2001 NCNCA Cyclo-cross District Championships
Sunday, November 25
 San Lorenzo Valley High School, Felton, CA

  Gold Silver Bronze
Category A Men Ben Jacques-Maynes Justin Morgan Jackson Stewart
Espoir Men Jackson Stewart Jason Moeschler Akira Wong
Single Speed Rod Hernandez Monty Worthington Mingo Graham
Junior Men Skyler Bishop Steven Cozza Jouzas Martynaitis
Category A Women Gina Hall Rachel Lloyd Kim Vandersyde
Category B Women* Laura Home Penny Wood Karen Nordstrom
Master Women 35-44 Shelly Whisenhant Donna Sisson Andrea Mackie
Master Women 45+ Linda Elgart    
Master Men 35-44 Pat Schott Larry Hibbard Alan Coates
Master Men 45-54 Henry Kramer Norm Kreiss Cass Laizure
Master Men 55+ John Elgart Thomas Regan Dick Graybill
Category B Men* Eric Neely Din Abdullah Brock Dickie
Category C Men* Brent Chapman Philip Sims Alan Gale

*Non-Championship Races

Attention District Champions: Order your jerseys and other clothing SOON!

Full Results are up
Cat A Men/Espoir/1-Speed
Master Men
All Women
Category B Men
Category C & Junior Men

District Championship Race Reports by Rob Whisenhant Brent Chapman Justin Morgan Linda Elgart John Senkier Dave Wierzba Ben Jacques-Maynes Monty Worthington Joseph Fortino Dennis McGovern

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MY NAME IS WIZZ
By Rob Whisenhant
Single Speed Race

CCCX - districts......The mud was great. True cross had come our way. A fun time on two wheels it was. Kudos to Mingo and his efforts eh? Monty did indeed leave Mr. Wizz behind. We have two more races and Prunedale is my favorite course - I will be there for Monty to try and lead me out..... by the way Monty, the proper spelling of my name is Wizz.

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BOY HOWDY THOSE KIDS ARE QUICK
By Brent Chapman
Men Category C Race

Not many people were around at the time of the start for the C's and Jr. race. The temp at 8AM when I rolled out the door to the race was 30 degree Fahrenheit. Just plain cold and that made the course quick and slick (the way I like it).

The Jr.'s got to start for once in front of the C's and boy howdy those kids are quick. I watched the wheels of the Jr. leaders and just tried to keep behind the action and let those guys battle it out. I ended up taking a fall and using my knee as a brake on that nice slick wet patch of concrete behind the baseball diamond. So needless to say I didn't get to watch those guys finish it up. Great job to those Jr.'s and keep it up, the A's will need some good up and coming competition!

I managed to get a couple of photos of the some of the women racers, but I screwed with my camera before taking the photos and ended up missing most of the shots and ended up with some blurry photos.. But if your interested in checking the focused and semi-focused ones out.. they are posted @ http://www.employees.org/~mandroid/photo/cccx/districts/

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THEN IT GOT FASTER
By Justin Morgan
Men Category A Race

I never thought I would be so bummed about getting second place. Well actually at first I was really stoked. Sure, look at the competition, the course, and conditions and we'd all agree it was a tough day and that I should be proud of finishing second. There is this one thing I get hung up on though. Let me tell you briefly how I recollect the race dynamic: It was insanely fast from the gun. . . Then it got faster. Ben got away early, then a bit later Justin R. got away with a strong charge. I tried to bridge but was brought back a lap later by a group of Jackson, Jason, and Andy. Thus began the attacks. At times I was clinging on for dear life and other times I was the one attacking (strange how that works). In fact, through the middle portion of the race I had all but forgotten about the two leaders ahead and was so focused on staying with the attacks. You've heard the phrase "out of sight, out a mind," eh? Also, it seems that there is a certain amount of pre-race selection at these races here with Ben and Justin R. (Andy also?) having raced at the World's. You see, sometimes they can be be handed a race due to this intimidation thing. Additionally, it so happens that they are incredibly strong and quite often earn their wins the old fasioned way. So, on my long 2.5 hour drive home, in hindsight it occurred to me that five or six guys were strong enough to have won that race. Why didn't one of the "underdogs" take the victory? It's simple--we didn't truly believe it could be done. I guess we'll have to wait another year. Will we still be "underdogs?"

I want to say thanks to the crew at CCCX for a great race course. And thanks also to the folks who braved the afternoon rain shower. The energy was definitely 220v. What a great way to spend a birthday.

Justin

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WHERE WAS EVERYBODY?
By Linda Elgart
Master Women 45+ race

Last weekend was cyclocross districts. I pestered the Central Coast guys to have an age group for me, women 45+. We have that category at Nationals, and at our series in Sacramento, there have been 3 of us racing. I figured there were a few more at the other series, and that we'd have some kind of a race. Unfortunately, I was the lone entry who showed up. Are there any other women over 45 out there who do cx? It's kind of unsatisfying to "win" a race when you're the only one racing. Come on out and give it a try! It might be fun.

Thanks,
Linda

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LICKING THE WOUNDS
By John Senkier
Master Men 35-44 race

Man what a day in CX heaven. Classic CX conditions, an epic course, and lots of hungry riders in the 35+ Masters division. The start was a mad dash to the barriers and then variable decisions on remounting right of way before the gradual uphill, or running to the first hook depending on how much traffic you were pushing through. After the uphill we hooked around for some off-camber mossy bump and grind that lead to a pool of mud at a 180 degree corner before slogging its way toward a gradual runup with 4 barriers. This was a "crux" at the beginning of the race as I choose to stay on my bike at the 180 mud pool on the first lap and watched people blazing by me on foot as I spun my wheels in the mud exerting a lot of power just to keep moving. I would not try to ride that section again for the rest of the race and it proved a great place to move up on the slog grinders.

The rest of the first lap and early in the race I found some great rhythm to this course. Blasting up the backside pavement was a must, and just toughing out the start hill after the barriers each lap helped me continue to move up and then find myself in a great position.

The Meal Ticket: Mtn. Larry had a mechanical at the base of the start hill on the first lap. He was dead last and then alll of a sudden he was zooming up to me. We traded pulls with Mtn. Larry getting the lion's share, but the rhythm we kept was bringing us up to the next group of riders(we were 5th and 6th and catching 2nd-4th).

Should've, Would've, Could've: We are going around the 180 on the backside from grass to the long pave straightaway with Larry leading, and I am feeling so good that I am about to take a monster pull to bridge and also pass the group of 3 riders in front of us. Scrreeeeech I look in dismay as my front tire is skating on its sidewall, I try to adjust to a straight line but its too late and gravity gives way---crash. I get up cursing like a sailor and most of it at myself for not being more patient with this corner. As the race has gone on the corner had deteriorated with bits of grass and mud covering the slick wet pavement for the first few critical meters of the transition. My handlebars are wanked from the crash, I try to get my sore butt back onto the bike and bridge back on. Hard part is they are no longer in site. I stomp it home to the finish and am very happy with my result but I still have that little cloud in my mind of what could have been.

Cheers
John

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THAT RULED
By Dave Wierzba
Men Category A race

that ruled
except i din't win

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THE KIND OF RACING THAT MAKES YOU PUKE
By Ben Jacques-Maynes
Men Category A race

Yes!! I'll say it again, YES!!! It has been so long since we've had some good muck to run around in, I started to forget what it was like to feel soggy. Mud flyin', rain pourin', lots of cautious corners and long straightaways to open it up on, yup this was the 'cross your mother warned you about.

The only dilemma in muddy races is the line choice: every corner has either been beaten in with one good line, or has fifty lines crossing each other at tangents and you take what you can get. Either way, I figured it best to be the first into each corner, so you didn't have to wait your turn or get bogged down if someone crashes. With this in mind, I bolted off the line. Actually, Jackson Stewart bolted like a spooked animal on the first straight, and everyone was left wondering what was going to happen because he came by so fast. The Supercup really drove home the importance of a start for Jackson, as it did to me two years ago.

And so it was on. I ran up to Jackson in the mud bog to the 4X barriers, and then countered before the off-camber. I just wanted to say that I appreciate the technical sections such as this one that really make you wonder "how am I going to do this" even though you've done it several times already. Tough stuff, that section. More, Please. Anyway, the guys in the front were motoring. Coming onto the track, I punched it hard, saw I had a gap, and kicked again. The gap was tenacious, as there were five guys hungry to catch me sitting not three seconds off my pace. Half a lap into it, and I had put myself into a do or die situation!! I had at that moment a distinct recollection of districts last year and the same feeling of wire-to-wire drama.

In the front was myself and Justin Robinson for Palo Alto, Jackson Stewart, Justin Morgan and my brother Andy for Clif Bar, Jason Moeshler and Dave Wyandt. It seemed like every time looked back one of those guys would be on the ground in a tricky corner. I nearly ate it a couple of times trying to make it around a few corners at warp speed, and ended up creeping around them from then on. As soon as the rain started to fall in the third lap, all knowledge of the course went out the window. Every corner that was already mushy and loose became greasy and super slick, and some of the pavement corners felt like you were sliding out with your bike perfectly upright. One time going through the buildings on the far end of the course I lost both wheels at the same time and slid directly into the portable, glanced off it with a hip check and carried on with the business at hand.

Justin Robinson exited the group behind through the front door and was coming up to me the next time I looked back, so I took a little breather and waited for a few seconds. I realized this mistake as the group was hot on his heels and we were almost back together! At the muddy U-turn through the gate, we were actually all lined up together, and I thought my flyer was over. But the gap opened again, and Justin was able to break away this time for good. The Palo Alto boys had flown, and our gap opened quickly.

I kept on waiting for Justin to close the gap to me, as he was hovering at 3-4 seconds; the juncture never happened, as Justin started to slip back. I could see his typical smile fading a little, but he looked strong as usual. With three laps to go, though, the gap went from 3 seconds to twelve, and I knew something was up. Of bigger concern was the return of the chase group. These five guys had been beating on each other all afternoon and were preparing for the final fight to the finish. I was powerless to prevent their closing, as I was maxed out and felt like I was comparatively standing still. I have no envy for the guys in that group, and I know they were working their butts off only to be counter-attacked. That's the kind of racing that makes you puke afterwards. Bleagh.

With about a half a lap to go I was seriously concerned about getting caught. It was getting very close, and on the turn around in the woods I could see the whites of their eyes. Only a little bit more, clearing the final hurdle, I knew I had it. Five seconds later, Justin Morgan roared across the line in second, followed by Jackson Stewart in third.

I am very happy to repeat as District CX Champion, and against such a strong field. This race had to have been to best to participate in so far in terms of action and competition, and I hope it was fun to spectate too for all the hardy souls who stood around in the rain. May the weather gods give us more beautiful 'cross weather for the rest of the season, because I know I thrive in this stuff.

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MAN MY ARSE HURTS!!!
By Monty Worthington
Single Speed race

The rain and mud finally make an appearance for a Nor Cal Cyclo-Cross race. After warming up on the course and checking out my choice of gearing I decided the gear I had (38x18) would be just fine. Funny but after the first race in Fort Ord I haven't changed my gearing. On the line I counted 24 or so A's and 12 single speeds. That's pretty impressive! We got to start our race 1 minute after the A's field, which made the start a little less hectic than usual. Over the first barriers Rod Hernandez was off to his lead right away while I battled for a moment with the front of the group, trying to keep the gap to Rod reasonable. After dispensing of Wiz and with Pat Schott just up the trail in second, I punched it on the back of the course to make sure I got up to Pat. I made it up to Pat on the long pavement climb and from there we started to "work" together to try and reel Rod in. At this point I was thinking (hoping!) that Rod might blow up, since he hadn't done a single speed race yet, but then I remembered how well he had been doing at the Surf City series! Maybe I would find him on the side of the trail puking like he was on L'Alpe DuHuez this year! No such luck. Pat and I did some work together and kept Rod about 10-15 seconds in front of us for the first half of the race. That was the last we saw of him. Either we were slowing down or Rod finally decided to stop playing around! Pat and I seemed to be doing pretty good "working" together. He would gap me on the muddy decent and into the cement ditch and I would chase to catch him on the pavement slalom through the classrooms. I made sure I pulled hard on the flat track section each lap to make up for him soft pedaling. Somewhere on the course Pat hit his shoulder on a tree, I didn't see it, but I would have my own mishap soon.

With around 2-3 laps left we were coming off the baseball diamonds and grass onto the pavement when I relaxed a little bit too much and my rear wheel slid out. I went onto my ass and right hip really hard sliding for 10 feet it. I jumped right back up and saw Pat waiting for me. I told him he shouldn't wait, but he said he hurt his shoulder anyway and didn't know how fast he would go! I started riding hard to try to ignore the pain and screamed every time I jumped back on the bike. I felt pretty sore, but I didn't see any blood. Pat seemed ease up, so I kept going the same pace we had been doing earlier. Now I was riding in second and hoping that someone would feed Rod some French food! No such luck!

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LIVE AND LEARN
By Joseph Fortino
Category B race

Well how do I start this? OK I just took a deep sigh. Anyway on with my race report i was ready for this course and lined up ahhh about second row far left, As the GO was yelled I started to move up so I could get over the 2 barriers without dudes tring to stack into them. WOO i made it over without getting hooked. please note I'm happy with my start.

Anyway as I looked up it all seemed like a bad dreaming happening right before my little beedie eyes, OK looks like running with the bike might be better right after the barriers so I started and WHAM dudes all over. ALL i remember was hitting the ground and the riders from the back just hitting my bike causing some damage, BUT the worst was when my arm go the chain ring marks inside lower forearm, VERY sore, I looked back and a rider that hit my bike just was uncool, So I picked up the bike and did some field and track since it seemed like the sorta day, I tried to remain very cool, but understand when you get jacked around in the very first meters of a race its real eazy to loose your head. I tried my best and felt my day was way over after this STACK UP

I never throw my bike, but this day I did * we all live and learn * make mistakes and grow from them. right?

as you see from above I just though of the day as " a crash out " I love to see everyone have a great time riding/racing also riding with a goal of understanding not just for yourself but for others around you. * hey everyone wants to do this until 60 right? * (or longer! -Ed.)

much peace
Joseph

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PROPER CROSS
By Dennis McGovern
Category B race

So the districts championships were upon us and we finally have some cross weather for the first time in years. I had decided not to race the masters race since a champs jersey was at stake. I could see me crashing in front of the leader as he laps me and taking him out. That would make me a District Chump!

Wow, mud and proper cross temperature. I was wondering if that long sleeve skin suit would ever be worthwhile. The race goes off and I am at the back. We sprint for a hundred meters to jam on the brakes and dismount for some barriers. I decided to remount right away because I suck at running. There was a huge stack up [only two riders but half of the field was affected]. I was almost made it cleanly around it when a bike was thrown down if front of me. A rider got tangled with someone and lost it. Screaming "f$#@ing punk" many times and throwing the bike is just not cool, stuff happens.

So, I am off the back and on my way. The course was way fun. No horrid climbs, moderate running and some stuff that made you think. I could spend 2/3 of the course in the big ring. The mud at the bottom of the grass keep getting deeper and sloppier. A few bogs were developing but they were ok during our race. The worst part of the course was the one barrier in the woods. It was on an uphill and by the end of the race. It seemed 5 feet high and I was practically throwing the bike over it first. I shouldered in warm-ups and kept whacking the wheel. One more lap and I would had to do the Fosbury Flop [ http://www.who2.com/dickfosbury.html] over it.

I finished dead last again, but had more fun than usual and felt like I could push a little more. I think I am starting to get fit again, but the cool weather makes a huge difference! Much better.

Dennis McGovern

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Norcal's 2000 National CX Champions:
Todd Hoefer (Master Men 30-34),
Peter Dahlstrand (Master Men 60-64),
Ben Jacques-Maynes (Under-23 Men).
 Full Results



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