Have A Team for 2009??

Cyclocross is one of the disciplines of cycling where one can compete and succeed as a individual. However, being a part of a "team", and having a support group can make a big difference in your results, and make your racing experience more enjoyable. The NCNCA region for Cyclocross racing is full of Cyclocross teams. Getting involved with a current team, or creating your own team is one of the best ways to make the 2009 race season one to remember...

The world's #1 Cross team- if you race in this squad you better be fast & you better use hair gel....
Current UCI World Champion Niels Albert and his boys....

Checking out the course as a team just looks cool. Plus it can be beneficial for picking out fast lines on course, making tire choices for best traction, or getting proper warm up before the real racing begins....

Brothers in mud, a few World Champions on this team....

The world's #1 team, friends for the camera, but once the racing gets going it can be every man for them self....

The list of teams in Nor-Cal that focus on racing Cyclocross goes on and on. The most dominate teams over the past few years have been Cal Giant Inc. & Rocklobster. Yet the teams that have the most impact on race day are the club-teams, shop-teams,and bro-teams, that place riders in all divisions- male & female- Cat 1 to Cat 4. These teams are the true backbone of what makes racing Cyclocross in Nor-Cal so much fun. Groups will set up pit area's to support their riders, bring food and lots of refreshments for after race festivities, and simply race for thrill and fun of it all.

If your planning on taking part in races for the 2009 Cyclocross season, I recommend getting involved with a team. There are too many teams in Nor-Cal to list them all. Teams such as Altezza40, Kaiser Permanente, Pen Velo, SCCCC-Team Santa Cruz, Sheila Moon, SYCIP, Roaring Mouse Cycles, Webcor, Buy-Cell.com, Infovista Cycling, Bicycle Trip, Velo Bella, VOS Racing, Hunter-Freewheel, Family Cycling Center, Clif Bar, Specialized, Scott/Ritchey/SRAM, Godspeed Courier, DFL, Plus 3 Network, BEER, HUP United, Mad Cat Bicycles, Vertical Pandas, Team Wrong Way, Above Category Racing, Dirty Divas, & Velo Girls- all race for bragging rights and the pure fun of the chase. Again, there are too many teams to list them all, and there are many more groups I want to list. Just being involved in training and competing with a group of like-minded individuals can really make the racing fun. Getting support from others, and giving support to others, then sharing your choice of refreshments afterwards can make the whole race ordeal more rewarding. Have a team for 2009? If your answer is no, I recommend you find one or simply create your own.

I did find this very good opportunity for racers to get involved with Matt McNamara's Sterling Sports Group Cyclocross team. The Sterling Sports Group is committed to supporting racers and grooming riders into becoming better racers and better athletes. The team is organising Cross camps, clinics, training programs, weekly rides, and race day support for anyone who wants to take advantage of this great opportunity. Matt McNamara sent out this press release to the bay area cyclocross users group at Yahoo. Have a look....

I commend Matt on his hard work and dedication to helping others and creating another great team that will take part in Northern California Cyclocross races.

Here is the press release:

Company Deepens Commitment To The Cyclo-Cross Community For 2009

SUNNYVALE, CA (July 17, 2009) – Sterling Sports Group is going `All In" for cyclocross in 2009 by offering a full complement of `cross related programs and activities. Company President Matt McNamara noted that adding elements like a cross specific webinar, weekly training series, online training programs and performance testing & fit packages specifically for the CX community was a logical step for the company: "We are a performance coaching company committed to the culture of cyclocross. We couldn't think of a better way to demonstrate that commitment than to broaden our reach to the cyclocross community through these innovative programs." Among the program elements:-

CX Training Camp – All `crossers are invited to sign up for our 2 day training camp September 18 – 20th. The camp includes baseline performance testing, group rides, position assessment, and training program orientations. Camp costs between $150-$375 depending on affiliation-

Training Series – Starting September 8th we'll have a 6-week training series on Tuesday nights. Each week we'll tackle a different element of `cross competence including: starts, mounts/dismounts, hills, intervals and a practice race. Training Rides are $30/each or $120 for the whole series. - `

Cross Webinar – We will be hosting a Cyclocross Training Webinar on August 27th. It will cover `cross specific training and racing requirements including program design, equipment selection, interval formats for racing, and more. Webinar is $15.

Online Programs – We have developed several cyclocross specific online training programs available through our website. These programs are geared to different levels of racer and those training with power or heart rate. Online programs start at $50.-`

Cross Specific Testing & Fit Package – Get an idea of where your fitness is, what to train to be faster, and get a complete Pro-Fit in one easy session. A $225 value, only $150 for Cyclocross! Valid til October 1st.

To register for any of these exciting programs simply visit us online at www.sterlingwins. com, drop us an e-mail at http://us.mc311.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=info%40sterlingwins.com, or call us at 408.891.3462

ABOUT STERLING SPORTS GROUPSterling Sports Group (www.sterlingwins. com) is the result of over 20 years of passion for the sport of cycling. Launched in late 2003, Sterling Sports is a growing company focused on creating a seamless interface between athlete and coach, technology and personal attention. They can be reached at 408.891.3462 or http://us.mc311.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=info%40sterlingwins.com###

Cross Clinics 2009

Cyclocross clinics are fun as well as informative. Most Nor-Cal clinics are taught by racers who are passionate about the sport and eager to share their secrets of going fast with others. Cyclocross has so many intricate actions between pilot and machine mixed in with terrain and the elements, that it is super important to practice your Cross skills...


If you are new to Cyclocross or just need to get out and have some fun practicing Cyclocross moves and learning from some of the best riders in Nor-Cal, be sure and attend a Cross clinic this season.

Can you teach a Jim Gentes type of determination at a Cross Clinic??....
A fluid Cross move is key to speed on course....
You need to be able to run with your bike....

And have perfect balance and precision when floating over obstacles....

Do not be afraid to race in the mud....

Velo Bella usually has a great Cross clinic before their Halloween event.

I found some Missing Link 2009 Cyclocross Clinic updates here...

http://www.facebook.com/reqs.php#/event.php?eid=92051759678

And some other good stuff here, on the Women of Cyclocross page...

http://www.facebook.com/reqs.php#/group.php?gid=13741957812

Lets hope that more Cross clinic info, dates, locations, and times get updated as the Cross season nears. I will keep a look out for any clinic info I can pass on. Also, John Funke usually does some very good clinics before the first B.A.S.P. Series races.

"A Look Back"- Gina Hall 2004

Northern California racing has produced many outstanding fast women of the Cyclocross discipline. The names of female racers who blossomed from Nor-Cal competitions and went on to compete at the National & World Class level is quite extensive. Gina Hall is one of the greats from Nor-Cal and I have always respected her as a person and a tremendous racing talent...



Adverse conditions only highlighted Gina Hall's talent on two wheels.....
Perfect technique and form made Hall one of the fastest Nor-Cal racers of all time.....

Gina Hall was one of this regions pioneer athletes who used the sport of Cyclocross to demonstrate her tenacity, athletic ability, and mental fortitude during competition. In racing her Cross bike, Hall was able to show everyone that being fast is not about gender, but more about desire and pure fluidity when going at it on two wheels. Hall produced many over the top results, such as 2004 US Cyclocross Nationals- 2nd, 2004 US Grand Prix/Crank Brothers Series, Seattle, Washington- 1st, 2004 Bay Area Super Prestige CX- 1st, 2003 Bakal Holland- 1st, 2002 CX World Championships, Belgium- 13th, 2004 CX World Championships, Pont Chateau, Fr- 12th, 2004 CX World Cup, Nommay, Fr- 6th, 2004 CX World Championships, Pont Chateau, Fr- 12th. These results- and so many more- really show why Hall is one of the true legends of Nor-Cal Cyclocross.

I found this excellent interview with Hall from CyclingNews that really shows her knowledge of racing at a World Class level, and how difficult it is to live the dream of being a professional bicycle racer.

Here is the link- have a read, a quality report I would say......

http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/riders/2004/interviews/?id=gina_hall04

Gina Hall can still be seen riding her bike in Northern California, mostly for fun & still putting the hammer down on anyone who tries to speed ahead of her elegant pedaling style.

Hall even showed up and took part in one the Central Coast Cyclocross races recently.

I have always admired Gina Hall the racer. She set the bar very high for other female athletes who today follow in her foot-steps and take on the challenge of racing ones bike Cyclocross style.

Nor-Cal Cross- "A Look Back"

The NCNCA region has produced outstanding racers in Cyclocross always. It is important to sometimes take "A Look Back" and remember the history of Nor-Cal Cross racing. I will randomly highlight the past exploits of NCNCA Cross racing. Here is a solid look at Robert "Buckwheat" Meighan from 1999...


If your going to where those colors on your racing kit, you better be fast....
"Buckwheat" backed it up with intense racing, just look at the determination on that face below~. Meighan has always been very skillful on a Cross Bike and the link to the story about his racing in 1999 makes for good reading....

I always like to take "A Look Back", and remember how the racing was 10 years ago- or maybe 20 years ago in Northern California Cyclocross. Our region has always had fast riders who demonstrated unbelievable talent on the race course. Nor-Cal has also boasted numerous riders who made a name for themselves while racing hard, having fun, and generally being a ambassador for the sport of Cyclocross. Over the many, many years I have raced my path has crossed, in one way or another, basically every racer from Nor-Cal. So it is my pleasure to highlight some of the riders who have raced for years and years. Some of the best racers of the past have retired, and some still compete. It is my pleasure to have "A Look Back" at how things were years ago, and share with you the history of NCNCA Cross.

In this version of "A Look Back", the year is 1999, exactly 10 years ago. I found a very cool article on one of Nor-Cal's fast men Robert "Buckwheat" Meighan. The article was from the Los Gatos Weekly Times and it was very well written. Here is the link...

http://www.svcn.com/archives/lgwt/06.07.00/cover-0023.html

The story talks of a racer, a father, and how there is a dream to race fast, race hard, and succeed at a high level. A very good story indeed~

Meighan continues to race Cyclocross, and in 2008 posted some excellent results including a stellar race win at the Bay Area Super Prestige Series race #2 in the Master 45+ A division.

Stay tuned, as there will be more reports coming of riders and people from the past who made their mark racing and promoting the sport of Cyclocross in Northern California.

National Championships 2009- West Coast Plays The Host

Justin Robinson, seen here winning the 2008 Elite N.C.N.C.A. Districts at Manzanita Park, has delivered "BIG" performances at past U.S.A. National Cyclocross Championships. The 2009 U.S.A. Nationals will have a West Coast flavor with Bend-Oregon
playing host. Nor-Cal Cross riders will have a impact at this race, this is guaranteed.....

The 2009 version of USA Cycling's National Cyclocross Championships is going to be huge. The West Coast will play host to U.S.A.'s most outstanding Cyclocross racers on Dec. 10-13. Bend-Oregon will be where the action unfolds and this city is not called Bike Town USA for nothing. The action will be non stop and you can plan on the weather to play a large role in the proceedings as December in the Northwest is always interesting for Cross racing.

Any racer looking to sign up, and get a proper starting grid position, really needs to keep an eye on the host web site. Just as a Road rider would watch for cross winds on a flat Tour de France stage, Cyclocross riders do not want to be caught out on missing sign up day for Nationals.

here is a good link to VisitBend.com, it is full of info for the National event.....

http://www.visitbend.com/Bend_Oregon_Activities_Recreation/National-Championships/Cyclo-cross/default.aspx

This page has all kinds of info for anyone planning on making the trip to Bend to contend in the events of spectate on the action.

Nor-Cal riders have made stellar performances at previous U.S.A. Cyclocross Championships, with many riders bringing home National titles or podium appearances.

2009 will no doubt be the same.

2009 Cross Schedule Taking Shape

Lance Armstrong sharpens his skills and form taking part in selected Cyclocross races. Nor-Cal's top Road riders Shelley Olds & Ben Jacques-Maynes have also developed their talent over the years racing Cyclocross in Northern California.

Nor-Cal Cyclocross racers should keep a eye on the NCNCA calender as the 2009 schedule begins to take shape. As in the past few years the LARPD Series will jump start the racing action in Livermore the first week of September. The CCCX Series opens with their back to back weekends of racing on September 20 & 27. The Sacramento Series will open up their racing action on September 27. ... These races, and others that will be run in September, build up anticipation for the BASP Series opener on October 4th at McLaren Park. Team Santa Cruz is planning on a expanded Series of races for 2009 with a planned opener date of October 11. Also in the Surf City/Santa Cruz region will be one of Nor-Cal's most popular events the Velo Bella Halloween race on October 31. The CXSR Series opens up on November 7th. Velo Promo will host their first Cross race of the year on November 15.

Luckily for Nor-Cal Cross racers there is racing action almost every weekend from September to the end of January, making Northern California one of the elite regions in the USA for producing standout Cyclocross talent.

See you at the races.....