Carrera de San Rafael 2008

Larry Rosa Photography

n's me Wo ing// Rac p.09

rse Cou // Map p.06

/ Pro view/ Pre p.04

n u S / / c i E f i IDe P a c U G o th E t C t A n e R m L pple A I C A Su I F OF

Image Š 2008 Steve Holmes

iel am //J n e s h D a p.05

al or-C //N ing Racp.03

com . l e rafa n a as e r r ca

Pure. Unadulterated. Fun. FROM

199

$

/MO.*

*Offer subject to credit approval. Applies to purchases of 2008 Hypermotard and Hypermotard S models of $5,000 or more made on a Ducati Motorcycle installment loan account from May 1 - July 31, 2008. Fixed APR of 5.99%, 6.99%, 13.99%, 17.99% will be assigned based on approval criteria. Example used was $11,995 (MSRP) at 5.99% APR for 72 months ($198.74). Examples of monthly payments over a 72-month term at 5.99%: $16.57 per $1,000 financed and at 17.99% APR: $22.80 per $1,000 financed. Based on credit approval criteria, a down payment of up to 10% may be required.

HATTAR MOTORSPORTS 601 E. Francisco Blvd.

San Rafael, Ca

(415)456-3345

w w w. h a t t a r m o t o . c o m 2 CARRERA DE SAN RAFAEL

Image © 2008 Steve Holmes

CARRERA’S 10TH YEAR USHERS IN NEW GENERATION OF NOR-CAL CYCLING// Criterium to join San Francisco & Sacramento in a ‘Triple Crown’ of Bay Area Racing

O

Larry Rosa Photography

ne might wonder why Universal PicThat event, however, was not the Carre- cycling destination and newborn San Frantures didn’t throw some Incredible ra de San Rafael. And that’s where things cisco becomes the final, crescendo stop on Hulk sponsorship behind this year’s get interesting. the USA Crits Championship Series before Carrera de San Rafael Twilight Criterium.

“I had been working on San Francisco for the Las Vegas Finals. While the Sacramento Of course, it has always been green—it’s almost a year at that point,” explains Dawk- twi-cri is still in the preliminary planning cycling after all—but now it has suddenly ins, “when out of nowhere I was meeting stages and has yet to be calendared, it is real gotten freakishly huge as well. with Wil about the San Rafael race.” “San enough for a synergistic relationship among Attendees of the 2007 event could likely Francisco” is the San Francisco Twilight the three races to be obvious. sense the race reaching a breaking point. Criterium, now scheduled to sprint through “We’re starting this year by making the Spectator turnout surpassed all previous the city’s Marina District on the evening of Carrera a qualifier for San Francisco,” exyears as thousands swarmed into downtown September 13, 2008. plains Dawkins. “The top amateur and pro San Rafael, setting “The very same finishers at San Rafael get priority registraa new standard for a week we acquired tion for the SF Twilight. Once we add SacBy Ryan single-day participathe Carrera, we ramento, it’ll be a Triple Crown. We’ll have Chamberlain tory sporting event got our big break major sponsorship in Northern Califorin San Francisco,” crossover throughnia. Crowds were getting larger. Riders were continues Dawkins. “Webcor called. We’d out the whole series, getting better. Sponsors were getting more already navigated the city process, but we and are envisioning involved. This couldn’t be an unassuming needed that big sponsor to get us out the a six-figure prize for little Marin track much longer. Something door. Webcor was it.” any rider who could had to give.

But as they say...wait, there’s more. manage to win all Sure enough, that breaking point broke.

“And then Sacramento sprouted up!” he three races.”

In April of this year, the Carrera, started by beams. “All in the same week. It was incredIn order to win local rider and race enthusiast Wil Matthews ible, the perfect storm of criterium cycling. this soon-to-be Twiin 1998, was acquired by Project Sport, one Those cycling gods who have been kicking light Triple Crown, of Northern California’s largest sports mar- around the sport for the past couple years sud- riders will have to keting firms. denly smiled big on Northern California.” compete against “It’s fitting on the tenth anniversary of In a time span almost as short as a crit race the best of the best. this race that it is handed to an organization itself, veteran San Rafael becomes a major San Francisco itself capable of bringing the event to its fullest potential,” says Matthews. “This is the perfect venue for this sport, centrally located to spectators, sponsors and media—and in one of the most active cycling communities in the nation. Project Sport has what it takes to make Carrera de San Rafael a top national race.”

Project Sport owns and operates a portfolio of running and cycling events including the US Race Series, and over the last 7 years has produced events in San Francisco, Napa Valley, Atlanta, Copper Mountain (Colorado) and Sun Valley (Idaho). Local readers have likely labored across the Golden Gate Bridge in Project Sport’s flagship event, the US Half Marathon.

Project Sport also manages the McGuire Cycling Team, Northern California’s top elite cycling organization. Company president Ryan Dawkins, himself a cyclist, triathlete and former collegiate swimmer, had been aggressively pursuing a criterium cySan Francisco offers a last chance to top the pro's before USA Crits Vegas Finals cling event to add to Project Sport’s roster.

is already getting a lot of attention. Rock Racing and Webcor Builders are two of the more famous teams already committed, and its position on the USA Crits Series calendar all but guarantees top-level participation. The World Championship Sports Network, now an NBC property, has claimed broadcasting rights, putting riders on a national stage.

So as these three races build on one another, the competition promises to be brutal. Win all three crits? Good luck with that, riders. Last we checked, Tiger wasn’t in spandex. //

Ryan Chamberlain is the principal of Seed Field Outreach and public affairs director for the San Francisco Twilight Criterium.

His company provides strategic consulting and day-to-day management for the grassroots outreach efforts of political and corporate public affairs campaigns.

CARRERA DE SAN RAFAEL 3

Image © 2008 Steve Holmes

PRO MEN’S RACE PREVIEW//

T

Cycling Classic, McGuire placed rider Erick Pierce on the podium and two others in the top ten at the Downtown Criterium in Bend, Oregon.

Chew praised the team’s efforts at Cascade. “The guys were super at Cascade. We weren’t that focused on the general classification, so we just rode hard everyday for stage wins.

We didn’t get everything that we wanted, but Erick’s result in the crit is a huge success for us. The boys rode really well together in all the stages. We played all of our cards.”

Chew says the team looks cohesive now more than ever. And they will be gunning for something major at Carrera. “We know there will be some big hitters at this one.

And they deserve respect. But we’re not going to lie down and hand them the win.

They’ll have to take it from us...” //

McGuire Rider, Michael Tymoff in an early break with threetime Olympian Eric Wohlberg at Burlingame Criterium Image © 2008 Steve Holmes

he Carrera de San Rafael 2008 will be yet another welcome challenge for the new McGuire Cycling Team, according to team captain Mack Chew.

After a brief hiatus, McGuire has returned to the scene this year with partner Pacific Bicycle to field a new team of athletes under new management.

“Last year, competing as team Areté Racing, we raced aggressively, but with only four riders and a very strong field, we came up a bit short. This year, as the McGuire Cycling Team we are able to bring a full squad so we have high hopes and expectations,” says Chew.

With a new roster and a fresh look, the McGuire Cycling Team is poised to live up to the respect that the previous teams have earned. The team has earned solid results so far this season but is still looking for the big win. Just back from the Cascade

Larry Rosa Photography

McGuire Cycling Team

The Carrera de San Rafael Organizing Team: Project Sport, LLC – Ryan Dawkins, Ashley Montgomery, Mack Chew, Ryan Chamberlain & Jesse Cohen.

City of San Rafael Redevelopment Agency – Brian Auger, Events Coordinator Pilarcitos Cyclesports – Tom Simpson & Alec Simpson, Operations Trailhead Marketing – Jodi Hall, Media & PR THANKS TO DOLCE VITA CYCLING TEAM, WHOLE ATHLETE AND ALL OUR RACE VOLUNTEERS AND SPONSORS!

Alton Dunnigan

4 CARRERA DE SAN RAFAEL

Larry Rosa Photography

The Carrera de San Rafael Official Race Guide is a marketing product of the Pacific Sun Publisher – Sam Chapman Art Director – Gabriel Lieb Ad Director – Linda Black

835 Fourth Street, Suite B • San Rafael, CA • 415/485-6700 www.pacificsun.com

Image © 2008 Steve Holmes

PRO CYCLIST INTERVIEW// Jamiel Danesh Interview by Ryan Dawkins, president of Project Sport, LLC t was in 2002 when I first met Jamiel.

I was teaching a triathlon class at San Francisco State University during my master’s program and he was one of my students. The order in which a triathlon event progresses—swim, bike, run—is how the class evolved as well. He was a strong athlete and could swim well enough, but when it came to the bike, it was an entirely different story. Jamiel was an exceptional rider and I saw the potential in him from day one. After the semester ended we kept in touch, as I was throwing around the idea of starting a triathlon/cycling team and he was thinking about racing. In the five months spent in class with Jamiel, you could see there was a fire in his eyes and a strong will to work hard—the characteristics needed to be a successful professional athlete.

January marks the “pre-season” and the start of the Northern California cycling calendar and the early bird series. I showed up that month in 2003 to see what it was all about, entered as a Cat 5 and rode up

I

to the line. About halfway into the race, someone rode off the front of the pack and was about to lap the field. It was Jamiel.

It’s only in the world of professional sports that one could be considered a veteran at the age of 31, but this Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-born professional cyclist, nicknamed “Jamaminal,” shows no signs of slowing down.

Since his first race in 2003, Jamiel has ridden every year since and with some of the top pros in the country. Jamiel started out with McGuire in 2004, moved to Kodak Gallery/Sierra Nevada in 2007 and now rides with Kahala/LaGrange. Hailing from Half Moon Bay, Jamiel spends most of the year traveling to professional races across the U.S., and occasionally beyond.

He embraces the role of a tough worker, shielding and pacing his team’s star sprinters or climbers, and laying down the law in the peloton when things are out of order. And of course, there are times when he gets the chance, and goes for the win on his own.

Jamiel has unfinished business in San Rafael and is looking forward to making his mark.

I caught up with him during the International Cycling Classic (a.k.a. Super Week) in Chicago.

What sparked your cycling career?

I grew up by Lake Almaden in San Jose where they host the San Jose International Triathlon. I woke up one morning to announcers out in front of my house on the microphone at 6am. I wasn’t too happy about it and went down to yell at someone and stumbled into my new passion...

Cycling Elite Track National Championships with Dave McCook and Roman Kilun. An epic event.

What was the turning point to become a professional?

What has been your racing history at the Carrera de San Rafael?

I turned “pro” my second year on a bike with Charlie Moore and McGuire, but did not really “get it” until I got to meet and ride with guys like Marc Walters and Cody O’Reilly last season on Sierra Nevada.

It was my first NRC race in my first season [2003] and I think I finished 24th.

In 2006, with RH Villa, we won most of the cash primes and in 2007 I had to watch from the sidelines. I had crashed in a training ride two days prior and, incidentally, the rider who was with me that day, Randy Bramblett, got 2nd place that night. I guess you could say I got to live vicariously through him.

You’ve been a pro cyclist since 2004, making this your fifth year in the professional ranks, and have ridden for some of the hottest domestic teams since then [McGuire Pro Cycling, Kodak Gallery/Sierra Nevada]. During this time, what would you say has been your greatest achievement?

Learning to compete without something to prove and getting back on the bike after scoring a big touchdown in 2007.

Training after crash, before Carrea in 2007

What was the “big touchdown”?

I won a Silver Medal at the 2007 USA

2007 USA Cycling Elite Track Nationals, 2nd Place

You’ve been successful in many types of races, but you seem to really shine in tough criteriums. Did you plan this?

No, when I started I wanted to win the Tour de France, and climb like [Miguel] Indurain, but in this sport you learn fast which courses and styles suit you. There seems to be a race course for everyone.

What keeps you from scrapping a training session on a cold, wet winter day?

Nothing. I live in Maui during the winters, the rain is warm there...

What was your toughest race?

Copperopolis last year. I made the early break and then Santa Rosa’s Levi Leipheimer bridged up. I rode outside myself to remain with this group for four long laps.

What fellow pro rider has inspired you the most?

Dave McCook, Linda Jackson, Roman Kilun, Jonas Carney, Shelly Olds.

San Rafael has always been bad timing, between crashes and team schedule conflicts, but coming off two weeks of racing at Super Week, this is the time. What would you like to ask the crowd to do to help you finally get the top podium spot this year?

Bring the entire family and cheer like crazy. // CARRERA DE SAN RAFAEL 5

Schedule // Turn Four Expo // 2:30pm-9:30pm Features more than 30 exhibitors from the cycling, health and ďŹ tness industries

RACE COURSE// For additional information, visit carrerasanrafael.com

Elite Category 3/4 Women // 2:45pm-3:20pm The amateur women will surprise you with their dedication. Early in the race, you’ll oftentimes hear them chatting away as they go by.

Masters 1/2/3 Men 35+ // 3:30pm-4:10pm Look for former pro riders and extremely dedicated veterans to set some of the fastest lap times of the day

Pro Rider Village // All professional teams will have an exclusive area to warm up, fuel up and hang out before the Showdown at Sundown! Spectators and fans are encouraged to stop by the Pro Rider Village on Fourth Street between A St. & Lootens. Grab an autograph from your favorite cyclists and see the tricked-out bikes they will take upwards of 40 mph.

The Festival // The festival surrounding the event includes a Kids Event, an Expo and Pro Athlete Village. Involvement from the local restaurants and bars, and music from top DJs all create a unique experience enhanced by the excitement of bike racing.

Course Description // The 1-km course, located in San Rafael’s vibrant downtown setting, starts and ďŹ nishes on Fourth St. while running clockwise on Fourth, E St., Fifth St. and B St.

Elite Category 4 Men // 4:20pm-5:00pm Amateur racers who’ve started on the bottom rung will surprise you with their speed and numbers

The Expo //

Elite Category 3 Men // 5:10pm-5:50pm These athletes have worked hard to earn “Cat 3� upgrade points and are now just a handful of top 3s away from the Pro, 1, 2 ranks.

The Expo will occupy Fourth St. between A St. & B St., while the Pro Athlete Village area is located between Lootens and A St. (Note: A St., west/east bound access will remain open to through trafďŹ c).

Kids Event, Presented by PaciďŹ c Sun // 6:00pm-6:20pm Open to all kids 12 and under, free, and everyone gets a prize!

Directions to the Course // From US-101, take the Central San Rafael Exit, merge onto Irwin and make a left on Third St. The closed course is between Lootens & E St. on Fourth St.

Pro and Elite 1/2/3 Women // 6:50pm-7:50pm Some of the fastest women in the country will highlight this race

Road Closures //

Pro and Elite 1/2 Men, Presented by Seagate Properties // 8:00pm-9:30pm The Showdown at Sundown—the Pro Men will ďŹ ght to the end at the Carrera de San Rafael!

Saturday, August 9, 2008, 12pm to 10pm Fourth Street from Lootens Place to “A� Street (Expo Area) (noon to 10pm) C Street from the parking entrance to Fourth Street (noon to 10pm) Fourth Street from A Street to E Street (1:30pm to 9:30pm) Fifth Street from Court Street to E Street (1:30pm to 9:30pm) B Street from Third Street to Mission Avenue (1:30pm to 9:30pm) C Street from Third Street to Mission Avenue (1:30pm to 9:30pm) D Street from Third Street to Fifth Street (1:30pm to 9:30pm) E Street from Third Street to Fifth Street (1:30pm to 9:30pm)

Free Valet Bike Parking // Ride your bike to the event and beat the trafďŹ c! Look for the Marin County Bicycle Coalition’s safe and secure bike parking—don’t forget your lights for the ride home.

CREPEVINE

IXZ\ Fm\i ?\i\ G`qqX $ JlYj $ JXcX[j

restaurant

, /(+2 + ) , a ,0 - + ) , , + & % , a (& % -- , a ' " -"(', ) ' $ , + ' ! -( ,, ' 0" ! , a , % , a ) ,- $" , , & '. a + 0"'

2008 best Inexpensive Dinner - North Bay Bohemian

,- +LE:?

- North Bay Bohemian

4XFEJTI .BTTBHF IS

I<8B=8JK %LE:? @EE<I CC 8P a ,8K ,LE ILE:?

Open 7 Days A Week 7:30am-10pm & fri/Sat 7:30am-11pm

4QFDJBMUZ .BTTBHF IS Â&#x2026; %FFQ 5JTTVF Â&#x2026; 1SFOBUBM Â&#x2026; 4QPSUT Â&#x2026; 4IJBUTV Â&#x2026; .BOZ "EEJUJPOBM 4UZMFT

-! ,-+ - a , ' + % a

BREAKING AWAY B I C Y C L E S WE SPEAK CROSS Â&#x2C6;>Â&#x2DC;VÂ&#x2026;Â&#x2C6;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160; Â?Ă&#x2022;iĂ&#x160;UĂ&#x160; >Â&#x201C;Â&#x2C6;Ă&#x192;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;->Â?Ă&#x192;>Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;,>Â?iÂ&#x2C6;}Â&#x2026;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;7Â&#x2C6;Â?Â&#x2C6;iĂ&#x20AC;Ă&#x160; Â?VÂ&#x2026;iÂ&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x160; iĂ&#x192;Ă&#x192;iÂ&#x2DC;}iĂ&#x20AC;Ă&#x160; >}Ă&#x192;Ă&#x160;Made of Recycled Inner Tubes Open 7 Days a WeekĂ&#x160;UĂ&#x160;Awesome apparel selection: XS to 4X

2/33 #/--/. s 2/33 s 6 CARRERA DE SAN RAFAEL

.'* =fli k_ Jki\\k 7 KXdXcgX`j JXe IX]X\c Â&#x203A; +,+ $ -(((

)PU 4UPOF .BTTBHF IS

0QFO %BZT B 8FFL 5VFÂŹ4VO ÂŹ .PO ÂŹ

8

XXX NJMMWBMMFZNBTTBHF DPN

7

$BNJOP "MUP 4UF Â&#x2026; .*-- 7"--&:

$ 4USFFU Â&#x2026; 4"/ 3"'"&-

Affordable Professional Massage Mill Valley t San Rafael CARRERA DE SAN RAFAEL 7

Image © 2008 Steve Holmes

TWILIGHT CLUB & VILLAS// A Front Row Seat at 40 mph

C

ome celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Carrera in style! The San Rafael Twilight is offering two new opportunities to enhance the overall experience for race fans, clients or employees.

The first addition is the Twilight Club, positioned at the heart of the race. The Club is an exclusive area where you will get to enjoy the passion of the sport while experiencing the true intensity of competition. With a front row seat and prime positioning—enjoying gourmet treats and signature drinks—you will encounter firsthand the extreme speeds and thrills of top professional athletes battling it out.

Tickets to be apart of the Twilight Club

are only $125 and can be purchased online at carrerasanrafael.com.

Now, for the serious fan or corporate entertainment, the Twilight Villas were designed to offer a premier environment for those who would rather have a private area to host clients, treat employees or hang out with friends and family. Villas can accommodate up to 30 people and can be completely customized. The Villas will also sit at the heart of the race and will have prime viewing of all the action. To rent your own private Villa and to discuss the different options available, please e-mail Ashley Montgomery at ashley@rbpevent.com. //

COWBELLS AT CARRERA//

I

f there’s one thing that makes a bike race come alive, it’s spectators ringing cowbells to cheer the racers on. Carrera de San Rafael is an especially good race for ringing bells, as the start/finish corridor becomes a gauntlet of energy, spurring the racers to dig deeper than they thought they ever could.

How cowbells went from helping farmers find lost livestock to cheering on professional bike racers is something of a European mystery, but Carrera is lucky to have the support of Cowbell. com, a Marin-based company and producer of cheering bells used for bike races

across the country, the U.S. Ski Team, and even the Olympics. Cowbell.com is also the source of the large engraved brass cowbells given to the winners of Carrera—see them on the awards podium following each race!

Thanks to Mike’s Bikes & Project Sport, Fourth Street will once again become Cowbell Alley at Carrera, as hundreds of cowbells will be given away to spectators beginning at 5pm. To obtain a 10th Anniversary Cowbell, be sure to visit the Cowbell.com booth, the city of San Rafael booth and also listen for the announcer’s instructions on other locations!

Grab a bell & let ‘em ring! //

Watch for situations in which one team greatly outnumbers the others. One team may have a rider attack, forcing the other teams to chase, then send another as soon as the first is reeled back in, repeating the process until the competition folds under

the pressure or has nothing left to put back into the pedals.

If the pack stays together, the race may end in a field sprint, with each team maneuvering its fastest rider toward the front in the final laps—and from near chaos, a winner! //

T

he most common form of American bike racing, the criterium is a multilap race of 25 to 60 miles held on a closed course generally a mile or less in length. These races, which usually last one to two hours, are extremely fast—30 mph and up—as the cyclists jockey for position and sprint for lap “primes” (cash or merchandise prizes, pronounced “preems”).

The short, closed course, generally with both right- and left-hand corners, makes this type of racing easy to watch for spectators and more accessible for the media.

In criteriums, it’s “go” from the gun, as the strong riders force the pace and the weaker ones struggle to hang on. Quick acceleration and bike-handling ability are paramount—a successful criterium rider will be able to dive into a tight corner at high speed, leaning the bike over at a gravitydefying angle, then power out of the turn and instantly set up for the next. It’s important to stay near the front; the first few riders in a pack can take a corner with little or

8 CARRERA DE SAN RAFAEL

no braking. Those toward the back jockey for the best “line” through the turn, brake, then sprint to catch up with the pack as it accelerates, developing an “accordion” or “slinky” effect.

In an hour-long race where corners will number in the hundreds, the constant braking and accelerating takes its toll; riders who fall off the pace and find themselves out of contention or lapped by the field, will usually be removed from the race.

A rider who crashes, flats or has some other mechanical problem, however, may take advantage of a free-lap rule to repair his or her bike, proceeding to a repair pit and re-entering the pack in the position he or she left it a lap later.

Attacks and chases follow one another with dizzying quickness as riders from one team or another “take a flyer” off the front.

Larry Rosa Photography

WHAT’S A ‘CRITERIUM?’//

Image © 2008 Steve Holmes

WOMEN’S CYCLING//

It is time

I

n Disney’s animated classic, The Lion King, the sovereign’s most trusted adviser could sense when the moment had come to anoint the king’s successor. “It is time,” he would declare, leading to a solemn assembly in which the dauphin—or dauphiness!—would be anointed. All the animals would assemble at Pride Rock, the kingdom’s hallowed ground, for the ceremony. It heralded the coming of a new age, and of a new order, built respectfully upon the one before it.

Marin County is that kind of hallowed ground for cyclists around the world; a real-life land of legend and tradition. Its sacred landmark, Mount Tamalpais, is every bit as mystical and magical as a Disney invention, looming above the countryside and often crowned itself by a wreath of fog floating in from the Headlands’ rugged coast. Marin’s fertile soil has nurtured a passion for Continental road cycling for decades, finally inspiring some to seek the freedom of off-road riding in a sort of free-love version of the sport in the ‘70s, which—to make a long and intriguing story very short—ultimately contributed to the birth of the mountain bike.

Like snowboarding infused skiing and the ski industry with new life and innovation in the ‘80s and ‘90s, so mountain biking has stoked the fires of road cycling and racing in the U.S., as well cyclocross, triathlon and track racing. In fact, there is enormous crossover among the disciplines: One of this year’s Tour de France favorites is a former World Cup mountain bike champion, Aussie Cadel Evans.

promising young rider, Shelley Olds, with boys couldn’t quite go the distance... her to the office to see if we had any prodRachel Lloyd is another prominent uct options that might help a smaller rider PROMAN rider, whose mountain bike fit better on her bike. Of course, proper fit and cyclocross accomplishments are too is essential if a rider is to reach her poten- many to cover here, but who won a race tial... Well, two years later, Shelley seems as recently as July 12 in Downieville, and to be reaching her polast year was the top fintential: she is now an acishing U.S. rider at Cross

By Mark complished international Worlds. She also took competitor on the track 2nd at U.S. cyclocross Deterline, (U.S. National Team ridnationals, and is the cur2 The Front er), and has won many rerent Super D National gional and national level Champion. Then there’s road events. In fact, a very exciting mo- Southern California torch-bearer Kristina ment for me was to see Shelley line up Seley, one of the most likable athletes for one of our men’s Pro/1/2 events here in I’ve ever met; newcomer Hanan AlvesNorCal last summer. She rode superbly, Hyde (whom I watched take 2nd place in and finished the race, while some of the Lafayette July 13), as clever and crafty in a race as she is nice off the bike; Megan Guarnier, also a U.S. National Team rider, who was recently on the podium with top sprinters Tina Pic and Laura Van Gilder; and the list goes on.

And local talent—on display once again at the 2008 Carrera de San Rafael Two of the PROMAN squad’s most accomplished riders are Kristin and Helene

Drumm, who juggle racing at the elite level with day jobs: Kristin is a planner in the Marin Community Development Agency, while Helene is a Marin firefighter. “I use cycling as a stress reliever. I wouldn’t be able to function on my job if I wasn’t able to ride my bike five days a week,” Kristin admitted. She commutes to the Civic Center from her home in Novato most days. “I tell my boss that I should be paid to ride my bike, because when I do, I’m sick a lot less.” In fact, it’s part of the Marin lifestyle.

But in the end, what drives Kristin and her teammates is a love of the sport. “Cycling makes me very happy,” she concludes.

See for yourself

There are many more stories to tell, both general and personal in nature. I would summarize by saying that if any of this has made you curious about bike racing and women’s cycling, you won’t be disappointed if you come to watch these affable and accomplished athletes compete on hallowed cycling ground at a local event with a history all its own. For team PROMAN and the Carrera de San Rafael 2008, it is time. //

As is so often the case, cycling’s heritage and history tend to focus primarily on the men. And though the early days of Continental cycling may have been made— and written—by men, the early days of mountain biking and mountain bike racing were much less gender-biased (once again, a great story for another time). The buying power and growing presence of female cyclists will greatly affect the future of the bike industry, and if teams like the PROMAN Professional Cycling Team have anything to do or say about it, road, cyclocross and track bike racing will be much more co-ed in the years and decades to come as well. Which brings us to the story of the PROMAN women’s professional and development squads, as well as the part this group has played in the recent history of the Carrera de San Rafael...

Talent

When I first met team founder and manager Nicola Cranmer, she brought a

Larry Rosa Photography

Emancipation

CARRERA DE SAN RAFAEL 9

Image © 2008 Steve Holmes

SEAGATE PROPERTIES RETURNS FOR ITS 3RD YEAR!//

M U S

M

ER

in our downtown and the quality of racing is high, so we wanted to ensure that this event continues to happen and be enjoyed by thousands of people, including our many tenants and associates, as well as the volunteers and team members.”

As Presenting Sponsor of the Pro Men’s race, Montecito Shopping Center not only helps make the event happen, it also produces the over $3,500 to be awarded to the winners of that race.

Seagate Properties is proud to invest its time and talent and to provide financial support to educational, cultural, social and recreational programs throughout Marin, including local schools, the Marin Symphony, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Marin, Pickleweed Community Center and Trips for Kids.

Look for the Pro Men’s race to begin at 8pm on Saturday, August 9, racing from dusk and finishing under the lights in downtown San Rafael! //

F

or many years Trips for Kids (TFK) has participated in the Carrera de San Rafael, selling merchandise and informing attendees of our mountain biking programs that take low-income kids across North America into nature. This year, we are excited to celebrate this gripping cycling event’s 10th anniversary.

TFK staff member Jonathan Levaggi says, “I love this race! With the shop located just blocks away from the action, it provides us with high visibility in the community. We are discovered each day and the race provides us with the opportunity to reach the people most likely to participate in our programs.”

Marin boasts a very active cycling community and at TFK we believe any and all bicycling events bring cycling to the forefront of people’s consciousness. Last year, the Carrera set attendance records and drew thousands of interested people to San Rafael. The focus on male and female pro racing

EASY AUTOMOTIVE

www.markhamjohnson.com

S

eagate Properties, owners of San Rafael’s Montecito Plaza, proudly returns for a third year as Presenting Sponsor of the Twilight’s Professional Men’s event starting at 8pm.

In fact, July marks the 21st anniversary of Seagate Properties’ acquisition and rehabilitation of the Montecito shopping center on Third Street. Today, the Montecito Shopping Center is anchored by Rite Aid and Trader Joe’s, and features more than 20 shops in-between. From Performance Bicycle Center for pre-race parts, to Pasta Pomodoro for after-race fuel, Massage Envy for recovery or bandages from Rite Aid if things go badly at the race, Montecito Shopping Center has the racers and fans covered.

“San Rafael is a great city and the location of our corporate headquarters. We are pleased to return for another year as the Presenting Sponsor of this dynamic and family friendly event,” says Dennis Fisco of Seagate Properties. “The event fits perfectly

TRIPS FOR KIDS SAYS BRAVO TO CARRERA DE SAN RAFAEL//

Inside the Trips for Kids Fourth Street Shop

and the family-friendly emphasis make the event appealing to our vibrant community, which attracts attention and business. And because it starts just before dusk, it’s a vivid, fast-paced race that shines a glowing spotlight on the joy and challenge of cycling! //

SP EC IA LS

THE DEALERSHIP ALTERNATIVE

We Will Service Your New Japanese Auto `Ê > Ì> Ê9 ÕÀÊ7>ÀÀ> ÌÞÊUÊ ÞLÀ `Ê À i ` Þt

145 JORDAN, SAN RAFAEL 457-1688 or 457-1006 (/.$! s 4/9/4! s 35"!25 s .)33!. s *%%0 s ,%853 )35:5 s ).&).)4) s -!:$! s !#52! s -)435")3() VISA MC AMEX DISCOVER

20

$

30 $25 $15 $

OFF

Any Service or Repair Over $100 Ü Ì ÊV Õ« ÊUÊiÝ« ÀiÃÊnÉΣÉän

SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE

00

Off Major Service

00

Off Intermediate Service

00

Off Minor Service Ü Ì ÊV Õ« ÊUÊiÝ« ÀiÃÊnÉΣÉän

29

$

MAKE YOUR OWN SPECIAL

95

OIL & FILTER CHANGE

Includes Free Brake Inspection Japanese Cars Only Over 5 Quarts Oil + Synthetic Extra Ü Ì ÊV Õ« ÊUÊiÝ« ÀiÃÊnÉΣÉän

10 CARRERA DE SAN RAFAEL

We will donate $5 toward

BreastwithCancer Research any purchase 6 GAS SAVING TIPS FROM EASY AUTO 1 Stay within the speed limit. Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph.

2 Avoid unnecessary idling. It wastes fuel, costs you money and pollutes the air. Turn off the engine if you anticipate a wait.

3 Stop and start gently. You can improve in-town gas mileage by up to 5% by driving gently.

4 Inflate your tires. Keeping your tires properly inflated and aligned can increase gas mileage up to 3%.

5 Keep you engine tuned. Tuning your engine can increase gas mileage by an average of 4%.

6 Change your oil. Clean oil reduces wear caused by friction between moving parts and removes harmful substances from the engine. Motor oil that says “Energy Conserving” on the performance symbol of the American Petroleum Institute contains friction-reducing additives that can improve fuel economy.

MILL VALLEY FALL ARTS FESTIVAL

4FQUFNCFS

.PSF UIBO š OF BSUJTUT -JWF .VTJD 'PPE #FWFSBHFT $IJMESFO¹T &OUFSUBJONFOU

S-WORKS TARMAC SL2 DURA-ACE SPECIALIZED

Village Peddler

To reserve ad space call

BIKE SHOP

OFFICIAL PROGR AM IN

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 12

Exclusive Marin Dealers of

4BU Â&#x2026; 4VO

0ME .JMM 1BSL

THE PACIFIC SUN

Visit Village Peddler and Ride The Best Bikes in the World.

485-6700 Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival Is Proudly Sponsored by the

PaciďŹ c Sun

COLNAGO

1 -!'./,)! !6%.5% ,!2+3052 s

Marin Bocce Feder ation Courts available for drop-in, league play & rentals.

New! We Now Have a Rose Garden Available for Weddings and Other Ceremonies.

Please Call 485-5583 for more info.

550 B Street in San Rafael

Qpvoe!Nfmufst Nfejdbm!Hspvq!Jod/

B!Npefso!Bqqspbdi!up!Xfjhiu!Dpouspm!Nfejdbmmz!Tvqfswjtfe

Xfjhiu!Nbobhfnfou Gps!b!Cvtz!Mjgf

Tqfdjbm!Pggfs

%:60Npoui Csjoh!Uijt!Be!jo!Gps

%26!Pgg Zpvs!Gjstu!Wjtju

4460 Redwood Hwy., Suite 5, San Rafael | 415-446-7331 CARRERA DE SAN RAFAEL 11

Dive in and enjoy the

Best Health Club & Best Pool in Marin!

Save $50

& receive a FREE gym bag! (if you join by Sept. 1)

Call 444.8018

8

Look What You've Been Missing... Ç Best Health Club in Marin featuring all new, state-of-the-art equipment and remodeled locker rooms

Ç Best Pools in Marin featuring a newly renovated

indoor pool with a U.V. chlorine-reducing system, outdoor pool with year-round lap & family swimming and summer tot pool

Ç three new dedicated group Ätness studios offering 90+ cutting-edge classes a week!

Ç Ç Ç Ç Ç

full complement of free weights massage, personal training and private pilates training full length basketball court sauna, steam room and indoor spa drop-off KidCare program; 4 months to 10 years old

JCC members enjoy the added beneÄts of a family-friendly community center, including discounts on classes, summer camp, and performing arts events.

2 0 0 NORTH SA N PE DRO ROA D, SA N R A FA E L | W W W. M A R INJCC.ORG 12 CARRERA DE SAN RAFAEL