Showing posts with label Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Sea Otter Classic 2011 - 3 photos of cycling studs off their bikes!

Ben Jacques-Maynes, road pro – Team Bissell
Cam McCaul, freeride pro - Trek Bicycles
Lorri Lee Lown – Sea Otter Ladies Activities Coordinator
Katie Compton, XC pro – Giant/Rabobank
Jeff Frost, Sea Otter Classic – Director of Athlete Services
Eric Carter, athlete ambassador and former World Champion, GT Bicycles
Matt Thompson, Momentum Trail Concepts – DH course upgrade contractor
Jasen Thorpe, press conference moderator, Thorpe Media (Not pictured)

Ben Jacques-Maynes of Team Bissell had just crossed the finish line of his criterium road race, Thursday, April 14, right before attending this press conference to answer our questions.

Cam McCaul, left, is world famous for his bicycle stunts and lives in my town, Santa Cruz. I told his girlfriend, right, it would make me nervous to see him flying into the air, but she said she's gotten used to it!

Speaking of Cam McCaul here's a story about him in the Santa Cruz Sentinel newspaper:

Sea Otter Classic: Aptos pro rider McCaul places second in new, speed and style driven race

By JULIE JAG - jjag@santacruzsetinel.com

Posted: 04/17/2011 01:30:04 AM PDT

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Sea Otter Classic Bike Festival: Bad News, Good News & Wise Friends

The 2010 Sea Otter Classic wrapped up its 20th anniversary one week ago today in Laguna Seca Recreation Area in Monterey, California. On Saturday, April 17, I raced the cross country mountain bike event, a very hilly loop of 20 miles, in the women's sport class. Here's my previous post on other fun stuff at the event.

THE BAD NEWS: I came in 22nd out of 24 in my age group. That's the slowest time ever for me at that race. I struggled during the race with feeling bad about my lack of fitness. I battled, not with other racers, in this case, but with my own effort to stay positive and enjoy the strength of my body and the beauty of the spring days and wildflowers. I realized that this is my top priority - mental training! In the end, it's what really matters to me. And I have great friends whose words of wisdom help keep me focused! See below.

THE GOOD NEWS: Mental training is key, but I want a stronger body, too. So, thanks to my result at Sea Otter, I have also been inspired to build my endurance and strength. I have enjoyed four daily rides in a row, all with friends - three mountain bike rides, Thursday through Saturday. Then today, to top it off, I got out the road bike and toodled up the scenic Highway 1 to Davenport.

On Apr 19, 2010, at 11:43 AM
Andrew Murray wrote:
"Ya know, you showed a lot of guts and heart out there on Saturday. I know how sick you were earlier and how little training you got in before SOC. That’s a tough ride to jump into."

On Apr 18, 2010, at 5:20 PM
Jim Langley commented:

"It was nice seeing you down there and I'm impressed that you're such an accomplished racer. Don't take any guff from those wannabes. Keep getting out there and having fun. That's what it's all about."

On Apr 18, 2010, at 10:41 PM
Henrietta Stern wrote:
"That sense of personal pride for hanging in there and doing your best when bailing would have been so easy is "winning" just as much as coming in first place-- You rock!"