Another exciting weekend of racing #XCRacingBro has come and gone with the local CCCX Series hosting their 3rd round on a track that has probably not been run in over five years! With access to some of the “old school trails” that this series hasn’t used in a number of years, the last two events have featured courses that offer a great change of pace from what we have been racing over the last few seasons. This course in particular was HIGH SPEED! The moment Rod blew the start whistle, the pack rocketed up the familiar pavement start stretch and the race was on….the pace seemed to be #FullGaaazzz for the next hour and half! The high speed configuration combined with fun, flowing, single track, made for a ton of excitement…and in my case a bit of dehydration as I was so focused on, “pedal, turn, pedal, don’t crash, pedal, turn, pedal, pedal”, that I barely had time to drink from my bottle! This is what racing is all about – big time FUN!

Before the start Bri can always be seen wearing her pre-race smile and repping her awesome sponsors! With her trusty Marin CXR #Raawr and a course that suited her well, it was sure to be a good day! Unfortunately, a tire malfunction meant that she spent too much time in the pits instead of at race pace on the course. Seems like her mechanic needs to go back to MMI…

Nicky D is usually only this enthusiastic about the start of an Enduro! But, in anticipation of the California Enduro Series getting under way in a few short months, it means strapping on the lycra and busting out a different kind of “laps” than the gravity guys normally like to pound out!

The coolest thing about bike races are the friends and camaraderie that you experience! Our moto buddy Joe didn’t have his KTM250 today, but instead rolled over on his sweet looking IBIS Mojo to check things out and say hello. He knows a thing or two about racing too, as his motorcycle club, the Salinas Ramblers just hosted a hugely popular cross country motorcycle race last weekend – The Picacho Creek Challenge was my absolute favorite event back in the twist-grip racing days!

Dillon and Nicky D discuss the pro’s and con’s of going #FullLycraBro…

Warming up with Bri and Dillon on our top secret test loop! Not really, the trails around the race venue are easily found, super fun and offer many great options to warm the legs up with.

Your winner on the day! Jett Chandler may be young, but his prowess aboard a bicycle is known far and wide…and often feared! Switching from his trusty Felt hardtail, to a full suspension set up this year doesn’t seem to have done anything except continue to produce excellent race results! Congrats on a great day Jett!

Post race story time makes the racing seem TWICE as exciting! On the left, Peninsula Bike Works, Micah Mozal and on the right Dustin and his son listen in to what “really” happened from a key eye-witness.

“Mrs. Fitzy” not only came out and raced, but she sprinted to the finish line for a well earned post race beverage! #Motivation. It’s what keeps the pedals turning!

It’s hard to picture much better representation at the race than the Fitzy Family…no wonder they ride for Family Cycling Center! We love racing with them!

Bri coming to the line after a somewhat frustrating day. #NeverGiveUp is a requirement of any successful racer and I am proud of how she persevered through the adversity of the day to still put in a strong ride!

My finish line face isn’t nearly as pleasing as Bri’s…This is the look of #IsItOverYet ?

Did we mention how rad it is racing with your friends? Seriously, we go to these big social events where there are a bunch of people dressed in lycra, hanging out and having fun. The race is just an ancillary benefit!

Bri’s podium with Rock Lobster’s Campbell Steers taking the win over IBIS supported Lili Heim. I definitely like the new blue and orange Marin/Rabobank jerseys – looking good!

Racing with Micah is always a treat! But, as good as his bike skills are, his photoshop talent is equally impressive…

Maybe the best podium shot EVER? What do they say – Boys who race together stay together? I’m not sure exactly, but I almost pee’d my pants laughing when he sent this pic over…Too funny!

With another great day of racing in the books, none of this would be possible without all of the support of the companies that help us all out. For me, Cupertino Bike Shop has been there for a loooong time…and while my IBIS Tranny 29er is new to me, I sure love the feeling this hardtail offers on the race course or just cruising around the trails – so comfortable and fun!

And sheeesh…one more thing
WILL YOU PLEASE CUT THAT FORK DOWN TUBE DOWN ALREADY…? I don’t know which is better… the “extended Garmin mount fork tube” or the incredible hand holding podium picture! Be sure to be at the next race this Saturday, where there will likely be more new race trails and more good times that you will definitely want to be a part of! Thanks for a great race Keith!

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!