Aaron Bradford - Blog: Cyclocross season in full swing

Dear reader, my name is Aaron Bradford, and I am slacker who is responsible for updating this site. Currently, I find myself in Los Angeles' China town killing time before the start of the CXLA UCI race weekend. Scott and I are once again representing team Bay101/HRS/RockLobster (and doing a fine job at it) at the second to last UCI cross race before Nationals in Madison WI in January. The weather is ideal with temps in the mid 60's resulting in a fast and dusty cross course. Expect a post race write-up as the weekend unfolds.

Over the past month, the bay area has played host to a handful of great race venues. After a some podium time for Scott, Jim Hewitt and I at the Halloween Surf City Cyclocross in Aptos, the team competed at the Pilarcitos Sierra Point night race. Solid performances by the whole team were expected and we did just that. Always a great vibe with the festive atmosphere at Sierra point.

Rocking the RockLobster singlespeed at Aptos High
Photo: Ted Ketai

Scott Chapin and I on the starting line at Sierra Point
Photo: Rob Evans, Off the Back Photography

Along with this rad shot of Scott from Ted Ketai!

Following Sierra Point, San Francisco played host to the Single Speed Cyclocross World Championships in Golden Gate Park. Both Scott and I had custom singlespeed Rock Lobster's built specifically for this race as it was a high priority for the two of us. Qualifying was on Saturday with a tour of the City along with 5 "feats of strength" along the way. A hill climb up California St, a timed wheel change, a 420 steep run-up, a dollar grab race followed by a sand run determined who was eligible for the main show. Teammates Alex Work, Scott Chapin and I all qualified for the gong show staring on Sunday.

Gold bling and mullet ready for action

After a night of little sleep and a morning beer, I found myself on the starting line with 150 other guys, many of which were wearing anything but Lycra. At the sound of the gun, the Le Mans start of gorrillas, dirty maids and oompa loompas scrambled up the first run-up and in search of their bikes. I quickly found myself in 4th going into the first section of singletrack. Disaster struck just 5 minutes in and I found myself laying in the mud after knocking myself out going under the scaffolding, less than ideal to say the least. Scott and Alex continued on to solid finishes as did many in the NorCal crew. Mallory even landed some airtime on Cyclingnews rockin' her "Team Super Awesome" kit. Word on the street Santa Cruz will play host to SSCCWC next year; redemption. Video of the event here

Post race muddy mullet
Photo: Jason Perry

Round two in Golden Gate Park was the following weekend with the 3rd round of the Pilarcitos cross series. Janel and Natasha went 1-2 in the women's 35+ while Mary-Ellen Ash broke the top ten in Elite women. For the last few years it has been a goal to win at GGP and this year I finally made it happen. Tubbin came across the line shortly after followed by my teammate Scott. Kevin Crossley put in a top 15 ride while Aaron O'dell rounded out the top 20. Solid performances by the team followed by post race beers in the city. Have a good one y'all!