Welcome!

Race 2, Granite Bay Challenge

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 21:00:37 -0700

Hi Cougars,

As always on race day the alarm clock went off too early, but this one was especially cruel due to the fact that clocks were moved one hour forward before going to bed. Chris A. wasn't planning on racing but still he walked at 5 a.m. from his house way up in Tilden on Wildcat Road to Mark's house by the school to be with us and to take some cool pictures. That is team dedication.

We went off for a pre-ride of the course at 8:30 am to find a pile up of riders at every tricky point of the track. Although it was frustrating not to be able to ride those difficult sections, it was very beneficial for everyone to have a sense of the terrain and the course in general. The fact that it was the first time racing with the whole NorCal field (almost 600 riders) was noticeable and the start was challenging for everyone, not only because of the numbers but also because the racers had to deal with an uphill sandy terrain. I'm sorry I missed part of the girls' races and I really appreciate how everybody helped and kept it together while I had to go to the E.R. It was a great relief to see everything functioning when I got back as if nothing had happened.

Looking at the overall Team results, Albany High MTB Team is in 10th position out of 27 teams, not bad at all, keep it up!. Emily brought in the most points for the team. David went out still not completely recovered from injury and had a wonderful race. The individual results also showed that the Marin boys and girls are back but as a team we are working very well, not only because of the results but because of the great team spirit that all of you are creating.

If you like to analyze results click here.

Thanks for your participation with the Team and the League Sunday!

Daniel

--
Daniel Santos
AHS MTB Team
510-525-5216
510-809-5064
ahscougars@gmail.com
www.ahscougars.com

2011 Norcal Prologue Race Report

Tue, 1 Mar 2011 16:31:20 -0800

Hi Team,

We made it to the first NorCal Race.

After a horrible Saturday pre-ride with rain, hail and snow, Sunday was a beautiful day with cold winds and a clear sky and much more pleasant temperatures than anticipated.

We started the day by finishing setting up our space, taking team pictures and announcing that Emily is now, and for the two seasons to come, a Girls Varsity Racer. Way to go Emily!

This was a memorable race day for all our racers. Emily started getting the grasp of the highest cat possible at NorCal by giving her all on the course. Watch out for her improving throughout the season. Anna went out for her first JV race and managed to get the highest result of any of our racers with an excellent 5th position. Chris P. also had his first contact with the Soph. boys and managed to have a very good ride without any incidents bringing home the 50 pts. in contention. The new generation of Cougars went out and raced very close together. Mario came through the finish line first on lap one with a small gap on Ray followed by Sam in a teammates battle. Ray pulled an excellent second lap to finish ahead of Mario who was followed by Sam. There is a lot of determination in this group of "Cougar cubs". Alberto took to the start line with the butterflies of being in his first Varsity race. He had a decent start and managed to get into a solo good pace for four laps, on the last lap he started reeling in another varsity rider and was able to pass him close to the finish line for a very good 10th position finish. Last on course were our two JVs of the day. Lucas raced a very smart race, pushing himself to the limit but not over it. His face and body language at the end of the race told us anything we needed to know about his effort. Mark showed again how much he has matured as a racer and was able to put some very consistent laps to finish an excellent 7th place in a very tough field.

Our other Varsity rider Miguel came along to support his teammates. Thanks Miguel.

Thank you to all the parents and coaches that helped by contributing food and by helping with the Team and League needs for the day.

See pictures here (This page will be updated with more pictures soon)
Results here

Go Cougars!

Daniel

P.S. Please visit our website http://www.ahscougars.com/AHS_Cougars_Mtb/Sponsors.html and check out our sponsors. Remember how generous they have been to the Team and if you need any of the services that they offer, please consider them first.

--
Daniel Santos
AHS MTB Team
510-525-5216
510-809-5064
ahscougars@gmail.com
www.ahscougars.com

Great race day at Ford Ord

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 20:44:48 -0800

Hi everyone,

The Cougar's participation yesterday at CCCX race #1 in Fort Ord was a success. When we got there early in the morning the temperature was 32º F; luckily Thomas B. showed up with Peet's Coffee that got us warm and going. Our pit area was set up quickly thanks to the participation of all the team members, their families and Mr. Becker (Math Teacher / Clydesdale Cat Racer / all smiles racer / 4th position finisher / Beasty Guy). I also want to mention how wonderful it is that the guys who are temporarily out of commission (Miguel, Lucas and Chris P.) were there to support the team and enjoy this race. Special thanks to Thomas B. for all his invaluable help with all aspects of the day.

The first wave saw our newly-arrived Freshmen leading the pack on the paved road after the start line and very well positioned to start the adventure onto the single track. A little latter into the race they played "team work" and piled up in a crash. Ray wasn't much affected by it since he was at the front but Sam and Mario had to get up, pick up their scattered water bottles, jump on the bikes, and continue. The three of them did more than expected in their first race ever. They all had solid finishes and were very focused and determined during the race.

Behind them our two J.V. young women took to the course. Both of them were recovering from illness and injury, but managed to step up onto the podium, Anna 2nd and Emily 3rd. They might be the only two women in a pack of guys, but they produced the best results of the day. They don't know how to hold their horses and, like always, they gave their all out there. Watch out, they are recovering quickly and they will be unstoppable. When you see the pictures, look at their relaxed faces, it looks like they are not working hard. I think that is part of their strategy.

Second waive, three of our J.Vs. , one of our Vars. and the aforementioned Mr. Beasty Becker took to the track. Our new J.V. Chris A. had a very challenging 4 lap race as his very first race ever. He is coming on board with good spirits into a very competitive field. David, recovering from illness, did really well and pushed himself beyond where he should have. It was tough to see him struggling with deep breathing at the end of the race. He will be in top shape very soon and delight us with his consistent race results. Mark went out with his usual explosive energy. You can feel his maturity as a racer; a lot more consistent lap times and ready to challenge his J.V. peers in his first year in this cat. Alberto went out hard trying to catch the wheel of the leader; but settled into a group of four in pursuit, had a crash, lost contact with this group, and finished in a solid 6th position. To finish the day Mr. Beasty Becker came in 4th, we don't know if he did his mandatory 4 laps or if he did 5 laps. The officials at the finish line kept telling him one more lap because he always looked so fresh. Unfair. He looked great out there, all smiles and having a good time. (Do you think he was remembering the Pythagorean Theorem?). Thank you Mr. Becker for joining your pupils in this race.

Last, I want to thank our sponsors for the generous donations that have allowed us to purchase racing uniforms (shorts, jerseys and vests) for all our racers and jerseys for our coaches. I want to remind you who these good people, organizations, and businesses are:
Solano Avenue Cyclery, Albany Ford Subaru, Mechanics Banks, Velocity Lock Smith, Bicycle Trail Council of the East Bay, Flowerland, Rutherford Boats, Clifbars, Kenda Tires, Peets Coffee, Cafeina, Steve's Autocare, Sticks Framing, Albany Berkeley Optometry, Stone Bridge Press, and R.C. Imports Auto Repair. Thank you for your sponsorship of the Albany High School Mountain Bike Racing Team.

Looking forward to a great season to come.

Go Cougars!

Daniel

Daniel Santos
AHS MTB Team
510-525-5216
510-809-5064
ahscougars@gmail.com
www.ahscougars.com

Fort Ord CCCX Race, February 13th

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 20:35:36 -0800

Dear all,

Sunday, February the 13th is our first race date, which is coming upon us very quickly. This very first race is NOT a NorCal League race and will take place at Fort Ord near Monterey. It is a "practice" race for all of us, but especially for those members of the team and the families that have never raced before.

There is a registration fee of $20.00 that includes a Day License. Registration opens at 7:30 am the morning of the race at the venue. We will compete at two different levels and the race starts will be at 9:00 am. and 11:00 am.

Please follow the directions on the link below to get to the venue by 8:00 am at the very latest to register and warm up. And plan on being there the whole day to support both the early and the later wave of riders. Check with Loraine Woodward, lwdientes@hotmail.com or 526 4052, if you have any questions about the tasks that you signed up for at the beginning of the season and for parent coordination matters.

Food for the race day is very important for the riders (and parents). This will be handled as a potluck. Liz (Ray's mom) and Barbara (David's mom), our food coordinators, will write to us all very soon with information about signing up to bring specific items. Please remember that it is very important that the racers eat well before and after the race, so it is crucial that we bring the food we sign up for.

Racers, please coordinate with other families to get a ride if you don't have one. If you are not able to find a ride to the race, YOU MUST LET ME KNOW 3 DAYS PRIOR TO THE RACE DATE, absolutely not at 2:00 am the day of the race.

You can get information about the CCCX Fort Ord East Garrison MTB Racing event by clicking here. Please fill out the RELEASE/WAIVER form ahead of time to save registration time and bring $20 to pay the registration fee. It is especially important that the waiver form be completed and signed ahead of time if your parent won't be at the race. YOU CANNOT RACE WITHOUT YOUR PARENT'S SIGNATURE ON THIS FORM.

The following links may be helpful for information that you will need for race day:
CCCX Directions to Race Venue
Google maps directions
Tasks Descriptions
Race Check List

I'm looking forward to this race, to having fun and to working with all of you to produce a great race day.

GO COUGARS!

Daniel

--
Daniel Santos
AHS MTB Team
510-525-5216
510-809-5064
ahscougars@gmail.com

Bike safety check & first ride

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 21:10:29 -0800

This coming Sunday the 21st. is the first ride for the AHS MTB Team of the 2010-2011 season. We will meet at Solano Avenue Cyclery (1554 Solano Ave., Albany) at 9:00 am., where Eric Fisher will perform a safety check on all the racers' bikes. Please go through the alley between the restaurant and Solano Cyclery to the back door of the shop. While the bikes are being looked at, we will collect the paperwork required to be able to ride from those who haven't turned it in yet. Remember, you need to bring a signed Release of Liability Waiver, a signed Medical Clearance Form (if you've misplaced it you can get one in the main office at the AHS on the left wall as you go in) and a check to AHS Mountain Bike Club for $300.00. We will go for a short ride after the safety check has been completed.

If you want the safety kit, it is $50.00 for the lights, tire levers, trail side air pump, one tube and a patch kit. If you already have any of these items, please make sure that you complete the kit soon. We will start riding after school Monday Nov 22th and it gets dark early. Lights (front and rear) will be required for that ride and for all other after-school rides, as well as any Sunday rides when it looks like rain.

All team rides leave (with the exception of Sunday Nov. 21st) from the corner of Thousand Oaks Ave. and Pomona Ave. by the back door of the AHS. Mondays we will meet there at 3:45 pm, Wednesdays at 2:45 pm and Sundays at 9:00 am. We will be on the road 5 minutes after the meeting time.

This coming Sunday I will bring lightly used cycling clothing and equipment to be shared, first pick for the new riders.

I'm looking forward to a great, safe and fun season with all of you. It will be wonderful to get started with riding and get my eyes off this screen. But remember no forms, no riding.

Go Cougars!

--
Daniel Santos
AHS MTB Team
510-525-5216
510-809-5064
ahscougars@gmail.com