NorCal High School Race #3 in East Garrison

For Race number three of the NICA NorCal series it was back to East Garrison, for the sand, and now overwhelming amount of poison oak of Fort Ord.

With reverse direction and a few other differences from race number one the new course was still fast, rolling, with a few sketchy sand patches.

 

 

With one of the most sustained climbs as the start racers were placed four by four on the narrow and sandy start chute.  With leaders jersey still on my back I gave it all I had at the start got over the first climb and did not look back until the finish.  I came in first place in the Sophomore D1 category with Matthew Koen in second.

 

 

Great job at race number three everybody!  Since race number four at Pedaluma was cancelled due to extremely muddy course conditions I will see you all at Boggs.  Cheers!

 





NorCal High School Race #2 at Granite Bay

 

I have spent a lot of time racing down in Granite Bay so it was awesome to see hundreds of athletes come down to compete at a venue that was familiar to me. 

For the second NorCal race the course was backwards of what I have done in the past, although the feel of the track was still the same decomposed granite, with short punchy climbs, and an occasional rock garden.
With my previous victory I was placed in the front of the pack for the start, rocking the leader's jersey and had no thoughts of giving it up.   

Two riders got passed me after the sand pit near the start but I got around them before the first climb and then hit the gas.  I knew I was in the front and kept it pinned until the end, coming away with my second NorCal win.

 

 

 

 

Its always a pleasure to be on top of the podium especially at these highly competitive NorCal series races, congratulations to all the athletes who participated! 

Thanks to Rob Lowe, Michael Miske, and Hannah Oitzman for the great photos.



NorCal High School Race #1 in East Garrison

On February 23rd the first NorCal National Interscholastic Cycling Association(NICA) race was held at East Garrison, California near Monterey and the beautiful Pacific Ocean.

The race course consisted of fast sandy singletrack and some fire road.  This was my first NorCal race as last year an injury kept me out of the high school series.  Despite being placed in the very back for the start I managed to pass the fifty some riders and pull away the first lap to come away with the win in the Sophomore Northern Division D1.

Thanks to all the volunteers, racers, coaches, and parents who give NorCal races their own special feel and atmosphere!  The first race was a great time.