For tough-souls, the popular Central Coast Cross Country Series (CCCX) started under ominous conditions last weekend during one of our much needed El Nino winter storms! With the onslaught of “real winter” forcing many riders to adapt to the unfamiliar conditions, Bri and I decided to delay our race debut until this weekend for a variety of reasons – and no punches pulled, the weather was definitely a factor! However this weekend, racers were welcomed by a true blue-bird day with conditions that make this area one of the best places to live anywhere!
I was especially excited about the event and rolling out some hot new wheels in the form of an IBIS Tranny 29er hard-tail. It’s been a while since I raced a hard tail and I was a bit nervous with the move, but this bike has sparked a solid start to our relationship with it’s nimble – actually FUN geometry and responsiveness. I am looking forward to logging many more miles on this sucker!
In contrast to last weekend where I picture dark skies, rain clouds and heaps of mud, today offered racers an incredible day of racing to prepare for! We parked by the Scotts Valley Cycle Sport tribe and talked about dirt bike racing. It was RAD!
Bri was doing work! She absolutely loves her 650b Marin Team CXR! The smaller wheels make for a quick and responsive machine that is very capable of roosting XC courses to bits and pieces!
Is this a great day to race bikes or what!?!?!?!?!?
Dillon is ALWAYS SUPER PUMPED TO BE ON HIS BIKE!!! Especially, after racing a brutal XC race. I wonder what the IBIS Team Rider is thinking… “Just wait until Enduro season starts! I love my Tranny, but I can’t wait to get on my Ripley LS!”
Stephanie was ripping up the course on her way to a solid 2nd place finish! I followed her through the “flat berms trails” and she was slicing the corners like a real pro! Not only can she ride, but she is an amazing baker and I *might* have overly indulged in the delicious cake she brought to the race! YUM!
Micah and Kimberly are such a cute couple! The man stomping out podium power on his way to a strong first place finish today is also a long-time cycling fixture on the central coast and has something special in Peninsula Bike Works – check them out! Yes, that bike is as FAST as it looks – well with Micah at the helm that is 🙂
Wow, did we ever have an incredible cheering section today! The Spoke Crew was in full force, with one racer and the rest taking spectating duties to an all new level! I was compelled to make sure I wasn’t dragging butt too much when approaching their cheer zone each lap. Thanks for the yells guys!
There is A LOT of speed in this picture! DC10’s Jett Chandler and some very speedy Salinas HS Cowboys represented by Noah and Ryland – all of these guys were flying along the trails in a train of speed that landed them all on their respective podiums, Wow great work guys!!!
The camaraderie of bike racing is second to none! Good friends and good times!
Your race winner for the 2nd week in a row – Alex Wild riding for Specialized and Trail Head Cyclery. Last week an Epic, this week a hard tail Stumpjumper, we will call him Mr. Versatility!
Michelin is making a strong push in cycling and these XC tires are seriously good! The Wild Race’R Advanced Ultimate is designed for super fast XC racing. I ran a 2.1 in the rear and a 2.25 in the front for an incredibly light and speed seeking set up.
This is a shot of the Michelin Wild Race’R Advanced Ultimate 2.25 mounted up front in 2.25.
And that’s a wrap for this week! I love this podium shot of Bri and her 2nd place Pro finish! Marin Bikes – Raawr!
