Boggs III
http://www.bikemonkey.net/Boggs III
All photos from Boggs III are shown here courtesy of Ken Conley/KWC.org.
NCV was out in full force at Boggs this weekend! As promised, Boggs was a great event. We had camping, great food (Sarah P. and Rita, you’re amazing!!!! You fed an army!), fun racing (“fast-lap Cathy!”), smiles (Cindy!! You’re too much!), campfires, and we shared a keg of Lagunitas amongst our team and other racers. Awesome. Thanks to everyone who helped, too! Rob and Beth and Carole from SCTC, Cheryl Wallace (you are fabulous!), Carlos of course. Sherpa Chandra and mechanic Frank. Crystal (thank you for NOT riding a lap! I witnessed the infamous “launch” in West County.. You must take care with baby on board! ;-) Cheryce…and so many others. I love you all! This was just great.
I raced with my friend, Carina, from Davis. Our strategy was to race alternate laps. Upon completion of my third lap, Carina and I rode one final lap together! I think we should win some sort of award for being the only team to ride together?? Will a medal be sent in the mail?
Unfortunately, speaking for myself and my teammates, we are very saddened to hear about Carl’s accident. This is a very upsetting occurrence at an otherwise entirely awesome weekend. Carl and Gail—You are both in our thoughts. Carl, we are sending love and healing energy your way! Get well soon, Friend!
See you next year for Boggs IV!
-Shannon
Photo Credit: Ken Conley
First of all, I got lucky with a couple of great teammates, Cindy and Rachael. We were replacements for another team that was out due to pregnancy and sickness. Being the kind that avoids racing like the plague, I encouraged my teammates to do as many laps as their hearts desired. Cindy went out for two and Rachael was going to do two as well. 
I had a premonition that I should be ready when she came through the first time. Sure enough, her bike refused to shift.
I was off. I got passed right away by Cameron on the single-track. He made it look so easy- threading between the trees at speed. I tried to do the same and almost became one with a tree; oh well back to poking along. When I got on the uphill fire road, Uri came by spinning away, so I tried to do that too, blew up.
Made it back in one piece and Rachael was ready to go again. Next, Cindy for two more laps. At this point I'm thinking, will I have to go again? Rachael was ready to call it a day. When I consulted with Chandra, we determined that I would not make it back in time for the cutoff. Whew! But still, Cindy IS really fast. I went ahead over to the transition area and decided to try if she got back before 4:20. Sure enough 4:18ish there she is! Dang it! This time I ride within my abilities and try not to use the brakes, knowing it would be close. When I got to the start/finish I heard the announcer say "one more minute"! Very close.
-Katrina
Photo Credit: Ken Conley
Being the perfect blend of sportsmanship and team camaraderie, and a kick ass fast course, Boggs is one of my favorite events. This year Norcal Velo swept the podium in the 2 women team first-third place: Jenn Scott and myself, Claire and Cathy, and Brenda P. and Rita F. Finishing close was Shannon and her college buddy. Then Katrina, Cindy C., and Rachael placed 2nd in the 3 women team. It was Rachael's first mountain bike race!! Mariko raced with Kevin and Melissa raced with Jay. Brenda G. rode with her hubby, and of course Heather and Tracy rode the whole race solo! 
We camped out the night before and it was a freezing 37 degrees when we awoke to get ready for the race. With frigid feet we started wave 6 as there were close to 400 competitors this year so the start was not mass as prior years. Once we hit the first single track after the jeep road climb it was a passing game as we caught up with some of the men who began before us. After the chaotic and congested first lap, I found myself alone a few times, feeling like there was no way 200 + riders were sharing the same trail, which was nice. The course, appx one hour long, was so fun, lots of fast single track with short climbs interspersed.
We all had different methods to our madness- Jenn and I did 2 laps twice and she did a 3rd but dang it.....finished 2 minutes too late to have it count. Cathy and Claire did 3 laps at a time and we were neck and neck with them when Cathy flatted, allowing us to go into the lead, then Brenda and Rita did 4 laps at a time. I am not sure of the best strategy but cooling down in between the 2 laps did make me feel a bit sluggish when I began my third. Cathy garnered the fasted lap award which the irony is in the men's two man race, the fasted lap was awarded as well to Chris and they were neck and neck with the first place team until they had a flat and finished second, just like the women's teams. isn't that kooky?
I have to say I am pooped--after racing long hard races two weekends in a row, sleeping in a freezing truck with a 2 year old the eve before this race, and then volunteering to cook pasta for 500 hungry folks after the race, I will enjoy resting this week before the Napa Valley Dirt Classic. I have to say thank you so much to a great team. Jenn it was a pleasure riding with you, you are so strong. I will leave you with the most annoying comment during the race when I passed a group of men climbing a single track, " I knew you Velo Bello girls would be a force to be reckoned with." I quickly corrected him, and proudly screamed down the descent in my orange and blue.
-Sarah P.
Photo Credit: Ken Conley
First off, I couldn’t have done it without the amazing support of Chandra who literally fed me bite-size pieces of pancake, changed out my bottles for me, and even massaged my neck and back when it was one huge rock! You went above and beyond for me, and I want to thank you for that Chandra. Not to mention, having support from teammates and friends cheering me on all day helped immensely—it literally charged me back up at the end of every lap!
This race was tough. It was my first endurance mountain bike race and I didn’t do any specific training aside from the grasshoppers, but my plan was to pace myself, eat lots, and pull on my endurance and positive mind-set to get me through. The first lap was like a conga-line with a ton on folks on the trail, but I stayed focused on conserving my energy. It was over before I knew it, and I rode 2 more laps at about the same pace, starting to feel the riding, but still energized. Before my 4th lap I ate some pancakes and started taking Essential Electrolytes to stave off cramping. It worked, but the riding started to naturally wear on me. I think laps 4-6 were about the same pace, but slower than the previous 3. I made sure to eat solid food at the team tent each lap, eat a gel on the course, and drink my whole bottle. I started to get pretty faded on lap 6 and decided that I should lay down for a few minutes before my final lap. I did this, and somehow I managed to ride my last lap in just about the same time as my first lap!! This makes me wonder if maybe I should have utilized this strategy earlier on in the race. I guess you learn something new every time you go out on your bike. Overall, it was an incredible day. I got to see myself go from energized, to tired, to spacey and faded, and back to energized all in a matter of one race. I won the women’s beginner category and was proud of myself for completing my goal of 7 laps in 8 hours. Everyone out on the trail was extremely courteous and encouraging, and I’m happy that I had the opportunity to finally race at Bogg’s!
-Heather
I love Boggs! Carlos and Bike monkey did a great job organizing the event and our very own Sarah P and Rita F coordinated and made all of the food. They're not only super fast, super moms but great cooks as well! It was so exciting to see the number of Norcal girls out there smiling and pushing themselves, many of them sporting their new pink Eras and some racing their first MTB race!! Sarah P and I were race partners and I had really been looking forward to this race. I wanted to be strong and I felt like I didn't want to let my match down by not being able to hold my own.
-Jen
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| - CCCX @ Fort Ord | 2004-10-03 |
| - Documentum Crit | 2004-09-26 |
| - Giro di San Fransisco | 2004-09-06 |
| - Return of the Jedi | 2004-09-04 |
| - Winters RR | 2004-08-28 |
| - 12 Hours of Humboldt | 2004-08-28 |
| - US Pro Criterium Championships | 2004-08-22 |
| - Corral Hollow RR | 2004-08-21 |
| - TransAlp Challenge | 2004-07-17 - 2004-07-27 |
| - Superweek | 2004-07-09 - 2004-07-25 |
| - Wine Country Criterium | 2004-06-13 |
| - Fremont Criterium | 2004-06-12 |
| - ICCC Dash for Cash | 2004-06-05 |
| - California Outdoor Sports Championships | 2004-05-14 - 2004-05-16 |
| - Sea Otter | 2004-04-14 - 2004-04-17 |
| - Pilarcitos Stage Race | 2004-03-27 - 2004-03-28 |
| - McLane Pacific Foothills Road Race | 2004-03-14 |
| - McLane Pacific Downtown Grand Prix | 2004-03-13 |
| - Land Park Criterium | 2004-03-06 |
| - Apple Pie Criterium | 2004-02-07 |