PETALUMA, Calif. – Cowbells competed with the clucking of chickens on Saturday, April 23, when the Five Springs Ranch in Petaluma opened their gates once again to host the NorCal Cycling League race.

Boasting the largest turnout of spectators to date, the race drew nearly 1,000 competitors.

The course itself was a 6.5 mile fast track through poppy and wildflower strewn grasslands. With an 850 foot elevation gain each lap; riders completed two to four laps – 13 to 26 miles – depending on category placement.

Absent are rocks and tree roots; the technical aspect was climbing and speed. Last year, some of the turns were loose and crashes were common. That problem was solved with newly burmed turns and the rains just the day before, helped to provide ideal trail conditions.

Top local finisher of the day was Rainey Vanoven (CLHS Frosh)) with a fourth place out of 26 freshman girls.

“I really liked the course,” she stated. “It wasn’t super technical and I was able to go faster. It was hard on the last lap because I was getting tired and I was completely shocked when I came in fourth.”

“This was only Rainey’s second race and she rocked it,” stated Coach Tami Cramer. “Rainey’s a natural born competitor and I’m happy for her.”

Unfortunately the planets didn’t align for more Lake County podiums.

Kia Kohler (KHS JV) finished 12th of 27, but was really hoping for a top five since she had done well at Petaluma the year before.

“Mark” Jeffrey Morton (CLHS Varsity) stated, “I just needed another lap.”

Morton, finishing 8th or 29, was making ground in his last lap and could have benefited from a fifth time around.

By the afternoon, JV and Varsity riders had the high winds to contend with that early starters did not. Christian Lindsey, who had suffered from mechanical problems at the last two races, had no issues placing 10th out of 56; however, Justin Perez (KHS Frosh), suffered a setback from his shifter lever coming undone, placing 17th. 

Other local racers of the day included Solano Dominguez (CLHS), Michael Murphy (MHS) and Gabe Wind (CLHS) who finished in the top middle of the JV d. 2 pack. Other finishers of the day included: Zoë Cramer (CLHS Soph), Seth Spitzer (Indep. Frosh) and Jacob Young (MHS Soph).

The season is winding down with Race No. 5, the NorCal Championship, slated to take place this Sunday, May 8th at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey and the State Championships a short two weeks behind that in Los Olivos.

To find out more about the local teams, like them on Facebook at Lake County High School Mountain Bike Teams.

For further information about the NorCal Cycling League, visit www.norcalmtb.org .