Dare to Race GP 2011...

the 13th Annual, today presented by Pacific Sunset Velo.


Men's 50+ race:

Mark Hoffenberg, victorious

Women's Pro/1/2 race:

Jennifer Valente, victorious

Men's 45+ race: Fast, you betcha. Consider who was in it, Steve Hegg, former Olympic Gold Medalist, Thurlow Rogers, former Master's World Champion, Richard Meeker, former National Champion. And they are my competition. Thats all.

Meeker throwing his bike to take a prime ahead of [?] and teammate Rogers.

 Hegg (l) and Meeker

Craig Miller, victorious

Non-racing photos:

This young woman won the women's Pro/1/2 race; pretty good right? Then you watch as she does a roll-out for the official, and you realize she is still a junior. Now you're impressed.

Fun to go to races after some number of years and see people from long ago. Ray Moreno and I were both with the Chevy/Sheriff club in the early 90s.

From the archives: Thurlow Rogers at Diamond Bar...

Earlier, I posted a photo of Thurlow at the 1992 Mexican Independence Day Criterium. Here is another from June 7 of the same year at the Clean Air Circuit Race, which was held in Diamond Bar. The Diamond Bar circuit had a nice little hill to challenge the racers; the finish was, of course, at the top of the hill. Thurlow, wearing Subaru colors appears to have a slight advantage in this final charge to the line. My note on the back of the original photo says that it was taken "just before the incident". I have no idea what I meant by that; likely there was some contact between the two during the sprint, or the inside rider was run into the cones. Sprints can get pretty messy. 


As is usual with too many of these photos from the archives, my notes are incomplete. I don't know who the other racer is. If anyone does please let me know.

From the archives: Thurlow Rogers...

at the Mexican Independence Day Criterium, 1992.

the photo shows Rogers and an unidentified racer battling at the top of the hill which riders had to ascend each lap. I have this photo dated 1992 but, upon looking at the Subaru-Montgomery roster for that year, Rogers is not listed. This obviously creates a bit of a contradiction. Rogers could have joined the team part way through the season, or left it. Or I could have the date wrong. But, I don't think so; I did race there that year, so I am sticking with the date, and assuming one of the other factors is the case. Thurlow Rogers has had a lengthy and stellar racing career, with a tally of over 300 victories. Some of the more notable of these include: 1981 National Team Time Trial Champion (with Ron Keifel, Kevin Lutz and Tom Prehn), 2005 Master's Road Race World Champion, 2006 Men's 45+ World Time Trial Champion, 2006 Men's 45+ National Time Trial Champion, 2006 Men's 45+ National Road Race Champion, and most recently, 2010 Men's 50-54 National Time Trial Champion. He was also a part of the 1984 Olympic team, which saw Alexi Grewal win the Road Race gold medal.

Sam Emerson racing photographs...

I just came across this Facebook page. Quite a nice collection of historic racing photographs taken by Sam Emerson. Most of the photos are black & white and dating to the 1980s. Races around Southern California mostly, but some beyond the border as well. When you have some time to give them a good look, it is well worth it. Some of the big names of the local racing scene are represented as well as some who went more than a bit further; here is just a tease:

Mark Rayner and Thurlow Rogers

San Dimas Stage Race 2010...

Winner of the Cat 3 race

45+ g.c. jersey winners

45+ crit champions

Amgen elite masters team train charging to the line in the 35+ race; and yes that is exactly the reason those two have extra stripes on their jersey sleeves. Chris DeMarchi with the national champion stars and stripes, and Thurlow Rogers with the World's Champion rainbow stripes.

It was a great weekend for a race, and we three rode over to San Dimas to take in the third and final stage, a crit in the downtown area. We made it there to watch the 45+, 35+, and Cat. 3 races, and then the small kids race, followed by a bit of the Cat 2. It was pretty cool just to hang out again and immerse myself in all the action. I figure it has been ten years now since I last raced and have missed the camaraderie and competition.