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Platinum wins it’s 6th Team State Title!!!!!!!!
2010 Mens Team State Champions
Photos From Big Bear #7
Todd Booth 3rd cat 1 40-44
Mark Luke 4th cat 2 50-54
Reny Takeda 2nd Boys 11-12
Amanda Schaper 1st wm Cat 1 19-29
Ron Takeda 4th Cat 1 4-49
Roger Moore 8th Cat 1 40-44
Bobby Langin Sr 1st cat 1 50-54
Adam Poytress 5th Cat 1 30-34
Amanda Schaper 1st wm Cat 1 19-29
Photos taken By Roxxanne Moore
Taking Some Lumps, But Enjoying the Ride…
2010 US National Championships, Granby Colorado
Written By Platinum rider John Biron
Most Masters have periods where we still feel like young bucks, I’ve certainly had a few of those this year, but we also have issues, of one sort or another, that cause us to feel and perform like our age, if not older. My issue is periodic bouts of insomnia where I barely sleep for a week or two. With out sleep it’s nearly impossible to train hard and even more importantly recover. My latest bout couldn’t have come at a worst time, right before the Mountain Bike Nationals. I had just come off a very successful, hard, build block and was looking forward to a two week taper to peak for the Nationals. Wham, no more than 5 hours of sleep, mostly much less, each night for the next two weeks. I’d be going into the most important race of my life with great fitness, but totally exhausted.
I thought a few times about just not going, but decided to suck it up and see what happens. So I made the trek with Teammate Gary Douville out to the Sol Vista Resort, at 9000 ft in the Colorado Rockies. We got in late Thursday and checked in to an awesome condo overlooking the start/finish and much of the racing venue. While Gary went out for a pre-ride, I decided to rest and wait to inspect the course on Friday morning. I took it pretty easy on the pre-ride, but made several short hard efforts, felt pretty good, and actually had some confidence for the next morning’s race.
I got a first row call up along with last years winner, local resident Keith Sanders, and current Mountain States Cup leader Russell Kappius. I’d ridden comfortably with Russell at Sea Otter until a crash let him get away to finish a minute up. My plan was to try and stay with Russell again, but to respect the altitude, and not go anaerobic on the first lap.
The gun went off and we immediately found ourselves grinding up a third of a mile climb at greater than 20 percent. I crested to top in third with Russell off the front and spent the next couple of miles trading 3rd and 4th with Durango’s Joseph Burtoni. Just before we hit a long, steep, rocky, single track climb, Keith, using his local knowledge, moved around us and turned up the pace. I was able to hang on, hurting but still in the mix a quarter of the way into the race.
We crested the climb, at the race’s high point of 9382 ft, and dropped into a descent that was a diabolical mixture of fixed and loose rock surround by deep sand, not unlike the old Fall Line descent at Big Bear, only it went on for two miles! Keith and Joseph opened up a small gap, but I still had them in sight when near the bottom I T-boned a hub high rock and stack it pretty hard. I racked my shin on a rock, but both bike and body were still good to go and I was soon back under way. My pace must have slowed a bit because two racers soon went by. Now out of podium position and on the lap’s last climb I pushed as hard as I could and closed the gap to the two who had just passed me. Near the top of the climb we passed Keith who was stopped trying to remedy what looked like a sucked chain.
Again the race turned down for what was a mostly down hill two mile run to the finish. Unlike the upper supper technical descent, this one was a mix of high speed hard pack linked by short switch back sections, with a couple of BMX-like burm and jump sections thrown in. Again my poor descending skills cost me as the two in front began to pull away. Then about half way down a group of three lead by Keith also went by. The altitude must have been effecting Keith too, because as he passed he said, “Hang in there Bobby”; obviously mistaking me for my much older teammate.
I crossed the line to start the final lap in 9th, but I’d ridden mostly within my limits and felt I could make up some places with a good effort on the long climb ahead. By the top I’d managed to reel in a drop two and was prepared to take some risks to get back into a podium spot on the technical descent. Including the pre-ride this was my third time down this section and despite my crash on the 1st lap I was feeling faster and more confident this time.
Over confident is probably a better word, because after brushing several trees and rocks with hips and elbows, I heard a loud crack and looked down to see my rear derailleur flapping in the breeze. Pulling over to inspect the damage I realized any hope of a come back was over. A few expletives were followed by a moment of self pity and I thought of pulling out and finding the shortest way down. Then realizing I was near the final climb and if I could push up that I could coast most of the way to the finish. So I used my spare tube to secure the derailleur and chain to the chainstay, and limped to the bottom of the technical descent.
It took over twenty minutes to push, what would have taken five to ride up, the last climb and the S-Works shoes, though awesome on the bike, began to rub my feet raw. Several competitors passed me on the way up, but most graciously offered encouragement. Once at the top I remounted and set out to make like a single speeder. Unable to add speed by peddling, I pumped, glided, and tried to keep as much speed as possible. Lots of people passed me, but only one in my class, and I crossed the line 15th. I’m certainly dejected not only by my mechanical, but by my inability to hang with the faster competitors, but I’m also proud with my decision to stick it out and finish ahead of nine others, five finishers and four DNF’s.
Overall my first experience and a National level event was a positive one. Some of my favorite memories were seeing a few fellow SoCal racers conquer the altitude and bring home medals. These include local 805’ers Alexis Ryan and Essence Barton taking 3rd and 5th in their respective junior classes. There was SoCal Cross’ Dorothy Wong pulling of a 5th in the Women’s Open Single Speed. Also second year privateer Pro Allison Mann taking 8th in XC and 3rd in Super D against a stacked field of seasoned vets. The girls certain represented last weekend.
I also got to know my teammate Gary a lot better and though we both were disappointed with our results we had a great time together. The afternoon we spent sharing some beers and trying to cough the post-race dust from our lungs, while watching the Pro men throw down, from the balcony of our VIP accommodations was especially memorable. Thanks to the Langins for setting us up.
Spending time talking one on one with newly minted National Champ Todd Wells about wining on his first ride aboard the New S-Works Epic 29’er was cool. Todd was really down to earth, talked with me about how my race went, and asked his mechanic to give me a new derailleur hanger when he found out about my bad luck.
Oh and did I mention that Willow Koeber and Heather Irmiger were racing in skin suits! Enough said.
Platinum wins SIX consecutive State Team titles!!!!
California State Series Final, Big Bear CA 7/18
The finals of the 2010 California State Series wrapped up in beautiful Big Bear Lake. The series was a best five out of seven races that were held throughout Southern California. Team Platinum Performance has dominated the team title for the past five years. This season was no different having the team earn it’s six consecutive title! Platinum’s riders have been consistently placing in the top five of the seven race series. Individual State Champion titles were won by two of Platinum’s riders. Reny Takeda won the Boy 11-12 State title with his “never give up” attitude. Bobby Langin Sr won the Cat 1 50-54 title. Runner ups were Amanda Schafer (wm Cat 1 19-29), John Biron (Cat 1 50-54), and Jon Miller (Cat 1 55-59). Rounding the top three were Gary Douville (Cat 1 35-39), Todd Booth (Cat 1 40-44), Ron Takeda (Cat 1 45-45), and Steve Silva (Cat 1 50-54).
The seventh race held in Big Bear Lake took the riders on a 22 mile figure eight loop. The organizers added new very loose and rocky single track on the final descent. The course consisted of mostly fire-road climbs and descents with some tricky single-track thrown in. The weather was warm in the mid 80’s.
At the start of my race I was sitting in second position overall in the Cat 1 40-44 class with just 7 points off of first place. John Saliamonas was the current leader of the series. The race started off with a “lung burning” three mile fire-road climb. Jay Hammond rode the front of the race with a blistering pace that splintered the group up quickly. I was able to stay on his wheel for most of the climb which gave a gap on the rest of the field. Unfortunately, at the top of the climb my effort put me into oxygen debt which I paid dearly for the next five miles. Jay had a solid lead to the finish. Before I recovered, I was sitting in fourth place. John was riding in second and John Merrian was riding in third. The race was uneventful until the top of the final descent. A tree fell onto a portion of the single-track completely blocking the course. I was following two riders at a high rate of speed down Fall Line. Around a blind corner the first rider hit his brakes hard and went over the bars just in-front of the tree. A “domino effect” started. I ended up landing hands first on top of the bike in front of me. Unfortunately, my hand grabbed the rear disc break of the competitors bike. I somehow smashed my index finger between the frame and the rotor. It happen so fast. My finger was bleeding severely. I knew I had to ride down to get off the mountain so I kept racing. I caught and passed John Merrian on the last mile or so. I ended up in 3rd place. By the finish, my hand was covered with blood as well as the most of my bike. The tip of my finger as well as my fingernail was hanging on by just a small piece of skin. Thanks to the Team big Bear’s medical crew for cleaning me up at the finish. I was able to stay for the awards ceremony and celebration. I was happy to finish but disappointed with a third overall. John took it with 268 points, Jay “leap frogged” up to second with 265 points and I dropped to third with 263 points. What a season…nice battling with you boys! Later that night I went to the ER and ended up with five stitches in the finger. What a day…..
Amanda Schafer – 1st Cat 1 wm 19-29
Bobby Langin Sr — 1st Cat 1 50-54
Reny Takeda — 2nd Boys 11-12
Todd Booth — 3rd Cat 1 40-44
Ron Takeda — 4th Cat 1 45-49
Mark Luke — 4th Cat 2 50-54
Adam Poytress — 5th Cat 1 30-34
John Reveles — 5th Cat 2 40-44
Roger Moore — 8th Cat 1 40-44
Bobby Langin Sr Cat 1 50-54
Reny Takeda Boys 11-12
US National Mountain Bike Championships
US National Mountain Bike Championships, Ganby Colorado
Written by Platinum rider Gary Douville
John and I both raced this morning. We did two laps of a 9 mile course
that climbed 1800ft per lap up to just under 10,000ft. Lots of
climbing and tough technical descending.
Like last year I started strong and lead for the the first part of the
race, but I started to fade earlier this year and had difficulty
matching the pace of the top few guys and my breathing was as bad as
Contadors when Schleck attacks him or he is exposed to a little
pollen. The altitude was awful and I never felt as though I could
fully open the throttle. I expected a much better result but hung in
for a top 10 finish.
John was riding in the top 10 in his field and also struggled with the
altitude. The trecherous terrain on the mountain did him in, though,
and he limped back to the finish with his derailleur torn off.
We’ll be back fighting again, for sure. Next year Nationals will be in
Bend, OR at a more moderate altitude. And I will be there gunning for
a good result.
Results:
Gary Douville – 8th Cat 1 35-39
John Biron — 15th Cat 1 50-54
Platinum heads to the far North….
Downieville Classic, Downieville Ca 7/10/10
written by Platinum rider Todd Booth
The Downieville Classic cross country race is one of the last remaining point-to-point bicycle races in the United States. The 29 mile course follows a rugged “Gold Rush” era route that departs the mountain town of Sierra City (elevation 4,100′), climbs to the crest of the Sierra Nevada (elevation 7,100′), and then plunges 5,200 vertical feet into downtown Downieville. A golden pathway, selected as a tribute to the mountains, the rivers, the big trees and the fresh mountain air. And to the hard men that carved these trails through the river canyons in search of gold and prosperity.
The adventure begins with an 8 mile, 3,000′ climb up the face of the Sierra Buttes, a metamorphic crown that stretches 8,600′ towards the wide-open sky. This legendary climb is known to many as the “Trail of Tears”. It starts with pavement, turns to dirt, and then gradually steepens and narrows to a loose, exposed, shaly double track. We try to make things more comfortable by providing an overhead water mister at the 2 mile point, and Clif Bar supported aid stations at the 4 and 7 mile markers.
After cresting the saddle, the route follows a rolling jeep road to the east rim of Gold Valley and the top of “Baby Heads” – a fast, loose, rocky descent that is responsible for numerous flat tires, get-offs and lead changes. At the bottom of this anarchy awaits Gold Valley and the Pauley Creek crossing. This 30′ wide crossing can be as deep as 3′ during the race, often making it difficult to navigate across at high-speed.
Once across, the route turns to single-track on the Pauley Creek Trail, a 17 mile creek side plunge that blends flowing turns and rolling jumps with jagged rocks and slippery roots. After descending 2,000′ and crossing three foot-bridges, the trail climbs from the Pauley Creek Canyon to the Lavezzola Creek Canyon, and to the trail-head of the world famous Third Divide Trail. Third Divide is known for it’s Star Wars like speeds, magic carpet tread, bermed corners and lofty airs.
After a thrilling 3 miles, Third Divide Trail dumps out onto Lavezzola Road, which descends to the upper First Divide trail, a 150 year-old water flume built to provide water to a nearby hydraulic mining site. This stretch of trail requires a ton of pedaling as it winds its way downstream through the Lavezzola Creek Canyon, across a saddle, and into the Pauley Creek Canyon to the long awaited streets of downtown Downieville for the finish.
(The course description is by the Downieville Classic Race organization)
With that said…here’s my interpretation of the race. In many ways you could call this “Hell of the North”. This was one of the toughest courses I’ve raced on in twenty years, but very enjoyable. The Northern California style of racing is mass starts…which means all the Pro’s and Cat 1’s start together. With a total of 800 racers chomping at the bit to get a good start it was a lung burning pace from the gun. We started on a steep road climb that turned into a very long (8 mile) fire-road grunt that only became steeper and looser as you made your way to the top. Did I mention that it topped out at 8,000 plus feet! This is Nor-Cal style…no leg markings and no divided age categories which made it impossible to know who you are racing against. I did see the familiar studs of my age group Chuck Ross, Don Myrah, and Guy Sutton. My brother, Ryan was the defending “All Mtn Champion” the last two years and he knew the course like the back of his hand. In fact, he was smoking me on the downhill the day before in practice. So getting to the top in front of Ryan and in sight of the other three was my plan. That plan blew after the first mile or so. The altitude drained me from the day before and I was left with a feeling of no energy…I was spent and I had a long climb ahead. I was in survival mode and had no idea where the climb ended. This was my first time here and I pre-rode the descent but never the climb. Ryan climbed conservatively knowing that he would make up his time on the descent. I struggled just behind Ryan and teammate Bob Nisbet.
Knowing that the course was 29 miles long and anything could happen I didn’t give up. In fact, before the race I was very concerned that I was under prepared. This downhill was like no other that I have raced on before. With 16 miles of technical, fast, rocky and tricky cliff dropping single-track..my main goal was to not break my bike, get a flat and stay upright. I love technically challenging courses, but this was a handful especially on a XC bike. Almost all of the riders were on large dual suspension bikes. The prior day I saw two downhill bikes with broken frames!!! These bikes are built to blast down the hill. I was also surprised over how many Nor-Cal riders could fly down the very tricky descents. I was tasting a lot of dust this weekend.
Once I reached the top I knew I had nothing to loose..just go as fast as possible! I caught Bob on the top of the first single-track section and that gave me some motivation. I knew that at least fifty riders (all classes included) were ahead of me. I was riding a very smooth race having only a handful of riders passing me on the way down and I passing over twenty riders as well. The descent is deceiving, there is 1000′ of climbing over the 16 miles. Mixed into the “white-knuckle” thrill ride was little punchy climbs and cold water crossings that sapped any left over energy from your legs. Just passed the halfway point on the descent I saw my brother Ryan pulled over on the side of the trail with a sidewall tear. That dropped all aspirations of his chances of a third straight title. The last part of the course everyone is in survival mode. Fatigue and cramping become very common, especially if you don’t get enough fluids down. The race finishes off on just under a mile long road leg with a short punchy climb just before the finish. I was racing three riders through that section and won the sprint. That was the only time I though my 29er came in handy throughout the entire race. Don’t get me wrong, my 29er is the best race bike out there but for this race the Specialized S-Works 5 inch travel Stumpjumper took top podium. To my surprise, I ended up 3rd in the XC race and 8th in the combined XC and All Mtn (with 80 riders). This is one race every mountain biker must do at least once. For the guys from So-Cal, the 9 hour drive is part of the journey. I had a great time with my teammates Terry Dalh, John Reveles, Andy Osburn, Bob Nisbet and brother Ryan.
Results:
Todd Booth 3rd Cat 1 XC 35-44
Bob Nisbet 8th Cat 1 XC 45+ (Tire Flat)
Andy Osburn 9th Cat 1 XC 45+
John Reveles 18th Cat 2 XC 35-44
Ryan Booth 24th Cat 1 XC 35-44 (Tire Flat) …… 5th Cat 1 35-44 DH
2010 Downieville Classic images….
Beautiful scenery…..
Pre-ride meeting
Post race celebration
Home sweet home!!!
River jump contest
- 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
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