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NCNCA
cyclocross news
Updated 12/18/00
NorCal reaches
the podium at Natz (12/18)
Congratulations to NorCal riders who first of all survived freezing snowy
conditions at CX Nationals and SuperCup finals, and even went on to place.
The podium
list: Ben Jacques-Maynes (1st U23 Men), Andy Ben Jacques-Maynes
(2nd U23 Men), Rachel Lloyd (3rd Elite Wom, 3rd SuperCup overall),
Gina
Hall (6th Elite Wom), Todd Hoefer (1st Mas30-34 Men),
Jeff
Caton (4th Mas35-39 Men), Pete Dahlstrand (1st Mas 60-64). Congrats
to all the other NorCal contestants as well - there were quite a few of
our guys out there. For full results and reports see cyclocrossworld.com
(results,
reports,
pictures),
Velonews (reports Natz,
SuperCup),
MB Daily (reports Mas,
Elite,
SuperCup).
Todd Hoefer on top of the Master podium (Cyclocrossworld.com)
Updated district
season points (12/18)
Though Districts and Natz are over, season points are still being handed
out to the bitter end, December 31 at Central Coast. Check out the latest
standings.
Read the history
of Surf City (12/18)
Extracted from the NCNCA archives, we have an entertaining history of the
Surf City series, from 20 years ago. Read the tale at the Napa
Valley Velo site.
A fast weekend
at SuperCup and Districts (12/11)
NorCal's fastest racers were in form this weekend, with the SuperCup in
Chicago on Saturday and the NorCal district championship on Sunday.
In
a chilly SuperCup,
Justin
Robinson took fourth and Ben Jacques-Maynes 9th in Elite/Espoir
Men, and three NorCal women placed in the top 10: Rachel Lloyd (2nd),
Gina
Hall (5th) and Christine Vardaros (7th). Most of them
returned to race Sunday at the Districts
in Prunedale. In Senior Men, a rolled tire probably cost Justin the
championship, which went to Ben Jacques-Maynes. Christine
Vardaros rolled to the Women's win, with Linda Elgart leading
the Master 35+. In 35+ men, Larry Hibbard suffered another in a string
of mishaps at championship events, opening the door for Pat Schott
to take the win in front of Jeff Caton; and Junior winner Skyler Bishop
wrapped up the championship events. Congratulations.
We have photos
(12/11)
The 2000 NCNCA cyclocross image bank is
up and running, thanks to photo editor Ned
Horton and contributor Dennis
McGovern. Two pages of action pics from around the region are
stored here. Also, area free-lancers
such as Russ Wright
and Assured Photos
have been very active this year, so there are lots of other eye candy for
your perusal. See all the links on our image
page.
Review the latest
district season points (12/5)
National Championships
update (12/5)
With USCF CX
Natz approaching (12/15-17), we have some last-minute info. As
of 12/4, mail-in registration is closed, but e-reg is still open through
1/14 via BikeReg.com. The link is on the Natz
site. Mark Thomas
reports that as of today all fields are open, though the Elite Men is filling
fast. For masters, there are separate 30-34 and 35-39 events, as
well as 40+ men and 40+ women. The promoters have a photo
preview of the course -- it looks like a good venue, mostly grass and
pavement with some mud possible.
West Coast elite
series for 2001? (11/27)
Following the ressurection of the SuperCup
series without any West Coast races, there is talk of a new elite series
consisting of races in Washington, Oregon and California. Patrick
Benson sent an email proposing a new "Pacific Coast Cyclocross Series"
beginning
in 2001 with top-level promotions and prizes. For more info, see
Patrick's proposal and some responses here.
NorCal scores
again at Boston SuperCup (11/20/00)
NorCal riders had another good outing at the SuperCup
round 2 in Boston. In the women's elite Gina Hall took bronze for
the second time and Rachel Lloyd and Christine Vardaros were
in the top 10; in the Elite Men Justin Robinson scored fourth and
Ben
Jacques-Maynes was top-10 again. Full results are here,
courtesy of Ride Magazine.
NorCal scores
win, top-10s at SuperCup (11/6/00)
After a rocky lead-up, the SuperCup
series is fianlly underway, and NorCal riders did well: Rachel Lloyd
won the women's elite with Gina Hall in third, and Ben Jacques-Maynes
(the U-23 winner) and Justin Robinson took top-10 in the men's event.
See reports in Velonews (M,
W)
and cyclingnews.com,
and an amateur's report.
The next race is 11/18 in Boston.
Seeking CX reporters
for VeloNews (10/31/00)
With the CX season in swing across the country, 'cross reports are appearing
in VeloNews,
which touts itself as the journal of record for bike racing in the US.
However, judging by their recent online reports
(2,
3),
they seem to think the only place where CX is happening is on the East
Coast, ignoring West Coast races. I think we should take the
awesome NorCal scene to them--with race reports from our own events.
If you would be interested in watching and reporting on 'cross races you
attend (particularly Surf City and Central Coast), drop
me a line and we'll try to get VN interested. See your name in
print!
SuperCup returns--but
not here
(10/20/00)
As has been widely rumored,
it looks like the SuperCup series
is back in business, at least partly. With new sponsorship from Mongoose
Bicycles, the SuperCup will consist of races in four cities--Boulder, Chicago,
Boston and Kansas City--but none on the West Coast, despite travel
support for the promoter from the USCF. The promoter's
explanation: "Unfortunately for our core staff, which is New England-based,
to play all away games is not in the budget. Seattle, Portland and San
Francisco have great cyclo-cross scenes and great riders. I can only say
that they will not be left out in the future." For more info, read
articles from Bike.com,
Velonews,
and The Ride.
The schedule is not final but is planned to start with a race on Nov 4
in Boulder.
Natz info is arriving
(10/12/00)
I recently received email from Mark
Thomas of the Kansas City CX Nationals promoter team, with a link
to preliminary info on the Natz. Selected comments: "Our mud is stickier
than San Francisco's...We've got enough pavement for a full blown UCI start
and finish...A wide but challenging course...Real cyclocross."
As previously announced,
the event will be December 15-16 in Overland
Park, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City. The weather
could be anything in December: dry, snow, or wet. Stay tuned...more info
to come next week. Also, Mark at the Bike Source (913-451-1515) may
be able to answer questions.
More happy-biker
testimonials
(10/16/00)
Racer Mike Foletta writes:
"I had a positive experience at today's Surf City cross race that I would
appreciate you posting to this News list. I was racing the Master
A 35+ and after a couple of laps, after reaching the top of the run
up past the start/finish line, I went to jump back on my bike, but
the rear brake was stuck in the wheel. As I stood there trying
to figure out what the problem was, along came Rod Hernandez (of
the Central Coast Series) to lend me
his bike. He then managed to get my brake fixed and meet me
on the other side of the course to get my bike back to me.
It was a very kind act on Rod's part.--Mike."
Still more SuperCup
news
(10/8/00)
Apparently a lot is happening behind the scenes in an attempt to revive
the SuperCup race. The latest buzz is there will be a reduced series
of six races in four cities (Boulder, Chicago, Boston and Kansas City),
according to Boston's Adam
Myerson, who notes "This is all unofficial, of course." But the
question has to be asked why such a successful event was allowed to fail.
For a good perspective, read this article
by Bay Area CX journalist Mike Ferrentino of Bike
Magazine.
Thanks, Bicycle
Trip
(10/2/00)
How cool is this? At the first Surf City
race, I was warming up just minutes before the A race when I flatted my
rear wheel (and of course, I brought only a front spare). In a panic,
I rushed over to the tent of Santa Cruz shop Bicycle
Trip, and was instantly offered tech support. So this is "Thank you"
to a great series sponsor. --Dave Carr
What's new at
Interbike
(10/2/00)
Cyclocross continues to be the hot product category in the bike industry,
though still a niche category. Check out Patrick O'Grady's report
on new CX products from the recent Interbike trade show.
More news on SuperCup
cancellation (10/2/00)
As reported earlier in VeloNews
and the CrossNet, the
SuperCup
national series has been
cancelled. The series, which was scheduled
to begin in Boston October 14 and travel to the San Francisco area in November,
failed to attract sufficient sponsorship to meet the goals of the promoter,
Lyle
Fulkerson. However, there may be hope for a reduced series, as
Lyle confirmed in an email: "Dave, Although it is true, there may be some
new information about new sponsors next week--so more information will
be available next Wednesday. --Lyle."
Adam Myerson
added the following in rec.bike.racing: "Nobody should assume anything
yet, regardless of what's been reported. There are lots of people working
behind the scenes right now to pull something together, the USCF included,
believe it or not. Right now, my feeling is that we'll see a short SuperCup
series in late November leading up to nationals. So don't buy any plane
tickets yet. I'd at least wait until the end of this week for the smoke
to clear. --Adam."
At least look on the bright side--if the SuperCup
doesn't happen then A's will no longer need to buy that idiotic international
license. As for racing, I guess we'll just have to entertain ourselves
with all the great local events.
The season starts
Saturday!
(9/26/00)
OK, 'cross fans, the wait is over. With the DFL series complete,
racing begins in earnest this weekend with the East
Bay CX opener on Saturday 9/30, and the Surf
City CX opener on Sunday. See the calendar
for more info. Rock-n-roll, baby!
Calendar is complete
(9/21/00)
We now have dates and locations for nearly all races in the fall calendar
and Y2K updates to most of the series sites. Did you know that NorCal has
over thirty 'cross races in just thirteen weeks of the fall season? How
cool is that?
Still more UCI
license clarification (9/11/00)
Sheila Moon of NVV/Echelon Wines tells us: "I spoke with Lyle at
the SuperCup the other day about
UCI licensing. Elite women DO NOT need a UCI license. In addition,
master women will race with elite women." To recap: You will need
a USCF/UCI international
license only if you are racing in the Elite Men, or U23 Men
at SuperCup events. All others (B's, Jr, etc) require only a USCF annual
or one-day license. Another note: For local 'cross races,
NCNCA
is reportedly offering annual
licenses for the remainder of the calendar year at a discounted price
of $10. If you plan on doing five or more races, this should be the
way to go.
Wine Country series
is corked--but races continue (9/11/00)
Well, we tried, but our ambitious attempt to form a North Bay series will
have to wait for another year. However, the third annual Vineyard
CX will still run in Napa (October 21), and there may be one or two
new events in the North Bay, just not in the form of a series. Check the
calendar
for more details as time goes on.
Check out a 'cross
clinic (8/24/00)
Novice crosser? Need a skills refresher? Check the calendar
for one of the many cyclocross clinics being offered in September.
2000 CX Nationals
awarded to Kansas City (8/1/00)
On July 31, the USCF announced
that CX Natz (and Supercup
finals) would be awarded this year to a new venue in Kansas City.
Sounds like a refreshing change from the usual Boston-Seattle-Colorado
repetition. The event will be held December 15-16 in the town of
Overland
Park, Kansas, a suburb of KC. A local resident tells me the weather
could be anything in December:
dry, snow, or wet. More info when available. The 2000 SuperCup schedule
was also announced.
New license rules
-- NCNCA and UCI (8/1/00)
Well riders, if you race in NorCal this year you're going to need an
NCNCA
license. That's because the NorCal-Nevada
Cycling Association, which provides insurance for nearly all NorCal
'cross events, now requires riders to be licensed. You can
buy a one-year license (for the remainder of the calendar year only) for
$10, or pay $2 per event for one-day licenses. Either type is available
at the race, or by clicking here.
A few events might still require a USCF or NORBA license;
either type is valid at a USCF 'cross event (such as Natz)--but neither
is valid at a NCNCA event. So check race announcements carefully!
Also, if you're planning to race SuperCup events in the Elite
Men or U23 Men categories, you will need a special USCF/UCI international
license. That's because SuperCup races are internationally ranked
points events. The license (available
here;
PDF reader
needed) isn't cheap--but it's worth it when you win those tres cool UCI
points. Imagine--you could be ranked
internationally with the likes of Pontoni and Van der Poel. I don't
know if one-day international licenses are available.
Cyclocross categories?
An ageless licensing subject is rider categories. As far as
we know, there is no plan to introduce a results-based category system
(as in regular USCF or NCNCA races) in place of the self-selected A/B/C
categories now in use. The ABC system works fine for regional racing,
but for nationals most people agree it's inadequate. What we do know
is that master's categories for Natz will now be offered in five-year
divisions (30-34, 35-39, etc) unlike last year's overcrowded ten-year divisions.
However, that rule (Art. 5G7 of the USCF
Rulebook) doesn't ensure that a promoter won't combine divisions as
before.
Deja vu: the 99
nationals
Results
from Galeforce; racer rants;
stories from Velonews;
John Elgart's reports on Master
and Senior
races;
Tons of pictures from ForwardThought,
Cyclingnews.com,
BayInsider,
Fat
Tire Fotos, Chain
Reaction, MTBR,
Pete
Fagerlin, Jonathan
McElvery, NCNCA's Dennis McGovern,
and Iwan
Tjioe. You can also review the
preview.
My
interview with Kevin Merrigan got my name announced on race PA--which is
cool because I was doing too poorly in the race to get mentioned otherwise.--Ed.
Novice racer Q
& A
Q: How do I get started in cross? A: Try
this introduction.
Q: Do I need a license to race? A: Yes. Read
the license notes in the calendar.
Q: Where do I find a clinic? A: Check the
calendaragain.
Q: Can I race on my mountain bike? A: Use the Surf
City guidelines:
"Vehicle: Any complete, functioning bicycle with two wheels and knobbies.
Bar ends must be removed or turned backwards."
Also note: MTBs are not allowed in elite events at Super Cup races.
Q: What category should I enter? A: Categories
are self-selected. Basic guidelines:
If you are new to racing, or a beginner MTB, or cat 5 on road, enter
"C."
Sport MTB, or cat 4 or 3 road, try "B". Expert MTB or a
cat 2 road or higher should do A's.
If you don't like the category you picked, try another!
