Tuesday, July 27, 2010

CROSS CLINIC ACTION ON THE HORIZON

It is that time of the year for people to start thinking about Cyclocross & preparing themselves for the Cross Season ahead. Velo Girls & Lorri Lee Lown already sent out some great info on their Velo Girls Cross Clinic. Velo Girls always put on outstanding clinics and the group sessions they run are super informative and very fun to participate in. I highly recommend this clinic to all levels of racers. First time Cross riders, as well as Elite level athletes can benefit from these clinics. Matt McNamara & Sterling Sports Group definitely have Cyclocross fever, and they are focused on sharing their joy and passion of the sport with Northern California competitors. The Sterling Sports Group offers advanced clinics, weekly training series, plus an awesome CX Webinar that is sure to highlight all aspects of racing and training for Cyclocross. The Sterling Sports Group coaching staff will share their excellent knowledge of basic Cross fundamentals, equipment selection, training plan designs, plus race tactics & strategy. Information on the Sterling Sports Group Advanced Cyclocross Clinic is here. The Sterling Sports Group Fall Cyclocross Training Series here. And the Cyclocross Webinar information is here. There is sure to be more Cyclocross Clinic activities that will take place over the next few months leading up to the first races of the season. Clinics are fun, informative, rewarding, and lead to a great season of racing...

Friday, July 09, 2010

2010/2011 NCNCA CYCLOCROSS CALENDAR COMING TOGETHER

The 2010-2011 NCNCA Cyclocross calendar is slowly but surely coming together. The last few years I have worked hard to get the regions race organizers more active in establishing a calendar of Cross races as early as possible. Each season presents different challenges, however the 2010-2011 Cyclocross season appears to be taking shape right on time. The BASP Series, the Surf City Series, the Central Coast Series, Folsom Cyclebration Cyclocross, and the Lion of Fairfax event have all locked down some dates. Please check the NCNCA Cross calendar for complete details. Most likely there could be a change or two as the racing action fast approaches. I am still waiting to hear back from the Santa Rosa Series & Sacramento Series regarding their selected dates. Plus other Nor-Cal events will be added as the schedule solidifies. 2010/11 is going to be a huge year for Cyclocross in the USA as the build up for the 2012 Master World Championships in Louisville Kentucky grows. Then the big daddy of them all- with the UCI World Championships coming to the USA in 2013 held at the Eva Bandman park, just a mile from the centre of Louisville. The entire USA 2010/2011 Cyclocross National Calendar has been posted already. Nor-Cal played a major role in the Master racing at the 2009 USA Nationals for both the Men & Women, with multiple riders gracing the top steps of the awards podium. Odds are definitely in favor of a Nor-Cal Master racer making the podium at the World Championship race in 2012 Louisville, Kentucky. As a promoter and a racer myself, I know the demands of putting on a race series while trying to compete in Nor-Cal's extremely talent filled Cross races. For 2010 both Shane Huntoon- Livermore Series, and Rich Maile- Sacramento Series, have informed me of their plans to not be involved with promotion of their respective Cross Series. I know both of these riders will now be racing with a little extra hop in their step this coming season. Rich Maile has turned the Sacramento Series over to Brian Joder and his crew who will continue Rich's outstanding work in putting Cross racing at the State Capitol on the map. Meanwhile, Shane Huntoon will be charging at the head of the field now as a competitor while he focuses more on racing and his family- after the LARPD has decided not to allow him to run the LARPD CX races . I imagine Velo-Promo will now put together some solid East Bay Cyclocross races. I would like to personally thank both Shane & Karen Huntoon, and Rich & Sarah Maile, for their efforts in promoting Cyclocross & it has been a pleasure working with them! News from the BASP Series has Tom & Alec Simpson working on some new venues that will compliment their already strong Cross locations such as Golden Gate Park, Coyote Point, and Sierra Point. The CCCX Series is rumored to have two new locations in store for NCNCA racers. The Home Grown Cross Series in Fresno makes for great racing. I have always enjoyed the courses and atmosphere for racing Cyclocross in Fresno, and I am sure their efforts to keep the Central Valley fast in Cyclocross will succeed. While with out a doubt the Halloween Cyclocross race of the Surf City Series is one of the best times out in Northern California Cyclocross and a must do/must see event for all! The 2010-2011 NCNCA Cyclocross season is going to be huge...