Peak Season # 1

To dream the impossible dream.......yeah, I know it's corny but this day was really unique as me, the hopeless cyclocross clutz had the perfect day and won the 45 B catagory race with team mate John Fritz coming in 9th. Better look now-it's not likely to ever happen again ! What will happen again is the team's dominance of the local scene, even in the last few weeks of the season. With much of the squad staying home on the cloudy,rainy day Scott and Alex still put on a clinic going 1&2 distancing themselves in the first lap from the field never to be caught. The field was led and energetically tortured by A.K. who almost got third, being narrowly outsprinted by former multiple national champ Don Myrah. Dean Poshard returned to racing after injury and held on for 13th place. Stella went for the single speed race and finished 7th, beating a few of the area's gearless greats. Courtney and Scott held up top ten finishes in the 35 B group going 4th and 8th ,with our mechanic on his day off racing for the first time in how many years ? Ryan finished his 4 laps in 24th. Brett Lambert overcame a slow start to make his way to the front in the 45 A group but was outpowered at the line by an on form Norm Kreiss. Frank Kalcic raced in a blinding fast 35 A group to finish 14th. All in all , it was a good day for the team and the first really rainy race of the season....at least for the A's and single speeds.

CCCX #6 Ft. Ord.

On a cloudy rainy day at the campground course the team brought 14 riders......when the day was done 9 of the team had medals and several series leads were concolodated. I get the feeling that this team is running the show at CCCX for the most part, even with many of our folks opting out of these late season events. There were great battles all day starting with Brett Lambert and Mark Abele in the 45 A group, Stella Carey and Karen Brems in the womens elite, Sean Coffey and Erik Thunstrom in the single speeds and the inter team drag race between Josh Snead and Aaron Odell. One of the best rides of the day was Alex Work who sailed the barriers and rode to a solid 4th in the mens elite, well clear of any challengers. Scott Chapin rode to third , solidifying his current lead in the overall and guarantee of no worse than second at the end of the series. Josh's win was # 9 for the season and Odell's second place will vault him onto a podium spot at the end of what has been a difficult season. Scott Calley, Courtney Grossman and Billy hall all got on the podium and two of the three are leading thier respective catagories. With a 5th place, the swiggboss might get that elusive GC podium afterall.........you never know. Stella Carey looks to have an unassailable lead in the womens elite . It ain't over 'till its over but it might be over for some of the other teams already.

Seeing Stars

Sarah Kerlin: Rock Lobster's own brand new Womens Masters 35-39 National Champion!
More news, stories and pictures from nationals as soon as a better internet connection is aquired.

Pilarcitos final

Yeah, I got to hang with Santa....not some fake Santa but a real fake Santa. The next morning the cold gloomy skies of Coyote point hosted the Pilarcitos final and a chance for the team to put its stamp on the bay area 'cross scene one more time. First on the podium was Scott Cally, 5th in the 45 B catagory. Second was Brett Lambert, almost taking out the overall in the series in the 45 A group. Next was the trio of Josh Snead, Aaron Odell and Scott Chapin in the mens elite going 1,2,3 on the day and in the series as well. Josh didn't need to finish better than 10th on the day but went out hard and soloed to an impressive victory. Alex Work did well to finish 7th on the day and stay in the money. Aaron Kereluk was slowed by a destroyed rear tire but still had enough points to be in the money and make the photo group. In the womens elite race Stella fought to try to take the overall lead back from Kathleen Hannon but it was Kathleen's day as she had her best race of the year. Stella was still very strong finishing 3rd on the day, 2nd in the series and holding off Sarah Bamburger to keep her place on the G.C. . Courtney Grossman kept his top 10 position in the G.C. finishing 7th on the day. The team cookies from Lisa were gone before the end of the event and the stoly on ice nearly won us the team prize.

Pilarcitos in S.F.

This was a special weekend, Golden Gate park and a visit from the founding father of the team, Simon Vickers. Simon isn't riding as much but he still managed to be near the front for an hour in the single speed A group spending much of the race with Sean Coffey.

Aaron Odell, Scott Chapin and series leader Josh Snead looked to be in control of the mens A field until some jittery joe guy came blasting by. I haven't heard the name Chris Jones but I guess he's on of the top riders in the U.S. . Once Jones was off the front it was our team and Justin Robinson chasing. A crash and a bike change took Josh back a ways but he roder up to finish 6th and protected his lead in the series finishing behind Scott in 5th who rode a solid race. Aaron Odell battled Robinson fiercely but as the two wound through traffic Justin got away for the 2nd while Odell got the bronze medal and continued his ascent in the overall. Alex Work and Aaron Kereluk were in the top 20 , Alex having numerous bike issues along the way.In the women's A field Sarah got a good start and immediately put the pressure on the local field. Stella got held up at the first turn and had to battle through much of the field to place 4th ahead of series leader Sarah Bamburger. Only Kathleen Hannon stands between Stella and the final Red jersey. In the masters 35 A race we had Matt Jordan, Frank Kalcic, Evan Adams and Tim Watson. Tim rode a solid race to finish in the top 20 and Frank had one of his best finishes since moving up from the B's. Brett Lambert showed real power riding at the front in the 45 A group, eventually finishing 3rd . Tom Fox was not too far behind.Scott Calley and I had a large field in the 45 B group to deal with but we both got in the top 20. Courtney Grossman did the same in the 35 B group.