“I’m personally looking forward to what promises to be a super fun/challenging day of riding. See you there!” – Jen

For those who don’t know, Pedal Panties are a highly engineered, boy-short cut pantie with a thin breathable cushion providing a more comfortable ride for women. Wear them under your most stylish clothing and feel fabulous!  We enthusiastically support all ladies who ride from the beginner to the Spring Classic-ist!

Get down with IBIS! IBIS bikes is hosting the buffet at the end of the day in Santa Cruz and we owe them a big THANK YOU for opening their doors to the likes of us. You’ll get to check out the IBIS museum that has specimens from their entire history of amazing bikes as well as stuff your face with delicious hot food and tasty beverages.

Once upon a time, Slonie tried to draw a famous flag in his not-so-famous Cyclocross Comic. But something got lost in translation between Northern Belgium and Northern California, and the Kitten of Flanders was born. The original flag has been flown everywhere from San Francisco to Saitama, but soon you’ll be able to get this little guy on socks, water bottles, and more!

You know they were made for gettin’ busy right? They also work just fine for wiping all of the shmutz off of yourself after the ride so you look presentable at the table. We’re happy to announce that ActionWipes is a sponsor of the Spring Classics. Look for them at the finish line with your bag of dry clothes. Thank you ActionWipes!

Several riders have expressed their desire to participate and had asked about a route that may be as scenic, perhaps with marginally less climbing. The Express Route will get you to the food and the beer over roads just as scenic albiet in a swifter fashion.

Make no mistake, it’s going to be no Sunday ride in the park… riders will still be crushing 80ish miles of riding over varied surfaces and climbing 7,000 vertical feet and change.

Advanced Autowerks is adding to the prize pile! They’re offering certificates for free oil changes to some of our riders. If you’ve got a precision instrument auto, you know how much this can save you!

Advanced Autowerks is San Francisco’s not-the-dealer Audi, Volkswagen and Mini Cooper repair center. Eight bays and top notch certified technicians, combined with state of the art diagnostic tools make them your best choice for fast, courteous service that’s done right the first time.

“Cycling’s spring races are always the most anticipated of the year, not only because they herald the start of the season, but also because they are brutally difficult and spectacularly unpredictable. Known as the Spring Classics, these one-day races test cycling’s toughest riders with the worst conditions imaginable—sucking mud, choking dust, leg-numbing sleet, fanatic spectators, and Europe’s narrowest, most bone-grinding country roads. Clattering through agrarian hamlets on routes established a century ago, the Spring Classics celebrate cycling’s most glorious and meaningful history. Riders that perform well amidst the intensity of these one-day races are acclaimed as cycling’s “hard men.””

These two events are my homage to the European Classics. That’s why. For some fantastic photos to get you in the mood, click here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1934030600/ref=rdr_ext_tmb and click on the “Look Inside” photo.

I’d suggest something with a compact or triple driveline and no less than 25mm tires. Personally, I’d probably run 28mm front and rear. Anything over 42mm may be overkill.

Your mileage may vary.

You can register here: http://norcalspringclassic-march24-redbutton.eventbrite.com/

Also, the start time & location will be posted up in a few days. The start is in San Francisco and there is loads of easy, free parking, close to the 101.

This just in:

“Ritchey is fired up to support the Spring Classics. Crits are fine and dandy but this is the kind of ride that Tom Ritchey loves to do…big distance, lots of climbing, not all paved, and covering some of the most beautiful roads in the world.”

Ritchey makes some really sweet stuff and a few riders are going to go home with some of it. You could be one of them, but you have to ride to find out.