Mobbin' Monday Ganesha Hills Circuit Race...

Just a quick post before I fly out the door again. The Mobbin' Monday 2nd Anniversary Race took place this afternoon, on a hilly circuit in Pomona, where the winners were:

but, you haven't crossed the line yet

sprint for 5th? i'm not sure at this point

sprint from the saddle

leaders along the back portion of the course

racing through Ganesha Park

awaiting the start is always the same

grim kit

I have decided to officially categorize these type of races as grassroots, in contrast to the USA Cycling officially sanctioned ones I am more familiar with. There are similarities, and there are differences between the two. Even though they do not cost multiple-thousands of dollars, the racers have the same pride in their race machines. In fact since these are not your common-batch team-issue bikes, that pride may be even more pronounced, reflecting the riders' individuality and tastes. There is the same sense of competition, play of tactics, and camaraderie when all is proven and done. On the other hand you would need more than your typical ten fingers to add up the differences: You will hear no clicking through gears during this race - fixed gear is the rule. Team kit? Not so much. There was one racer whom I shared a team with in the mid-1990s, as well as a handful of others, but for the most part denim, baggies, teeshirts, shirtless filled out the bunch. Racing with backpacks, no helmet, lights and spoke cards, on an open course - not going to see those things in a USA Cycling race. 

Speaking of that course, it was a good one, in the Ganesha Hills area of Pomona. The rolling terrain would have proven to be less a factor on a geared bike, but proved to be pretty decisive on fixed. Just riding around for photos, I was nearly spun out on some of the descents (yes, in keeping with the theme I rode my s.s. - however, Jason was unsuccessful in suggesting I flip my rear wheel to fixed). Gaps opened immediately in the race, and I would think that by the second lap, back markers were being lapped by the front runners. This was because there was only one group composed of racers of widely differing abilities and experience. Like any race situation, if at the end of the day while the sun drops lower in the sky, your breath comes in ragged gasps, and your legs ache and only hesitantly cooperate when your brain tells them to move, and if all that has just transpired inspires you to do it again, you can consider the afternoon time well spent. Congrats to Mobbin' Monday for hosting the race, it was a good one.

Click the link for a slideshow of about 55 of the better photos from the day.