Mt. Wilson & Air 5 - On the same day!

Saturday saw our team tackle our most ambitious effort to date. We would spend 2 1/2 hours climbing up the Mt. Wilson toll road in an attempt to get as many riders to the summit. (Mt. Wilson is the tall peak above Pasadena with the antennas on it). Our team has been training hard since December 1st, and I knew we could do it.

Our day started at 8:00am as we headed through Pinecrest street gate with 15 riders and 6 coaches. Today's riders included: Cameron Aubert, Steven Ayoob, Christian Breitschwerdt, Trent Carlson, Michael Greenberg, Connor Haas, JT Ingram, Keenan Koch, Colby Koklas, Eddy Kronfli, Matt Kubly, Scott Marshall, Hunter Nalley, Chris Sercel, and Michael Togneri.

The first 3 miles of the climb is a steep fire road that gets you up to an area called Henninger Flats. At this point, our riders had broken up into groups with coaches, and continued on up into the forest; hoping to make it the next 6 miles to the top of Mt. Wilson. At 10:30am, which was our turn-around time, 7 riders had made it all the way to the top!

Our turn-around time was important, because we had plans to meet Coach Kubly, who is a crew-chief on the Sheriff's Air 5 Rescue helicopter at the Henninger Flats heli-pad. We safely descended the fire road, and met the rest of our team who all had come very close to reaching the summit.

Around 11:15am, Coach Kubly arrived in the BIG Air 5 helicopter. This helicopter and crew perform an incredible service, flying rescues in the forest almost daily. The crew exhibited a demonstration for us, landed the helicopter, and then allowed us an up-close view of this huge machine.

Our day ended with another descent down the hill from Henninger Flats, with our ride safely ending at 12:45pm.

Most of our team rode over 18 miles, with 5000' of climbing. That's a BIG day. Everyone was tired, but felt good about our accomplishment. Only 4 more weeks until our first race. Great job guys!

The antennas on the Mt. Wilson summit

Eddy and Connor enjoying a 6 mile descent

Colby and Steven

Christian, Michael, and Cameron

Trent leading Coach Nick

Air 5 after landing at the Henninger heli-pad

The team looking on as Air 5 approaches for a landing

Coach Kubly giving us some tips on mountain safety.

The team, and coaches, in front of Air 5

Is this our new training "secret weapon"?

More Cherry Canyon

Saturday's ride took us back into Cherry Canyon. The last time we rode here, it was raining. This time, the weather was perfect and the trail conditions were awesome! Everyone rode very well and I think that our skills are getting better with the time spent on singletrack.

We also ran into the new Burroughs High School team. It was great to see other teams practicing in Cherry Canyon as well.

Thanks to Coach Marshall for the video and pictures.

Yes, we ride in the rain.

"Are you really going to ride in the rain"? I've heard that question many times over the years. It may not be the smartest idea, but yes, the St. Francis team WAS going to ride in the rain.

On a cold and wet Saturday morning, we headed up to Cherry Canyon for a couple hours of singletrack and skills. The conditions made us work that much harder to stay focused.

At the end of the ride, Mrs. Kubly greeted us with bagels, coffee cake, and juice. (Thanks Mr. Koklas and Mrs. Snyder for helping also). It was a great way to end our morning adventure.

Coach Bird with the team in Cherry Canyon

The team, aka "Hearty Souls"

Coach Marshall carbing up after a cold, wet, and fun ride

Scott and Michael under the umbrellas getting some food

Gettin' Dirty

Last week we rode in Hahamonga Park again. It was the day after a pretty good rainstorm. As the ride leader, I thought that it would be fun to clip the edge of the puddles and splash up a bit of mud. A few other guys got into it and before you knew it, we were all laughing and having a good times. A bunch of guys on mountain bikes, clipping mud puddles.

That wasn't good enough for Daniel. Daniel proved that he was the real kid that day. As we approached a pool size mud puddle, Daniel sped up and rode right through the middle of it. Way to go Daniel! You proved that a little mud is no big deal....good times.

Second Practice

The season is off to a fast start. We had our first practice on Thursday, a morning workout on Friday, and our second practice today. Today we focused on more skills including tight switchback turns and riding over obstacles. Michael Greenberg won today's competition and made the tightest turn possible. Even Mr. Sercel, a scientist, said it couldn't be done. Great job Michael!

The team assembling for our 8:00am start.

Coach Bird providing instructions on today's drills.

Matt Kubly and Trent Carlson demonstrating the "tight turn" skills training.

Michael Greenberg leading the team up and over the obstacles.

Thursday, December 2nd - Our first practice of the season

Our first practice of the season. 17 riders made it out, along with 6 coaches!

The team practiced the "gauntlet". Steve Shushnar won the NICA jersey. He outlasted all of the other riders and showed the best bike handling skills, at least on this day.

Vote for our 2010-2011 cycling kit!

Below are the two final designs for our 2010-2011 cycling kit. Please be sure to email me with your vote for design "Stripes" or "Bubbles".

Design "Stripes" Jersey

Design "Stripes" Shorts

Design "Bubbles" Jersey

Design "Bubbles" Shorts