upcoming

Stomach Churn Charity Bicycle Race

What:

The Stomach Churn: Humboldt’s 11th Annual Last Gathering of the Humboldt Bicycling Tribe

In its decade+ of existence the Stomach Churn bicycle race has become a local tradition to mark the end of the bicycling season. The entry fee for the race is $5 to cover insurance, plus either a toy for Toys For Tots, or dog/cat food for Miranda Animal Rescue. The post-race barbecue and beer are as much a part of the event’s tradition as the racing itself. Also traditional are the race awards, usually something hand-made and very sought after. The day ends with a post-race raffle, where a few hundred dollars in cycling related goodies (tires, grips, clothing, etc.) are doled out to the racers.

What is Cyclocross?

Cyclocross is one of the most difficult forms of bicycle racing. Immensely popular in Europe (the sport had its first world championship in Paris in 1950), this wintertime form of racing is held on short courses of a mile or so in length on woodland trails or open meadows. Short, steep hills and barriers that cause racers to have to dismount and run are the main features of a cyclocross course. Unlike road races or mountain bike races that normally last several hours, cyclocross races normally run for a set time of an hour or less. With the short duration comes a brutally fast pace there’s no “save some for later” in cyclocross. Riders go all out for the full length. The first race is at 10:30am> It will go for 30-minute plus one lap. At 11:30am the 60-Minute + 1-lap event begins.

The 1 mile course, features two long sections of narrow, meandering trail; a too-steep-to-ride section, and a few 100-yard sections of fast, bumpy ground with a few dismount barriers tossed in for good measure.

A cyclocross bicycle resembles a standard road bike, with low handlebars, 700-C size wheels and relatively narrow tires. However, the Stomach Churn course is rougher and more technical than most, so mountain bike, with their wider tires and shock absorbers, will have a distinct advantage over traditional cyclocross bikes.

This race is open to riders of all ages and abilities. While most riders will be 20-somethings and 30-somethings, expect to see riders in their teens and younger, and a few (though they hate to admit it) who are of Social Security age. Among this charity event’s many sponsors are Revolution Bicycles, Advenure’s Edge, Figuereido’s Video, HealthSPORT, Kenda Tires and Hammer Nutrition.  For more details visit www.teambigfoot.net, or contact Vic (707)845-3095.

When/where: