[jdubsl2]

Since I feel like I've made an enormous amount of progress sine I first started riding in late '04, I'd like to see how I'd fare in a few races this year. I know about the CCCX series. I know about Sea Otter. The CCCX is appealing with the first race being in February, but I don't see any way to register/sign-up through their website? (edit. just read registration is at the event...) I don't want to race at Sea Otter due to the size of the event. I know it's probably a 'must,' but something about it just doesn't interest me.

Are there any other slightly smaller scale races that would be good for a first time racer within a couple hours of San Jose? People have mentioned the names of a few in the past, but I forgot the names.

Thanks.

Justin

 

[fire horse]

dude, just show up

there will be plenty of time n space to make the race. as the race dates approach, they will post more information.

for now...this is all you are authorized to know. go forth, go about your daily activities, and the organizers will contact you when you are ready.

remember, they are watching, and know who you are, and most of all...they know what you did! MUHAHAHHA!

(i need to get to bed, can u tell?)

 

[jdubsl2]

That's why my internet is so slow. The Organizers are spying on my every move and keystroke. Actually I think everyone on my block starts streaming porno around 10...

Justin

 

[morganfletcher]

The Napa Skyline race is fun, technical and local. And Downieville XC is a must! Point-to-point races on really difficult, beautiful terrain that are a challenge just to finish can be counted on one hand, and Downieville is one. The CCCX races are fun, but not technically challenging and not much climbing. (good for me ) Sea Otter is really big, and the course can be crowded, especially after the start, but it's still pretty fun. My kids love going to Sea Otter because of the bouncy tents and the aquarium, and my wife likes to race it too so Sea Otter is good for us. I also do some of the road races there. And this year my wife and I and another husband and wife are going to do a co-ed team at the 24 Hours of Adrenaline, Laguna Seca, this summer. My wife did it as a team event (women) last year and had a lot of fun. We're gonna bring the kids and some sitters and have a big campsite.

I've been out of the racing scene for a long time so that's all I've got to offer for now. Hope to do more mtn bike races this year too.

I've got a question for the group: I've been fascinated with the idea of the Leadville 100 since I first heard about it. To be honest, I really want one of those belt buckles. What's a more local race that's like that, i.e. not a lap race, something big and challenging that's 100 miles off-road?

Morgan

 

[8Trak]

What's a more local race that's like that, i.e. not a lap race, something big and challenging that's 100 miles off-road?

I know of two that aren't close, but are not that far either:

It's filled up for this year, but the Vision Quest in SoCal is 56 miles, 11,000 ft of gain.

And there's the Cascade Creampuff up in Oregon is about 100 miles, 18,000 ft of climbing.

Morgan, you're the man!

 

[singlespeed.org]

I've got a question for the group: I've been fascinated with the idea of the Leadville 100 since I first heard about it. To be honest, I really want one of those belt buckles. What's a more local race that's like that, i.e. not a lap race, something big and challenging that's 100 miles off-road?

Cascade Creampuff 100 up in Oregon. It is a lap race - you do three 33 mile laps. Lots of singletrack (Leadville has basically none).

The Billy Cross folks up at Lake Sonoma (and sometimes at Boggs) hold 6 and 8 hour races that you can do solo. Definitely a lap race, though.

Team Big Foot has some endurance races up in northern CA.

As you can see, not many long, classic races any more, and what few there are are lap races. Of the other races, Napa Valley Dory Classic is a single 20 mile loop. Downieville is a good point to point race.

And none of these have buckles for awards...

 

[Wherewolf]

Two at New Melones

Two at New Melones near Angels Camp, March and April. Fairly easy, rolling and fast course. I usually photograph them so you might become famous. See: http://www.velopromo.com/mountain_bike_races_by_velo_prom.htm

 

[fire horse]

Bro, I'm so wit dat...

Heya Morgan,

Yea for me, I haven't been into the CCCX series for a couple of years. They are very well organized, have an unpretentious local feel, and I know a lot of the amazing folks who put them on but, after cyclo-cross season, they feel like hour and a half c-c races. I don't want to come off as not supporting them. They are a great gauge to test your engine against fellow racers in your category, especially in preparation for the Sea Otter. I do echo your sentiments about not being as technically challenging and or having much elevation gain. But then good luck attempting to find a legal venue for hosting a mtb race anywhere here in Santa Cruz or most any other local area.

Lately I've been more into the out and back and exploratory type events as well. In fact, yesterday I sent my application in for the LT 100! I would love to have that buckle as well. It's the only thing that I have yet to do in cycling that (hold on for the pun..) peaks my interest.

If you are looking for something more local the closest thing that I know of is the Cascade Cream Puff race (Eugene, OR vs Colorado): http://www.cascadecreampuff.com/ .

I believe that minus the elevation, technically and elevation gain-wise, it's a more challenging race, (okay bring on the nay-sayers), thus the sarcastic name "Cascade Cream Puff"(it is a 3 lapper tho). In the past, local racers like Stella Carey and her partner Aaron Kereluk (AK) have typically won or done very well at the CCP, (I'm sure you have seen them at the local cyclo-cross races).

For me the only hangup with the CCP is...call me a whiner but...no freakin bright shiny object dangling as a carrot for your pain! You just get a t-shirt and of course bragging rights to all those you choose to attempt to impress.

Anyway, there you go bro. If I get lucky and get into the LT100 I'll let you know. With both races, ONE IMPORTANT NOTE>>> APPLY NOW. Registration will close soon enough for either one. And if you end up doing either one, from what I hear your training regimen should include, "climbing, climbing, and then some more climbing".

T

The Napa Skyline race is fun, technical and local. And Downieville XC is a must! Point-to-point races on really difficult, beautiful terrain that are a challenge just to finish can be counted on one hand, and Downieville is one. The CCCX races are fun, but not technically challenging and not much climbing. (good for me ) Sea Otter is really big, and the course can be crowded, especially after the start, but it's still pretty fun. My kids love going to Sea Otter because of the bouncy tents and the aquarium, and my wife likes to race it too so Sea Otter is good for us. I also do some of the road races there. And this year my wife and I and another husband and wife are going to do a co-ed team at the 24 Hours of Adrenaline, Laguna Seca, this summer. My wife did it as a team event (women) last year and had a lot of fun. We're gonna bring the kids and some sitters and have a big campsite.

I've been out of the racing scene for a long time so that's all I've got to offer for now. Hope to do more mtn bike races this year too.

I've got a question for the group: I've been fascinated with the idea of the Leadville 100 since I first heard about it. To be honest, I really want one of those belt buckles. What's a more local race that's like that, i.e. not a lap race, something big and challenging that's 100 miles off-road?

Morgan

 

[LemurianGuy]

Lemurian is April 28th

Don't forget about the Lemurian held at Whiskeytown NRA near Redding. Its a big bad a$$ loop with lots of singletrack. 2007 marks the 20th running of the Lemurian, which makes it the oldest mtn bike race in California if not the U.S. Registration is open at Active.com, reg forms will be available soon at the website http://www.shastalemurian.org/

Here's a couple of links to writeups of last year's event: http://www.sfist.com/archives/2006/05/03/the_lemurian_kicks_down_the_pain.php and http://team.motionbased.com/blog/2006/06/07/lemurian-06-–-race-report-–-5th-place-pro/

 

[Plim]

Since I feel like I've made an enormous amount of progress sine I first started riding in late '04, I'd like to see how I'd fare in a few races this year. I know about the CCCX series. I know about Sea Otter. The CCCX is appealing with the first race being in February, but I don't see any way to register/sign-up through their website? (edit. just read registration is at the event...) I don't want to race at Sea Otter due to the size of the event. I know it's probably a 'must,' but something about it just doesn't interest me.

Are there any other slightly smaller scale races that would be good for a first time racer within a couple hours of San Jose? People have mentioned the names of a few in the past, but I forgot the names.

Thanks.

Justin

Others have probably said some of this. And you know cccx.

There are races out near Folsom:
http://www.tbfracing.com/events/mtbchallenge1.html

8-hour race coming up at Boggs:
http://www.bikemonkey.net/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.boggsII

Napa Valley Dirt Classic:
http://www.puc.edu/Pioneers/NVDC/info2001.htm

Billy Cross has races at Lake Sonoma and Boggs:
http://www.monjayaki.org/billycrossracing/
No schedule up for '07, don't know if there will be one, and while Ken's a good guy, he's not a genius at organization, communication of race info, or promotion.

 

[TahoeBC]

What's a more local race that's like that, i.e. not a lap race, something big and challenging that's 100 miles off-road?

Morgan

I'm sure we can design our own Epic, with no race fee's that will be plenty challanging and I'll let you know were the finish line is seconds before I sprint around you and win

I'm sure we can even find a belt buckel on Ebay for ya
http://cgi.ebay.com/NR-NEW-BELT-BUCKLE-BUCKLES-BELTS-EVERYTHINGS-BIG-TEXAS_W0QQitemZ170068407727QQihZ007QQcategoryZ86654QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[morganfletcher]

The Billy Cross folks up at Lake Sonoma (and sometimes at Boggs) hold 6 and 8 hour races that you can do solo. Definitely a lap race, though.

I did the Billy Cross 6hr team race late this summer with bikerbert and some other guys from this forum. It was pretty fun, although real tiny and the trails are so twisty as to resemble something from a crazy etch-a-sketch. I'll do those races again. Possibly the best part of the Billy Cross races is the people at the race, and the atmosphere. It was grass roots, and the promoter (Kenny?) and his girlfriend and their dogs are so fun to hang out with.

I did the Lemurian race once, maybe sixteen years ago? It rained/snowed all day, and some visiting Italian roadie pro won it riding Look pedals. I was down to one gear by mid-race, and the descent down a flume was slicker than peanut butter, it was crazy. I think Susan Demattei won her field. There was a downhill / motocross / xc omnium too and I think Herbold won it.

Troy: You registered for Leadville! Hm...

Jeff: Bring it!

The Creampuff sounds interesting, but no belt buckle!

I have a motionbased record for last year's Hell Ride route. Now that's a comp I'd like to do.

Morgan

 

[otbp_nocal]

Here's a fairly comprehensive calendar of upcoming races:
https://www.ncnca.org/mtb/2006/

I *heart*

...beats playing softball on Wednesday nights!

 

[slashk]

Are there any other slightly smaller scale races that would be good for a first time racer within a couple hours of San Jose? People have mentioned the names of a few in the past, but I forgot the names.

I keep a NorCal list of MTB races at:

http://norcalmtnbikeracing.blogspot.com/

There are race reports from most of last year's races also.

 

[Cannonhead]

Sweet, thanks guys, just filled out my google calendar with all these events. Very nice.

 

[GuruAtma]

Beginner races...

Every wednesday evening in the summer there are short-course dirt crits at Howarth Park in Santa Rosa (next door to Annadel). Very low-key races, good for beginners (or pros, just enter the right race). Just show up. Everybody cheers for everybody. You get a very cool paper plate number plate.

http://norcalcycling.com/ridesandraces/index.shtml

 

[Carl Hungus]

Santa Cruz?

Why are there no races in Santa Cruz? A lot of cyclocross races but no mtb. Didn't there used to be a race in Davenport or Wilder(bad word) back in the early to mid 90's? "Trees to Breeze" or something. Was this on Private land? Any of you SC veterans know the deal here? While I'm at it, didn't they just have some sort of equestrian race that ran through Pogonip(double bad word) and Wilder? Not to start another Santa Cruz trail access thread here, but that seems weird to me. Another case of "horses: majestic creatures; bikes: evil metal projectiles lacerating the earth" or am I missing something?

 

[morganfletcher]

Why are there no races in Santa Cruz?

Does Marina count, because all the CCCX races were at Ford Ord.

Morgan

 

[TahoeBC]

"Trees to Breeze" or something. Was this on Private land? Any of you SC veterans know the deal here?

Raced that a couple times, it was on private land and was really the only reason I did the race for a chance ride that stuff, it had some fun singletrack sections, but I think it was mostly fireroads from what I remember. It was promoted by the same guy who use to run the Sizzler at Grant Ranch and the Boggs Mountain race.

 

[Jorgemonkey]

We should start our own low key race, an epic if you will. My vote would be to Mississippi lake and back. If you finish within 12 hours, you win bragging rights. Heck, if you finish it period you get bragging rights.