2024 Southridge Winter Series, XC Race #4

February 24, 2024

2024 Southridge Winter Series, XC Race #4

All that snow still silvering off the distant peaks of the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains belied the mid-70 degree temps simmering the rocky heights of Southridge. With today's cross country race now in the books, we've turned two-thirds of the pages in this years' Winter Series story. With twice as many competitors over two weeks ago, today actually had the look of a race as bikes and riders came charging across the flats of the lake district and into that first low low gap on the rocky slope.

Not only did more racers turn out, but the racing was that (I just snapped my fingers, in case you didn't hear) much closer as well. On the third, and final, lap for the pro and experts, and with most of the tricky slope still to climb, Stuart Gonzalez (Vet Pro) and Romolo Forcino (Expert Men 50-59) were locked in epic pursuit. Mere seconds separated them, too close for either to relax for even a moment; by the end Romolo would ride to the fastest time of the day - 1:15:47.38, with Stuart only thirty-eight seconds back.

Over in the pro category, Jacob Schoolfield and Josh Tootell were equally locked closely together through the first part of the climb, made slippery by numerous small rivulets of water cutting down slope, and rolling into and out of small remnant puddles of mud that interspersed the sections of decomposed granite and hard rock. Josh held a gap as they rode past where I sat at ease. Something would happen though, out of my view, that would upset the order; at the end Jacob would cross the tape with more than a minute advantage.

The crows seemed to appreciate the extra action today; I didn't notice them chasing hawk across the sky anywhere, at any time. I did, however, notice them sitting on rocks cackling, presumably, about the racers. Other times they'd take flight, scanning along the trail marking, in their own way, the progress of the rolling wheels.

So, it was great to see more competitors, but there should be more and there is still opportunity to get some early season challenge success tucked into those jersey pockets - two race weekends still to go, and in many of the age group / categories anything goes, and it's your race to win.

Congrats to todays' champions:

Jacob Schoolfield (Pro Men), Stuart Gonzalez (Vet Pro), Romolo Forcino (Expert Men 50-59), Tanner Jackson (Sport Men 15-18), Dru McMackin (Sport Men 50-59), Ronnie Anthony (Sport Men 60+), Jason Downing (Beginner Men 50-59), David Buckell (Beginner Men 60+), and Rachelle Henderson (Beginner Women Open). As you can see there are still younger age group / catagories looking for competitors, and besides Tanner and Rachelle need some competition.

See you out there in two weeks. Today's XC photos are in this here album.