Old Caz Hopper
http://www.norcalvelo.com/information/grasshopper_flier_2008.pdfGrasshopper Adventure #1 - Old Caz
Wow what a day -
Kim thank you so much for all your hard work and pulling these off with such great finess. Your flier got me home safely through all those whacky WC roads (that, by the way, all look the same to me). You got some great pictures too, I can't wait to see those on our website.
Race report: In attendence from the NCV squad were: Shannon S., Cathy C., Heather C., Sarah P., Jen S., Katrina R., me (Mariko F.)
You gals are tough as nails!! On that note, since I am as tough as... well... maybe nails that have yet to fully harden ;) The Official "Grasshopper Jr." was a blast! I didn't do the Willow Creek bit but the weather was fantastic (in the low 60's!) and it felt so good to get back on a bike. I have never had so much fun on my CX bike before! Old Caz is the coolest. As an aside, I am thanking that nagging idea in my head, that I put a 34 tooth up front and got rid of that 38. I would have been doing a lot more hike-a-bikin' than just hopping through those gates!
Here's to a great team and another silly hard West County ride!
(Cathy you're a rockstar, even if you try and keep it in the closet sometimes)
-M
Most people I've ever seen out for the Old Caz 'hopper, 140+. Wow. Nor Cal had a good turnout with Sarah, Jen, Shannon, Heather, Katrina, Mariko, and me (Cathy). Also great turnouts for the other local teams, including the Nor Cal men's team, Gianni, Breakaway, and the usual DFL folks from Marin/SF/Santa Cruz. Conspicuously absent was a substantial Boba
presence, but I imagine they'll be out in force for the Chileno Valley ride in two weeks. Great weather, a little tiny bit crisp down the Boho but short sleeves and and shorts after that.
A very sketchy twist was someone in a Landcruiser who decided to drive past Camp Meeker in the midst of the pack. I sat on Miguel's wheel, watching the SUV careen around the blind corners; fortunately nothing dire happened, though I was sure worried for awhile! I hit the Duncans climb near the front, and tried to hold it steady, using every bit of my triple. Met up with Sarah P., Fritz, and Dean at the water crossing, and we rode together until I had the luck to be in the right place at the right time and caught onto Preston and Gabe's train along Austin Creek. I was able to sit behind Gabe (and if you're wondering, he was actually a pretty good windbreak along 116 as long as I tucked small and thought skinny) until we caught a small group at Bridgehaven. The group split at that time, and I saved a little for the new hateful climb (ugh). Didn't have to walk any this time, mostly because I was so close to bonking and couldn't get out of my pedals.
Willow Creek was really painful, but familiar painful. It was awesome to finish 1-2 with Sarah P.! It's been a long time since I've won a Grasshopper, maybe not since back when I was the ONLY girl! Great job today, girls. I love our Nor Cal team!
***One note: Please try to eat and drink at the Union Hotel after these events. 140 people is a big impact on them as we use their parking and bathrooms!
Overall, awesome day, it was exciting to see so many of us out there! Cathy & Sarah P were on fire! I'm so proud. You guys kick butt and you keep us striving forward.
I arrived a very cranky Shannon, and left with a much less cranky Shannon. I had a major attitude problem when I started this race, I just couldn’t get happy! What was that about!!?? I had been looking forward to riding my bike at this race all week, then once I was riding I felt cranky and mad at the world! Maybe it’s all the cough syrup I drank to kick my cold the entire week prior to the race? One kind fella offered me chocolate, thinking that would help (that did in fact make me laugh, Thank you, Sir!) Ha ha. The mountain bike was my weapon of choice, and it was a fine choice, I do love that bike. Really enjoyed the new section off Willow Creek that Miguel added this year- An open, sun-shiney climb with great views of the ridge- very different than the usual WC climb, which is dark and shaded…
-Heather
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
| - 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 |