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Parkfield, September 30 - October 1, 2006
Parkfield was a massive event this year, drawing hundreds of cyclists
from Humboldt, San Diego, and everywhere in between to a magic patch of land
astride the San Andreas. On this weekend, as with every year since 1989,
the cow patties carpeting the valley are for once outnumbered by lovers of the mountain bike.
Saturday morning brought the XC course, a fast, loose route crossing the dry
hills and streams around the valley. This year began with a Le Mans style start,
in which racers had to run up a steep hill to get to their bikes and begin the race.
The Stanford team doesn't run much-- that's what our bikes are for-- but we all
finished in one piece in any case. Captain Todd Norwood led the way in MA, but
suffered a big rip in his tire, forcing him to walk the final 5 miles. In WA,
Lisa Stright discovered what she called a reason to kiss her road bike, as she
secured a top-10 finish thanks to her strength not only on the descents, but also the
climbs. In MB, veterans Aaron, Andre, Ben, and Dan, plus rookie Matt, brought
home the points, joined by valiant newcomers Chase and Terry in MC. Matt gets extra props
for completing the course with one crankarm!
Gravity leader Sean Ardley arrived Saturday night in time for the legendary
Parkfield Pixie Bike Race, but saved his own strength for the DH Sunday morning.
However good Sean's performance in that event, it was wholly eclipsed by his
showing in the MB Short Track Sunday afternoon. Ably aided by blockers Ben and Dan,
and helped by a last-second starting-line beverage possibly produced by Clif,
Sean muscled to 4th place in the highly technical race, for Stanford's only podium
finish of the weekend. In MC, rookies Chase and Terry contended not only with
the ST course's four deep sandy creek crossings, but also the lovely stream of bathroom
runoff crossing the straightaway. A good time was had by all.
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submitted by Dan McGarry
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