2011 saw us sprinting out of the gates. By the end of April we had already tallied 33 top 10 places in road and mountain bike events with the highlights being:

- Jonathan Lee’s 1st place in Valley of the Sun’s (Phoenix, AZ) Stage 1 of the Elite Men’s Cat 2 Race

- Twyla Robert’s 1st place finish in the Beginner Women’s class at Boggs 8 hr MTB race

- And the start of Jenny Gott and Kashy Ghazzagh’s impressive seasons with 2nd and 1st place podium finishes (respectively) at the Bicycle Plus Early Bird Criterium.

As the season progressed, we managed to stay in stride with 65 more top 10 finishes (28 of them podiums) by the time summer came to a close at the end of July. Perhaps more astounding was the emergence of a strong group of Cat 4 women racers from within the Club Women’s team. They took the racing scene by storm proudly displaying their team and sponsors on the podium all over Northern California and in Wyoming and Idaho!

By the time the last race was completed, Red Peloton tallied a total of 70+ podium finishes and another 100+ top 10 finishes (4th – 10th place). That includes:

- Keith Flood’s overall win in the NorCal MTB series

- Shannon Mitchell’s 1st place in the Dunnigan Hills Cat 4 Women’s Race

- Nina Strika’s 2nd place finish at the Esparto Time Trial in the Women’s 1,2,3 race

- Lauren Rignel’s overall 2nd place finish (women’s Cat 4) at the Folsom Cyclebration Omnium, and Kashy Ghazzagh’s overall 1st place finish in the Men’s Cat 3 field at the same Omnium.

That is nothing short of outstanding given the field sizes and competition! But all of the victories aside, the greater outcome is the fact that all of this was completed while maintaining a great core of philanthropy and support for our local community charitable events.

Although being successful on the bike is important, it comes second to what we strive to do as an organization: give back to a community that gives us so much. In 2011 we proudly supported many events and organizations that are important to the community as a whole. That includes:

- $1000 donation to Bike Monkey for their Annadel fundraiser
- $2000 + volunteers to the Tour De Fuzz which supports the Sonoma County Chaplaincy
- $1000 to Santa Rosa’s chapter of Bikes for Humanity
- $500 + event participants to support Sutter’s Cat Walk for a Cure (fundraiser for Breast Cancer research & Services) which raised a total of $250,000 for their cause
- $500 sponsorship as well as volunteers for CX Nation/Bike Monkey Santa Rosa Cup cyclocross series
- And The coordination and staffing of Levis Gran Fondo On-Bike Course Marshals

Add in mentoring the new riders and juniors at the local TNT crit races, our volunteer support for the Tour d Organics and our holiday donations (by bike!) of food to Redwood Gospel Mission and toys for Toys for Kids drive this December, and you get an idea as to how much we gladly give back to our community. We’re proud to be a team that gives back in this way and we were glad that you could be a part of it all with us.

As we move into 2012, we hope you and yours all have a wonderful holiday season and we look forward to even greater successes both on and off the bike!

WHEN: Saturday, December 10th at 3 PM

WHERE: Starting at NorCal Bike Sport

WHAT:
Come join us for our annual Holiday charity event that is perfect for the whole family!

• We ask that each of you drop off a few unwrapped toys and non perishable food items at NorCal between now and Dec 10th.
• Then come ride over and join us with your backpacks, panniers, trailers, and jersey pockets ready to pack and ride to deliver it all. We will load everyone up with unwrapped toys and non-perishable foods. We will then ride over to Redwood Gospel Mission and drop off the food and then over to the downtown fire station and drop of the toys for their Bike Elves and Toys for Kids programs. Families and children are very welcome!
• We NEED food, toys AND riders for this event!!!

WHAT’S NEXT?: Help us spread the word and get food and toys to NorCal before the 10th. Let’s overload ourselves with deliveries again this year. Can’t join us but still want to participate? Contact us and we’ll figure something out.

We look forward to seeing you and your families soon!

While we are not perfect, we are working hard to try and bridge the gap between cyclists and the community at large. We participate in a number of charitable events that support our local community to show folks that cyclists do care and are involved in things other than riding their bikes. Of equal importance, we also hold various bike clinics to educate other riders in proper riding etiquette. If you would like to join us in these efforts, please contact us.

On the morning following Matt’s passing we held a memorial ride up to the top of Los Alamos. How wonderful it was to see so many of you at NorCal’s door that morning, to ride in remembrance and honor for Matt. There were other pelotons of his people whisking down the Sonoma County roads this day, riding for Matthew Wilson in heart and mind.

We saw a large crew from West County Rev. roll up to join our group. There were Windsor Bike Shop riders there, 2Wheel, Colavita, Boba’s, Echelon, SRCC members there, NorCal folks, Red Peloton folks, even local cycling strongmen like Sterling Magnell and Ted Simpkins rode for Matt.

We asked Shaun Ralston, Garth Powell, Laurel Green, Henry Stroud, Susan Noble, and Parker Neece to lead us up the first part of Los Alamos. They took flight with the notion. The top of Los Alamos that morning was beautiful as always. We laid our respective mementos on the grassy hillside in a spot Henry approved of and took in the sunlight and wind against our sweat-laden bodies.

This would near-perfectly be, the precise way Matt would want us to celebrate him. On his roads, sun, sweat, wind, smiles, commingling… and tears because we miss him. Some of you may have barely known him; some of you were closest friends. And although Matt is loved by many in cycling circles, he wants to be remembered not just as a cyclist but as a person who loves Community, first and foremost.

There is something about Matt though, you always feel like his big brother or sister, or his parent. This will usually last throughout the months/seasons but every so often it will get blurred when he hits you with some of his quirky wit and offbeat humor. It is during these moments, you begin to realize you are in the presence of a superior mind, a greater intellect than yours. And it seems to happen most often when you are about ready to blow sky high on some climb in Sonoma County and Matt will be beside you talking happily at you, and just smiling away.

Matt ALWAYS smiles. Nervously, mischievously, sarcastically, dorkily, joyfully…..always. At the sight of all of you on your bicycles riding to his homage, Matt would have blushed, mumbled something inaudibly towards his handlebars, and then powered away over the far horizon. All the while, a huge smile would break out across his face, as usual.

I recall when we first gave Matt his jersey and shorts to join our team. We sat down with this young exuberant lad. We told him that we were a serious team, filled with serious people, doing serious things. He politely allowed us to pontificate until we felt supremely important. He even nodded and smiled at every uber-critical point we made to him. I know that Matt was overjoyed to receive his Red Peloton kit. It reminds me of when you give a superman costume to a 3 year old boy for his first Halloween.

I am positive that Matt took it straight home and tried it on. I am sure he ran around the house leaping over sofas, bounding up and down stairs, and high-fiving the other furniture. Pausing only when he passed his reflection in windows and mirrors. I am sure he then leapt onto his bike and rode 500 miles around Sonoma County seeking out cyclists in need on HIS back roads. “Don’t worry ma’am, Red Peloton is at your service!”

It is good to take the time to miss Matthew. To comfort those closest to him who miss him the most. But do not linger upon grieving for Matt. There are some who live until they are 103 and have experienced far less joy and camaraderie. There are sadly those that have few to count as their good friends. There are many that don’t know the sublime beauty of the sunrise over Sugarloaf State Park. Or the fulfillment in helping your friends tackle their goals.

Matt had all of these things in spades, and much more. It is ok to miss Matt. But do not grieve for Matt. Matt is ahead of us all in the most important of events. Matt is leading us in the most mysterious of races. Matt has embarked on the next stage of his Grand Adventure. There are some that have lamented what they consider a cruel irony that Friday was Matt’s birthday. Do not waste a moment on that. Matt wouldn’t want you to. When I embark on the next stage of my journey, I think I’d like for it to be on my birthday, where I first begin.

Matt believes in a Higher Power, a Higher Calling, as do I and a lot of you. Matt is smiling down on us now, I suspect surrounded by a harem of hot women all of whom are far wittier, quirkier, dorkier, and sillier than he is. Perhaps feeding him grapes while he tries to explain something while mumbling bashfully …and smiling away. I’m sure he would have something witty to say to get us all laughing right now…I won’t try to compete and risk falling far short. You were resplendent in his honor these past days. He is most definitely smiling now. His smile is bigger than the sky over Los Alamos.

Please feel free to share your memories & thoughts in the comments section below…

Needless to say, Red Peloton is proud of all our racers! A big thank you to ALL of our team members, sponsors and supporters for making this a wonderful 2011 season and we are looking forward to an even more successful 2012!

+ 2011 TOP 10 RACING RESULTS +

Bay Area Women’s Cycling Series
Martha Bellisle, 1st Place, Masters division

NorCal MTB Championship Series, Weaverville, CA – October 22, 2011
Keith Flood Sport Singlespeed, 1st Place Overall

Lagrange Fall Classic, Weaverville, CA – October 22, 2011
Keith Flood Sport Singlespeed, 1st Place

Whiskeytown Classic MTB XC, Whiskytown, CA – Sept. 25, 2011
Keith Flood, 1st place, Men SS Sport

Folsom Cyclebration Omnium, Folsom, CA – Sept. 17-18, 2011
Kashy Ghazzagh, Men Cat 3 – 7th in ITT, 4th in Crit, 8th in RR = finished 1st overall
Dan Boyle, Men Cat 3 – 31 in ITT, 1st in Crit, 5th in RR = finished 5th overall
Nick McGowan, Men Cat 4 – 18th in ITT, 5th in Crit, 5th in RR = finished 5th overall
Nina Strika, Wm Cat 1,2,3 – 3rd in ITT, 14th in Crit, 6th in RR = finished 3rd overall
Lauren Rignel, Wm Cat 4 – 4th in ITT, 7th in Crit, 1st in RR = finished 2nd overall
Shannon Mitchell, Wm Cat 4 – 10th in ITT, 21st in Crit, 8th in RR = finished 8th overall
Jennifer Kruger, Wm Cat 4 – 9th in ITT, 19th in Crit, 14th in RR = finished 10th overall
Jonathan Lee, Men Pro,1,2 – 8th in ITT, 10th in RR (11th overall)
Kelli Badillo, Wm Cat 4 – 6th in ITT (11th overall)
Laurie Peterson, Wm 35+ – 4th in ITT (5th overall)
Anette Niewald, Wm 35+ – 5th in ITT (6th overall)

Sacramento Grand Prix, Sacramento, CA – Sept. 10, 2011
Kashy Ghazzagh, 7th place, Men 35+ 3,4

Esparto Time Trial, Esparto, CA – Sept. 4, 2011
Jonathan Lee, 1st place, 35+ 1,2,3
Nina Strika, 2nd place, Wm 1,2,3
John Witkowicki, 5th place, Men 45+
Royce Fraley, 6th place, Men 45+
Lauren Rignel, 6th place, Wm Cat 4
Laurie Peterson, 10th place, Wm Cat 4

Central Coast Circuit Race, Monterey, CA – Sept. 3, 2011
Martha Bellisle, 4th place, Wm 35+

Vacaville Gran Prix, Vacaville, CA – Aug. 28, 2011
Nick McGowan, 5th place, Men Cat 4

Winters Road Race, Winters, CA – Aug. 27, 2011
Martha Bellisle, 5th place, Wm’s 30+

Dunnigan Hills Road Race, Yolo, CA – Aug. 13, 2011
Shannon Mitchell, 1st place, Wm’s Cat 4
Lauren Rignel, 3rd place, Wm’s Cat 4
Jennifer Kruger, 4th place, Wm’s Cat 4
Kelli Badillo, 9th place, Wm’s Cat 4

Patterson Pass Road Race, Tracy, CA – Aug. 7, 2011
Shannon Mitchell, 5th place, Wm Cat 4

Fast and Furious Criterium, Pleasanton, CA – Aug. 7, 2011
Jennifer Kruger, 2nd place, Wm Cat 4

Howell Mtn Challenge XC MTB, Angwin, CA – Aug. 7, 2011
Keith Flood, 6th place, Men SS Sport

Foothill College Circuit Race, Los Altos, CA – July 31, 2011
Kashy Ghazagh, 5th place, Men Cat 3

2 Wheel Cycling and Early Bird Criterium, Rohnert Park, CA – July 24, 2011
Javier Sanchez, 1st place, M 40+, 3,4
Kashy Ghazzagh, 4th place, M 40+ 3,4
Royce Fraley, 6th place, M 40+ 3,4
Nick McGowan, 2nd place, Cat 4
Matt Abbott, 8th place, Cat 3
Jennifer Kruger, 2nd place, Wm’s Cat 4
Martha Bellisle, 6th place, Wm’s 35+ 1,2,3

Berkeley Criterium, Berkeley, CA – July 17, 2011
Mike Charleton, 6th place, 35+ 1/2/3
Stephanie Buckner, 4th place, Wm’s Cat 4

Colavita Criterium, Novato, CA – July 16, 2011
Jonathan Lee, 3rd place, M’s 35+ 1/2/3
Jonathan Lee, 4th place, M’s 2/3
Jenny Gott, 1st place, Wm’s Cat 3
Shannon Mitchell, 2nd place, Wm’s Cat 4
Kelli Badillo, 6th place, Wm’s Cat 4
Lauren Rignel, 9th place, Wm’s Cat 4
Nina Strika, 4th, Wm’s Cat 1/2/3
Jenny Gott, 7th, Wm’s Cat 1/2/3
Gary Land, 7th place, 35+ 3/4
Nick McGowan, 8th place, Cat 4

San Rafael Twilight Criterium, San Rafael, CA – July 9, 2011
Michael Charleton, 4th place, M’s 35+ 1/2/3
Kashy Ghazzagh, 2nd place, M’s 35+ 3/4
Eric Cinnamon, 9th place, M’s 35+ 3/4

Burlingame Criterium, Burlingame, CA – June 26, 2011
Michael Charleton, 5th place, M’s 35+ 1/2/3

Pescadero Coastal Classic Road Race, Pescadero, CA – June 18, 2011
Craig Fellers, 3rd place, M’s Cat 3

District Time Trial Championships, Sattley, CA – June 12, 2011
Nina Strika, 2nd place, Wm’s 40-44
Laurie Peterson, 5th place, Wm’s 50-54

Benicia Criterium, Benecia, CA – June 12, 2011
Jenny Gott, 1st place, Wm’s Cat 3/4
Jenny Gott, 2nd place, Wm’s 1,2,3
Kashy Ghazzagh, 4th place, 35+ Cat 3/4
Mike Charleton, 5th place, Masters 1,2,3

Joseph Mendes Criterium, Pleasanton, CA – June 11, 2011
Jenny Gott, 1st place, Wm’s Cat 3/4
Jenny Gott, 4th place, Wm’s 1,2,3

Dunlap Memorial Time Trial (ITT and TTT), Davis, CA – June 5th, 2011
Jenny Gott, 1st place, Wm’s Cat 3/4
Nina Strika, 3rd place, Wm’s Pro 1,2
Jonathan Lee, 7th place, Pro 1,2
Matt Abbott, 4th place, Cat 3
Javier Sanchez, 5th place, Cat 3

RP Men (Patrick Zahn, Jonathan Lee, Craig Fellers, Javier Sanchez), 1st place TTT
RP Elite Wm (Jenny Gott, Nina Strika, Soda Sodaro, Martha Bellisle), 1st place Wm’s TTT
RP Club Wm (Lauren Rignel, Kelli Badillo, Jennifer Kruger, Laurie Peterson), 3rd place Wm’s TTT

CCCX Fort Ord XC, Fort Ord, CA – June 5, 2011
Keith Flood, 4th place, Sport Single Speed

Dash for Cash, Pleasanton, CA – June 4, 2011
Craig Fellers, 3rd place, Cat 3
Stephanie Buckner, 5th place, Wm’s Cat 4

Bicycles Plus / Sierra Nevada May Crit, Folsom, CA – May 28, 2011
Lauren Rignel, 6th place, Wm’s Cat 4
Kashy Ghazzagh, 9th place, Masters 30+

Boca Road Race, Reno, NV – May 24, 2011
Martha Bellisle, 1st place, Wm’s C Group (7th overall)

Golden State Circuit Race, Sacramento, CA – May 22, 2011
Shannon Mitchell, 8th place, Wm’s Cat 4

Boggs Bash XC, Angwin, CA – May 21, 2011
Keith Flood, 1st place, Sport Single Speed

Golden State Criterium, Sacramento, CA – May 21, 2011
Shannon Mitchell, 3rd palce, Wm’s Cat 4
Lauren Rignel, 9th place, Wm’s Cat 4
Kashy Ghazzagh, 10th place, Cat 3

Modesto Criterium, Modesto, CA – May 14, 2011
Nick Kersmarki, 1st place, Cat 3
Kashy Ghazzagh, 2nd place, Cat 3

Berkeley Hills RR, Orinda, CA – May 8, 2011
Craig Fellers, 1st place, Cat 3
Nina Strika, 2nd place, Wm’s 35+ 1,2,3
Jenny Gott, 7th place, Wm’s Cat 3
Shannon Mitchell, 8th place, Wm’s Cat 4

Double Dare Duathlon, Asti, CA – May 7, 2011
Jonathan Lee, 1st place (Road edition)

Tri Valley Velo Criterium, Livermore, CA – May 7, 2011
Jennifer Kruger, 7th place, Wm’s 4
Kashy Ghazzagh, 9th place, Cat 3

Wente Criterium, Livermore, CA – May 1, 2011
Craig Feller, 2nd, Cat 3
Kashy Ghazzagh, 3rd, Cat 3

Wente Road Race, Livermore, CA – April 30, 2011
Nina Strika, 9th place, Wm’s 1,2
Martha Bellisle, 10th place, Wm’s 35+ 1,2,3

Menlo Park Grand Prix, Menlo Park, CA – April 23, 2011
Dan Boyle, 1st place, Cat 3
Jenny Gott, 1st Place, Wm’s Cat 3

Chico Stage Race, Chico, CA – April 16-17, 2011
Jenny Gott – Wm’s 1,2,3 – 10th in RR, 7th in TT, 8th in crit; 9th Overall
Jonathan Lee – Pro 1,2, – 4th in TT (17th Overall after all 3 events)

Napa Valley Dirt Classic, Angwin, CA – April 10, 2011
Keith Flood, 3rd in Cat 2/Sport Single Speed

Calaveras Time Trial, Sunol, CA – April 9, 2011
Nina Strika, 2nd in the Women’s Open
Jonathan Lee, 2nd in the Men’s Merckx and 1st in 2-man TTT

Apple Pie Criterium, Santa Rosa, CA – April 3, 2011
Dan Boyle, 1st in Cat 3
Kashy Ghazzagh, 4th in Masters Cat 3/4
Christine “Soda” Sodaro, 4th in Women’s Cat 1,2,3
Jenny Gott, 5th in Women’s Cat 3/4

Boggs 8 Hour Mountain Bike Race, Cobb, CA – April 2, 2011
Keith Flood, 7th in Solo Open Single Speed
Shannon Mitchell, 3rd in 2 Person Women’s
Twyla Robert, 1st in Beginner Women
LeeAnn Pickle, 5th in Beginner Women
Kelli Badillo, 7th in Beginner Women

Bariani Road Race, Knights Landing, CA – March 27, 2011
Nina Strika, 3rd in Women’s Pro 1,2,3
Nick Kersmarki, 8th in Cat 3
Kashy Ghazzagh, 10th in Cat 3
Scott Orton, 4th in Cat 5

Land Park Criterium, Sacramento, CA – March 26, 2011
Jonathan Lee, 1st in 30+ 1,2,3
Kashy Ghazzagh, 8th in Cat 3

Madera Stage Race, Madera, CA – March 11-13, 2011
Jennifer Gott, Women’s Cat 3 – 6th in TT, 2nd in crit, 20 in RR = finished 5th overall
Jonathan Lee, 35+ 1,2,3 – 4th in TT, 21 in crit, 10 in RR = finished 9th overall
Nick Kersmarki, Cat 3 – 14th in TT, 44 in crit, 22 in RR = finished 9th overall
Dan Boyle, Cat 3 – 1st in Crit

Merco Cycling Classic, Merced, CA – March 4-6, 2011
Matt Abbott, 9th place Stage 1 ITT Elite Men’s 3/4/5

Fort Ross Grasshopper, Occidental, CA – February 19, 2011
Jonathan Lee, 7th place

Bicycle Plus Early Bird Criterium, Folsom, CA – February 13, 2011
Jennifer Gott, 2nd place in Women’s Cat 4
Kashy Ghazzagh, 1st place in Masters 35+ Cat 3/4

Valley of the Sun Stage Race, Phoenix, AZ – February 11-13, 2011
Jonathan Lee, 1st place Stage 1 ITT Elite Men’s Cat 2

On Saturday, September 10th, several club & team members gathered atop the first peak of The Geysers to man The Red Peloton staffed rest stop in the 2nd annual Tour de Fuzz. As noted in an earlier announcement, The Tour de Fuzz is but one of the growing number of cycling events taking place here in Santa Rosa and is a fundraiser for the Law Enforcement Chaplaincy Program of Sonoma County.

Of the handful of routes on offer that day, the 100 miler was the only one to traverse The Geysers. If ever you’ve ridden The Geysers in their entirety you know what that means and if you haven’t well, you really should. The Geysers serve up some of the most difficult and desolate riding that Sonoma County cycling has to offer. Case in point: though temperatures were quite cool in the valley below, up top it was downright hot with temperatures having already reached the low 80′s by the time we arrived to volunteer at the rest stop at 8:30 in the a.m. Thankfully The Sonoma County Sherriff’s Department thought good to cool everyone off by sending one of their two helicopters up to the top to cool everyone off, if only for a moment. Thanks, guys.:)

Of the near 500 riders registered for The Tour de Fuzz, 140 were signed up for the 100 mile ride, with the first pulling through a little after 9:00 am followed by a steady stream of riders that trickled in until the last rider left the rest stop at 11:30 am. For those of us who regularly ride in local events it was a treat to be on the other side of the ride for a change, assisting winded riders as they crested the climb. Parking bikes, refilling water bottles, advising riders of conditions on the road ahead and a the occasional ill-timed joke were but a few of the amenities provided at The Red Peloton rest stop.

A few select riders were even treated to the support of a couple of roadside cycling fanatics in the form of Jonathan Lee & Nick McGowan, who ran alongside them wildly waving their tee-shirts and shouting in enthusiastic encouragement at the top of their lungs. We still haven’t heard tell whether or not this helped or hindered riders in their completion of The Tour de Fuzz, but of one thing we’re certain: a good time was had by one and all who volunteered their time in support of a great cause and we’re looking very much forward to doing so again at future such events.

100m (includes Geysers)($65)/100k ($55)/50K ($45) distances. Law Enforcement demos, live music, huge gourmet burrito meal, open wine bar, $1 beers, real showers, olympic swim pool, bike valet, and much more. Please go to www.tourdefuzz.org for more details and to register.

The Law Enforcement chaplaincy is a non-profit organization whose mission is to respond to requests from law enforcement and provide immediate emotional support and follow up care to them and to the members of our community who have suffered tragedy and loss. They are an interfaith community of compassionate volunteers without religious, political, or legal agendas, who work closely with local law enforcement. It’s a model program that’s making a huge difference here in Sonoma County. Please go to the Chaplaincy’s website to watch their three-minute video “Being There”. Join with local law enforcement on this fun ride, and let’s work together to support a great cause.

Here is summary of my Masters 1/2/3 race in Burlingame. This is always a fun race for me because I raced for about 5 years as a Cat 2 with Penn Velo and this is their annual event. The course is flat and fast with 4 90 degree turns and a long sweeping right turn into the final 200 yards of the downtown finish. There is always a big crowd of spectators and a strong field of riders.

This year was no exception with a talented field of about 95 riders. I was hoping to do well this year with my fitness in pretty good form and I had good preparation leading up to race day. At the line there were a number of teams that had shown up with three riders with the Safeway squad appearing to have four or more. The announcer kept firing off names of riders to look for that had significant accomplishments over the recent years and others that were riding well this year as well as those signed up for the P/1/2 race after our event. It was nice to have local racer from Colavita, Michael Boehme line up behind me.

Any pre-race nerves disappeared as the gun went off and we filed into the first turn with 4 riders abreast. As speed increased, I felt comfortable in the pack not needing to exert too much effort. The nice thing about racing in this category is that most all riders have a good amount of experience and are good bike handlers. So, a couple times as things slowed into the turns and the field condensed, no one got too excited about bumping shoulders or elbows.

I was able to maintain good position in the top 1/3 most of the race. I watched small breaks launch off the front but nothing looked too threatening. I did bridge to one break that looked promising that was caught after a lap or so. When we saw 8 laps to go I believed the majority of the field was content to let it go to a field sprint. This was good news as this is where I can excel exploiting the efforts of the other teams for my benefit. With 4 laps remaining, it was go time! As with many crits, if you get shuffled back into the field with just a couple laps remaining, your race is done. I fought for good position with 2 and 3 laps to go. A couple times 5 or 6 riders surged around my outside and I found myself boxed in. My training and racing paid off when small gaps to side opened up and I could put myself in the wind and quickly get back into top 7-8 position.

With good position and ¾ lap to go the sprinting began. The team lead outs fired off and it was everyone for themselves. A train of 2 in front of me launched. I immediately reacted. Hesitate here and again, your race is done. With 4 or 5 riders in front of us I knew it was going to be a tight finish for the paying top 8 spots. We went flying on the inside of the sweeping turn. I waited till the last 75 yards then flipped the nitro switch. I headed for the right side gutter. With 50 yards to go, I was starting to come around the guy in front of me when he came a bit right trying to come around the guy in front of him. As the road funneled a bit and not much room between me and the snow fencing I held my line. As we bounced off each others shoulders 3 times in full sprint, I leaned left to keep our handlebars from getting tangled. I know I had him at the finish but wasn’t sure who was further to the left so I threw my bike at the line just in case.

When it was all sorted out, it was good for a fifth place finish. A podium top 3 would have been nice, but that is what keeps me coming back year after year. There always seems to be room for improvement. It was a fun, fast race with good energy from the crowd. My hope is that the workout from Burlingame and the subsequent two weeks of training will “sharpen the saw” enough to put me on the podium at San Rafael. See you at the races.

Piggybacking on the efforts spearheaded by Bike Monkey, LLC through their Annadel XC event, Red Peloton donated $1000.00 to Bike Monkey with the written intent that “…the full amount be donated to Annadel State Park to keep the park open for all users or/and cycling related causes that benefit the park.” It was a donation worthy enough to earn some Twitter love from the Bike Monkey crew:

“@BikeMonkey: HUGE thanks 2 The Red Peloton! They just donated $1000 to Annadel fundraising. Tell ‘em you love ‘em when they pass you.”

In the end, Red Peloton is very excited to give back to our community in this way. Although we may be a cycling club, we truly believe that helping to build a better community as a whole is vital to our well being because it garners respect and understanding between cyclists, pedestrians, and everyone who must share our roads and trails.

Carlos Perez (right) of Bike Monkey receives the $1,000 donation from Red Peloton.