surf City Series is back after a few years hiatus. The Surf City Series is the oldest Cyclocross Series in the U.S.A., with the first official Surf City Cyclocross Series held in 1978, (but) it originated in 1973 on the UC-Santa Cruz campus as Uncle Charlie's Cyclocross. Uncle Charlie's Summer Camp was a nickname for the college, and Surf City was a strong description of the surfing culture of Santa Cruz. Bob Liebold was the original Surf City Cyclocross Series founder. Leibold then passed the torch of promotion to Jeff Clark and the Surf City races posted solid growth into the 1990's. Jenny Robinson, Nicole Amaral Hoefer & Sabine Dukes have also carried the torch of promotion and kept the spirit of Surf City Cyclocross alive over the years. Cross is fun & challenging & the Surf City Series filled a special niche in Nor-Cal cycling lore. Today, David Gill, Team Santa Cruz, and Jeff Clark have brought the Surf City Cyclocross Series back to life. They are fired up to keep the oldest Cross Series in America a tradition that remains for all to enjoy. For me, I am thrilled to have a chance to race Surf City again, as that is where I got my first start at Cyclocross many years ago. I am sure there are countless other racers who are exactly the same as myself, and their virgin Cyclocross competition was a Surf City event. I would like to personally thank anyone who has had a hand in the past editions of the Surf City Series over the many, many years of its existence. Basically, the Surf City Series started all the energy each region of Nor-Cal has for racing Cyclocross. Back in the day, Surf City was the only show in town, and I am sure each Cross promoter now has been influenced in one way or another by the Surf City Series. I would also like to personally thank David Gill, Team Santa Cruz, and Jeff Clark for their hard work and dedication to the sport of Cyclocross- and bringing back the Surf City Series. This means great competition & awesome racing for all. Nor-Cal is lucky to have such outstanding Cyclocross tradition...This weekend also features race #2 of the Sacramento Series which will be held at College Cyclery Compound. I am positive Rich Maile will piece together a stellar Cross course on that property.
Good luck to everyone this weekend! Ride Safe- Have Fun!
Some photos from Surf City in the 1990's......
Pat Schott developed his skills on Surf City courses. Schott was goofy footed in his dismount style- getting off on the right side of the bike & carrying it favoring the left hand. Yet his speed was top of the line and he went on the win the NCNCA District Championships in the Masters division....
Rachel Lloyd, shown here riding up a section of course that most people were forced to run up. Lloyd went on to compete in Europe after winning many Surf City races....
Mary Hearn was one of the most outstanding female racers ever in the long history of Surf City racing.....
Yes folks, that is Ben Jacques-Maynes, and he was unable to handle the sand section at Ft Ord. BJM is now one of America's best all around racers....
I was there when BJM tasted the sand that day, and I was amazed when Larry Hibbard got off his bike and rolled it over BJM purposely- just to teach him a lesson for crashing in front of him. I even think he kicked him before he got back on his bike. Notice Ben on the ground almost cowering in a ball as Larry Hibbard puts the beat down on BJM.... 
Anton McGready was a force in Masters racing during the 1990's Surf City events....
Don Myrah ruled the Surf City races with a Iron Fist! Myrah picked up every ones level when he took to course....
Caught on camera! National Masters Cyclocross Champion Todd Hoefer racing a Surf City Cross event on his MTB. Hoefer soon changed to drop bars and 700 cc wheels and the rest is history....
One of the Surf City all time greats! Larry Hibbard.....
Daryl Price was one of the best Cross riders ever to take on Surf City races....
posted by Dusty Downs at 10:45 PM
10 Comments:
keep those old photos coming man
bad juju to bad rumor spreaders.I never ran over and kicked B.J.M. at Fort Ord Sandbox course.He was right in front of me when he crashed and it took every ounce of energy not to do him any harm.Just because I ride a mountain bike at cross races doesnt mean I am bad and you are good, just that I live in poverty and you dont.
Hey Larry. Hope to see you this weekend. Missed you the past couple of weeks and was wondering where you've been. T.C.
That is a very good post to this Blog. I like the old school photos, and I liked the joke with Larry Hibbard and Ben, it is good of you to have a sense of humor and keep it fun. Thanks. See you Sunday.
Nice Work Dusty
I remember Daryl Price back in the day, and he was incredible to watch on his Cross bike. He would take turns and hit certain sections amazingly fast on his Cyclocross bike. He inspired me to get a Cross bike.
Mary Hearn was super strong. It would be nice to see her on a bike again.
Good stuff dusty. they were the days when i fell in love with the sport. good to hear about them again - beautiful. That is some funny stuff with BJM/Mountain Larry.
The bikes were cooler in the olden days.
That log looks really high. I think i'd have to bring a rope! =-)
...miss racing against you Larry...so long ago...you were/are a fierce competitor...hope all is well~ Seth
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