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FEATURES: SO CAL CYCLOCROSS RACE REVIEW
Zap
December 4, 2011
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The weekend of racing wore into the late afternoon which provided riders and spectators a nice sunset view of downtown L.A.. The tower in the background in City Hall. There are still plenty of races left in the SoCal Cross schedule.
What's a cyclocross course without a set of stair steps?
Meredith Miller sat in for the majority of Saturday's race before making her move to take the win. She came back on Sunday to make it a double header win.
Former Superbike racer & National Champ Eric Bostrom led his class for a short time before a broken chain ended his race early.
There will never be a chance for future champs if they don't learn to love the sport at a young age.
As is par for the course at any cyclocross race, the singlepseeds showed up en-masse. The downtown L.A. course had two long straights that required A LOT of pedaling - these guys got a good workout!
With the race course located just outside of Chinatown, race promoter Dorothy Wong brought some local culture to the race with some dueling/dancing dragons to start each Pro race.
The boy's race came down to a day in and day out battle between Tim Johnson (L) and Belgium's Ben Berden. Tim took it on Saturday, but Berden came back on Sunday for the win.
And speaking of the the promoter, the self-proclaimed "crazy lady" Dorothy Wong is the cyclocross juggernaut that has made 'cross possible in Southern California....thanks Dot!
IN THE PITS
This is the Focus Mares used by the Rapha/Focus 'cross team. The Mares sells complete for $4300 (not with this team spec).
Meredith Miller was aboard a non-disc Specialized Crux. The new aluminum 'cross bike from Specialized was a pretty popular choice at the race.
Rock Lobster is another NorCal legacy brand and the $1700 Rock Lobster Team Scandium is their top-end bike in a four model 'cross line-up.
The relatively smooth course and perfect weather made spare bikes less than necessary, but it's always good to be prepared just in case.
Started back in 1985, Kelly Bikes has always been a contender in both the cyclocross and singlespeed scenes. After some up & downs, we're not sure what the current status of the NorCal frame builder is.
Speaking of many years, how many years has it been since you last saw a pair of Scott USA Drop-In handlebars used? Maybe when Greg LeMond used them last in the early '90's?
As for a popular SoCal bike brand, Ritte is definitely into the 'cross scene and at every race an army of Ritte Crossberg bikes is a force to contend with. The $1850 carbon frames are available in four sizes and have a 3 year warranty.
It turns out that Bamboo and cyclocross do mix! Boo Bicycle's founder & Pro racer Nick Frey was spectating in L.A., but did say his frame sales are doing so well that for 2012 he will finally be racing for his own brand. The Boo CX frame is the most unique in the field and sells for $2795.
Look for the Tim Johnson 'Cross File coming next.
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