My Favorite Race

My favorite race of the season has to be the Santa Cruz Classic Criterium and it is coming up this weekend. As a former bike racer (Elite 3) I would consider this course as one of the most challenging courses to race on. It has an off-cambered 180 degree corner, fast downhill section, and an uphill sprint at the end of each lap.


In the image above I'm the 2nd rider (yellow & blue kit) going around the somewhat wet 180 degree corner. Every time I raced on this course I've never felt comfortable with that bend. I almost always seem to choose the wrong line. I've even crashed going round this corner which was captured by my wife (girlfriend at the time - 2003).


No worries though. I got back up, went to the pits, and jumped back in the race to eventually win the darn thing! Here's a video (from 2003) of the sprint to the finish:



This course has all the elements for great bike racing. Whether you're a bike racer or spectator/photographer (that's me now) Santa Cruz is where to be at this weekend!