NorCal League Race #4-Five Springs Farm Round-Up- Race Recap. Petaluma, power seat of the Cackleberry Republic, is accustomed to the peaceable clucking of hens and the soft rhythmic sloshing of the butter churn echoing across its namesake slough. Despite being the home of the NorCal League, the relentless crescendos of rolling rubber on damp adobe, the prehistoric yawps, and pealing cowbells remain a new part of the music of this corner of Northern California.
That took a mighty turn this weekend, when nearly 1000 racers and the biggest-ever-to-date spectator field returned to the wildflower-spiked hills of south Sonoma County. The Hellman family once again flung open their gates so that student athletes could stretch their sinew on the purpose-built trails that traipse up, down, over, and through their ranch. Teams like Nevada Union, Casa Grande, Oakland Composite, the A-Team, and the new Roseland Collegiate Prep team all took part in trail improvements and berm construction, sowing stoke with each swing of the mattock. The nascent Nevada High School League saw fit to come out and observe this race in preparation for launching their own league, not least of which to see a venue built just for high school racing. When it came to our event permits, the County of Sonoma once again proved that they both welcome and understand cycling in a big way.
Race Results:
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We are still reflecting on last week’s spectacular and exciting high school mountain bike race at Five Springs Farm: what a weekend! With the trails in all time perfect condition, the wild flowers popping and riders in the best shape of the season, the race was nothing short of awesome.