the devil wears bacon

You'll have to wake up pretty early to see swiggboss on the podium, only missing the top step by one point. Nice way to end an unusually good season in the 45-B group. The seldom beaten Frank Cuaresma on the top step of the 55 plus group.

Don't blink.....you'll miss baby Snead's foray into the world of single speeding via Stella's bike. Josh pretty much made all the rest of the single speeders chase for the full hour. Not only was Josh on the single, Loren kept it kosher even though it was the day after the sabbath. This was not an easy course to navigate with one gear but three of the team did it with some really good results.

Scott rode a fierce race to retain the lead he had gotten at the start of the series. He battled Justin Robinson for the full hour with Alex Work not far behind.

Brett Lambert won his division with a consistant display of power in the four race series.

Swiggboss in the last turn of the last race of the season . It wasn't the best day but it wasn't the worst.

A.K. overcame a slow start to make his way through the elite field to finish 5th on the day.

The elite mens podium , Justin flanked by Alex and Scott.

The overall mens elite podium with Scott and Alex on the top two steps.

Stella won the day and finished econd overall in spite of only competing in three of the elite womens races. This day she rode away from the field on her single speed.

Don't you wish you were rolling with these ?

Prototype Le Joe shoes, a melding of italian sole and Adidas La Crosse uppers to form a not yet seen styish shoe with which to trod upon both pedal and turf. I'll be wearing these on the podium if I make it. Know that you are seeing the new revolution in cyclocross footwear. Scientifically unproven, risky and oh, so shiny-maybe they'll work, maybe they'll put you on your ass in short order.....it's the suspense that creates the thrill. Almost better than bacon ? The jury is still out but if the shoe don't fit, we must aquit.

Funny hats and warm temperatures

The team now contains three Santa Cruz county champions: Brett Lambert, the cream rises to the top. Stella Carey, the legacy continues....and .....Swiggboss ? -the fast guys that showed up live over the hill.......boo ya ! Brett and Stella won their respective races, I got 4th. Scott Calley raced to a respectable 4th place in the 35 B group. Stella went full-masochist and rode the single speed race after her dominating win in the womens elite race.

Here I am getting my funny hat that signifies the " Champion of Santa Cruz Co. according to Dave Gill"

Stella on the top step and I have lost the count this season.

Cloes-up of the funny hat...we also got a beer. It's how they do it in these parts.

Next season we will have a 55 plus rider, my old friend Brent Harris. Brent and I worked together at the Bicycle Center in 1978.....back when cyclocross was about 12 people getting together in the woods for a race.

Here's Alex work pulling off an incredible 2nd place in the mens elite race. Alex dogged Justin Robinson for most of the race and finished well ahead of the rest of the deepest field of the day. I vote for Alex to be considered the most improved rider of 2008.

Be sure and check the Peak Season site for all the other placings. Aaron Kereluk, Scott Chapin and Dean Poshard filled out the rest of the elite field.

Podium-itis at the CCCX final

This team really couldn't stay off the podium today at the CCCX final in Fort Ord. Odell doing his usual no-running barrier-hopping brand of racing. Courtnet Claussen rode his new bike for the first time and won on the day, retaining his second place in the overall in the 35 B group......looks like it's time for an upgrade!

Yours truly didn't feel great at the start but the race isn't won there. I managed to beat the two guys I neede to to climb to 3rd overall for the series......pretty much a miracle.I dedicate this season to all those hopeless backrunners like myself who once in awhile break through to get on the plywood.

Billy Hall pretty much dominated the class B single speeds from the beginning of the season and coasted to an overall win in that class.

Stella didn't bother with the podium as there was a single speed A race to contest so this will be your Stella photo for the day. Stella would have been on the top step in the Women's elite group for the series and second on the day.

Brett Lambert overcame a rolled tire to stay on the podium in second place in the 45 A catagory. If not for a couple of mechanicals during the season Brett would have been untouchable in this class.

As usual, the Cal Giant strawberrys made it a tough race but our team got most of the remaining placings in the top-10 on the day. Josh Snead,Scott Chapin , Aaron Odell and Alex Work got the top 4 spots on the podium for the overall and put in a good performance on the day with Scott getting 3rd, Alex 4th, Josh 5th and Aaron 6th. A.K. represented and was not far back. Dean,Max Clifford and Loren Soltes all raced in the Elites.....we had the largest percentage of riders in that class.

Here's the elite Mens podium-the result of 7 races spread over the season. Job well done. Check the CCCX website for the fine print as Sean Coffey ( single speed A) and Frank Kalcic, barbeque master extrodinaire ( Mens 45 A) Joh,n Fritz ( Mens 45 B) and Alan Bennett (Mens 35 B)also raced.

NCNCA cup final

Courtney on the podium with a beer to celebrate in the 35 B group.

Here's the mens A field into the first corner......kind of reminds one of Paris-Roubaix.

Dave Gill standing in for the winner on the day, Todd Hoefer.
Brett Lambert in full flight on his way to taking the overall in the NCNCA series, no easy task in the 45 + A catagory.

Frank Kalcic in the 45 + A group as well.

Stella winning the overall in the womens elite NCNCA cup...........a tremendous acheivement.

Stella and Sarah keeping tabs on Karen Brems. They would outdistance Stella's nearest competitor in the NCNCA cup points and the rest of the elite field as well.

Scott Chapin earning the top spot on the NCNCA cup podium-a great finish in his first season as an elite.

Check the Peak Season website : cyclocross.cx for the on the day placings. Considering how few of the team showed up for this event we certainly put our stamp on it.