• Home
• Results
• Mountain Bike Team
• Road Team
• Dirt Schedule
• Road Schedule

• Sponsors

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

SCPS # 7 – Spooky ‘Cross Race Report

Getting Spooky in Irvine

Amanda Schaper, October 24, 2009

My first time entering the crazy world of cyclocross was back in September at the infamous Langtown, USA. That experience led me to believe that ‘cross races basically consist of bikes, beer, shaved legs in shorty shorts, men in skirts, costumes, and mud…a lot of mud. At that time, I was hobbling around on crutches, so I unfortunately wasn’t able to actually participate in the ‘cross races (I did, however, attempt the running race…aka the “Beer Mile”). Watching Seth, Bud, and Chase rep the Platinum colors while tearing it up on dirt/pavement/grass/mud/barriers (and especially watching Chase get more and more wobbly on his bike as he competed in the Modified Class event), convinced me that I absolutely had to race ‘cross this year. There simply was no way around it.

I have to admit that I was a little concerned that my first actual ‘cross race could never compare to the Langtown race. I mean, honestly, would an officially sanctioned ‘cross race really deliver everything I had come to expect out of ‘cross races: bikes, beer, shaved legs in shorty shorts, men in skirts, costumes, and mud? Well, I raced ‘cross for the first time at the SoCal Prestige Series Spooky Cross last weekend, and let me tell you, it delivered everything I expected and more (see attached photos for proof). The only thing that was missing was the mud, but I’d take shaved legs in shorty shorts over mud any day.

Last Saturday, Steve Smith, Bobby Sr., Gary, and I all trekked down to Irvine, ‘cross bikes in tow. Being my first race, I really only had a few goals: don’t face plant on a barrier, don’t get lapped, don’t get injured trying to remount the bike, and generally don’t humiliate myself. Well, I can proudly say that I met all of my goals (perhaps save the humiliation one, as that’s up for interpretation). That doesn’t necessarily mean I did well, mind you. I have to admit, CX made the whole XC thing look easy. I’ve never been in an XC race where the entire course was lined with cowbell equipped spectators. Talk about pressure.

I think the most challenging thing about ‘cross is that’s it’s a complete and all-out anaerobic frenzy. From the second the race starts, you’re either on the gas or off the back. I was a little late to staging so I didn’t have the best start position, but I was able to push through the crowd on the first straightaway and made some stealthy passes on the early corners. I found myself riding with the faster group of girls in Cat 3/4 field, and then we approached the stairs… Let me deviate here and point out that this was only my second time attempting ‘cross. I went to Gary’s Skillz and Drillz practice only two days earlier, but other than that I was completely out of my element. As we approached the stairs, I got a little nervous, but I was off the bike and up the stairs with no problems. Getting back on the bike? That’s another story. I haven’t figured out this whole “leap of faith” thing that it takes to gracefully launch yourself back onto the bike without losing any time or your fertility. You know those people who have to literally stop and get back on the bike while the whole field rides by them? Yeah, that was me. So basically, my race went like this: ride really hard to try to catch the group, get passed trying to get back on the bike, chase the group down again, and then repeat. It was painful, but photographic evidence shows I was having a good time, judging by the smile. My official race results were still in-flux when I checked the results board, but I think I finished somewhere towards latter end of mid-pack. At least I didn’t get lapped.

So what about Steve, Bobby, and Gary? Well, Steve proved that even the manliest of men can look good in a skirt and ruffled socks, Bobby looked like the Energizer Bunny but unfortunately couldn’t keep going and going and going, and Gary showed us all how this whole ‘cross thing is really done, beating Ned Overend in the process and finishing 6th in the stacked 1/2/3 field.

Let’s face it, ‘cross is weird, and even the people who are obsessed with it (ahem, Gary) have to admit that. Even still, I think I’m hooked. I just hope the boys in shorty shorts keep showing up.

how ’bout this shot of Steve Smith…

The New 2010 jerseys have arrived!!!

Thanks to the talented Chris Brown with the artwork.

Life in the Fastlane, Cross Style!!!

Written By Platinum’s Gary Douville

Saturday October 10th – SCPS #4

Steve Smith races two events back-to-back; becomes Langin clan hero

So Cal Prestige Cyclocross Series #4-5: October 10, 2009

Smitty raced two events back to back and finished well in both anaerobic pain-fests but his choice of ensemble made him an event favorite. Although the time between events was merely a few minutes, Steve still had time to change his leg wear winning over the hearts of the ‘cross crowd. BTW, yes, those are fishnet stockings…..

SCPS# 4 Results

Gary Douville 3rd Elite

Bobby Langin Sr 13th Elite

Steve Smith 13th 35+ 3/4 / 25th Cat 3/4

Jon Miller 1st Cat 45+

Mike Weber 11th 55+

SCPS#5 Results

Gary Douville 5th Elite

Steve Silva 4th Cat 4 / 10th Cat 45+

Mark Luke 11th Cat 4 / 11th Cat 55+

Jon Miller 1st Cat 45+

SCPS#3 Orange, CA Oct 4th

SCPS#3 was held in Orange, CA near Lake Irvine. The course was varied

and long with lots of corners, loose rocks, bumpy grass, a loose

gravel run-up, a staired run-up, and barriers. 30 Elite Men showed up

to tackle the course and test their early season fitness. I got a

decent start and hit the first corner in 3rd and a lead group of 4

quickly formed. I played it smart, rode my tempo, cornered smoothly, and

felt pretty good. I was in an extended battle for 3rd but fell off the

pace and held off a few chasers for a 4th place finish. Looking

forward to a double header in San Dimas next weekend.

Results:

Gary Douville 4th Elite

Recent Posts

• Santa Barbara Triathlon 8/28/10
• San Ardo Road Race Cat 3 8/21/10
• San Ardo Road Race Cat 1,2 35+ 8/21/10
• America’s Finest Cities Half Marathon
• High Casade 100 Race, Bend Oregon

• Archives

  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • July 2009

• Contacts

  • Road Bike Captain
    
    
  • Mountain Bike Captain
    
    

• On Facebook

  
  
  

• Team Video