Paul Doran's Cyclocross Images From CCCX #5

Paul Doran again delivered some amazing photos from the past CCCX race. Doran somehow finds a way to freeze frame quality images of Northern California racers in action. Doran has extensive archives of Road Cycling photos from many of this regions paved races. However, I have seen his best work really come to fore at the Cyclocross races. Cyclocross brings out some of the most vivid images when rider and machine become one in the quest for speed, and Doran seems to always get the money shots. Paul Doran's complete set from the CCCX race can be found here- http://www.flickr.com/photos/vicarioussojourn/sets/72157622865758814/

One of Nor-Cal's best all around Cyclocross racers Justin Robinson owns Manzanita Park. Robinson won the 35+ "A" Masters race to open up his day this past Sunday. He claimed both Elite races at the park this season & the Elite District Championship last season at Manzanita Park......

Bike Station Aptos rider Scott Shipman.....

Santa Cruz cycling legend Tom Sullivan.....

National Cyclocross Champion Kevin Merrigan(CVC/Santa Cruz Bicycles) back in action at Manzanita Park.....

Team Rambuski Law rider Tim Thompson....

Buy-Cell.com rider Mike Sooder has had a break out Cross season and his passion is displayed in this photo......

HRS Rock Lobster rider Michele Perez.....

Roaring Mouse rider Bev Chaney had one of her best rides of the season at Manzanita Park fighting out the sprint for 3rd place in the Women's Elite division with Rock Lobsters Stella Carey....

Cal Giant Inc.'s Gina Hall is back in action doing one of the things she does best, racing her Cyclocross bicycle.....

HRS Rock Lobster's Aaron O'Dell is one of the best bike handlers when the conditions get tricky....

Not what you want on race day.....

Hunter-Freewheel's Abe Rotstein......

Sycip Racing's Aron Bonar.....

Specialized/SBCU rider Andrew Hammond....

HRS Rock Lobster rider David Wyandt has found his form this season. Wyandt has been one of Nor-Cal's best Cross riders over the past 10 years and his results are stellar this season. Wyandt was 2nd place in the Men's Elite division in this race.....

HRS Rock Lobster sponsored Sean Caffey has posted many strong finishes in the Single Speed division this year....

One of Nor-Cal's best racers from all disciplines of cycling is Cal Giant Inc. sponsored Steve Reaney. This season Reaney has again proved himself to be one of the fastest Cross racers in the region....

Matt Kramer of Los Gatos goes full out in the final lap of the 35+ Masters "A" race....

The Mud Index Returns

Howdy 'cross fans,

Dave Carr here, some of you may remember me as a former 'cross racer and editor of this site. Today I'm an aging, balding, thickening former cross racer busy nurturing the development of two tiny future 'cross racers. But I still shave my legs and follow the scene.... Anyway, this fall I have been getting a few inquiries about an article I once published called the Mud Index. Originally written almost 10 years ago, this encyclopedia of mud types in cyclocross quickly entered the popular canon and has been endlessly quoted... until earlier this year when my web host abruptly shut down and the article disappeared. So, here again for your amusement, is the Mud Index, together with various annotations collected from fans over the years. Happy crossing!

The Mud Index
By Dave Carr

OK, you've all heard the old saying that Eskimos have nine different words for "snow" in their vocabulary or something like that. Well, it occurs to me that we need a similar depth of language to characterize Mud in cyclocross racing. After all, a keen understanding of Mud is the only way to survive this sport, particularly in some areas of the country.

Here, therefore, is my attempt at a Mud Classification System, or perhaps a Mud Understanding Dissertation--whatever, let's just dispense with the clever acronyms and call it a Mud Index. Whatever it is, it's highly unscientific.

Mud is ranked on a scale of 0 to 10, zero being hard dry dirt and 10 being liquid water. Other properties include material content, color, stickiness, and so on. One year when global warming and La Nina conspired to prevent any rain from falling in NorCal, I augmented the Grade 0 a bit -- fortunately in 2009 that hasn't been a problem.

Grade 0 - Dirt, and all facsimiles thereof like adobe, clay, hardpack, dust, rock and pavement. Fails to give your bike and body that virtuous muddy look that lets people know you're a cyclocross god. Not really relevant to a discussion of Mud.

0.1 - Pavement. Otherwise known as blacktop, concrete, tarmac, bitumen, etc, and usually a consideration only at crit races or the occasional short track XC. Roadies turned 'cross racers tend to like this stuff.

0.3 - Gravel. Basically, this is Pavement, badly maintained, and is usually found on top of Pavement. Functions like little ball bearings that turns a nicely apexed corner into a trip to the medical tent.

0.5 - Sand. Composed of rock that has been ground down into small granular pieces, mercilessly over the ages (like your teeth are ground down as you attempt to ride it). Found in Belgium, Holland, Fort Ord and Granite Beach. Since it's found on real Euro CX courses you can tell yourself in between grunts, "It's OK, this is real cross..."

0.6 - Flour. A heavy, soft, extremely fine dust. Found at this year's GP Clark Natwick at Golden Gate Park in the dug-in groove around all the tree roots. Sometimes behaves more like motor oil on the ground than actual dirt.

0.9 - Grass. The most enjoyable surface in the 0 category -- though in dry times Grass is often only found in a dry, bumpy cow field (at East Bay for example) but sometimes you get a nice piece of bermuda grass at Watsonville that makes you dream of actual mud.

Grade 1 - Damp Earth. Nice and soft, tacky. Makes a pleasant sound as tires roll over it. Fun and effortless to ride on. Ultimate traction. Never separates from the ground, or if it does it doesn't stick to the bike. Your bike could be so clean after a ride that friends think you never went out.

Grade 2 - Adobe Clay. A bad kind of damp earth, found in certain regions of the US. Soft and sticky enough that it sticks to shoes, but doesn't separate from the ground very easily. Slows down the bike and drains a rider's energy without apparent cause. Low moisture content. Fills the pedal cleats on the shoes, rendering them heavy and useless. Following a rain, this type quickly transforms into Grade 3.

Grade 3 - Play-Doh. Water content is up to about 20-30%, leading to major sticking action. Literally jumps from the earth to your bike. Accretes to the tires, filling the treads. Fills up the tight spots between the tire and frame tubes, and in between the cassette cogs. Causes the bike to gain ten pounds in a matter of minutes. Requires pressure sprayer and brush to remove.

Grade 3F: Frozen Play-Doh, as explained by east coast rider Mark Laser: "Hi, David: LOVE the Mud Index; it was forwarded to me by my teammate Fast Albert Greene of Woodbridge, VA. One thing that we have to deal with here in the Mid-Atlantic is frozen mud - not too bad if it's smooth, but very difficult to negotiate if tire ruts, footprints, or animals get frozen into the surface. Would it be appropriate to designate frozen mud with the suffix "F" after the relevant unfrozen state? (for instance, frozen Play-Doh like that encountered at Virgina Cyclo-cross Series race #5 would be Grade 3F.) Thank you for your scientific work on behalf of the cyclo-cross community and happy new year! --Mark Laser, Yellow Breeches Racing, Carlisle, PA"

Grade 4 - Peanut Butter. Less sticky than Play-doh; more likely to stay on the ground. Moisture content is up to 40% or so. This stuff is sticky enough that one can't really plow through it, yet it's slippery and makes it hard to control the bike. Ruts form which may yield to a tire, or send the bike careening off in an unanticipated direction. Requires ferocious pedaling to keep momentum. Occasionally a piece sticks to the tire and is thrown into the air; subsequently lands on another rider's face.

Clarification from NorCal master's rider Linda Elgart on the difference between Play-Doh and Peanut Butter. "I think of Play Doh as being a little dryer than peanut butter. You can’t form peanut butter into sculptures like you can with Play Doh. I was playing with some friend’s kids recently, and make a pretty good representation of a dinosaur in Play Doh. This would not work with peanut butter."

Grade 5 - Goo. About as thick and sticky as the energy gel you eat during a race, only brown and slightly less tasty, and more likely to be lumpy. Like Peanut Butter, Goo stays on the ground, but is less resistant to the advancing tire. At East Bay CX races this type often includes some content of cow dung or rotting flesh. In more pleasant venues Goo may be found on the verge of a wet grassy area where a few tires have passed.

Grade 6 - Slime. This is the level of mud where a rider really begins to have fun. Slime is wet enough that it sticks to everything but doesn't really build up on the bike. Sticks together well enough that it will fly through the air in large masses. This grade is used in TV commercials for four-wheel drive trucks, in which the truck slides around all over the place shucking mud in every direction. In a 'cross race, Slime often is found in corners where it can wreak havoc with traction, leading to a slide on your butt on the wet ground.

Grade 7 - Glop. This is the wettest consistency of mud that can still hold a shape. When tires pass through Glop, a furrow is left that heals up slowly over time to a smooth surface. Liquid water may come to the top. It's better to have thin 'cross tires to slice through this stuff, while fat MTB tires will float and plow and generally make a mess. Imparts a shiny appearance to bicycle and body parts.

Grade 8 - Slop. The bottom of a very wet mud puddle that is not refreshed by a creek. Still retains some lumpy qualities, unlike Grade 9 Soup. Splatters very nicely and stains clothing better than any other type. Renders your glasses completely opaque. Remember not to smile at your friends after a dunk in this stuff unless you want them to laugh hysterically at the mud between your teeth. Requires a good hose-off to clean, plus a few cycles in the laundry.

Grade 8.5 -- Goose Poop: Thick yellowish viscous liquid a la Watsonville. (Submitted by rider Chip Baker)

Grade 9 - Soup. 80-90% water, heavily laden with sand, particulate and goo, but without the lumps characteristic of Slop. Scientists might classify this grade as a "Non-Newtonian Fluid." Typical of a stream crossing where the stream flow isn't fast enough to refresh the mud. Will soak your jersey completely, while leaving the particulate matter all over the front. Doesn't stick to the bike, instead just runs off onto the ground.

Grade 10 - River Water. Might feature some residual brown color but doesn't stick to anything. Just wet and cold without any redeeming qualities other than it may loosen up thicker grades of mud from your tires and shoes.

Photos courtesy of Sabine Dukes, Velo Bella

Photos Of The Week- Paul Doran At Sierra Point

Before the Bisbane sunset and the B.A.S.P. flood lights were lit, Paul Doran clicked off some super shots of Nor-Cal Cyclocross racers doing their thing. Paul Doran takes outstanding shots of racers in motion, displaying their focus, drive and determination. Each rider has their own distinct mask of race face paint, and Paul Doran seems to always find a way to catch powerful images of the pageantry. The following shots are some of the photos that caught my eye.

And here is a link to Mr. Doran's complete selection from this race- http://www.flickr.com/photos/vicarioussojourn/sets/72157622695932643/

Please Tread Lightly At Golden Gate Park

The NCNCA District Cyclocross Championships are coming up on Nov. 29 at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, which is one of the sweetest venues for Cross racing in Northern California. It is important for Cyclocross racers to tread very lightly at this venue leading up to the big party that will be the 2009 District Championship race. Golden Gate Park is one of the crowned jewels of the City of San Francisco, and a huge tourist destination. Being such a prime spot for recreation the land controllers keep a sharp eye on over usage. If you are in the Park and riding your Cross bike, try to use other area's besides the B.A.S.P. course route. The 2009 District Cross Championship event is going to be a instant classic and if there is over use on the trails in that area leading up to the event park controllers have warned of a non permit issue stance. We all want to have a chance to race in this awesome venue, so I hope we all can tread lightly in G.G.P. in the next week or so, leading up to what is sure to be one of the best Cross races of the year. Thanks to everyone for spreading the word that by riding less on the B.A.S.P. Golden Gate Park course over the next 10 days, this can lead to future use of this area for everyone, locals as well as out of town folks who will be there only on race day. Good Luck to everyone at the NCNCA District Championship event!

Henry Kramer Retires From Racing

Henry Kramer is one of the World's best and most talented Masters Cyclists- a Nor-Cal legend who has proven himself week in and week out in some of the biggest races on the calendar. For this season Henry has decided to take a step back from racing and retire from the sport he has excelled in for so long. Kramer mentioned physical issues for the main cause of his decision to put the races on hold for 2009, and in the future as well. On a personal note, I hope Henry decides to return to racing in the future because he is a rider who has inspired me in so many ways. I also hope Henry recovers fully from a crash earlier in the year which was very serious and has hampered his riding this Cross season. Henry Kramer is a USA National Champion in MTB racing. Kramer has earned the USA multiple medals at the Masters Cyclocross World Championships in Belgium. Kramer has stood on the podium of the USA Cyclocross Championships in the Masters division on multiple occasions. Kramer has worked hard to compete at the very best of his ability and this level was the highest the planet had to offer for Masters aged racers. Even with his horrible crash earlier in the year Kramer was ranked at the top of the fields this season in the NCNCA B.A.R. Cyclocross rankings, the CCCX Series, the BASP Series, and the Surf City Series. Speaking for all the racers and fans of Nor-Cal Cyclocross, we hope to see Henry racing again and thank you Henry for gracing us with your bike racing exploits over the past years!

Henry Kramer's last start- CCCX #4 Toro park. Kramer gets the jump on the rest of the 35+ "A' Masters field. During this race Kramer pulled out and then decided to pull the plug for the rest of his race season and beyond....

Kramer has tremendous skills and race savvy that he has developed over the years from racing different venues and competitors. He has been an inspiration to me as a racer, and a friend at the end of the day when the race is over......

Kramer looked to be in prime form this race season, but decided to retire from the front line call ups he earned each week- in each Nor-Cal series....

Kramer taking the Gold Medal at the USA National MTB Championships....

Kramer pulling Ned Overend at the Cyclocross National Championships. These two Masters racers tested each other to the max, and inspire others to race at a high level at any age.....

Riding Through Deep Sand

One of my favorite tasks when racing Cyclocross is riding through deep sand. It is a huge test to keep the speed up and navigate the soft, power sucking sand when these beach like sections appear on course. The skill and technique of the great sand riders is amazing to witness. Riders churning the pedals moving chain and wheels simultaneously, which then throws sand up into the air like a rotor-tiller machine, all mixed in with balance and steadiness on the bike. One wrong move and you get off line causing the path of the bike to drift. If you do lose the momentum so necessary to keep the speed up to navigate the challenge you will be forced to dismount and lose precious time. Nor-Cal has some incredibly talented sand riders, and Veronika Lenzi captured some great action from the sand pit section at Coyote Point. Here is a link to Veronika's great photos- http://www.veronikalenzi.com/. And here are a few of my favorites from her collection....

Entering a sand section with as much speed as possible helps keep momentum when the going gets deep.....

Just getting a little off balance in sand can cause problems.....

When entering deep sand sections it is pivotal to keep the front wheel light to the ground and not let it dig into the sand- or you could get ejected over the handle bars as your front wheel digs in too deep.....

Here a Roaring Mouse rider shows perfect form and balance when entering the deep sand section. Notice the rider has his weight back in the saddle, legs keeping the pedals turning, and wheels aligned perfectly to cut through the thick beach like sand....

Here you can see the bike lined up just right for drilling it through sand. And the rear wheel kicking up sand as the rider keeps the pedals turning.....

Cal Giant Inc's Steve Reaney gets a little off line but has the power and strength to pull the bike back into a groove and keep the wheels moving through the thick stuff.....

Notice the front wheel raised above sand level to keep resistance down. And the rear wheel digging in deep, and turning over to keep the force of the bike moving forward.....

Third Pillar's Steve Woo is a sand riding specialist......

Sometimes you can only go so far in the deep stuff. so if you remain balanced and keep under control a high speed dismount to keep speed up is still a option......

Keeping relaxed and letting the bike flow with out fighting the steering is one of the keys to riding the sand......