It was hot, dirty, fast and fun for the third installment of the TBBCX GHETO CX pickup race. Devin shot some killer teaser footage to show you what you missed out on, so come out next Wednesday as it's your last chance to work the kinks out before SacCX starts!
GHETO CX from davery on Vimeo.
Big names have been showing up for GHETO CX including: Pete Knudsen, Chuck Hutcheson, Rich Maille, and John and Linda Elgart. So don't miss out on being able to toe the line with these cyclocross greats next week!
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Thursday, September 6, 2012
CFCR goes GHETO!
CFCR racing has been honing their dirt skills for the past couple weeks at the TBBCX Wednesday night pickup CX races. CFCR did it right and swept the podium last week, and rounded out the podium nicely this week with local pro Chuck Hutcheson taking the top spot, Clint Williams taking second, and our newest member, John-Reed Thompson showing his speed and taking third.
There are still two more events so come out and get your cross on and get some dirt on your cx steed!
New Team Member!
Chocolate Fish Coffee Roasters welcomes its newest member John-Reed Thompson to the team. JR is fast. JR rocks a skinsuit. JR is the business and is going to show us how its done in the dirt. He is an Expert mountain-biker who lived on the podium during this years Folsom Prison Race Behind Bars series. Welcome aboard, JR!
Off the Pave and into the Grass!
The inaugural road season for the 2012 Chocolate Fish Coffee Roasters cycling team is coming to a close, but this is just the beginning as cyclocross is right around the corner!
Clint Williams has had a pretty successful campaign on the road this year, getting 7 top ten finishes, one 2nd place, and half his upgrade points for Cat 3. The performance of his season came during the Leesville Gap Road Race where he attacked the peloton on the first climb and put 4 minutes into the field with his breakaway companion. The mini break stayed away the remaining 40+ miles and kept the gap over 3 minutes.
Did I mention that we have a minor celebrity on the team? Well, we do as Mark Sheffield got some camera time in the Mens 35+ Cat 4 start at the Dunnigan Hills Road Race, which was highlighted this year for the extreme heat, but Mark was more than up to the task! More than 700 cyclists take part in grueling 41-mile ride in triple-digit heat | News - KCRA Home
It has been a fun road season, but now our pallets are wetted for a full cyclocross season! So stay tuned for all the dirty details as we switch our slicks for knobbies and tear up the NorCal CX scene!
Clint Williams has had a pretty successful campaign on the road this year, getting 7 top ten finishes, one 2nd place, and half his upgrade points for Cat 3. The performance of his season came during the Leesville Gap Road Race where he attacked the peloton on the first climb and put 4 minutes into the field with his breakaway companion. The mini break stayed away the remaining 40+ miles and kept the gap over 3 minutes.
Did I mention that we have a minor celebrity on the team? Well, we do as Mark Sheffield got some camera time in the Mens 35+ Cat 4 start at the Dunnigan Hills Road Race, which was highlighted this year for the extreme heat, but Mark was more than up to the task! More than 700 cyclists take part in grueling 41-mile ride in triple-digit heat | News - KCRA Home
It has been a fun road season, but now our pallets are wetted for a full cyclocross season! So stay tuned for all the dirty details as we switch our slicks for knobbies and tear up the NorCal CX scene!
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Leesville Gap Road Race Report
The weather this year was much milder than last year. We started with the usual anti-climatic promenade out from Williams High School. The pace didn't start to pick up until people started jockeying for position before crossing Highway 20 and into the bumpy stuff. I wound up heading into the bumpy stuff 4th wheel. Just enough to hide in the draft and still have room to maneuver around obstacles/ exploding water bottles. A short time after we crossed 20, a rider took off solo and the field didn't respond. He definitely looked strong, but since he was a bigger rider, I figured he would be caught on the 3 mile climb.
I made sure to drink and eat at every oppurtunity I got since the road does not smooth out enough to take a hand off the bars for long. As we neared the foot of the climb, I made my way to the front and decided to open it up. I was grabbing gears every time I thought my legs could stand it, and a mile into the climb the peloton had dissapeared from sight behind me. One rider had gone with me and had fully bridged up to me. We took turns setting the tempo and crested the climb together and drilled it on the descent. The solo rider was nowhere to be seen, but by the time we got to the gravel hill we had spotted him and rode up to him. It was clear he was not interested in working together though and suged everytime he pulled through. We called him out on it and then without responding just sat on the front. Since he was still setting a good pace, we took respite on his wheel and a short while later he wound up popping a spoke and it was back down to the two of us.
At the second climb the lead moto was nice enough to get us a time check and came back with 4 minutes! The second descent was wide open and lead up to the feed zone. I took on two neutral bottles and to my surprise they were actually cold this year- awesome! The lead moto reported our lead was down to 3 minutes so we picked up the pace again. The last 15 miles of the race was flat but with a cross wind, a head wind, then a cross wind again on the lead-in to the finish. (Perfect for a break to stay away I thought to myself, as the reality of actually having a 50% chance of winning this race but a 100% chance of getting on the podium set in.)
Unfortunately about 5 miles from the finish, the other rider attacked after my pull (good strategy) and I didn't have the legs to respond. He dangled about 30 seconds in front of me, but it might as well been 30 miles, there was no way my legs could close that gap at this point in the race. So now I was solo, with the closing miles ticking off much too slowly. At last, the small dot of the finish appeared and I don't think I have ever been more excited to see a finish line! I coasted across the line in second and stayed to watch the chase group come in. I was excited to see that the gap had remained at 3 minutes!!! Now I have 6 upgrade points for Cat 3. I talked with the other rider in the break later and found out his win gave him enough points to upgrade to Cat 3- kudos to him!
I made sure to drink and eat at every oppurtunity I got since the road does not smooth out enough to take a hand off the bars for long. As we neared the foot of the climb, I made my way to the front and decided to open it up. I was grabbing gears every time I thought my legs could stand it, and a mile into the climb the peloton had dissapeared from sight behind me. One rider had gone with me and had fully bridged up to me. We took turns setting the tempo and crested the climb together and drilled it on the descent. The solo rider was nowhere to be seen, but by the time we got to the gravel hill we had spotted him and rode up to him. It was clear he was not interested in working together though and suged everytime he pulled through. We called him out on it and then without responding just sat on the front. Since he was still setting a good pace, we took respite on his wheel and a short while later he wound up popping a spoke and it was back down to the two of us.
At the second climb the lead moto was nice enough to get us a time check and came back with 4 minutes! The second descent was wide open and lead up to the feed zone. I took on two neutral bottles and to my surprise they were actually cold this year- awesome! The lead moto reported our lead was down to 3 minutes so we picked up the pace again. The last 15 miles of the race was flat but with a cross wind, a head wind, then a cross wind again on the lead-in to the finish. (Perfect for a break to stay away I thought to myself, as the reality of actually having a 50% chance of winning this race but a 100% chance of getting on the podium set in.)
Unfortunately about 5 miles from the finish, the other rider attacked after my pull (good strategy) and I didn't have the legs to respond. He dangled about 30 seconds in front of me, but it might as well been 30 miles, there was no way my legs could close that gap at this point in the race. So now I was solo, with the closing miles ticking off much too slowly. At last, the small dot of the finish appeared and I don't think I have ever been more excited to see a finish line! I coasted across the line in second and stayed to watch the chase group come in. I was excited to see that the gap had remained at 3 minutes!!! Now I have 6 upgrade points for Cat 3. I talked with the other rider in the break later and found out his win gave him enough points to upgrade to Cat 3- kudos to him!
Thursday, March 29, 2012
CFCR Racing's first podium!
Results coming soon here
CFCR racing riding the SFART
CFCR Racing P/B Ikon Cycles enjoying the new Salmon Falls American River Trail!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
2012 Cal Aggie Criterium
This weekend marked the opening of the 2012 road season for CFCR Racing. I signed up for the 2012 Cal Aggie Crit held at Land Park in Sacramento, CA. The field was rather large at over 60 riders started the Cat 4 race.
The first break was reeled in after about two laps and the UC Davis riders, who were well represented in this race since they sponsored the event, countered. The front group sat up as they let their team get farther up the road. I was not in position to try to jump into this break though, so I watched as they grew smaller in the distance. Then it happened--
I remember the rider coasting in front of me and I took advantage of this and wanted to move up. I moved to the right and accelerated. Then, the rider began drifting to the right without checking his blind spot. I called out, "On your right!" and tried to scrub some speed (we were going about 25 mph of so at this point) and then I saw a Bicycle Plus/ Sierra Nevada rider in the corner of my right eye- I was trapped! Everything then went into super slo-mo. I remember our bars connecting, my front end wobbling uncontrollably, the curb getting closer, then the ground as I landed on my back, hitting my head on the ground. When I was upsidedown, I remember seeing another bike cartwheeling through the air and landing in front of me. I rolled over and saw a rider laying beside me, I asked him if he was okay, he replied no, and I told him that people were coming to help. I quickly checked out my bike and rode up to the start/finish line and got back in the race after the peloton came around again.
I didn't have much left for a sprint finish and was just happy to have been able to avoid a DNF, so I rolled across the line 21st out of 64 riders- still not to bad all things considered. A quick survey of my body after the race turned up a bruised wrist, skinned knee, and a little bit of soreness. I woke up the next morning plenty stiff on my left side and a headache! All is not bad though, as I got a reason to order my new Lazer Genesis helmet from Ikon Cycles that I have been eyeing, which should be here in time for next week's race!
As I began editing the video from my Go Pro, I noticed just how close I came to being tacoed by the sign post, and was glad that I went down where I did.
Let's hope that I am able to keep the shiny side up for next week's crit in Napa though!
The first break was reeled in after about two laps and the UC Davis riders, who were well represented in this race since they sponsored the event, countered. The front group sat up as they let their team get farther up the road. I was not in position to try to jump into this break though, so I watched as they grew smaller in the distance. Then it happened--
I remember the rider coasting in front of me and I took advantage of this and wanted to move up. I moved to the right and accelerated. Then, the rider began drifting to the right without checking his blind spot. I called out, "On your right!" and tried to scrub some speed (we were going about 25 mph of so at this point) and then I saw a Bicycle Plus/ Sierra Nevada rider in the corner of my right eye- I was trapped! Everything then went into super slo-mo. I remember our bars connecting, my front end wobbling uncontrollably, the curb getting closer, then the ground as I landed on my back, hitting my head on the ground. When I was upsidedown, I remember seeing another bike cartwheeling through the air and landing in front of me. I rolled over and saw a rider laying beside me, I asked him if he was okay, he replied no, and I told him that people were coming to help. I quickly checked out my bike and rode up to the start/finish line and got back in the race after the peloton came around again.
I didn't have much left for a sprint finish and was just happy to have been able to avoid a DNF, so I rolled across the line 21st out of 64 riders- still not to bad all things considered. A quick survey of my body after the race turned up a bruised wrist, skinned knee, and a little bit of soreness. I woke up the next morning plenty stiff on my left side and a headache! All is not bad though, as I got a reason to order my new Lazer Genesis helmet from Ikon Cycles that I have been eyeing, which should be here in time for next week's race!
As I began editing the video from my Go Pro, I noticed just how close I came to being tacoed by the sign post, and was glad that I went down where I did.
Let's hope that I am able to keep the shiny side up for next week's crit in Napa though!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Norcal vs Socal CX State Championships
CFCR Racing headed down south to B-town on Saturday. We made it in time to watch the Elite race for the season finale of Socal cross as they were finishing up a 22 race season! They were running the course very similar to last years state championships but I had a feeling the course would be reversed as soon as the Elite race ended. The racers were having to climb the same monster run-up that I suffered through last year, so I knew the pain this course could dish out.
Lightspeed Leg Buster Run-up from Saturday
As soon as the Elite race was over, course workers began frantically ripping up stakes and tearing course tape in preperation for Sunday's course. Chris, Mark, Tony, and myself got our bikes and got out on course. One word aptly depicts this course, "Ouch!" The course was using a new run-up to the right of the Lightspeed Leg Buster Run-up that was even steeper at the top!
The run-up for sunday.
Even at a cruising pace I could tell how tough this race was going to be. There seemed to be more climbing running the course in this direction. The lines that were cut for Saturday's course were totally unusable for Sunday's direction and I was glad that there would be several races before mine to cut out a new line for some of the tricky corners. In particular, there was one off-camber downhill grass section that did not seem to have a fast route. Up high was a tree root, down low was a patch of slippery leaves. I wound up going in the middle and seemed to find a good line, but still killed your momentum coming out of the turn which was an uphill.
I took one too many warm-up laps on Sunday, which zapped my legs for the start. I slotted in around 10th place coming into the first turn and had my work in store for me. I passed a few riders on the climbs but had a battle with Sheila Moon rider Lee Slone. After about three laps, I was able to break him off my wheel. I was now about 15 seconds off from 5th place with only 2 laps to go. I tried to reel Paul Hernandez (The TEAM SoCalCross) in but couldn't match his accelerations. I came across the line solo in 6th place.
Mens B Results:
The rest of the CFCR racing team toed-up to the line in the Master Mens B 35+ race. Fortunately they were able to avoid the crash at the first turn that took out two riders as they hooked bars and crashed into the barricades.
Chris Learned- Photo Copyright Tim Westmore
Chris had some front tire issues that had him sliding out on turns, but a quick trip through the pits had him rolling again. Chris and Tony finished right after each other, and Mark rolled through the finish line shortly after.
Tony Simoni- Photo Copyright Tim Westmore
Master Mens 35+ B Results:
Lightspeed Leg Buster Run-up from Saturday
As soon as the Elite race was over, course workers began frantically ripping up stakes and tearing course tape in preperation for Sunday's course. Chris, Mark, Tony, and myself got our bikes and got out on course. One word aptly depicts this course, "Ouch!" The course was using a new run-up to the right of the Lightspeed Leg Buster Run-up that was even steeper at the top!
The run-up for sunday.
Even at a cruising pace I could tell how tough this race was going to be. There seemed to be more climbing running the course in this direction. The lines that were cut for Saturday's course were totally unusable for Sunday's direction and I was glad that there would be several races before mine to cut out a new line for some of the tricky corners. In particular, there was one off-camber downhill grass section that did not seem to have a fast route. Up high was a tree root, down low was a patch of slippery leaves. I wound up going in the middle and seemed to find a good line, but still killed your momentum coming out of the turn which was an uphill.
I took one too many warm-up laps on Sunday, which zapped my legs for the start. I slotted in around 10th place coming into the first turn and had my work in store for me. I passed a few riders on the climbs but had a battle with Sheila Moon rider Lee Slone. After about three laps, I was able to break him off my wheel. I was now about 15 seconds off from 5th place with only 2 laps to go. I tried to reel Paul Hernandez (The TEAM SoCalCross) in but couldn't match his accelerations. I came across the line solo in 6th place.
Mens B Results:
The rest of the CFCR racing team toed-up to the line in the Master Mens B 35+ race. Fortunately they were able to avoid the crash at the first turn that took out two riders as they hooked bars and crashed into the barricades.
Chris Learned- Photo Copyright Tim Westmore
Chris had some front tire issues that had him sliding out on turns, but a quick trip through the pits had him rolling again. Chris and Tony finished right after each other, and Mark rolled through the finish line shortly after.
Tony Simoni- Photo Copyright Tim Westmore
Master Mens 35+ B Results:
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Hitting the ground running..literally!
Newly formed CFCR Racing p/b Ikon Cycles will be racing together for the first time at the 2nd Annual NorCal vs Socal California State Cyclocross Championships on January 22nd, 2012 in Bakersfield, CA. The forecast for the weekend should bring rainfall heading into Sunday making for perfect cross conditions!
Here's a little preview of the course we will be riding on Sunday
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