HIGH TIDE HEADING FOR CCCP
After verification with the National Oceanic Service organizers for CCCP CycloCross @ Coyote Point are confident the December high tide scheduled for Dec. 7th will only skirt the edge of the Ritchey Bicycle Components “Walk on the Beach” during the Elite Men’s featured event. According to the NOS, the winter high tide at 1:35 pm will be 8.0 feet above the mean low water level, one the highest tides annually and puts the high tide line right at the foot of the fence line that delineates the race course on the beach. “Sure, we could have roostertails – if anyone is even tough enough to ride the sand”, race director Tom Simpson mentioned casually when verifying course details with Coyote Point park rangers. But unseasonably dry winter weather in Northern California means that the Michelin Tires “Mud Puddle” will likely be an Indy 500 section with little to delay riders until they reach the tidally-challenged beach.
Race directors have negotiated with the park to run downhill switchbacks through a eucalyptus forest just prior to the now-dry “Mud Puddle” and hope the balance of paved sections occurring after sections of running, barricades, and heavy going will delight riders. Race Directors have created a 2.8 kilometer course from the weeds, eucalyptus groves and bay front beach of the park just 5 minutes south of the San Francisco airport. The circuit is mixed with just over 1 kilometer of pavement providing a chance for riders to recuperate after some of the more difficult sections.
Racing begins at 9:30 and the main event, the Elite Men’s 60 minute contest starts at 2:15 pm and will feature many of Northern California’s best hopes for places on the National’s podium, just 1 week later. Riders may obtain detailed course information at the races website, www.pilarcitos.com Pilarcitos CycleSports has earmarked over 8,000 feet of fencing to outline the race course and meets the UCI minimum requirements of 3 meters width throughout the circuit.. Riders will be competing for $6,500 in prizes, with Elite Men chasing a $2,500 purse that includes $1,000 cash, courtesy of Peninsula Velo, San Mateo County’s premiere cycling club.
Thomas Frischknecht, 32 year old Swiss Cyclocross and Mountain biking legend, has been issued plate #1 by race directors at CCCP – CycloCross @ Coyote Point, scheduled Saturday, Dec. 7th in San Mateo. Team officials from Ritchey Bicycle Components confirmed his schedule in the US and eagerly wait for this quick trip back to his California roots. . A long time Ritchey factory rider, Frischknecht last raced in Northern California in 2000 at the World Cup Mountain Bike race held in Napa at Domaine Chandon, producer of premium sparkling wine and the site of this year’s US Cyclocross championships Dec. 14/15. Frischi is expected to compete for his Swiss national team at the CycloCross World Championships in Italy next February. Now racing for his own “Swiss Power” squad, Frischknecht is acknowledged as one of bike racings premier competitors, appearing on the CycloCross World’s podium 5 times since his career started in 1988 with the gold medal as a junior rider, gold medal as top amateur in 1991, and after turning pro earning a silver medal in 1997. As a mountain bike racer, his career is even more star-studded, winning the World Championships in Australia in 1996 and 17 individual World Cup races, a record that may never be challenged.
The direct web link to the tide tables is:
http://co-ops.nos.noaa.gov/tides/get_pred.shtml?stn=1813+San+Francisco&secstn=Coyote+Point+Marina&thh=+0&thm=42&tlh=+1&tlm=08&hh=*1.29&hl=*1.01
Sponsors include:
Bianchi USA Kelly Bike Co. Michelin Tires Steelman Cycles Summit Bicycles of Burlingame Ritchey Bicycle Components Giro Design
For more information contact:
Pilarcitos CycleSports 732 Fairfield Road Burlingame, CA 94010
(650) 302-6310 cell info@pilarcitos.com
The Peoples CycloCross Race is held under NCNCA regulations and
insurance.
For more info, e-mail Pilarcitos CycleSport;
info@pilarcitos.com