Update on West Pole Cyclocross Series

Directions to Occidental:

From Bay Area:

Go North on Hwy 101 to Hwy 116 near Petaluma.  Go west on Hwy 116
(it really goes northwest) to Sebastopol.  At downtown Sebastopol take
Bodega Highway west.  Then go north on Bohemian Highway to Occidental.
I recommend that you bring a map so you don't get lost!  Gianni's is at the
north end of this one-intersection town.

As stated in the original announcement, Gianni Cyclery
is hosting a 3-race cyclocross series in Occidental, California
on January 13, 20, and 27.  Sign-ups start at 8:00 a.m. at
Gianni Cyclery.  Start times are as follows: C's 9:00 am,
B's 10:00 am, and A's 11:30 am.  The entry fee is $10.
I don't have any information on prizes and primes...yet...

All three of the races are going to occur within less than a half a mile
of Gianni Cyclery.  So head for the shop on Saturday morning, and
you can get directions to the courses from there.

Yesterday, I helped set up the course for Saturday January 13th.
From Gianni Cyclery, head north towards Guerneville on Bohemian Highway.
Down the hill, about half a mile from the shop on the left side of the road 
there is a large picnic area in the redwoods.  The starting area will be here.

However, there is limited parking so you'll probably want to park your vehicle
up in downtown Occidental and then ride to the course from there.

The course is mostly flat and fast, with one long, steep run-up, and some
short rollers. There will be a lot of double-barriers, a couple of small 
water-crossings, and a few "whoop-de-doos".  The course is intentionally 
designed so that cyclocross bikes should be able to do well- there aren't 
any sections where the mountain bikes can ride while the 'cross bikes can't.

At the base of the steep climb there is a barrier just to ensure that 
everyone will have to dismount before going up the hill.

We did a trial lap, simulating jumping over the barriers, which hadn't been 
put up yet, and it took about 4:45 at a modest pace.  So I figure that laps will 
average somewhere in the neighborhood of 4 minutes, though they will slow down over 
time as the climb begins to take its toll.

For the second Saturday, the course will be on the other side of Bohemian
Highway, closer to the shop.  Again, your best bet is to check for precise
directions at the shop.

Race Sponsors include Ibis, Taylor Maid Coffee, The Bohemian Cafe,
Bustelo's Hot Sauce, the Union Hotel.  Another sponsor is Arctos,
who is giving out Universal One Speed Tools as primes.
I neglected to list them in the original posting for the event.  (My
apologies to Gary Helfrich!!).

No Licenses are required.  For more information call Gianni's
at (707) 874-2833.  You can also send e-mail to ctmobley@calon.com