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The sounds of bells were jingle-ing, ring ting tingle-ing throughout historic Griffith Park the weekend before Christmas. They weren’t sleigh bells, however. Probably to the dismay of the homeowners nearby, it was cowbells echoing around this genteel neighborhood near the Greek Theatre, Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory.
This was the third year in a row that Los Angeles has opened its arms to cyclocross at this venue, helping to create a stronger cycling culture and a better means of two-wheeled transportation and recreation in America’s second-largest city. SoCalCross is proud to have fostered such a close and promising relationship with city officials.
It was lovely weather for a bike ride together at Rounds 15-16 of the 2012-13 SoCalCross Prestige Series. Saturday was cool but mostly sunny, helping to raise holiday spirits among the hundreds in attendance. Nice. On Sunday conditions became a little more naughty with a steady drizzle and occasionally heavier showers. While hardcore CX enthusiasts soaked it up, the resulting greasy conditions proved to be the “sleighing” of many a good bike-handler.
The course was relatively short without any standout obstacles other than the 25 tons of sand that was hauled in and artfully sculpted by course designer and co-promoter Jeff Herring. But the nature of the overall layout — moving up and then back down Vermont Canyon — meant considerable, steady climbing during the first half of the lap and some long, twisty and sometimes fast descents on the second. Even the elite riders commented on how tough this proved to be.
According to Brandon Gritters (Rock n’ Road), a strong climber who captured Saturday’s elite Men’s A class, “It’s brutal getting up the first half of the lap every time.”
Gritters blew the field apart early with a blistering pace on that climb the first time around, and only Elliot Reinecke (Velo Hangar) —celebrating his 31st birthday — could keep pace. These two worked together to keep a chasing Eric Bostrom (Sho-Air/Cannondale) at bay. With four to go in the 12-lap event, Gritters noticed that Jason Siegle (SDG/Felt/IRT) had emerged to challenge Bostrom. “Big Red” decided it was time to go and soon dropped Reinecke and soloed in for the win by nine seconds. Siegle made the last lap his fastest to grab third from Bostrom. Gareth Feldstein (Ritte Racing) rolled in alone for fifth.
Chris Jackson (Castex Rentals/Felt) joined the party with fresh legs on Sunday, and after a season filled with “almosts,” finally nailed down a much-deserved and popular victory. Despite the sketchy conditions, Jackson looked strong and sure from beginning to end and enjoyed a flawless ride.
The same could not be said for much of the field. Nearly everyone went down at least once, with a muddy hairpin left turn at the bottom of a fast section of asphalt being especially tricky. Siegle and SoCalCross championship contender Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific) both ended their day there.
Gritters was able to hang with Jackson for four of the 11 laps, but his previous day’s efforts finally took their toll and he would settle for runner-up by 40 seconds. Ben Bostrom (Sho-Air) put in an impressive ride for third, followed by Reinecke and Feldstein. Significant gaps had formed between almost every rider within the remaining field.
Jackson appeared to be as much relieved as happy. “I finally got to climb the top step. That’s always a nice thing, especially after a few weekends where I came up just short, whether it be from a crash or throwing my hands up in the air too quick or some weird mechanical. Today it came together. I just really wanted to bring my national-level racing here. I was going hard on the hill and at every corner. I just wanted to keep the pressure on, and a gap just formed. Gritters, he was hanging on even with the gap. I never counted him out at all. I just tried to stay confident and relaxed and told myself it’s not over until it’s over. Towards the end you start thinking and getting a little excited, but I was telling myself, ‘It’s never big enough, keep drilling it, keep going.’
“Then with two laps to go this guy [pointing at musician Jett Pink] was playing Redemption Song when I rode by. At first I thought, ‘Oh, that’s a good song,’ then it clicked in my mind,” Jackson said with a smile. “Thanks to my support crew and sponsors Castex and Felt. It’s starting to pay off and hopefully I can pay it back to them.”
Hannah Rae Finchamp (Cynergy Cycles) jingle bell rocked the ladies on Saturday, warming up with the Junior Women 15-18 class win in the morning and then dominating the elite Women’s A class in the afternoon — in the process taking Under 23 honors as well. She decided to skip Sunday’s race to study for finals. Finchamp is only a junior at Maranatha High School in Pasadena.
Christina Probert-Turner (Turner Bikes), second to Finchamp on Saturday, was in total command of the Women’s A race on Sunday. She added the Women’s 35+ laurels to her weekend haul both days as well. Rebecca Siegel (The TEAM SoCalCross) and SoCalCross Prestige Series co-promoter Dorothy Wong rounded out the top three.
For full results and more, visit the SoCalCross Prestige Series website.
A special thanks for a rocking Santa Cross Weekend goes out to host club The TEAM SoCalCross; key sponsors Cadence Collection, Planet Bike, Shimano, SPY Optic and Voler; event partners American Bicycle Racing and the TEAM; and bike shops Golden Saddle Cyclery, Montrose Bike Shop and Surf City Cyclery.
The SoCalCross Prestige Series now takes a one-week break for the Christmas holiday and then celebrates the New Year with CX into 2013 on Sunday, December 30th, at the Baja Beach Club near Irvine Lake. One week later comes the Prestige Series Finale on Sunday, January 6th, in Los Angeles. That event comes with a points bonus, so it’s a must-do for final season bragging rights (and anyone who just wants to have a ton of fun on two wheels).
Story and photos by Phil Beckman/PB Creative
Additional event coverage can be found at Cyclocross Magazine and SoCalCycling.
