Another Post-Ride Report

Check out an excellent play-by-play report of the event from Team Sheila Moon rider Sasha Magee here! Thanks Sasha!

Post-Ride Report

Thank you everyone for making the 1st ever East Bay Mixed Terrain Alley CX a success! 69 riders registered and almost everyone completed the course - with only a few technicals causing people to bail out. While the course was a little tricky, and lots of riders didn't hit all the checkpoints, most people seemed to have a good time - even if they were getting lost on the trails in Joaquin Miller Park.

Big thanks to the event sponsors - B. Spoke Tailor for coming through with some fancy knickers and arm/leg warmers for the top finishers; Box Dog Bikes for the pink Deep-V rims; Chuey Brand for cycling hats and t-shirts; De La Paz Coffee for the beans; Montano Velo for the shoes; and Missing Link for the laptop bag. Thank you sponsors!

Shout out to the checkpoint workers - Tristan, Paul, Sam and Tom - for hanging in their while riders trickled through; and Jojo, Tarak and Jason for helping out with things at the lake.

Special thanks to Murphy for hooking up the after party beverages! Thanks Murph!

I saw lots of riders taking pictures of the race and after party. Several have already made their way to the internetz. Check them out here:

Jenny Oh's Flickr
Jon Suzuki's Flickr (photos by Paul Musso)
Little Daniel's Flickr
Davin's Flickr

For folks that care, here are the final results from the event.

Top Guys (all checkpoints and stamp points):
1. Blake
2. Mike M.
3. Paolo
4. Matthias
5. Isaias
6. Grey
7. Dave V.
8. John B.
9. George T.
10. Peter K.

Top Gals:
1. Kelly C. (all checkpoints and stamp points)
2. Arena
3. May
4. Jenny
5. Wendy

Top Singlespeed/Fixed:
1. Bernard (all checkpoints and stamp points)
2. Josh T.
3. Stephen V.
4. Adam S. (fixed)
5. Jeff R.

King of the Hill (Tunnel Road):
1. Mike F.
2. Walton
3. Adam S.
4. Kea
5. Josh T.

Klunker:
Max

Lanterne Rouge (DFL):
Koshi, Dennis and Seth

Top Finishers (missed one or more checkpoints or stamp points)
1. James J.
2. Walton
3. Josh T.
4. Murphy
5. Morgan F.
6. Thomas H.
7. Adam B.
8. Stephen V.
9. Dave L.
10. Daten

With one event under my belt, look out for an even better follow-up race later this year. Stay tuned!

Ride Update and Details

Le Championnat de France Cross Cyclo-pédestre, 04 Mar 1923 (Image taken from Le Miroir Des Sports, 08 Mar 1923, blackbirdsf.org)


Everything is coming together for Saturday. As a reminder, registration will open at 11:30 at the northwestern corner of Lake Temescal (see location on the flyer). $5 signs you up for the ride, gets you a map of the route, and food and refreshments at the end of the ride.

The ride will promptly being at 12.30 sharp. The speediest riders will probably complete the course in 2.5 hours. The after party will be held at the starting location in Lake Temescal.

The course is approximately 35 to 40 miles and roughly 50/50 road and dirt. All dirt trails are "legal" and allow cyclists. However, on some trails riders will be sharing space with hikers and dogs. Please be considerate when passing. As mentioned below, the East Bay is very hilly, and this ride is no exception. There will be steep paved climbs, long downhill dirt descents, gradual dirt climbs and other conditions. Choose a bike that you will have fun on and will get you through the course safely. Keep in mind that the East Bay has had a bit of rain the last two days. Conditions will be muddy.

What to bring?
Layers, water, and tools - including a spare tube, patch kit, mini-pump and multi-tool. If you want to bring a bag with a change of clothes, there will be a bag check at registration.

What are the prize categories?
While I hope people turn out for the ride with the intent to have fun, there will be prizes for top finishers. Categories will include: 1st Overall (male and female), 1st Fixed/Singlespeed, 1st Klunker (loosely defined) and Lanterne Rouge (DFL). Depending on how things play out, other categories may be added last minute. Anyone that jeopardizes the health and safety of other riders will be DQ'd.

I guess that's all you need to know. Ride safe and I'll see you tomorrow!

Conditions Are Perfect

Here's the forecast for the end of the week through Saturday. I don't think I could ask for better conditions. Of course, you should never have complete faith in weather forecasts.



Get ready for mud.

Thank You Sponsors!

Give it up for Chuey Brand, Montano Velo, Box Dog Bikes, B. Spoke Tailor (formerly JoyRider Clothing), De La Paz Coffee and Missing Link for coming through with prizes for the event! Thanks for your continued support of Bay Area cycling!

Ride Update

The ride will start and finish at Lake Temescal in Oakland.


View Larger Map

Registration will open at 11:30 and take place at the northwestern corner of the lake. $5 will sign you up for the ride, get you a map of the route, and get you food and refreshments at the end. Ride will begin at 12:30 sharp. I expect the first riders to complete the route in about 2.5 to 3 hours.

If you plan to take BART, disembark at Rockridge Station and make your way over to Broadway via Chabot Road or Keith Avenue. Ride up the hill to the lake and turn right into the parking lot. We'll be set up somewhere on the lawn directly in front of you.

If you plan to head over in a car, park on Broadway if you want to save yourself some money.

Will I need to carry a bag for the ride?
No. However, if you want to bring a bag with a change of clothes or whatever else, we will have a bag check at registration.

Will I need a lock for the ride?
No. Unless you plan to leave your bike locked to a tree in the middle of the forest.

Well, if I don't need a bag and I don't need a lock, what do I need to bring?

A Bike - The route is about 50/50 road and dirt, so bring whatever bike you think is best suited for the conditions. Just keep in mind that the East Bay is very hilly and some of the trails may be muddy. Unless your Adam (128), I strongly discourage riding a fixed gear without a front brake.

Layers - Depending on the weather, bring enough clothing to stay warm and dry throughout the race.

Water - Since the ride will take place in several regional and local parks with water fountains, water will be readily available. However, I recommend that you carry at least one water bottle to get through some of the drier sections.

Tools - While the route will never take you too far from civilization, I strongly encourage riders to bring at least a spare inner tube, patch kit, multi-tool and pump.

Ride safe! I look forward to seeing you on the 7th!

East Bay Hills Mixed Terrain Alley CX - Saturday 2.7.09 - High Noon

30 to 50 miles of roads and trails in the Oakland and Berkeley hills.
Get ready for it.