In this issue:

1. Pua and Team MATA announce their partnership with Al’s Pals Foundation

2. U-Tube video links for Monique “Pua” Sawicki and Team Mata MTB tips

3. Chaparral, Fire, and Grizzlies: A different way to view Orange County Nature — with Rick Halsey

4. O’Neill Parks “Newbie” single tracks ride

5. Correction on date of the next Warrior’s Society Club/Volunteer Beach Party

1. PUA AND TEAM MATA ANNOUNCE THEIR PARTNERSHIP WITH AL’S PALS FOUNDATION

From Pua:

“Help me to raise money for a special boy named Alex and his Foundation that
he founded in January 2005 to support the organizations that helped him
during his time of illness”.

You can read more about Pua and how we met Alex and his dad at:

http://teammata.com/pua/

under Pua’s Post.

We will be selling really cool Team MATA hats with the Al’s Pals website on
the back with 50% of the proceeds going to the foundation.

Also we will have available for sale Team MATA logo shirts. For more info
please go to:

teammata/gear.html

Thanks for your help!
Ron and Pua

2. U-TUBE VIDEO LINKS FOR MONIQUE “PUA” SAWICKI AND TEAM MATA MTB TIPS

Below are the links to U-Tube for Pua and Team MATA tips on Mountain Biking now airing on Park City TV to the whole Salt Lake Valley! Check them out there really cool! Thank you so much to Stanton and everyone at Park City TV!

Only 10 more days to Pua’s attempt at the World 24 hour solo Championship title!

Team MATA Tips links:

3x:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyJ874h2kzQ

Downhill:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCm0WDR_i0U

Uphill:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKpDwW3t4HQ

Nutrition:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnuY2nCEyGg

Pre-Ride:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqnTMn8DoN0

Equipment:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG_ATwVPHIk

Recovery:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6r_ivuijnU

Bike Cleaning:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csQNA1NYnYY

Flat Tire:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xA2IQQKLp3A

Ron Sawicki
Team Mata
rjs@teammata.com
(520)668-6072

3. CHAPARRAL, FIRE, AND GRIZZLIES: A DIFFERENT WAY TO VIEW ORANGE COUNTY NATURE – WITH RICK HALSEY

Of all the distinct, natural communities found throughout California, only one represents the state’s most characteristic wilderness: the chaparral.
This is a habitat of remarkable plants and animals shaped by summer drought, winter rain and an extremely fragile relationship with wildfire.

Join us on Wednesday, September 12th as we explore the chaparral’s unique natural history, its importance to Orange County, and why it represents such a vital link to nature for all Californians. We will also be discussing the best way to reduce fire risk in our communities by starting from the house out rather than from the wildland in.

Richard W. Halsey is the director of the California Chaparral Institute, a research and educational organization focusing on the ecology of
California’s shrubland ecosystems, the dynamics of wildland fire in both natural and human communities, and the importance of nature education.

Mr. Halsey has taught biology and natural science for over thirty years in both public and private schools. He was honored as the 1991 Teacher of the Year for San Diego City Schools. His current research projects include investigating variables determining wildfire behavior, the impact of
increased fire frequency on chaparral and other shrubland ecosystems, and the importance of local communities connecting with their surrounding, natural landscapes.

SANTA ANA ZOO
1801 E. CHESTNUT AVE.
SANTA ANA, CA. 92701
Pat Johns Education Center
Attendees need to be prompt.
FRONT GATES OPEN 6:00-7:15 PM

4. O’NEILL PARK “NEWBIES” SINGLE TRACK RIDE

The 2nd SoCal MTB “Newbie” ride, sponsored by the Warrior’s Society, was another success. Warrior’s Society Club nominee Gene Frial, who organized the ride, had this to say:

I had a blast once again. It was a big turnout and lots of new faces to put to screen names. It was very nice to meet you all. It’s always good to see the usual suspects as well. Thanks to all who came out from even as far as Temecula and Castiac.

Huge props to Justin and Allison for coming from Murrieta by way of the Indian Truck Trail and down West Horse Thief, you guys rock! Also to Gary (Mudman) for showing up after it took me till almost 2 am to persuade him to come. They gave up their rides so they could join ours. Glad you guys were able to join in.

From the looks of everyone’s faces and smiles, I knew we had pulled of another fun ride. Everyone did very well and looked out for one another. The trails were in descent shape, the weather was good, all is well.

Justin and Allison were way on there way up Holy Jim and to the Pain Divide when I pulled out of the HJ parking lot. I can’t wait to read their RR. Lots of pics taken I hope cause I didn’t get much. What I do have, I will post later.

This was a great ride no doubt. Where else can you get Steppie, OMR (Warrior’s Society member Gregg Howard) and Pain Freak all in one ride. I mean those guys have over 100 years of MTBing experience!

Thanks everyone again for making this ride fun and well worth the effort. Thanks to Jordan, Rich, OMR and John (Warrior’s society member John Early) for keeping the group together and to Boats for bringing up the rear with me. Thanks to the Warriors Society for sponsoring this ride and providing the refreshments. I’m already thinking of the next Newbie route. Should be another fun one. STAY TUNED!

Here is the link to the SoCal MTB message board with more feedback and pictures from the ride:

http://tinyurl.com/3dlgje

5. CORRECTION ON THE DATE OF THE NEXT WARRIOR’S SOCIETY CLUB/VOLUNTEER BEACH PARTY

The date of our next club/volunteer beach party was mistakenly stated as August 29th in last week’s news. The correct date will be Saturday, September 29th.

Sorry about mistake. If you have volunteered at one of our 2007 trail work or riding events please RSVP if you plan on attending.

Manitou and Shimano are the Major Component Sponsors of the Warrior’s Society

Cytomax is the official fluid replacement drink of the Warrior’s Society

Clif Bar is the Official Energy Bar and Gel of The Warrior’s Society

The Warrior’s Society
A Tax-Exempt organization under 501(c) 4 of the IRS Code www.warriorssociety.org

A Blue Ribbon Coalition (BRC) affiliated organization

“Some Americans need hyphens in their names because only part of them has come over; but when the whole man has come over, heart and thought and all, the hyphen drops of its own weight out of his name.”

Woodrow Wilson

In this issue:

1. JAX Bicycle Early Bird Cyclocross Ride & Happy Hour

2. Pua and Team MATA announce our partnership with Al’s Pals Foundation

3. Volunteer opportunity in an effort to control invasive plant species

4. Warrior’s Society club/volunteer beach ride/party – fun in the sun

5. Newbie Ride – O’Neill Park’s Tijeras Creek/Arroyo Trabuco Loop

6. My first ride to the Main Divide; a beginning rider’s achievement

1. JAX BICYCLES EARLY BIRD CYCLECROSS RIDE & HAPPY HOUR

On Monday, August 20th, join us at the JAX Huntington Beach Store at 401 Main Street and learn about the cyclocross racing scene in So Cal and join our Best Buddies Challenge SoCalCross Team! Benefit drawings, silent auctions. WIN, WIN, WIN. Good food, good Refreshments, good friends. Store Discounts!!!

WIN LOTS O’ GOODIES THANKS TO OUR GREAT SPONSORS!!!

5:30pm – Cyclocross Fun Ride & Demo. Some demo CX bikes available or bring your MTB!

7:00pm – Cyclocross Happy Hour!

Introduction. what is cyclocross? Watch some cool CX videos!

FOR MORE INFO: dot@socalcross.org or 626.797.8950

2. PUA AND TEAM MATA ANNOUNCE THEIR PARTNERSHIP WITH AL’S PALS FOUNDATION

From Pua:

“Help me to raise money for a special boy named Alex and his Foundation that he founded in January 2005 to support the organizations that helped him during his time of illness”.

You can read more about Pua and how we met Alex and his dad at:

http://teammata.com/pua/

under Pua’s Post.

We will be selling really cool Team MATA hats with the Al’s Pals website on the back with 50% of the proceeds going to the foundation.

Also we will have available for sale Team MATA logo shirts. For more info please go to:

teammata/gear.html

Thanks for your help!
Ron and Pua

3. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY IN AN EFFORT TO CONTROL INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES

The United States Forest Service & Back to Natives RESTORATION Presents a Volunteer Restoration Training Program on 9 Saturdays in 2007 & 2008, 8AM – 12PM

Back to Natives Restoration, in a cooperative agreement with the Cleveland National Forest, will provide hands on training for restoration volunteers over the course of a 9 month training program. Each training session will focus on specific aspects of the restoration process from rudimentary tool identification and tool and trail safety training, to native and non native plant identification, proper site entry/exit protocol as well as mechanical/physical abatement techniques to reduce soil disturbance and possible weed seed germination.

When: September 15, October 27, November 10, December 8, January 12, March 8, April 12, May 10, & June 14

Where: Cleveland National Forest and other locations TBA within Orange County.

Who’s invited: Anyone interested in hiking Orange County trails to identify invasive plants, remove them when possible, and report them when assistance is needed. Volunteers from all wildland agencies, organizations and non-profits are also welcome to participate, then share the knowledge and skills gained to restore their own lands.

Age requirement: 16 years and older. Individuals younger than 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

What to Bring: Gloves, sunscreen, water, snacks, hat, wear layers and closed toe shoes.

Why: Ecological restoration is a means of sustaining the diversity of life on Earth and reestablishing healthy ecosystems. This program is for those interested in the restoration and conservation of Orange County wildlands.
Successful habitat restoration ensures that native species are protected while non-native species are removed efficiently, and with minimal human impact to the site. This program will acquaint participants with non-chemical, low impact weed removal methods.

RSVP: Please RSVP by September 14 to 949-509-4787 or restoration@backtonatives.org

4. WARRIOR’S SOCIETY CLUB/VOLUNTEER BEACH RIDE/PARTY – FUN IN THE SUN

The beach party was a blast!

Club members and volunteers were given a choice of relaxing on the beach or going on a “safety” ride with Chief Safety Officer Lare-Dog. Lare-Dog’s ride took us along the boardwalk starting in Huntington Beach all the way to the Wedge in Newport Beach. But our first stop was Mutt Lynch’s near the Newport Pier for a few “safety” tips on bar etiquette and pool game hustling from Lare-Dog. Calvin decided to skip the safety training and instead made a quick swim to Catalina and back while we enjoyed the training of Lare-Dog.
We then continued on to the Wedge. Of course Calvin, just warmed up from his swim to Catalina, attempted to convince us to ride all the way to the Mexican border with pleas of “it’ll only take us a couple of hours to ride there and back” but Lare-Dog, concerned with safety and his training schedule, put a squelch to that idea real quick much to the relief of the other trainees.

We turned back and stopped at a Mexican Restaurant near the Balboa Pier and had a great lunch and a few adult beverages under the strict supervision of Lare-Dog. Calvin, noticing a boat was having engine trouble, swam out with a tow rope and towed them back to Newport Harbor arriving back at the restaurant just as our food orders reached the table.

We then returned to Huntington Beach and joined the club members who were relaxing on the beach.

The beach party and beach “safety” ride was such a success we decided to schedule another one on Saturday, August 29th. This will be a prelude to the beginning of our 2007-2008 season, which starts on October 1st, when registration for all our 2008 events open up. I’ll have more details on that Beach Party in mid-September.

I’ll have more information for our volunteers as the party draws closer.

Here are some pictures from the Beach “Safety” ride courtesy of Bob “Howls at the Moon” McCarter:

http://tinyurl.com/2h9gph

Our trail work events for October and November will be posted soon. We are still anticipating a forest closure but will plan the trail work just in case.

A few other dates for our volunteers to remember:

Hurkey Creek Campout: Weekend of September 8th & 9th. If you haven’t RSVP’ed email Sherry to see if there is room for you.

Coastal Cleanup: September 15th: we will be working in Trabuco Canyon (Holy Jim).

Lare-Dog’s Christmas Tree Ride: Saturday, December 2nd

Club Christmas/Thanks Party: Saturday, December 8th

5. NEWBIE RIDE – O’NEILL PARK’S TIJERAS CREEK/ARROYO TRABUCO LOOP

SoCal Trail rider and Warrior’s Society nominee Gene Frial is leading another “newbie” ride on Saturday, August 25th. The ride is hosted by the Socal Trail rider’s forum and co-sponsored by the Warrior’s Society. Here are the details:

Ok, time to get your feet wet with some single track and stream crossings! I mean literally. This ride has fun single tracks and has stream crossings sure to soak your feet. This is a very fun trail that is a nice mellow ride through O’Neill Park.

The ride starts out on Arroyo Trabuco, then we will turn onto Tijeras Creek where we will continue on a short ride through Rancho Santa Margaretta and connect to the Waterwork trail, head back on Arroyo Trabuco and back to O’neill Park. There are only 2 short climbs that is no more difficult than those on the Fully Loop. Ride distance is about 17 miles.

Here’s the link to the location:

http://www.ocparks.com/oneillpark/default.asp?Show =LocationHours

From 5 Fwy – exit at El Toro Road, head north towards mountains (Lake Forest), make right on Live Oak Canyon Road (Cooks Corner) and we are on the right hand side 3 miles up the road.

From North OC – Take the 55 fwy, get off Chapman Ave, head south towards mountains and continue on Chapman it will turn into Santiago Canyon Road.
Stay on Santiago Canyon Road for about 12 miles, make a left on Live Oak Canyon Road (Cooks Corner), we are on the right hand side 3 miles up the road.

We will leave no one behind! Hope to you all out there

*Meet at O’Neill Park at 8am. We will start the ride at 8:30.
*Parking is $5.00 on weekends at O’Neill.
*No alcoholic beverages are permitted in the park

I will keep you updated as the ride gets closer on the Socal Trail riders web site:

http://tinyurl.com/yuglhy

6. MY FIRST RIDE TO THE MAIN DIVIDE; A BEGINNING RIDER’S ACHIEVEMENT

Below is a story written by Traci, AKA “Surlygirl” on her first ride to the Main Divide. For those of you unfamiliar with the Main Divide Road it is the road the runs along the top of the Santa Ana’s. Traci accessed the Main Divide by riding up Black Star Canyon Road on a ride last weekend hosted by the Socal Riders and sponsored by the Warrior’s Society.

Oh Where to Begin?

First of all, I’d like to thank Gene for posting this ride and putting so much planning into it! Gene you Rock!

I am a “Newbie”…When I say Newbie I mean “New to riding my bike”, “New Lifestyle”, “New Life”..

That being said…………….Welcome to Beek’s place…..

I was running late, I realized when I was putting my bike in the car that I had platform pedals on it (crap) okay pedals changed (thanks to Neil) on the road – I put the pedal to the metal and made it with plenty of time. Oh great! I have to go potty….I always do, I get anxious and I always drink way too much water before I ride (I can hold it – for a while).I parked at the tree farm, so we ride our bikes down to the gate – That was a nice warm up and a very easy ride….But now I’ve really gotta go potty … (I can hold it for a bit longer – I know I can)..It’s Marcy, Alyssa, Rachel and myself in the back. We finally stop and take care of the issue on hand a get going again. NOW I feel much better, let’s get this thing started I think.
Marcy (Dirt Diva) & Alyssa (not on STR but rides with us often) are up front, Rachel (Wrecker) and I are behind talking and riding everything is good.I’m feeling good.Today is going to be a good day! A really good day!……

I’m pedaling, wow I’m getting tired.My heart rate is high, Marcy and Alyssa are inching ahead, soon enough they are out of sight.Now it begins.Jeff
(J_Sims) swings back and now they are officially running sweepers and I am being swept! I could not have asked for 2 better people to sweep me up..They set the ground rules.I will make it to the top, no matter how long it takes.Stop saying “Sorry” when I pull over and start gasping for air, and take your time! We Will get there! We rode for what felt like a lifetime (about 3 miles) and had made it to the last uphill before the valley, I need to stop, again.But wait – is someone coming down? It’s Brian (Necros) and STR “holistic”? (I think that was his name – if not sorry) we talk for a while and I convince Brian he’s gotta turn around and do this.We ride – We take breaks – and we die climbing, we want to turn around..But then our sweepers wouldn’t have done their job, they push us, they cheer us, they wait for us.and they wait for us.Always smiling and feeding us with the your almost there (yea right I’d say – in my head)..

At the beginning of the very small downhill into the valley – I question if I should turn around its 10:30 – I promised my Aunt who was watching Maddie I’d be back by noon.. Do I have enough time? Of course my 2 very motivational sweepers tell me we’ll get to Beek’s in plenty of time. Don’t worry We Will get you to the top. For the first time in the ride I can see people going up the switch-backs, See I’m not that far behind. More pedaling, more positive words, and more pedaling.I want to turn around – how am I going to convince these 2 to let me? What is Brian going to say after I MADE him turn around and ride up? Oh and the people I saw on the switchbacks
– well it was Gene coming to find us? Now I knew it was pretty darn far..Gene kept trying to call up to the top I’ve found her and she’s with Brian and they’re still climbing, but he couldn’t connect. I could tell he was getting nervous he wanted everyone to be at the top when we made it.But we stopped a lot. It was hot! Slowly people started trickling down. A few I don’t know, but then a big grey freight train…All with STR Jersey’s on – they stop – Your not far – your almost there! We thought you’d turned around? IT took everything I had to keep it together.I did and I was getting to the top no matter what! Thanks for the kind words Brett and Nam!

More and more people are coming down now.There goes Carbonman and Shugamama, It got harder and harder to want to keep going, the “your almost there.”
wasn’t working anymore..I was done..Music? Who’s listening to Music? Around the bend came Andy – just blaring I can’t remember what the song was, he skidded to a stop and almost made the guy behind him run into the beloved B.O.B. – He looked surprised to see me. Now the tears start flowing. I don’t want to keep going, I don’t! I’m not going to! And no one can make me! (And I wonder why Maddie can be such a handful?).He turned around and we kept going, you are almost there! It’s just around that bend.More people coming down, I’m feeling pretty low.Then I see Marcy – She’s coming down too? She stops, we hug I cry – She tells me she walked all this, she’s hurting, she rode alone and she made it to the top. That’s it! I’m gonna make it! OMR had turned around too, he rode for a few with us and then back up. He wanted to make sure the guys waited with the truck. I could see him above us, boy that’s looks a lot further than everyone says.Gene promised 15 mins at the most.This time he was right! I walked most of this with Andy.We talked, he and Rachel both tried to take my bike from me, NO WAY! I will push my own bike Thank You!…Brian, mind you is riding up what I’m walking. He’s out of water – he too is done.I’m walking he’s riding we’ve gone too far to turn around? I’m not sure about that. It’s still a ways away.At this point Brian and myself have a very impressive bunch of superstars riding with us, encouraging us to make it to the top.I’m not part of any conversation, I’m not listening and haven’t been for miles.I do hear, when you make it around the bend and you see the gate you will get another wind (yea right – I think to myself). I’m a bit ahead of Brian, I see the light! I hop on my bike and start riding..I’m crying, I’m almost there! Hoosierdaddy is on the edge taking pictures of the view and me coming up the last little hill. I celebrate! I’ve done it! I am at Beek’s place! I popped the top off and we celebrated.But wait where’s Brian? He’d better make it? He didn’t turn around did he? He’s with Jeff. I almost got back on my bike to go get him.
We did this together! Where is he? Finally I see him turn the corner! Yes I yelled! We did it!

WE DID IT! WE DID IT! WE DID IT!

I want everyone to know what a sacrifice Rachel and Jeff made. Usually sweeper means pulling up the rear and picking up the slakers..It does not mean being a personal motivator for 3 hrs. This was a harder ride for them than it was for me, they had to ride slow and stop often. They kept each other company and had a really good time behind me.If it was not for these 2 people and their patience I would have turned around got in my car and never pushed myself beyond my wildest dreams..Thank you both for giving up your ride so I could ride!

Gene, thanks for putting this ride together (I don’t think you even knew what this was going to become). This was a huge accomplishment for several people and it couldn’t have been done with a more motivating group of 50 plus people.

Thank you to Nam, Brett, and everyone else in the STR Pack that stopped and gave a few encouraging words. Thank you Carbonman & Shugaman for your kind words.Marcy thanks for the pep talk! Andy thanks for turning around. Another thanks to Gene for turning around and looking for us! OMR thanks turning around and riding back up to have the guys at the top wait. Thanks to Lar Dog, & Hoosierdaddy for patiently waiting for us! And providing very cold BEER! And thank you to the Warriors Society. Please forgive me I know I left people out! I heard everyword as they all were more encouragement to helping me get to the top..I was tired and kinda in my own place it’s all still a bit blurry…

Welcome to Beek’s Place! I made it!

Manitou and Shimano are the Major Component Sponsors of the Warrior’s Society

Cytomax is the official fluid replacement drink of the Warrior’s Society

Clif Bar is the Official Energy Bar and Gel of The Warrior’s Society

The Warrior’s Society
A Tax-Exempt organization under 501(c) 4 of the IRS Code www.warriorssociety.org

A Blue Ribbon Coalition (BRC) affiliated organization

“Some Americans need hyphens in their names because only part of them has come over; but when the whole man has come over, heart and thought and all, the hyphen drops of its own weight out of his name.”

Woodrow Wilson

In this issue:

1. The “Pain Divide” ride wrap-up

2. Warrior’s Society Club member Monique “Pua” Sawicki wins at the USA Cycling 24 hour solo National Mountain Bike Championships

3. Warrior’s Society Beach Party next Sunday, August 12th for club members and trail work and event volunteers.

4. Hike Limestone Canyon presented by the Irvine Ranch Land Reserve Trust and the Forest Service Santa Ana Mountains Natural History Association

1. THE “PAIN DIVIDE” RIDE WRAP UP

Club nominee Gene Frial did a tremendous job in organizing this very successful SoCal Forum ride for beginners up to Beek’s Place on the Main Divide in the Santa Ana Mountains and also allowing the Warrior’s Society to co-sponsor it. As usual, Warrior’s Society Assistant Safety Officer Andy Lightle kept things fun as he did the ride pulling a bob trailer loaded with refreshments and a stereo blaring music – while Chief Safety Officer Lare-Dog and SoCal rider Steve drove up Gene’s truck loaded with additional drinks and clean-up Supplies.

Gene said it best on his post on the SoCal Riders forum:

“This was a great ride indeed! Lots of newbs and vets alike. I’d like to thank everyone for showing up, encouraging each other and also for cleaning up Beek’s Place. Like Rachel said, that’s what so great about this sport and this group of riders known as STR.

Thanks to the Warriors Society members for their support and supplying us with the refreshments. Thanks to Club members John Early, Jeff Parish, and Treve Misemer. John (Keeps What Happens) for his idea to cleanup Beek’s and for taking videos and pics of the ride, nice presentation as always. To Jeff and Treve for the help and encouragement they gave to the Newbies along the way.

Thanks to Club member Lare-dog and STR’s Jeff (Hoosier daddy) for volunteering their time and driving up the cleaning supplies, tools and bevs.

Huge thanks to Rachel (Wrecker) and Jeff (J Sims) for their great job in sweeping and above all for the encouragement you gave to Brain (Neccros) and Traci (surlygal) to keep going on.

Thanks to (Warrior’s) Club members Andy Lightle (Rut) and Gregg Howard (OMR) for turning around and climbing back up to Beek’s and cheerleading them on, that was BIG, NO HUGE! And Club member Bob McCarter, Larry aka Lare-Dog, Jeff (Hoosierdaddy) for also waiting at Beek’s for us.

STR was in the house BIG! Lots of us have been up to Beek’s a number of times and it’s rides like this make it special.

This was huge for many of you newbies, I’m sure of that. Of all the times I’ve been to Beek’s, this was the best time for sure. To see someone push themselves to the brink, but continue on and make it to the top is what this ride was all about! A JOB WELL DONE TO YOU ALL!

BIG PROPS TO TRACI AND BRIAN FOR CONTINUING ON and NOT GIVING UP!

NO ONE WAS LEFT BEHIND!

Thanks again to all and stay tuned for the next series in the ‘NEWBIES ON THE PAIN DIVIDE'”

For more postings and pictures of the ride go to the STR Forum at:

http://www.socaltrailriders.org/forum/trail-talk/7246-rr-blackstar-beeks-newbie-ride.html

John Early took additional photos which are posted on his web site. There’s a button at the top for a link to the helmet cam footage…which is lengthy.

http://www.johnearly.com/rides/Pain%20Divide.html

Thanks Gene for organizing this and to everyone who helped clean up our forest.

2. WARRIOR’S SOCIETY CLUB MEMBER MONIQUE “PUA” SAWICKI WINS AT THE USA CYCLING 24 HOUR SOLO NATIONAL MOUNTAIN BIKE CHAMPIONSHIPS

This Saturday to Sunday July 28th & 29th was the USA Cycling 24 hour solo National Mountain Bike Championships.

The race was held in Wausau, Wisconsin at Nine Mile Park. The 14 mile course was more technical than ever, consisting of tight single track with lots of rocks, roots and trees that would seemingly lean in and bump the riders as they passed. The forecast was 85 degrees during the day and 50s at night, perfect 24 hour racing conditions.

From the race start Pua took the lead, putting the hammer down, she got out in front trying not to get caught in a single track traffic jam, she was able to put 3 minutes on Rebecca Rusch (2006 National 24 hour champion) after the first lap. Nat Ross did the same on the men’s side and was able to get out in front for the men with Eatough lingering a minute behind. For the first 6 laps Pua was able to average a gain of about 3 to 5 minutes per lap over Rusch. On the men’s side things were starting to get close between Ross and Eatough with the gap shrinking to nothing.

At this point in the race Pua decided to relax the pace on hopefully just make consistent gains lap by lap. After 5 laps of this she was only gaining about a minute per lap and at lap 11 she did not gain at all and the lead held at 25 minutes. When Pua heard this split she was not happy, so she decided to go back on the attack and push the pace back up. After making this move the gap started to grow. First 3-8 minutes and then by the 16th lap at sunrise the difference grew and Pua now had over 1 hour and five minutes on Rusch. On the men’s side once Eatough moved ahead of Ross the gap grew fast, within two laps it was 8 minutes and then by sunrise it was over a lap.

By the end Pua finished with 18 laps in less than 24 hours, one lap (14
miles) ahead of Rusch in second and Danielle Musto in third. Pua placed 4th in the overall, just 2 laps behind Eatough and only one lap back of Ross.
This is by far the best female finish against the Worlds top male 24 hour racers ever, Pro women have never gotten to within 3 laps of these guys!

Eatough won the men’s race with 20 laps, two laps ahead of Ross followed by Mark Hendershot in third.

We will have a gallery of pics on the website soon at http://teammata.com/photos/main.php

Also if you are interested or need high resolution pics please contact us at rjs@teammata.com.

Most important:

Thanks so much to our team, without them this would not have been possible!!
Keith Schaper – Pit Boss or Pit Bull

Robert Herber – Crazy legs (he darted back and forth to see Pua at 4 spots or more on every lap!)

Thanks to Jack and the rest of the guys at Niterider for making sure her lights were perfect and super bright!

3. WARRIOR’S SOCIETY BEACH PARTY NEXT SUNDAY, AUGUST 12TH FOR TRAIL WORK AND EVENT VOLUNTEERS

Next Sunday, August 12th, the Warrior’s Society will be hosting a beach party/beach ride at Huntington State Beach for our trail work and event volunteers and their families. You bring a bike, sunscreen, beach chairs, towels and we’ll provide the food.

If you are a club volunteer and would like to join us email to RSVP and to get directions to the location.

4. LIMESTONE CANYON HIKE PRESENTED BY THE IRVINE RANCH RESERVE TRUST AND THE SANTA ANAT NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION

The Irvine Ranch Land Reserve Trust and the Forest Service Santa Ana Mountains Natural History Association have partnered together to offer a wonderful afternoon hike through Limestone Canyon. Saturday, August 18. We will travel along old ranch roads and trails to discover Dripping Springs, a beautifully lush fern grotto. Hike through oak woodlands, grasslands and coastal sage while keeping your eyes out for mule deer, playful foxes or a soaring Red-tailed Hawk. The program will begin promptly at 5:00 pm and will last until 8:00 pm, covering about
6 miles of easy hiking trail. Remember to bring water, wear appropriate hiking clothes and be ready to have some fun!
***************************************************
Debra Clarke – Wilderness / Trails Manager District Volunteer Coordinator Cleveland NF, Trabuco Ranger District
1147 East Sixth Street
Corona, CA 92879
(951) 736-1811 x 3227
(951) 736-3002 fax
email: drclarke@fs.fed.us
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Manitou and Shimano are the Major Component Sponsors of the Warrior’s Society

Cytomax is the official fluid replacement drink of the Warrior’s Society

Clif Bar is the Official Energy Bar and Gel of The Warrior’s Society

The Warrior’s Society
A Tax-Exempt organization under 501(c) 4 of the IRS Code www.warriorssociety.org

A Blue Ribbon Coalition (BRC) affiliated organization

“Some Americans need hyphens in their names because only part of them has come over; but when the whole man has come over, heart and thought and all, the hyphen drops of its own weight out of his name.”

Woodrow Wilson