Cycling Illustrated

Cross Pollination

March 6, 2013 by Sprint Finish Leave a Comment

Cross Pollination

Jason Harrod

I don’t know about you but I am a friggin’ magnet for honey bees. They find me like I have some kind of StingMePlease GPS implanted in my body … or maybe it is something I emit when I perspire, a bee pheromone so to speak. Whichever the cause, the effect is a painful one. In all honesty I get stung about 20 times a year. I just guess it is a good thing I am not allergic; if something good can be gleaned from getting stung a gazillion times.

Last week in NorCal we were blessed with some Spring time weather: sunny, 70’s, a slight breeze. I took full advantage of said sunshine, and used a couple of my vacation days, to put in a mini training camp of my own. Let’s call it ‘Old Fat Guy Who Thinks He Can Ride’ camp. Whatever the inspiration and motivation, I did get five solid days of 50 plus mile road rides in, it felt good to be that kind of tired. Back to the honey bees.

So there I was J.R.A. – just riding along – and whack. One of those drones gets sucked right into a helmet vent. How do I know? Trust me, I am a seasoned veteran. I am that guy you see out on the road, cruising along, who all of a sudden locks up his rear brakes, skids to a stop, starts waving his hands about him like a airport traffic guy or some sort of deranged Ninja fighting invisible foe, rips off his helmet and starts frantically trying to get what appear to be a million imaginary bugs out of his hair. Yes, that is me. That is my M.O. Having looked like a Neanderthal on more than 10 occasions from taking a honey bee to the head, rear end first, I now try to avoid getting stung at all cost. So there I was J.R.A. – just riding along – and whack. And I’m flapping and freaking and ripping off my glasses and helmet all for … false alarm. Dang cricket. And back to spinning. I mean this now, not two minutes later … whack. Right in the vent, and this time I can hear the buzzing, almost feel that dudes little fuzzy feet on my bald spot and then, BAM. Stung right on the top of the head. The swelling is immediate. I can feel the chinstrap on my helmet tighten and constrict around my throat as the swelling on the top of my head acts like a hydraulic jack, quickly rising and lifting my helmet off my head. I remove my lid and feel around for the stinger. All clean. I rub the wound and the pain itches like crazy. Oh well, back to the ride. I near the first of many climbs and unzip my jersey to allow cooling, the breeze to ruffle the bear-like fur of my chest and … BAM. Another one of those suckers slides right into my jersey opening and around the back and WHACK – second sting in five minutes. Dang it.

Now most rational people might have turned around and gone home at this point. Not me. I like the ride too much. These bees are a problem for me … for sure. I decided to employ science to determine the reason I am so attractive to the Apis mellifera. And honestly, I have nothing. Well, not nothing, but nothing scientific. The reason these little critters adore me so can be only of two reasons. They either love my navy, yellow and white kit … or they love the way I stink.

More of his columns here:

Filed Under: Jason Harrod, News Tagged With: Jason Harrod, NorCal, norcal cycling

PrimeTime Cycling Team win Cherry Pie Criterium!

February 12, 2013 by Sprint Finish Leave a Comment

PrimeTime Cycling Team scores victory at M35+ Cherry Pie Criterium debut 2/10/2013

The 2013 Cherry Pie Criterium was the date we targeted as the debut of the PrimeTime Cycling Team. Many hours of planning, development, and work have gone into putting together the launch of this new team. With a 3-year plan to become a top professional cycling team, it includes a unique content initiative with the intent of showcasing the PrimeTime Cycling Team in mainstream media to give fans an inside look at the sport of cycling.

The first step in the development, was to create a core group of Masters. For 2013 the roster includes: [Read more...]

Filed Under: News, Prime Time Cycling Team Tagged With: Cherry Pie Criterium, norcal cycling

Cherry Pie Criterium: Pro/1/2

February 11, 2013 by Sprint Finish Leave a Comment

Cherry Pie: Pro/1/2

By Adam Switters (Mike’s Bike)

Cherry Pie criterium is usually considered the start of the racing season here in Northern California and it didn’t disappoint this year. Among the 100-or-so registered racers were big squads from Mike’s Bikes p/b Incase and Marc-Pro Strava. Also included were former winner Logan Loader (CashCall), Fast Freddie Rodriguez, a host of Cal-Giant riders, and 5hr Energy pro Nate English.

For the last few years the race has alternated between sprint finishes and breakaways, so teams came prepared for any situation. The race started with the all-too-familiar smell of brake pads against carbon wheels as riders bombed down from the start line into the first corner, and it wasn’t long before Marc-Pro and Mike’s Bikes had riders up the road. Around 20 minutes in, I found myself off the front with Chuck Hutcheson, Nate English, and Fast Freddie. 8 more riders bridged up including my teammates Daniel Holloway and Eric Riggs, Marc-Pro’s Jonathan Teeter, Specialized Master’s Mike Sayers, Great Britain’s Simon Holt, junior Jack Maddux, Clif Bar’s Eric Losak, and Cash Call’s Logan Loader. It was a stacked break for sure. [Read more...]

Filed Under: News, Team Mike's Bikes Tagged With: Cherry Pie, Cherry Pie Criterium, norcal cycling, Pro/1/2

Bags, Boxes and Bottles

February 7, 2013 by Sprint Finish Leave a Comment

Bags, Boxes and Bottles

Bj Jason Harrod

Wow. I just made through the madness that is my life surrounding the holidays and after. What is the ‘and after’, you ask? Birthday madness at my house; four of them in eight days. All done now, though, and it is high time to turn back to the bike. I am in dire need of shedding my winter coat so when spring arrives with its flourish, its flowers, its sunshiny days, I am ready to embrace the longer, warmer days and spend some quality time training in order to get fit enough to maybe, maybe, even race a crit or four this season. Maybe.

I am not a road guy by nature. In fact, I ride the road because of the simplicity of the bike, the fact that as soon as I roll off of my driveway the route begins and because it allows me to control the ride better. In a perfect world I would ride three days on, one day off, and two out of the six rides would be on the dirt. But I rarely get my way as there are the kids, their sports, school, wife, coaching, blah, blah, blah. Don’t get me wrong, I love it all and would not have it any other way … really. But, as I have mentioned a time or thrice, I am a list guy. Today I made my list, my list that outlines the way back to fitness. For me at least. Wanna hear it? Here it go.

First of all I try not to make my lists to specific, as my schedule can change from day to day, even hour to hour. For the ride portion of the list, I aim for a minimum of four days a week on the bike, a maximum of six, six being ideal. The rides themselves would ideally be one medium tempo, one long slow one, one short effort – likely on the dirt. Rinse and repeat. Then there is the diet. I am not a dieter but I do find that keeping it simple is the easiest thing for me. Basically, if it comes in a box, a bag, or a bottle I do my best to avoid it. That certainly does not mean I abstain, though I do try to keep those items as far from my mouth as possible. Water – drink lots of water or litz of izer as this one cat I know calls it. Sleep. I try to sleep as much as possible.

This is by no means a blueprint for fitness but knowing me, my habits, and my body I find that after two weeks of these types of behaviors I can see the difference in the mirror and feel the difference in the way my clothes hang. Well, I must be off to eat something that likely comes in its own wrapper, is a lean protein, or comes ready to eat from the mother earth. And let’s not forget to drink litz of izer.

Filed Under: Jason Harrod, News Tagged With: Jason Harrod, norcal cycling

Images-NorCal Tops California State Cyclocross Shootout

January 21, 2013 by Brandon 1 Comment

JAN. 20, 2013, BAKERSFIELD, CA. By Phil Beckman/PB Creative — Score one for the northerners. For the first time in the three-year history of the Nor Cal vs. So Cal California State Cyclocross Championship, the historically strong skills of the riders from “up state” were able to overcome the superior numbers of those from “down south.” A change in the points structure at the 2013 event, held once again at Hart Memorial Park in Bakersfield, California, helped level the playing field on a lovely, dry day.

The numbers don’t lie. The final score had the North with more points — 310 to 233 —and more than twice as many individual class championships: 11 to 5. There had been quite a bit of friendly social media smack talk going on between the two groups leading into the event, but everything was cool during and after it was all over. Nobody got stabbed in the neck.

The Elite Men’s race finally sealed the deal for Nor Cal, as Santa Cruz natives Tobin Ortenblad (Cal Giant/Specialized) and Aaron Bradford (Bicycle Bluebook/HRS/Rock Lobster) were unstoppable on a long, fast course punctuated by several brutal run-ups.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: norcal cycling, Phil Beckman, socal cycling

Idiosyncrasies of a Cyclist

January 18, 2013 by Sprint Finish Leave a Comment

Idiosyncrasies of a Cyclist

By Jason Harrod

I have a hard time believing that the root word of idiosyncrasy is not idiot. Really, it seems to me that there is a lot of mumbo jumbo involved with the routines in general, not to mention those of a cyclist. My routines are ingrained in me and happen without my even noticing them. But to others my ritual when kitting up must look like some kind of demented rain dance, as was pointed out by nine year old. First, let’s take a look at the definition of the word:

IDIOSYNCRASY – noun – \i-dē-ə-‘siŋ-krə-sē\

1 a : a peculiarity of constitution or temperament : an individualizing characteristic or quality

b : individual hypersensitiveness (as to a drug or food)

2: characteristic peculiarity (as of temperament); broadly : eccentricity

Now that we have that straightened out, I am going to make a list of just a mess of my peculiar, eccentric idiosyncrasies. Want to hear em? Here they go:

Socks – they go on however they come out of the drawer – inside out, right side out, mismatched no worries – that’s just how I do it.
Shoes – right one on first … always … booties too.
Arm and leg warmers – left ones on first … always … and logos must be pointing out.
Matching kit a must.
Gloves – all paired in a Crown Royal velvet bag – except for the ‘go to’ pair which reside on the box of Gu so I remember to grab a few just in case.
Old kit gets paired with old kit and new with new.
Patch kit and extra CO2 go in the middle jersey pocket, hand pump on the left of the patch kit, CO2 pump on the right – all in the middle pocket.
ID, money, Tamarancho pass, lens cleaner and cell phone all go into a ziplock bag and in the right rear pocket but only after the middle pocket is loaded and ready.
Left rear pocket is for food stuffs and vest if needed.
Tire pressure – rear tire always gets pumped up first, then front.
Rolling out of the garage – bike leans against rear of my truck, points north while I close garage door.
Rolling into the garage – same deal but bike points south.
Never ever mention or think about ‘getting a flat’. I sometimes fail here and in that case a prompt double knuckle knock on the top tube and then the helmet can remedy.
Never ever mention or think about ‘crashing’. I sometimes fail here and in that case a prompt double knuckle knock on the top tube and then the helmet can remedy.
Water bottles – I always leave an inch of water in the bottom of the first so when I crush the second one I have a little backup … just in case.
Oh, and they never get anything but water put in them and they never get washed. I like my bottles seasoned.
Each of my three sleds have their own sled specific bottles.
Saddle – Fizik Alliante – the only gear for my rear.
Speaking of rear – chamois cream? I use Noxema for that tingling freshness.
I always blow the snot from my beak over the left shoulder and plug each nostril with the right thumb knuckle – big nostrils.
Lastly – all boogers go on the right sock. Simple.

I could go on forever but I don’t want you to think I am a weirdo – even if I am a weirdo. How about you? Any good, quirky, or just downright disgusting idiosyncrasies you would like to share? Comment away. You have my totally divided attention.

Filed Under: Jason Harrod, News, Road Tagged With: Idiosyncrasies of a Cyclist, Jason Harrod, norcal cycling

Class is in Session

December 20, 2012 by Sprint Finish Leave a Comment

Class is in Session Starting January 5^th with the Early Bird Criterium Training Series

By Chris Lyman

Tales of Cat 5 misadventures are voluminous enough to fill blogs faster than Google can build data centers. This is especially true when it comes to the weekend circumnavigation of an office park, with 50 comrades bumping bars as if steaming towards the finish line on the Champs-Élysées.

Thankfully, in the 1990s, Northern California promoter Velo Promo and a handful of highly qualified coaches set out to create a skin preservation program. The Early Bird Criterium Training Series was born and has since taught countless new riders about pack bike handling, race tactics and generally how to conduct themselves in a safe and civilized manner.

This year, five directors—Laurel Green, John Cheetham, Matt McNamara, Dan Smith and Larry Nolan—are putting the final touches on 2013’s clinics and training events, scheduled for January 5^th, 6^th, 13^th, 20^th, 27^th and February 3^rd.. Directors set a weekly curriculum and catch up racers who may have missed the previous week(s). They also coordinate 70+ volunteer leaders (folks comfy instructing 50 or more racers) and mentors (those helping smaller groups of racers) who help make the series possible.

I remember attending an EB Crit to get my final Category 4 upgrade point as a soon-to-be former triathlete. Even as a newbie I recognized the World Champion stripe-bedazzled jersey on the imposing figure of Larry Nolan, who was riding along mentoring the action.

Larry Nolan

For those who don’t know Larry, he’s earned 14 Masters Track World Championships and needs a storage unit for all of his Masters National gold medals. I still laugh with Larry about that day because just two years later we ended up as teammates, and I was able to absorb much more knowledge from him about how to how to race a bike.

Back to today, or perhaps January 5^th, Larry & co. will be back at it, offering a helping hand to those new to the sport and/or wanting to improve handling & race skills. If you missed it the first time, mentors include a WORLD CHAMPION with double-digit titles to his name – someone who can teach most any of us a thing or three about bike riding.

Early Birds are just $15. They kick off January 5^th with an evening clinic at Palo Alto Bicycles and introduction by Jim Ochowicz. Outdoor action commences January 6^th at 8:30am with numerous category events taking place throughout the day. Cat 5 participants receive 1 point per training race and .5 points for each clinic. Cat 4s receive .5 points for each clinic that they complete. Details and registration information at http://www.velopromo.com/ebcr-ent.htm.

Now, since not everyone lives in Northern California and is able to attend in person, Larry was kind enough to proffer a few tips and suggestions as we head into race season.

Larry’s tips and facts for the new racer

- Early Bird mentoring starts with group drills. Presumably a friend proclaimed how strong you are and that “you should race.” Congratulations! We’ll help you get more comfortable in a group, but the Early Birds should not be your first group ride.

- A 75-minute clinic is not enough time to get you race ready. Best to continue to learn and develop race skills from teammates, friends, coaches and by attending other clinics outside of EBs.

- On the road, protect your front wheel. Assert your position in races. Do not race passively or aggressively.

- Be humble and never pretend that you have all of the necessary skills to race through a corner at 30 miles per hour, shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers.

- The 2013 Early Birds comprise five weeks of “training races,” which is to say that no one tracks your finish placing. Therefore there’s no need to sprint at the end for a result. Practice your sprint in your training and if you’re not yet a fast sprinter, then continue to practice and observe how others go so fast.

- Come back to the Early Birds years from now when you’re experienced and ready to help others. There really is no greater feeling than giving back to a sport that gives us all so much.

Filed Under: Chris Lyman, News Tagged With: Chris Lyman, norcal cycling

Solitude

December 18, 2012 by Sprint Finish Leave a Comment

Solitude

By Jason Harrod

Group rides are great. There’s the workout, the competition aspect. There is the social side of the group ride. New faces. Old faces. And all the pretty bicycles. Personally, I do love a good group ride. But, and there is always a but, I love a good solo sojourn on the bicycle as well.

Not only is the bicycle a great medium, or modicum for that matter, of exercise, the solitude one finds riding alone can also be a great mental equalizer. When I find myself stressed out from work, family, training, whathaveyou, I throw a leg over the mountain bike, point the front wheel up the steepest and longest climb I can find and straighten myself the fok out. Sweat is just fat crying, right? So when I need a good cry I look toward the fat tired cycle and my local mountain range – Big Rock Ridge, or the Three Mother Fuckers as we like to call it.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Jason Harrod, norcal cycling, Solitude

Tenderfoot

December 5, 2012 by Sprint Finish Leave a Comment

Tenderfoot

By Jason Harrod

Image Credit Max Harrod

There is only one cycling legal singletrack trail on all of Mount Tamalpais. It’s called Tenderfoot. It is this awesome little conduit from mid-mountain down to the town of Mill Valley; roots, rocks, redwoods. It’s a fantastic trail but this column is not about sweet singletrack. It’s about my busted old feet.

I have no idea how my foot injury originated. I can place the approximate time it occurred, though; September 2011 at the first race of the Sacramento Cyclocross Series. I had a good race, was suffering a ton and with one half lap to go and I washed out my front wheel on a dry, grassy turn. I dabbed my right foot and caught myself and finished but with a new and severe pain on the outside of my right foot just behind the little toe. It was already swollen by the time I got back to the truck. I could tell. I could feel it pressing against the outside of my shoe. I removed the shoe and there it was like some kind of extra appendage, meaty and red hanging off the side of my foot. My 12 year old son, who races with me, looked at the throbbing growth and winced and mentioned something about a tumor.

I tried to race two more races and finished mid pack in one and bailed on the other. The pain was too fierce. Now, I am not one who sits around sedentary well, so I cut out the material on my cycling shoes around the offending areas and kept on spinning through the pain. There was a six month period where walking was impossibly painful. I had to wear slippers to work and there was no way I could run, let alone jump over manmade barriers.

Here I am a year and five doctors later and still no resolution. There is good news, though. The pain has shifted from my right foot to my left foot; same stupid spot, too. It occasionally rears its ugly head on my left heel and the ball of my left foot as well, but my right foot, where the problem originated, is completely fine now. So friggin’ weird. I have seen my general practitioner, a sports med guy, a podiatrist, the foot and ankle specialist for the San Francisco ballet and now I am seeing a rheumatologist. The first three doctors were 100% sure I had a Tailor’s Bunion. My foot and ankle ballet type guy dispelled that myth when he flicked the injury with his finger and said, “dude, if that was a bunion you would have punched me in the face. You need an MRI”. Awesome. Soft tissue damage. Just what my 42 year old chassis was in dire need of. The MRI came back all clear and foot and ankle ballet guy ran about 87,351 different blood tests on me. Those came back all clear as well. Off to the rheumy.

Now this lady rocks. She poked. She prodded. She asked a million questions and even took notes. She sucked at her bottom lip in deep thought and consulted tomes, licking her finger and flipping pages like the Tasmanian Devil. She checked my breathing, my kidneys, my ears, nose and throat. She tapped on my chest and pressed on my belly. She had me lie on a table and gave my broken old body a thrice over. She quizzed me on my bowel movements and the color of my urine. Nothing. She, after much thought and exploration of my, well, self, decided that I have arthritis. Not sure what’s causing it or why, but arthritis nonetheless. Sweet. She prescribed a NSAID for me and that seems to be taking the pain away, the swelling, well, that is still there. She also wanted me to start this arthritis drug with wicked side effects: orange skin, rash, diarrhea, dry mouth, liver failure, kidney failure, loss of back hair. Sh.., this drug requires monthly blood work to make sure my liver and kidneys are functioning properly. I thought about that and took a pass, will save that for another day.

So now it appears that this is something I must manage and live with, a possible side effect of aging or simply the years of abuse I have handed my body. Or is it? I met this cat out riding the road bike the other day and described to him my malaise. His reply, “Man, the same thing happened to me. I bought these insole shoe shimmy things from Specialized and the pain vanished, was gone”. (And no Specialized are not paying me for this, though I kind of wish they were). I have ordered some and will let you know how it goes. I guess it can’t hurt. Hah!

At least now I can ride on the dirt again. There was a time where the pain was too much for me to weight my pedals properly when descending, making mountain biking impossible. And I can assure you that following my line on the road was not a good idea. Those days are behind me now and I can ride the mountain bike, the ‘cross bike, even stand up and climb out of the saddle. My lines still suck but I am in control of the pain … for now … and I am planning on hitting my first race on the weekend of October 20-21. I may even race both days if my family schedule will allow. And believe me you will hear about it.

Now if there is a moral to this story, as there should be with all stories, it would have to be ‘take care of your feet because you’ve only got one pair and they get you to where you are going and without them you are stuck, and never, I mean never, ever, follow my line’. Yeah, those, and there should be way more legal singletrack on Mount Tamalpais.

Filed Under: Jason Harrod, News Tagged With: Jason Harrod, norcal cycling, Tenderfoot

Slick talk with Gnarlube Racing

November 29, 2012 by Sprint Finish Leave a Comment

Slick talk with Gnarlube Racing

by Chris Lyman

Gnarlube Racing made a splashy entrance to the Northern California masters scene this year, rolling up in high style. With long time racer Gregg Betonte as Director, the new squad made it’s mark and racked up some impressive results. We connected with Gregg for the scoop on the team, plans for 2013, and perhaps the raciest lube in cycling.

Tell us about the product and why bike racers should know about it– who is behind the company?

First off , I’d just like to say thanks for contacting us, Chris! Gnar Lube came to be unlike any corporate plan to just cash in. Sixteenfifty, out of San Diego, is owned by Robert Wells who has been a friend of mine for many years. They are a creative company producing all things media with and edge. Film, video, print, web… Rob is a long-time cyclist both on and off road, so, out of pure enthusiasm he decided to make a “fun” cycling lube.

He hired a well-seasoned lubrication engineer to work directly for Gnar. After six months this lubricant wizard produced the Gnar Lube lineup. Each lube was lab-tested and crushed everything else on the market! All that was left was a splash of scents (yes they make your car smell wonderful when your bike is in there). BUT, you need to understand, this is all just for fun, none of that really mattered, yes there are lubes, crazy kits, sweet pink socks, and clothing all sold thru the site: www.gnarlube.com and a great cycling community based all on having fun on a bike has emerged – unicorns n rainbows…. #powerofthepinksocks – it’s crazy, I get pics from allover the world of people in the pink socks and a bunch of people with tattoos of our logos!!! WTH? Right? Simply put, it’s a bunch of people supporting those supporting our sport!

Gnarlube / Landshark Racing is a masters squad. Why did you go this route instead of P-12?

We really did not make a decision in one direction or another. Three of us came from the Safeway Masters team, as well as simple age put us there first. We do still do P-12 races, but focus is the Masters 35 & 45. Also we were only five guys last season so it was hard to spread things too far. Plus, those P-kids are fast!

How is the team helping promote the product?

Well the obvious, racing. We raced in SoCal, NorCal, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, and Wisconsin this past year. Many times we have the truck there and have a BBQ for all or just help people out at the races. One race last year we had a bunch of homeless guys with their bikes at the truck getting all lubed up and all left with new pink socks!

Just spreading the good cheer that cyclists / racers are approachable and fun. This year we will be supporting CAF – Challenged Athletes Foundation. We also donate all race winnings to charity.

I think it’s cool to see some panache and edge brought into masters racing, much like Monster Media did in So Cal. Were you looking to shake things up?

Absolutely, the race scene can be so stiff and we just wanted to say “hey, we are all bike freaks, and we all do this for the same reason, it’s ok to have fun!”

Best wins?

Well, we had lots of great races and I think over 45 podiums. The one win that stands out to me is at the Sea Otter Crit where we got Jens in the break with ex-pro Roy Knickman, and I was back at the front of the chase keeping it together. I could see him and pass signals of support to Jens as we doubled back on each lap. In the end it was Jens decisively winning the sprint- always a great race when someone who is in a support role on the team gets a win like this.

How about 2013? What are you looking to accomplish?

Like all teams we’d like to win at Nationals, and the State Championships. But really it’s to keep everyone safe and healthy, and have fun on our bikes.

Any new riders? If yes, why did you add these guys?

Yes we have three new guys. Reasoning was it’s really hard for a team of five out there. At one point I had a really bad separated shoulder and Joe had a broken collarbone – bang, there’s half the team gone… so the necessity of adding riders was obvious.

The new guys are David Albrecht and Jeff Galland who both have long racing career’s and one young gun M35 named Neil Bartley.

Where will you guys be racing in 2013?

Right now the plan is to race CA as well as go back to Tour of Americas Dairy Land in Wisconsin, and of course Nationals.

I’m not afraid to admit it: I was a little envious of that big rig you guys rolled in. Will it be back again?

Oh, for sure at selected races and events- our hope is for the appearance of a 45-foot custom painted Freightliner to show at Masters races is that it helps the sport and all of masters racing, as well as the promoters.

What other companies have stepped in as sponsors?

Yes. There were those who “got” what we were going to do right from the start.

Land Shark Bicycles custom built all our bikes for us – everything John does at LS is custom from the ground up. It was the first time they had sponsored a team and they were just as stoked as we were with the bikes! I have to say it’s the best bike I’ve ridden, he wired up my Di2 to a RC car battery hidden in the frame and told me I’d not have to charge it all season – and I still have not.

We also have Pactimo Clothing for our kits, which we used at Safeway and is awesome technical cycling wear. Super easy company to work with as well as very supportive as it’s headed up by former racers –makes a difference.

We also have a relationship Hunter Allen’s Peaks Coaching Group- we had coaches for all the guys. I have to say, they were great to us, and really a part of the team.

Bicycles Plus in Folsom CA took care of all the teams shop needs. Owner John Crews was a pro in his day and has been a gracious supporter of cycling and everything we do out there. It’s critical for a team to have a shop sponsor for all the little things that go with a season of racing. Athlete Octane is our last but not least sponsor; they produce a great drink, which works both for prep as well as recovery.

Any parting words?

Hope to see everyone out there in 2013!

Happy Holidays~

Gregg Betonte

Director, Gnarlube Racing

gregg@sideeffects.tv

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