Post your photos here:  www.facebook.com/SoCalCross

HERE ARE THE NOMINEES SO FAR!

Great weekend ya’ll!  Congrats to our 22 Prestige Series Champions and everyone who came to be a part of the finale weekend @SoCalCross.  The 2011-12 season has been presented by SPY Optic for which we are forever to help us get to the next level.  Thank you as well as Shimano presenting the California Gold Crown – events more than a cross race and showcasing the best talent in CA and the USA!

Complete race results are posted including the 2nd ever Nor Cal vs So Cal showdown which brought top riders to Bakersfield from Nor Cal – both of whom raced with us many years ago, but haven’t seen in So Cal for some time:  Pro road cyclist, Andy Jaques-Maynes and recent National CX Masters Champion, Gina Hall… thanks for coming!  Both dominated their races in the elite Men and Women’s Championship.  Lots of photos and more coming shortly.  We are still driving back from the event so look for more fun reports, photos, vids tomorrow!  G.nite and thanks for being a part of SoCalCross!

Here’s  my Facebook reflection : Well, it’s over. Feel happy, accomplished, relieved. Thanks to everyone who dedicated themselves in one way or another to making yet another record breaking, successful season @SoCalCross It was an awesome Finale! …Everyone so gracious and friendships found… but in the end we love the challenge of it all ; ) What a great sport cyclocross is : )

Saturday 1/21/2012 SCPS #22 Season Finale – report by Robbie on CX Magazine.com

While the 2012 National Championships are over, many racers throughout the country have fitness and motivation to extend the cyclocross season to mimic the European racing. In Bakersfield, California, two days of racing wrapped up the season for both North and Southern California racers. Day one saw the finale of the Southern California Prestige Series. Stay tuned for Sunday’s report on the Nor Cal vs. So Cal battle.

Bakersfield, CA – “One to go, one to go, one to go!” the famous ring of Dave Towle filled the B-Town finale as the SoCal prestige series, presented by SPY Optic, hit Bakersfield for the last of its 22 races this season. While most series have been done for weeks, and all the big events in the U.S finished, SoCal Series promoter Dorothy Wong along with the B-town race promoter Sam Ames put together one last double race weekend with the series finale and the Nor Cal vs. So Cal.

The European style course had a fast, long paved start before the sweeping left turn that lead into the high-speed technical off-camber grass sections. The course then came back into the main expo area hitting the “Rock Lobster Launch Pad,” a wooden flyover with much potential for sweet jumping action. The main course action was back in the main spectator area with the leg crushing climbs, barriers, steep run up, and technical descents.

Elite Women:

From the start it was Amanda Schaper (Ritte Racing) taking the hole shot and leading the field through the first half lap. Then, once back in the main expo area, Christine Probert-Turner (The TEAM SoCal Cross/Turner Bikes) made her move passing Schaper over the barrier section and starting to move ahead of the field to get a gap by the top of the first climb.

From here is was Turner all the way as she soloed to take the win and final race of the SoCal Prestige season. Schaper stayed on the gas, riding hard to keep her position and grab 2^nd. Series promoter Dorothy Wong (The TEAM SoCalCross) chased all race to finish 3^rd with a big smile with such a successful season behind her. 4^th was Hannah Eckvahl (The TEAM SoCalCross) and 5^th her teammate McKenzie Melcher.

Elite Men:

As the final race of the season, it was down to a few riders for the series overall championship. The points were close, which was going to make things exciting from the start, but not as exciting as the rain that started 15 minutes before the race to completely throw off the riding conditions for the first few laps of the race, until it stopped after lap two.

It was B-town local Gareth Feldstein (Ritte Racing) with the hole shot, leading into the grass section until he crashed in the most technical of the off-camber turns. Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific/Focus) then took the lead and pushed the pace taking Kyle Gritters (Rock N Road) with him as they split the field apart leading into lap two.

Prenzlow and Kyle rode off the front and stayed away for five laps as Prenzlow was going to secure his series lead over the others. In the chase group it was Brandon Gritters (Rock N Road), Gary Douville (SDG/Felt p.b. iRT) and teammate Jason Siegle. Each of the three made some mistakes or crashed, trading positions as they chased.

With Prenzlow on the front, Kyle made his move to take the lead and slowly started to pull away from Prenzlow. With two to go Siegle broke away from the others on the chase, as riders were strung out all over the course, to catch Prenzlow. He was looking to continue his charge.

Then with one to go Siegle made his pass on Prenzlow, but it was not enough to catch Kyle Gritters, who soloed in for a win. Prenzlow knew he was safe with his series points and rolled in third behind Siegle. fourth went to Douville and fifth was another SDG/Felt teammate Anton Petrov to round out the top five.

The great course and event from all the hard work of Bakersfield local volunteers made for a fantastic day one of the Final Showdown weekend. There was a lot of great racing and some hard battles as riders battled it out for the series overall in many different categories. But, the day was not over as the evening party was planned at a downtown brewery and competitors were looking to rest up for day two of the B-town weekend and to see who is the better Cal Series of ’cross racing and who could take home the true California state champion jersey.

More to come on day two, or for more info go www.socalcross.org

Sunday 1/22/2012 NORCAL VS SOCAL SHOWDOWN REPORT by Dave Sheek: “Another Quest for Bragging Rights”

Bakersfield, CA- With Saturdays event marking the end for the SoCal Prestige series, presented by SPY Optic, and the crowning of many series overall categories winners, Sunday would be the last CX race of the long eventful 2011-12 season. The event, like last year was the Northern versus Southern California championships race, an event for bragging rights and a true California champion jersey to each of the categories winners.

The course had no surprise rains or gusty winds to challenge riders, the cool sunny B-town weather was perfect for the final day. It was just going to be the previous days fast, challenging, Euro style course but run in reverse with a few turns changed to make it flow and consistently test competitors. The start again was a fast road straight into a sweeping left but entering back into the main expo area. This presented riders with the most difficult turns, climbs, and run-ups right away into their laps. And as they hit the grass section on the backside of the course the elevation change was much more than the previous day and it really seemed to take its toll on riders later in each race.

With SoCal winning the overall the year before NorCal definitely showed this year with a vengence and were winning a lot of the events. In the masters men events we saw NorCal take the top spots in 35, 45, and 55+. The single speed of course went to NorCal and the recently crowned National Champion Aaron Bradford and teammate Scott Chapin (Rock Lobster) rode away from the competition. Ty Hathaway (Mudfoot) gave a good battle but the Lobster men seemed to have the gearing and course absolutely dialed. The consistency of all the SoCal racers all day still had them leading as the elite events were coming.

Elite Women:

After some impressive racing from the strong NorCal Cal Giant Berries/Specialized team all day, Gina Hall took to the start in the elite women and competitors new it was going to be rough. Hall recently won the masters 45-49 national championships and definitely still has good fitness.

When the whistle blew the women came sprinting down the road and it was hard to tell if it was Hall or Ellen Sherrill (Bike Station Aptos) who went into the dirt and came around the sweeping left turn first. The women lined up as the course had a nice groove into the next set of turns before the first steep punchy climb. Third wheel was Sofia Gomez Villafane (Ibis/buy-cell), Amanda Schaper (Ritte Racing), Christine Probert-Turner (The TEAM SoCalCross/Turner Bikes), ultra promoter and overall Single Speed SoCal Series winner Dorothy Wong (The TEAM SoCalCross) along with top Masters riders, Desira Miller and Carol Ruckle of Team Redlands.

Going into the climb Turner made a move passing Schaper and up front Sherrill was first to start the descent. By the time the women were leaving the main expo portion of the course on the dirt straight Sherrill and Hall were already starting to get some room on the field.

The women came back down the road charging into lap two. It was Hall with Sherrill and just a few seconds back it was Turner who moved past Gomez for third. The chase was already starting to break apart as Gomez, Schaper, and Wong were all more than five seconds apart and the rest of the women scattered behind them.

The next two laps had Sherrill leading through the climbs then Hall opening a gap down through the descents. The two were riding strong and gaining space on Turner but she was still on a mission. Halfway through Hall moved ahead of Sherrill and from there continued to open space from her lead and second place.

Into the final lap the national champion stayed strong and soloed in for another title jersey this season. Sherrill held on for 2nd and Turner the same in 3rd. The youngster Gomez showed a great race and rolled in to take 4^th and Schaper just behind in 5^th.

Elite Men:

The field was stacked and all eyes of course were on another Cal Giant Berries/Specialized rider, as Andy Jacques-Maynes took the line. But to make things even more interesting B-town promoter Sam Ames and renowned announcer Dave Towle started calling to the spectators for a first lap cash prime. Ames offered up the first portion of the money and while officials were talking to racers the two were collecting aloud.

Just before the whistle blew there was $160 being announced for the fastest first lap. The men were off and Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific/Focus) took the hole shot with Jacques-Maynes second wheel. The entire field was hungry as riders where making their moves to get in a good position. As the riders came into the wall Prenzlow and Jacque-Maynes battled up the run-up where the Cal Giant rider took the lead. Prenzlow held on and the field chased behind. But by the end of the Fly-over Jacques-Maynes moved ahead to begin his gap off the field.

Into the back part of the course Jason Siegle (SDG/Felt p.b. iRT) passed Prenzlow and continued to push his pace in chase of the leader. Here the race for 1^st and 2^nd were decided as these two soloed an entire hour for the first two steps. The chase was the real battle as a large group of riders were together for most of the race.

With three to go hometown boy Gareth “Cru” Feldstein (Ritte Racing) and Prenzlow broke away from the group and started to work together to solidify their podium spots. Krishna Dole (Sheila Moon) stayed close chasing the two but could not get back on their wheels.

On the last lap Prenzlow led up through the back grass section then Feldstein passed onto the road. Prenzlow let him lead out the sprint and came around him hard but Feldstein pulled back and grabbed 3^rd in a photo finish to beat him by .02 of a second. Prenzlow was 4^th and Dole rode in for 5^th.

It was a great finish to the cyclocross season and a fantastic event, all of which was definitely not possible without the hard work of Dorothy Wong, Sam Ames and all of the local volunteers and sponsors.  This event already has people talking for next year as SoCal has taken the title home again and NorCal is requesting a further north location.

Pay attention to www.socalcross.org for more information on the 2012-13 season and the third annual NorCal vs. SoCal showdown, sometime January 2013.

RACE RESULTS ARE UP! By Chris Bassett – SoCalCross Timing

Race Photos by Kenneth Hill – Lights & Shadows Photography

Race report by Dave Sheek – Outside All Day — SCPS 21: High Desert Cyclocross

Palmdale, CA- With two weekends left in the SoCal prestige series presented by SPY Optic the series headed to the high desert of California for another sunny day of competition. While it was sunny there were cool desert winds that made for a slight winter chill and tactical racing on the fast dry course.

The course - The 2.5km course wove through the grounds of Marie Kerr Park, a jewel to the Palmdale recreation system, with skate parks, walking trails, baseball, soccer, and plenty of other fields. It was a majority of grass with some dirt sections and one short but deep sand pit that really challenged those who decided to ride the sand. With two long straights the course designers broke things up with some tight twisting turns, a few off camber, a short run up, and barrier section. It was a restless challenge that kept riders on the gas.

With only two races left in the series those who are the points leaders in each of their respective categories are in the points chase to continue to gain their best scores for the overall that will be next weekend in Bakersfield followed by a second day of racing with the NorCal vs. SoCal showdown. This points chase is making for some great late season competition. Great rides of the day were in the single-speed event as Alan Danger Zinniker (Ritte Racing) rode back to the front of the race after having to change bikes from mechanical issues, in the men’s B race Jesse Rogers (Cynergy Cycles) was working hard to ride off the front and soloed in for a great win, in both elite races, and many others from women, youth, and juniors.

Elite Women:
The field was mixed with the A and B field which was a fun choice as it stiffened the competition and some ladies got to try their skills against the faster group. From the gun it was Amanda Schaper (Ritte Racing) followed closely by the field. Coming through lap one Schaper was weaving her way through the tricky turns and had put a 15 second gap on the field.

Dorothy Wong (The TEAM SoCalCross) led the chase with Sarah Brodsky (Bicycle John’s Serious Cycling) close behind. It was getting close to Schaper but as the short laps went on with a lot of little sections to challenge riders Schaper continued to ride smooth and opened her gap to almost a minute to take the win. Wong also broke away in her chase to take 2nd. 3rd went to Brodsky, followed by Jocelyn Pogue (La Grange) 4th, and Madelaine Melcher (The TEAM SoCalCross) in 5th.

Elite Men:
Jason Siegle (SDG/Felt p.b. iRT) who has been showing some great late season form grabbed the holeshot. A half lap in Siegle punched it on the windy straight to open a small gap from the field. Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific/Focus) led the chase as they stayed together through lap one.

On lap two Sielge held his lead and continued to open a gap on the chase group that was splitting apart as Prenzlow picked up the pace with Gareth Feldstein (Ritte Racing) and Jonny Weir (Shimano) staying in the group.

The laps continued to stay fast as riders were consistently putting in times of less than five minutes. Half way through Weir dropped back as Prenzlow and Feldstein continued their pace in pursuit of the leader. With three to go Prenzlow was on a solo mission to bring back the leader.

In the end it was Siegle who soloed in for his fourth win this season. Series leader Prenzlow was 2nd with Feldstein 3rd. Weir kept riding strong and was close to catching back to Feldstein for 4th and David Sheek (SDG/Felt p.b. iRT) chased all day but couldn’t get back to Weir to take 5th.

Another fun day of competition is finished as the SoCal series heads north to Bakersfield next week for the series finale Saturday and then the long awaited North vs. South showdown. With rain in the forecast and the world famous Mr. David Towle headed to town to announce the big weekend it should be a great end to the SoCal Cross season.

For more information go to: www.socalcross.org

PS… while we were playing in Palmdale, SoCalCrossers went to Louisville, KY for the first ever CX Masters Worlds Championships in the USA!  Our very own recently crowned National Champion Bob Llamas also made the Worlds Podium! Congrats! Complete coverage can be found at: cxmagazine.com and Louisville2013.com

The course was dry and fast, as the California winter seemed to pass by over the past two weeks bringing temperatures into the 70’s. A majority of the course was road/hard packed dirt and loose dirt but there were sections with grass and the challenging gravel descents and turns. The run up sections were fun and they led into challenging descending but nothing on course was as cool as the SPYclone (cyclone). The SPYclone took riders left in circles for almost 20 seconds until they reached the middle and then reversed spinning them right on their way back out from the center. It was a total of 40 seconds or more where riders had to really focus and watch their speed so that they would not trap themselves in whirling fortress of course tape.

Elite Women:
From start the women charged the course chasing U23 Hungarian champion Barbara Benko (Focus-MIG Team). Christine Probert-Turner (The Team SoCalCross/Turner Bikes) and Amanda Schaper (Ritte Racing) were close behind and looking smooth through the challenging sections of the course.

With Benko in the lead she unfortunately, again for the second week in a row, got a flat. The flat allowed Schaper and Turner to pass as Benko did her best to get back to the pits. Turner worked her way off the front and continued to open her gap as she soloed in for the win. Schaper rode strong to take second. Benko, eventually, made it to the pits and changed out her rear tire and put out an awesome effort to get back to the ladies up front but she settled in for third.

Elite Men:
After winning the past two races riders were looking at Jason Siegle (SDG/Felt p.b. iRT) as the person to watch and he was definitely waiting to strike from early in the race. But, at the start, it was Philip Tintsman (Spy/Blue) who threw it all out to take an early lead and set an impressive pace through lap one to get a gap as he bunny hopped the first barrier allowing him to ride the first run up.

Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific/Focus) led the chase as the group in pursuit of Tintsman. On lap two Siegle attacked going for Tintsman and getting a small gap on the chase. On lap three Tintsman pulled out and Siegle was in the lead until he crashed through one of the challenging graveled corners.

With the group just behind Siegle, Brandon Gritters (Rock N Road) with Prenzlow and his brother Kyle Gritters (Rock N Road) passed to take the leading at finish of the third lap. Siegle caught back up to the group on the fourth lap and then Prenzlow unfortunately got a flat that took him out of the race. The Gritters brothers attacked to get a small gap and Siegle was working to pull them back when he crashed again, this time on the gravel descent.

It was just the break the brothers needed to again put in another big effort and increase their lead to 30 seconds. The two brothers worked together the entire race to the finish with Brandon taking the win and Kyle second. Siegle continued to ride strong to finish third. His teammate Anton Petrov (SDG/Felt p.b. iRT) rolled in fourth riding hard to hold off Jonny Weir (Shimano/Pearl Izumi) who took the final podium position.

It was another great weekend of racing in SoCal and the season is not over as there are still two more events left in the series, plus the Nor Cal vs. So Cal showdown scheduled at the end of the month. This week the series will go to High Desert Cyclocross in Palmdale, CA for the race number 21 of the solid 22-event season.

For more information go to: www.socalcross.org

So with USA Cycling’s Cyclocross Nationals in Madison WI this week – our California contingent of crossers is few and far between.  Attendance at Nats is way down almost half as many as the last few seasons.  The expected cold and economy of travel kept people away especially from the state of California making this nationals a central affair Colorado and east.

A few SoCalCrossers did some out and here is what has come so far.  Will report on more results as they come:

Wednesday, Jan 4th results:

Michael ROECKLEIN finished 17th in the 30+ Non-Championship Men’s race

Tony TRATTENERO finished 22nd in the 40+ Non-Championship Men’s race

Chris BLACK finished 29th in the 40+  Non-Championship Men’s race

Dot WONG finished 10th in the women’s single speed championship race.

Thursday, Jan 5th:

Congrats to Bob LLAMAS from Montrose won the 70-74 masters men’s national championship race in a close sprint finish!

Trina BAUMSTEIGER from San Luis Obispo made the 5th spot on the podium and Dot WONG (that’s me) finished 14th in the 45-49  masters women’s race.

Chris BLACK finished 32nd in the 55-59 men’s race.

Friday, Jan 6th:

Edwin Rambuski finished 20th in the Masters Men 50-54 race.

Tony Trattenero finished 30th in the Masters Men 50-54 race.

Hannah Eckvahl finished 10th in the Junior Women 13-14 race.  Dropped her chain in the first lap in a crash or else, watch out!

Hannah Rae Finchamp finished 7th in the Junior Women 17-18 race. Solid performance!

Sean McElroy finished 4th and on the podium!  in the Junior Men 13-14 race.  Congrats!

Saturday, Jan 7th:

Coryn Rivera – 2nd place – Collegiate Women

Ben Bertiger – 11th place – U23 Men

Alexander Vaughan-Ruiz – 27th place – U23 Men

Jay Kwan 29th place -30-34 Men

Michael Roecklein – 36th place – 30-34 Men

John Bailey – 15th Place – 35-39 Men

John Behrens – 28th place – 40-44 Men

Sunday, Jan 8th:

Coryn Rivera – 5th podium – Elite Women!  2nd – U23 Women!

Hannah Rae Finchamp – 53rd – Elite Women

Dot Wong – 62nd – Elite Women

… CHEERS TO SOCALCROSSERS AT CX NATS!

Woodland Hills, CA- This always-popular SoCal Prestige Series event on the grounds of Pierce College is usually the last race of the season but with National Championships moving to January and Masters Worlds in the United States it was a great year to elongate the season. This festive race was a perfect way for competitors to bring in the New Year, hence its name Cross 2012.

The course is almost 100% dirt with a small portion of road but definitely one of the harder races with some challenging climbs and loose descents. It is a perfect cross venue as the race takes place in the center of a dirt bowl that race promoter Dorothy Wong and course designer Jeff Herring definitely take advantage of the hillsides. Last year this event brought one of the muddiest races ever to the series. This year, however, it was just another dry, warm, and fast courses as the weather was in the high 70’s with plenty of SoCal sun.

Elite Women:
U23 Hungarian Champion Barbara Benko (Focus/MIG Team) took the early lead in the race. Christine Probert-Turner (The TEAM SoCal Cross/Turner Bikes) went with her as the two came through leading lap one. The chase was lead by young Hanna Rae Finchamp (The TEAM SoCal Cross) as they went into lap two.

Benko got a flat early in the race and had to pit but was back on the gas to chase down Turner. Eventually, Benko rode away from Turner to solo in for the win, Turner stayed strong also holding her gap for second. Third was another impressive ride as Finchamp continued her hard pace all race riding away from teammate Dorothy Wong and Amanda Schaper. Wong continued her battle with Schaper to take fourth and Schaper took the final podium spot in fifth.

Elite Men:
With a mix of a few categories together the battles through the first lap made for some exciting racing. The leader through the first lap was the previous weeks winner Jason Siegle (SDG/Felt p.b. iRT) and a group of six that clung to his wheel. On lap two Siegle let his teammate Gary Douville (SDG/Felt p.b. iRT) around on the technical back descent but he unfortunately got tangled in the tape making him have to work to get back on the group.

Siegle took the lead back with Gareth Feldstein (Ritte Racing) and Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific/Focus) in tow. Going into lap three Siegle continued to push the pace on each of the climbs to get a small gap and like the week before he did not look back to solo in for his second win in two weeks.

Once Prenzlow drove the chase with Feldstein and Douville, who caught back on the group, he eventually started to get his own gap.  Prenzlow stayed strong to ride in for second. Feldstein, who is having an impressive season after recently upgrading to the elite category, took third just ahead of Douville in fourth. John Bailey (Bailey Bikes) after winning the 35+ event just before the elite race continued to race hard to take fifth.

It was another great sunny SoCal event and a perfect way to start the New Years celebrations. The season has a few races left as it leads into the finale, Norcal vs. Socal event in Bakersfield, CA.

For more information on upcoming events go to: www.socalcross.org

As we take this weekend off for the Christmas weeeknd, we want to thank you for racing SoCalCross and wish you a very Happy Holidays!  Many great memories were made with 18 races in 3 months from San Diego to San Luis Obispo.  As we head into our final month of racing we look forward to crowning our Prestige Series champions – best 11 finishes with the finale Saturrday in Bakersfield part of a two-day cyclocross festival 1/21-22 weekend, also the Nor Cal So Cal Showdown – Sunday.  Enjoy the time off and hope to see you at Cross into 2012 – 12/31… New Year’s Eve – on the last day of 2011 at Pierce College in Woodland Hills.  Let’s toast to good times and good friends!  And of course, thanks go our sponsors, our presenting sponsor Spy Optic, our gold crown events sponsor Shimano, our leaders jersey sponsor, Voler and our Series Bike Shops especially: Jenson USA, Montrose Bike Shop, Rock N Road Cyclery and Cynergy Cycles for supporting the growth of our sport!

Hope you enjoyed some favorite moments in 2011 thanks to our talented photogs… Kenneth Hill – Lights & Shadows, Jon Neuman, Corey Keizer, Brian Black Hodes – Velo Images, Dan Munson, Jeff Urban to name a few  and of course, our SoCalCrossers!

An historic weekend of CX at Santa Cross 2011 complete! Races 17 & 18 of the SoCalCross Prestige Series Presented by Spy Optic took place in the City of Los Angeles’ largest Park… Griffith Park and sat in a quaint park in Vermont Canyon next the the Greek Theater where summer concerts take place.  Please thank the City Los Angeles Dept of Recreation and Parks for allowing us to host cyclocross here.

Saturday was the SoCalCross Championships of the Park presented by Cadence including the first ever All Fixed Gear CX Race presented by Orange 20 Bikes.  The All Fixed Cross race included categories for all things fixed gear, including brake-less!  The race brought Champion New York Bike Messenger, Austin Horse to the line and for the top Fixie.  The day also offered one-day championships for all Prestige Series categories.  Moto-star Ben Bostrom (ShoAir) handled the course and took the men’s elite race. Christina Probert-Turner (The TEAM SoCalCross) showed her power and handling skills for a solid victory in the elite women’s race.

Sunday was holiday themed Day 2 of Prestige Series racing sanctioned by USAC gave riders wanting ranking points for the upcoming Cyclocross National Championships in Wisconsin in 3 weeks. It also saw the first ever Doggie Cross – we let the dogs out on this one ; ) Top Dog Podium and Best Dressed Costume prizes were awarded.

Thanks to teams for making this weekend a success:  Cadence Cycling, Mudfoot, The Juice, Montrose Bike Shop and The TEAM!

Complete results and race report coming soon!  Thanks for racing SoCalCross!

RACE REPORT AT:  OUTSIDEALLDAY.COM

Results for both days

RESULTS FOR SCPS #17:  SATURDAY’S CHAMPIONSHIPS OF THE PARK

RESULTS FOR SCPS #18 SUNDAY’S SANTA CROSS

SCPS #17 Saturday of of Santa Cross Weekend

SCPS #18: SANTA CROSS SUNDAY DEC 18TH… presented by Universal Cycles! – DAY 2 OF SOCALCROSS PRESTIGE SERIES RACING presented by SPY Optic at the City of LA’s largest park… GRIFFITH PARK!

This day will be holiday themed, so wear your favorite costumes and dress up your bike with lots of fun things to do and give back at the same time! CX racing… Ride Around the Park… Doggie Cross… TEAM Relay Cross Race… Boys & Girls Club of LA Toy-Food Drive.

Racers and Riders… bring a toy or canned food to the Park on Sunday and get automatically entered to win some cool prizes including an entry into the Ride for Life George Hincapie Gran Fondo in Santa Clarita. Items will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Los Angeles and more!

Racing begins at 9AM each day. Race day registration opens at 7:30am. Course officially opens for inspection at 8:30am.

Never been to Griffith Park? We’ll lead you on a ride around the park on some very nice roads (no bikes on trails please!) closed to cars with spectacular views of the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys.  Meet at the Race Expo at 11AM. Ride will include some climbing and descending – road bikes are best. We’ll re-group throughout. Last stop… the infamous Griffith Park Observatory http://www.griffithobs.org/ for likely a view of LA and the Pacific Ocean! Ride is FREE but bring a wrapped toy or canned food for your entry into Ride 4 Life Gran Fondo!

The first annual Doggie Cross takes place Sunday at 1:00PM in the Park. $5 entry donation goes to the Los Angeles Animal Shelter. Custom awards and treats to all! Doggies and owner will compete mass start around a smaller canine and owner friendly cross course. No bikes… costumes encourage. Special prizes for Best Canine Costumes!

Enter the TEAM Santa Cross Costume Relay race Sunday $5 donation directly to: the Friends of Griffith Park. Prizes to Top 3 TEAM! http://www.friendsofgriffithpark.org/

ABR Championships of the Park presented by Cadence! One Day Prestige Series category championships and first annual Fixie Cross Championships presented by Orange 20 Bikes!

Quirky course designs aka old school before all the rules! Still safe and fun and very much a SoCalCross Prestige Series race.

Enjoy a day at the beach thanks SPY!  Watch out for the Cadence Crusher section, sure to test your skills!  The Shimano log roll… how well can you roll?

Racing begins at 9AM… then 11am Savenger Hunt Ride around the Park presented by Cadence. 2:30pm Fixed Gear Championship race presented by Orange 20 Bikes: a shorter CX course, but with all the CX fun… 30 minutes. 5 categories… Men A=fast Men B=fun Juniors and Women all start together and Brakeless will have its own start.

Check out Crank Bros booth for a pedal tune up Spa!

Check out Motorola’s new collection just for the fitness-minded!

Free Kiddie Kross race, youth under 10 race one lap of the real course free!

Afterwards follow the After Party to the Big Foot Lodge to ‘crowning’ of the Day’s Champions!

Race day registration opens 2 hours before each race! Save $$$ on weekend entry!

Demo CX bikes for rent available and free beginner’s clinic at 8:30am.

Parking is along Vermont Canyon Road.  VIP Team Parking for the weekend – 2 cars and a 10×10 for $20.  No displays or sales.  Expo opportunities available.  Contact: Dot@SoCalCross.org

SOME RULES OF THE PARK:  No bikes on Park trails.  No alcohol in the Park.  No tent spikes in the grass.

Hope to see you there!

Dot : )