March - PAA Cycling

March 2008
President
Matt Gunnell
Vice President
Eddie Ramirez
Secretary
Lisa L oeffler
Treasurer
Jim Small
Board Member
Rick Babington
Board Member
Lee Bird
Board Member
Cici Arenas
Board Member
Banner Moffat
Board Member
Fritx Bottger
Board Member
Parker Williams
Board Member
Aaron Tuchfield
PAA General Meetings are held the
second Wednesday of the month
starting at 7:00pm at
La Cabanita, 3447 N. Verdugo Rd,
Glendale, CA 91208
Amgen Tour of California Finale Finishes
in Pasadena with Lepheimer in the Golden
Jersey for his Second Consecutive Win
And PAA Enjoys the Tour in Southern California...
2
First Annual
Bike for a Cure
3
Fifteen Rides for
Awareness
4
Palm Springs Century
5
Member SpotlightDeborah Davis
6
Tech Review
8
Bike Racing for Beginners
9
Book Review: The Complete
Guide to Climbing by Bike
10 Team Times
11 First MTB Bike Race in 7 Years
14 PAA in Pictures
15 Our PAA Sponsors
www.paacycling.org
2
Time for a
Cure Ride
by Cici Arenas
The month of February brought
many cycling events to Southern
California. Most of those events
started out smaller, somehow growing and becoming a part of our
yearly rides, like the Palm Springs
Century or the Solvang Century. One
such event was held February 16th.
Time for a Cure, a non-profit organization based in Covina, was sponsoring their First Annual Bike for a
Cure. Their organization helps bring
awareness and educate women on
the importance of early detection in
the fight against breast cancer. It was
a 50-mile ride, mostly following the
Welcome
PAA would like to welcome
the following New Members:
Alonzo Guerana
David Andrews
Johanna Tokunaga
John Bianchi
John Canning
Kenneth Gray
Phil Lin
Razmig Harboyan
Stephen Starks
Steve Titus
Andrew Wacker
Tom Dubel
We are very excited to have you onboard the PAA family. Please introduce yourself on group rides or at
the next PAA Club Meeting!
river trail AND it was local. I decided to sign-up and recruit a few fellow
cyclists.
With a total of 8 ladies from PAA, we started the ride early Saturday morning. We also met other cyclists on our 50-mile ride. One cyclist, Hugh, came
from Ventura to support the ride. He was a steady wheel to keep us at a fast
pace. Hugh had lost his mother to breast cancer when she was 36, as well as
two aunts. Everyone that day was riding for their own personal reasons, and
in some way, had been affected by breast cancer in their lives. We all had a
good time knowing we were riding for a great cause.
The Second Annual Bike for a Cure is already scheduled for next year. I’m
sure next year’s ride will be just as great and we’ll see more fellow riders
come out and support Time for a Cure.
www.paacycling.org
3
Fifteen Rides for Awareness
by Corey Keizer
I’ve been hit by cars twice, once
when I was 18, by a truck driven by
a blind man bearing right on a merge
lane without using his turn signal,
the second time I was right hooked
by a guy pulling into a 7-11. I’m
one of the lucky ones. Not only did I
survive both accidents, but I was able
to get up, brush myself off and walk
away. In fact one time I was able to
finish my ride. Just talking to other
PAA members, disregarding the rest
of the planets cycling population, I
hear too many stories like mine and
worse. Worse because some of these
stories don’t end with the rider being
one of the lucky ones, but instead
for some reason I have this belief
one of the unlucky ones... or dead.
that someday if we all just try a little
harder the world could really be like
I have a major problem with these
that. So I set out to set things in mostories, mainly because they never
tion, I decided to try and do someend up with the cyclist coming out
thing to make it right. And thus with
on top. There is always loss on our
bad attitude and razor sharp wit in
part. Even if you were completely
in the wrong, walked away AND got tow I created 15 Rides. My methods
may be questionable, but my hearts
a new bike out of the deal, you still
lose because when it comes down to in the right place...at least that’s what
it, cars still rule the road. You never my therapist tells me.
see “Motorist killed in head on collision with bicycle”. Not that I want 15 rides actually started as a training journal; but like Crit racing with
that. What I’ve always wanted is
there to be a happy cooperative uto- a 12 mph speed limit, writing about
pia where motorists and cyclists are my heart rate, speed and perceived
effort over 4 hours is pretty boring
cordial and polite to each other and
where cyclists rule the road because so I quickly began to add commentary about cycling culture. 15 rides
we’re smaller and lighter and better
for the environment. A utopia where, also started as 12, one a month, but
I decided I wanted to do the KOM
when you get cut off, the motorist
challenge so I added 3 more. Ahhhh,
slows, rolls his window down and
that’s not true, 15 just sounds better.
says “Hey buddy, I’m really sorry
about that, that was terribly impolite The Cause didn’t really come into
play until June or July of last year.
of me” and you reply; “That’s ok
man, we’re all human. We all make I was stoked to do the rides, but I
mistakes, just try your best to not let felt a little empty just doing them to
“Prove that I could”. I had recently
it happen again!”. But lets be real,
done the Ride of Silence, had met
we live in L.A., and people aren’t
Robert Paganini, and had heard other
even that polite in Kansas.
stories of cyclists who had died on
the road. It really took hold of me
I am a bit of an Idealist though, and
www.paacycling.org
at that point and I decided that I
wouldn’t do these rides for myself,
but instead I would do them for the
riders who couldn’t be there through
no fault of their own.
As much as I love PAA and as loyal
as I am, I didn’t think anyone would
get it if I showed up to 15 different
centuries with the bull on my chest,
so I designed my own kit. Please
realize that I love the PAA kit, more
than my own to be honest, as the
PAA bibs are much more comfortable. I chose the white because it’s
easy to see, very different from what
most folks are wearing at century
rides (I do stand out) and it makes
me look more tan than I really am.
It was obvious to me that the jersey
would have to say “Share the Road”
but to take it a step further I put the
black arm band on the left sleeve to
remind folks (especially drivers passing me, hence the left arm) that every
ride is one that’s done in mourning
for riders who have lost their lives
on the road. The wings on the back
represent the fact that those riders
are there in spirit, watching over us
on the road to see us safely to our
destination.
4
Fifteen Rides
Continued from page 3
I do sell the jerseys, and have plans to start producing t-shirts as well.
Profits from all that stuff goes to organizations like the League of
American Bicyclists, or “Ride of Silence” and “Ghostbike” although
I haven’t turned a profit yet, so it’s all just talk right now. If you want
you can donate to one of those two organizations yourself. It’s a good
cause seeing how they are actively involved in making our lives on the
bike better.
So that’s what is up with 15 rides. I know it’s not for everyone, but it
seems to work for me.
www.15rides.blogspot.org
Palm Springs Century
by Gene Huang
The Palm Springs Century was a great ride - perfect weather,
great turnout and a strong, steady pace. In photo #1 you’ll
notice three of us PAAer’s, Jim Small is at the far right, I’m
next to him, and Parker Williams is next to me. The other
handsome gentlemen are guys from my regular Saturday
cycling group, Scott, Robert, Steve, and Sean. In photo #2 it’s
Jim Small, myself, and another PAA guy whom Jim saw at the
start. I invited him to come take a picture with us.
1
2
3
During the ride I was in a large, fast
group from Santiago Cyclery in
Tustin (they had 5 tandems, a few
solos and were flying!) and saw
another solo rider wearing all white
from head to toe with angel’s wings
on the back of his jersey. I thought
“To wear something like that this
guy’s gotta be a strong rider!”
I started chatting with him and found
out he’s our fellow PAAster, Corey
Keizer! Small world, huh? You can
see his “wings” in photo #3. At the
bottom you may notice my bloody
knee which was from when I went
down around mile 20 - ouch!
Photo #4 is the SAG stop around
mile 52 near Indio - gorgeous day!
Last photo is #5 and is outside Jim’s
hotel with our finisher’s medals,
t-shirts and shaka!
www.paacycling.org
4
5
5
Deborah Davis - Women’s Team Captain
Age (optional):
I turned 48 on January 1st. I don’t
feel 48 and most people would agree I
don’t act like it either.
City you reside in:
Depends on the day. My husband
(Steve) and I have a home in Phoenix
Arizona but since April of last year
I work here in the San Gabriel area.
I have a small apartment here and
Steve and I trade off commuting
back and forth on weekends. As you
might imagine, we spend many more
weekends here than Phoenix during
the summer. Steve is a CA native and
I lived there for 23 years before we
moved from Sacramento to Phoenix in
early ’05 for my company/job. Pretty
much didn’t like Phoenix from the
moment we got there and are looking
forward to relocating back to Northern
Cal in the next couple years or so.
Dot. We issue pre-paid debit cards
targeted at what in the industry is
known as the under-banked or nonbanked. My title is Sr. Director of
Bank and Processor Operations.
Basically this boils down to managing
our day-to-day and strategic
relationships with our outsourced
Payment Processors and Issuing
Banks. We have Green Dot branded
cards and we’re the engine behind
the Wal-Mart Visa branded Gift and
Money cards.
Colnagos. These frames where built at
a time when the artwork and design of
elaborate lugs, fork crowns, drop-outs
and braze-ons were more important
than the weight they added to the bike.
I’d probably want to outfit it with
What profession, other than your own the 25th anniversary Campy gruppo.
would you like to attempt?
Hrach at Pasadena Velo has a bike
Surprising since it doesn’t correlate
hanging in his shop with this gruppo
to the rest of my nature (which does
and it is absolutely beautiful. This
not trend towards the domestic) but
would be the kind of bike you take
I’ve been introduced to and love
out for a Sunday roll just to get bikegarment sewing. I’ve coveted
people to drool over it.
sewing machines that cost more than
What would you consider a defining
my Colnago C50 and I’ve become
moment in your life (cycling or other):
a “fabricholic” buying it online, on
There are so many dimensions and
How many in your household
business trips; just about anywhere
phases of life it’s hard to settle on one
(including pets!)?
I can find beautiful pieces. I would
singular defining moment. I guess if I
Beyond just Steve and I, we have 3
love to work in the “work room” of a
cats. Two adopted from Pet-Smart;
designer and learn how they drape and had to pick one, it would have been a
Buster (aka: Da Bus/Busman/Busta
ultimately construct their designs. I’ve very early morning in early December
1982 when I drove away from my
Move), Princess (aka: The Baby), and become addicted to Project Runway
one walk-on opportunist; Maximillion on BRAVO but get frustrated that they family’s home outside of Indianapolis
Mann (aka: Max/Maximun Man/Th’
spend more time focusing on the antics in a used 1977 Cutlass Supreme, with
$500 and 200 albums and headed
MAN!). It’s a tad embarrassing
of the designers (what reality show
sometimes to realize how much we’ve doesn’t) than the actual construction of west to San Jose CA to live with a
college roommate and see if I could
grown to cater to their individual
their pieces.
find a job. 1982 was not a good year
whims and how emotionally attached
for college grads, the unemployment
we are to them. I never really saw
What bike(s) do you own?
rate in Indiana that year hit 17%. If I
myself as a Cat person, I always had
Road – ’04 Colnago C50 and a ’98
hadn’t taken the chance on something
dogs growing up but Steve won’t allow Colnago Technos
completely unknown I would not have
Time Trial – ’06 Light Speed Blade
me to get a dog until they invent one
met my husband, probably would not
Mountain -Trek Pro 9.9 (I bought it
that doesn’t poop. And to be fair we
have had the opportunity to develop a
used I think it’s a ’98)
really don’t have a lifestyle right now
Track - Trek T1 (1 yr old, 58cm, rarely life long love affair with cycling nor
that’s appropriate for dogs anyway.
had access to some of the best medical
used and For Sale).
I’ve warned Steve thought at some
expertise in the world (at Stanford
point I will get two dogs regardless of
University) in 1993 when I needed
how much they poop. I already know What is your dream bike?
Open Heart Surgery. A very cool
One that comes with an extra lung.
what I want and what I’ll name them:
story that will cost you an espressor/
Seriously, I love the bikes I have, but
two German Shepherds; Panzer and
cappaccino if it’s before 3:00 PM or a
someday would like to update the
Sherman.
Mountain Bike with a dual-suspension beer/nice glass of wine if it’s after
3:00 PM.
What is your current profession?
Santa Cruz and to be honest I’ve
always wanted one of the older classic
I work for a company called Green
Continued on page 13
www.paacycling.org
6
Tech Review
Making the Leap with
Kevin Martin
by Duane Atiga
There are the cyclists who think of
bikes strictly as a training tool. There
are the ones who collect bikes for art.
Then there are the enthusiasts who think
of bikes as both a training tool AND
a work of art. Case in point long time
PAA stalwart Kevin Martin, or “K-Mart”
as he’s affectionally known. Granted
he doesn’t have a bike for everyday of
the week, but he seems to always be on
top of the latest and greatest gear. So
far, he’s the only person I know outside
of the ProTour to grace the sexy new
Cervelo SLC SL R3 mated with the racy
new SRAM RED group - our focus of
the month. While Cervelo and SRAM
continue to push the envelope of technology, I talked to Kevin about “Making
the Leap.”
Kevin, please tell us how you got
started road riding? And how long
have been riding? I started riding road
bikes about 11or 12 years ago after I had
been mountain biking for 4 or 5 years.
The guys I aspired to beat told me my
mountain biking would improve if I
trained on the road.
How long have you been a member of
PAA? About 11 years or so.
What is your favorite training route?
Your favorite climb? On the road, my
favorite training route is also my favorite climb: La Canada to Mount Wilson
and back. 38 miles and 5000’ of climbing is very efficient for somebody on a
tight schedule.
What is the absolute longest bike ride
you’ve ever ridden? It could be time,
distance, a race, training ride, attempt
at the hour record, etc. My long days
have all been offroad: Leadville (100
miles all over 10,000’ elevation with
12,000’ + of climbing), Vail Ultra 100,
etc.
Do you race? Not recently, but I hope
to return to endurance MTB racing and
maybe some road races in 2008.
Could you list your bike’s current setup? Cervelo SLC SL R3 frame, Bontrager all carbon clinchers, Sram Red,
Ritchey carbon seatpost/stem/bars.
What made you decide on the Cervelo R3 SLC SL? I am trying to beat
Hincapie and I need every advantage
available.
How does it compare to your previous
bike the Moots Compact SL? Equally
compliant ride, stiffer bottom bracket
area. It is also quite a bit lighter.
Anything jump out at you as far as ride
characteristics are concerned? I was
pleasantly surprised by the forgiving
vertical compliance.
Correct me if I’m wrong, I understand
the bottom bracket and pulleys come
stock with ceramic bearings. Can you
feel a difference? I cannot feel a difference but just knowing about it makes me
think I’m faster...
Strengths? Any room for improvement? What is your take on the ceramic
The bike needs a bit more horsepower.
bearing revolution? Here to stay, long
But I am working on that...
overdue from a technology perspective.
What made you decide to build it with
the hip new SRAM RED component
group? I get slower with every child
we bring into the world. I need all the
help I can get. Also, I wanted to try
something new.
Please enlighten us with SRAM’s
Double Tap Technology and it’s effectiveness? Works smoothly, no delays or
hang-ups.
Coming off Campy Ergo and Shimano
STI shifters, how long did it take you
to adjust to Double Tap? About 30
minutes.
How would you compare the RED
brake’s stopping power to that of, say,
Dura Ace, Campy, etc.? Outstanding
braking, comparable to Dura Ace, in my
opinion.
Personally the RED cranks are my favorite part of the group. What is your
favorite thing about the group? Your
least favorite thing? It’s all good, bro.
www.paacycling.org
Do you think SRAM has taken a step in
the right direction to rival the likes of
Campy and Shimano? I think SRAM
deserves a lot of credit for this effort and
I think they have succeeded in offering a very strong alternative to the two
established choices.
If you were to change something about
the RED group, what would it be? Hmmmm.....availability?
Why do you think SRAM felt the need
to improve on their previous flagship
Force group? I have heard that the
throw distance of the levers was a bit of
a reach on the Force gruppo and that the
shifting was not perfectly clean, but I
have no personal knowledge with either
of these supposed problems.
What would you say to someone who is
on the fence about purchasing a RED
group? “Try it, you’ll like it” or “Don’t
be a Fred, ride Red”
Continued on page 7
7
Tech Review
Continued from page 6
What is your opinion on Team Astana,
who is using SRAM RED, and their
possible exclusion from the Tour de
France? Not good news for SRAM...
And I like the Schleck brothers.
What percentage does cycling occupy
your mind during your waking hours?
Too much of a percentage.
Now that your bike is lighter and sexier,
you think you can treat us all to a new
team time record up Angeles Crest?
Probably not in my “waking hours”, but
I am going to work on that Clear Creek
time this year.
And finally...
Who is your favorite rider? And why?
Could be a pro, someone from the club,
yourself, a family member, anybody!
My son, Charlie. He has a trike and he
rips. I also am a bit of a Bettini fan.
Road, Cross, or Mountain? They’re
all cool. But I love long MTB rides...
If we pitted you against Bob Llamas
in a hot dog eating contest, who would
win? I would. I have heard that the
Dali Llamas, in his near perfect wisdom,
eats only organic foods. It would feel
great to finally beat him at something, as
he frequently punishes
me on the bike.
Thanks for your time Kevin and congratulations on your new Cervelo and
making the leap with SRAM RED!
www.paacycling.org
8
Bike Racing for Beginners:
The How and Why
by Michael Hall
First let me introduce myself, my name is Michael and I’m
a racing junkie. I started racing when I was 10, first BMX
then MX then cars (Formula Fords and Formula Continentals)
and now Road Bikes. I love racing, anything, slot cars, big
wheels, hamsters. Whatever. So I’m a little biased when it
comes to the “why” you should start racing, and I’ll get to that
in a minute first lets start with the how.
I hear all the time from cyclists who would like to start racing but are concerned that they are not ready,
either because they don’t believe they are fit enough or have the right bike or enough time to train. First
you are really never ready, or fit enough. There will always be someone faster than you, no matter how fast
your get, so be prepared to get beat. As for having the right bike if it shifts and the wheels are true then you
have the right bike. You don’t need a $5k carbon frame with Zipp 404’s to go racing. Your old steel frame
with downtube shifters will work just fine. Lastly few of us have enough time to train. For the most part
we all have jobs and other responsibilities that take up our time so training is a ‘fit it in’ proposition. Below
is primmer on how to get started and what to do to get started:
1. Find some group rides, (Montrose ride fits this bill to a T) fast group rides. Sit in the back.
2. Don’t get discouraged if/when you get dropped from those group rides.
3. Go back the following week and do the fast group ride again.
4. If you’re dropped a 2nd time, repeat steps 2 & 3
5. Once you’re comfortable with the group and pace (and vice versa), take some pulls.
6. Once you’re comfortable taking pulls, try some attacks (if it’s that kind of group ride).
7. Once you’re comfortable with steps 5 & 6, it’s time to enter a race.
8. At your first race, repeat steps 1-6, but substitute ‘race’ for ‘group ride’.
It really is that simple. Believe me a Cat 5 race is nothing more than a fast group ride. There are virtually
no tactics or teams working together to get results. For that matter results in a Cat 5 race mean little, as
USCF points are not given out. You just need 10 races to become a Cat 4 bad ass.
Now on to the why. Well there is no good reason to race other than it’s a thrill that you can’t get just riding
your bike. Being wheel to wheel and bar to bar with 50+ other riders is pretty damn cool. Also it will make
you a better bike rider. You’ll become a more confident and smoother rider. Besides getting up at the crack
of dawn and driving 100+ miles to ride your bike for less than hour make perfect sense, right?!
So get out there and race…and when you become addicted you can blame me ;)
www.paacycling.org
9
Book Review
by Jeff Moreton
The Complete Guide to
Climbing by Bike
written by John Summerson
What is the toughest road bike climb in the US? What’s the toughest
climb in California? Where are the United States’ ten most difficult
climbs? Did you know there are more beyond category climbs in
California’s Owens Valley than anywhere else in the world? If your
curiosity is piqued, then you’ll love this new book.
In The Complete Guide to Climbing (by Bike): A guide to cycling
climbing and the most difficult climbs in the United States, John Summerson has created
a bible for the slow-twitch set. Although this book is all about the 144 ride descriptions,
including maps, profiles and everything you’ll need to find and ride theses climbs, it is
full of other fascinating information. The book begins by defining a climb and providing a
formula for ranking climbs that includes elevation and grade, of course, but also altitude and
surface and grade variability, resulting is a precise formula for quantifying the difficulty of
a climb. You’ll find brief sections on climbing technique, equipment, and climbing specific
training, including hill intervals you can torture yourself with, before a short modern history
of memorable climbing performances. Next are 125 pages of maps and climb descriptions
with black and white and color photos on every page. Here you can read descriptions of
climbs you have done (Baldy, Crystal Lake, Wilson) and climbs from cycling lore like
Beech Mountain where Lance trained with Bob Roll on his comeback from cancer, and
Mt. Washington, the toughest climb in the world. You’ll find California’s hardest climbs
including Onion Valley, Horseshoe Meadows, and White Mtn. (rated the same as the feared
Angliru in Spain). After the ride descriptions are the lists. The 100 toughest climbs. The
most difficult sections by length (including Fargo St. in EchoPark). The highest elevations
attained. The highest elevations gained. The author’s 10 Must Do climbs. All the KOM
winners from all the major tours and US Hill climbs. And that is just a few of the lists of
climbing information.
If you like climbing, you’ll love this book. Although is doesn’t include every climb (Balcom
Cyn. and Sierra Rd. are excluded) it’s informative and will catch your interest at every turn.
You’ll discover new climbs near home and across the country, and you’ll start dreaming up
travel plans. It is a great reference and a really cool book to just look at and dream. My only
complaint is that it isn’t published as a larger format coffee table book so I can easily share it
with friends.
Do you know how many states in the US have major climbs? How many of the countries
most scenic climbs are in California? Which important climbs have restrictions for cyclists?
You’ll find all the answers in The Complete Guide to Climbing by Bike.
www.paacycling.org
10
Team Times
by Banner Moffat
Here are the rules:
1) Define a specific route precisely if it’s a new location.
2) Send me your time.
3) Send me your name (or pseudonym if you prefer)
4) Send me your age and your race category.
5) You can include a BRIEF list of excuses or explanations such as “strong tail wind” or “drank too much last night”.
6) Honor System; no cheating. If you post a time that’s off the chart, you better have a reputation or witnesses!
Format: (Route) Time - Name - age - category - date - comment
Send your times to me at [email protected] I will keep track and post them periodically
on Yahoo and hopefully we will have an exciting list to include in next month’s newsletter.
ROUTE: Up Angeles Crest from the second
(uphill) light at the freeway to the entrance
to the Clear Creek information booth
parking area.
Fritz Bottger
Armin Rahm
Jason Lowetz
Scott Powell
Brian Provost
Daniel Lowetz
Kevin Martin
Banner Moffat
Stuart Michner
Chris Keller
Abe Meltzer
39:10
40:45
41:08
41:10
41:42
43:40
44:08
44:40
48:21
49:30
51:43
ROUTE: One Lap of the Rose Bowl
Time Trail Solo
Chris Keller
Allen Lin
Jeff Moreton
George Korn
7:06
7:10
7:12
7:45
Sep-07
Sep-07
Jun-07
Mar-07
Jul-07
Mar-07
Jul-06
Mar-07
Nov-07
May-07
Sep-07
4:47
5:34
May-07
Jan-08
Feb-07
Jan-08
25:24
Oct-06
ROUTE: Down El Prieto Trail. From the start
of the single track to the big rock where
the trail joins the fire road. Classic “old” El
Prieto route.
Lyle Warner
Bryan Martinez
Banner Moffat
Scott Powell
9:02
12:07
13:30
35:05
Feb-07
Sep-07
Sep-07
Feb-07
ROUTE: Backbone Trail in Malibu from
Encinal to Corrall and back.
2:36:00
Aug-07
ROUTE: Piru Officail CBR Time Trail Course
Chris Keller
28:16
Jun-07
ROUTE: Big Tujunga to Angeles Crest,
from Oro Vista and Big T to the stop sign at
Angeles Forest Hwy.
Abe Meltzer
Nov-07
Mar-07
ROUTE: Chantry Flats climb from the top
of Santa Anita Blvd. to the Chantry Flats
parking lot (gate to gate) 3.25 miles.
Scott Powell
Terry Crouse
Wesley
Reutimann
Oscar Guzman
Rick de la Mora
Duane Atiga
Brian Provost
Kevin Martin
ROUTE: Corner of Lida and Vista (dotted
line) up to “No Stopping Anytime” sign on
top of Lida. Same route used for uphill TT
at the PAA training camp
Michael Hall
Duane Atiga
ROUTE: Up Lower Sam Merrill Trail, from
the water fountain to the trail junction at
Echo Mtn.
Feb-07
Feb-08
17:45
20:25
21:25
24:40
Jul-07
Apr-07
Jun-07
Jul-07
Sep-07
ROUTE: Las Flores Fire Road in the
Verdugos, from the gate at the bottom to
the intersection with Verdugo Motor Fire
Road.
Abe Meltzer
16:36
16:50
1:27:57
29:14
Aug-07
ROUTE: Brown Mtn. climb from the
pavement gate at Windsor Ventura stop
sign up the fireroad to the gate at the
Browm Mtn. saddle.
Mike Sobray
Bryan Martinez
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29:34
31:34
Sep-07
Sep-07
11
My First Mountain Bike Race in 7 Years
by Banner Moffat
My First Mountain Bike Race in Seven
Years: Years ago when I used to race
mountain bikes a lot I would spend
hours preparing for a race. I would pay
attention to every little detail I could
think of, eat specific foods the day
before, go over the mechanics of my
bike from end to end, and do everything
to try to minimize race day distractions.
All of that can be important if winning
is important, but this time I was racing
on a lark. I ate too much the night before
and just threw the bike into my truck asis.I wasn’t even sure which bike I was
going to use. I am more comfortable
on my full suspension Blur which is
faster on the downhill, but my old Trek
OCLV hardtail is still one of the lightest
bikes around 10 years after I bought
it - 21.5 lbs. - but easier to crash with
only 3 inches of front suspension. Since
cross country races are mostly won on
the uphill, I decided on the Trek, but
on some of the fast, bumpy sections I
sure did miss my Blur.Chris Guyer and
I carpooled to the race early enough to
pre-ride the entire 8.3 mile course since
it was many years since either of us had
raced in Fontana. They have taken out
the long hike-a-bike near the beginning
and have added a long singletrack about
1/3rd of the way around the loop which
I consider a slight improvement. Other
than that, the course is very similar
to when I was there in the year 2000.
The course is about 50 % up and down
singletrack, much of it fun and swoopy,
which is a higher and better percentage
than many cross country races. The
Fontana Winter Series of mountain bike
races are a fun place to race. The races
are relaxed and friendly and you don’t
need a racing license, so it’s a perfect
place for first time beginners (only 1
lap!). The cross country course has
a little bit of everything without any
extreme ups or downs. The views leave
something to be desired (it’s Fontana,
after all) but at this time of year the
grass is coming in green and so the
often barren, rocky hills are looking
better than usual. The Start/Finish is in
a park area with trees and shade which
was a good thing this race day because
it was as warm and sunny as summer.
One other PAA member showed up;
Scott Lilieur so there were 3 PAA in
3 different categories: Scott in Sport
35-44, Chris in Expert 35-44 and me in
Expert 45-54. I had hoped I might be
a young guy in an old age group now
that I’m over 50, but I guess I’ll have
to wait 3 more years for that. As we
were staging, I found out there were
2 other guys over 50 in my age group
including Bearclaw team member
Robert Meeker, but the other 10 were
youngsters in their 40’s.It has been so
long since I’ve raced mountain bikes I
wasn’t sure how it would compare to
road bike racing. Here is my verdict:
Mountain bike racing (as an expert,
anyway) is harder. You are either
climbing which is hard on your legs
and lungs, or you are going downhill
as fast as you can on narrow bumpy,
rocky, winding trails which is hard
on your upper body. The flat sections
require constant attention for dips, ruts,
mud, and sand while pedaling as hard
as possible. You never get to rest in the
pack and recovery consists of working
one set of muscles while you rest some
of the others.Some of my age group
took off from the start and I never saw
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them again. Others I was able to pass
on the uphill, but sometimes one would
pass me on a flat or downhill section so
we traded positions for a couple laps.
Each lap was slower than the previous
lap for me and by mile 20 I could feel
myself running out of steam. My legs
were yelling at me, “Get this over with
or we are going on strike!” I starting
to think more about surviving the race
than beating anyone. I didn’t see anyone
closing in on me from behind, but there
must have been one competitor coming
on strong because only 4 seconds after
I crossed the finish line one guy over 50
came out of nowhere and finished just
behind me.I came in 6th out of 13, Scott
came in 6th out of 16 in Sport (2 laps),
but we left before results were posted
and on the website I couldn’t tell how
Chris did. My 6th place was 16 minutes
behind first place in a 2 hour and 15
minute race, but if I were to improve
by 8 minutes (6%) I could get on the
podium. The pro winning time for the
same 3 laps was 30 minutes faster, i.e.
25% faster than me. The last time I
raced mountain bikes I was a middle of
the pack expert. I guess I still am. The
good news is that I’m 7 years older and
still hanging in there.
12
Expectations
by Michael Hall
As some of you already know I’m new to
PAA and a recent returnee to Californa after
3.5 years in Austin TX. I started bike racing
in Austin in 2005. The shop that I frequented
started a racing team and invited me on. I
raced breifely here in So Cal in the early
90’s but didn’t much care for the types of
people I was racing with, so I gave it up and
went back to racing cars. Well the guys in
the Austin bike scene are a pretty laid back
bunch, not to say that they are slow, just
the opposite they are pretty damn fast, so I
was excited to give it a go again. The thing
about this new team (360 Cycleworks) it
was mostly about having fun, not so much
about results. We chose guys (and girls) who
got along and wanted to come out and have
fun, something we had a great deal of that
first season. Turns out that a few of us were
competitive so we got a few results. Season
two found me as team captain, and the team
was getting stronger as we figured out how to
race and we got fitter. I spent all of ’06 and
half of ‘07 as team captain and made some
great friends over those three seasons. As
much as we loved Austin I had a really hard
time finding consistant work so my family
and I moved back to Cali.
Once the descision was made to come ‘home’
I started to look for a new race team to join.
I looked at the websites and made some
inquires but none of the local teams really
jumped out at me. To be honest I joined PAA
because I live in Glendale and figured this
would be my ‘local’ team. After I paid my
dues and joined I kinda had buyers remores.
I started to realize just how big this club is
and I got the feeling that we would just be a
bunch of guys in the same jeresey. I figured
that’s really all I had done was purchase a
kit and that would be the end of it. Well I
can happily say I was completely wrong.
I was certain I wouldn’t find the same type
of comradery that I had back in Austin on
my old team. I soon found out that this is
a group that really enjoys their racing. My
first race was Boulevard with the 4’s and
man I had great time. I rolled out of G’dale
with Dave Turner and we headed out to
San Diego. We met up with Jerry Sanders
and the rest of the 4’s and set up our warm
up area. I was really impressed how Jerry
drove all the way to Campo just to be our
DS. It really showed me just how much
these guys are willing to act like a team. It
was pretty obviouse that Terry Crouse was
our best bet for a result and we all really
came together and did our best to get Terry
to the front, firt time out and guys were
talking and acting like team and on top of
that they were having fun.
The other thing that has impressed me
about PAA is despite Its size there seems
to be a real commomitment to cylcing
together as a group. Matt is an incredibly
involved President and the club has real
proffessional feel to it. Coach rick is great
and it’s a real bonus to have him around at
‘no additional cost’. I guess the size of the
club has its benifiets! Anyway I’m pretty
stoked to be here and my experience so far
has completely exceeded my expectaions.
I’m very very excited about the rest of the
season and looking forward to riding and
racing with PAA!
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13
Member Spotlight - Deborah Davis
Continued from page 5
people I share it with. Weakness - I
won’t live forever and vain enough to
know that even if I could I probably
wouldn’t look nor smell very good.
What is your pet peeve?
It use to be women who put their
makeup on while driving, but now
it’s AGING. I pulled an ab muscle so
bad last Saturday (Psoas) with a golf
swing that it swelled up like a balloon.
Then later in the week while at a Drs
appointment to have the stupid thing
looked at, I found myself reading a
Redbook magazine and enjoying it. I
mean WTF!!!!!
What is your favorite food?
I can’t pick just one - I LOVE food.
But a garden grown beef steak tomato
at its peek with just a bit of salt and
pepper is to die for.
Favorite dessert? Bread pudding from relationships with friends and family
Z Tejas in Phoenix
helps me re-focus when needed on
what’s really important.
Favorite drink?
Espresso/Cappuccino if before 3:00
If you could travel anywhere in the
PM, a 1985 Chateau La Tour if after
world, where would you go and why?
3:00 PM (my first and last bottle was in While not very original I dream of
’01 for our 10th wedding anniversary
renting a big house/villa in Tuscany
– a perfect moment in a B&B south of with a bunch of bike and food/wine
Mendocino over looking the ocean at
friends. Everyone could come and
sunset).
go throughout the month as their
schedules allowed. Everyday would
What is your favorite TV show?
be the perfect day starting with a great
As you’ve probably noticed by now, I coffee followed by a great ride, then
can never pick just one thing. I love the back to the house for a late lunch
Colbert Report but live for and want
followed by the necessary siesta. Then
more from Project Runway.
back up (another coffee) where plans
for dinner would be made; either
What is your all-time favorite movie? cooking in using the local fare or
It’s a Wonderful Life. The essence
hitting the local town. In either case a
of that story in terms of dreams never
lot of wine, music and laughing would
realized but living a truly “wealthy”
be enjoyed by all. Who’s up for 2009?
life measured by the strength of your
Women’s Training Ride Weekend
With a the Women’s Captain position
filled by Deborah Davis, a women’s
training ride was scheduled for the
weekend of February 9 and 10.
A tempo ride was scheduled for Saturday’s ride. With the women’s group
following the Montrose Long Route,
Deborah organized paceline drills
along the way, and kept the group at a
brisk, steady pace.
Sunday’s ride was climbing. The ladies
met at Encanto Park, rolling out to
GMR and climbing to the top. The
group met with other riders doing the
route up Highway 39. Eddie and Lisa
on the tandem and Pete and Andres.
As an added bonus, we had a support vehicle following our group. And
although we’re still in cooler weather,
it was unusually warm that Sunday. So
Kimberly was a welcome addition as
our Support in Training driver. She was
also able to take some great pictures.
Thanks to everyone who participated
that weekend and hope to see more
Women’s Training rides on the PAA
calendar!
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14
PAA in Pictures
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15
Our PAA Sponsors
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