A Supplement to the Pacific Sun SRTWILIGHT.COM 1

PRO CYCLIST INTERVIEW //Bernard van Ulden

return to protect his title should he not get

sent last-minute to China again. I caught up

with Bernie (not really, virtually, via e-mail)

to learn more about what makes him go.

What sparked your cycling career?

My dad grew up in Holland and every-

one there rides bikes, so naturally as kids

he told us to ride a bike if we wanted to get

anywhere. From there I started mountain

biking on a group ride that the owner of

Summit Bicycles organized when I was in

high school. It basically turned into an ob-

session. From there I was fortunate enough

to sign a pro contract during my fi nal year

in college.

What was the turning point to be-

coming a professional?

Probably these Wednesday group rides

I’d do on my summer breaks. Eric Wohl-

berg (Olympian cyclist from Canada) would

come out on what was basically a casual 5

hour-plus ride. From that ride I learned a

lot about proper training.

What teams have you raced for

throughout your career?

I started with Webcor the year Chris

Horner rode for the team and learned a

ton there. After two years with Webcor I

rode for the Navigators Insurance Cycling

Team and now I’m on my second year with

Jelly Belly.

What has been the greatest defi n-

ing moment in your cycling career?

I don’t think I’ve had a specifi c moment.

My fi rst pro win was a great turning point,

but maybe it was getting signed to the

Navigators and getting the chance to race

Pro Tour events in Europe. Hard to say,

but it’s defi nitely been an amazing ride

looking back on it.

What is your favorite type of rac-

ing? Road, criterium, stage racing?

Probably racing the big stage races like

Langkawi or California. However, Philly

and the San Francisco Grand Prix are/were

the coolest one-day races I’ve ever raced

in the U.S. The cool thing about the stage

races is just the sheer volume of riding

you’re doing day after day after day.

What rider has inspired you the

most and why?

It would have to be Chris Horner. He

was an awesome teammate who, bottom

to top, tried to make sure everyone was

being treated equally. He was a great mo-

tivator who knew how to get the most out

of the team in a very productive and posi-

tive manner.

What was your toughest race?

Any stage race I ever did in Europe.

Do you have a favorite pre-race

meal? Post-race?

Pre-race would have to be French toast

with jelly. Eggs, carbs and SUGAR!!!

Post: Pizza and beer if I don’t have to race

the next day; if I do, did I mention pizza

and beer?

Interview by Ryan Dawkins, President of Project Sport, LLC.

Bernie is a paradox of movement. On

one hand, he hasn’t gotten around

too much. His home in San Francis-

co’s Nob Hill neighborhood is all of a half-

mile from the Kaiser Permanente Hospital

on Geary Boulevard that ushered him into

this world 29 years ago.

Get born. Crawl a few blocks. Stay put.

Then on the other hand, this home-

grown rider is global. His cycling-as-a-way-

of-life mentality was implanted in him by

the Euro ways of a Dutch-immigrant fa-

ther. In his six years as a pro, he’s done the

full tour of cycling’s jet set, from stage races

in Europe and China to of course the bi-

coastal crisscrossing of the U.S. scene.

Fly far. Ride fast.

And it goes without saying that, racing

for Jelly Belly Pro Cycling last year, Bernie

was the fastest man on the SRT course.

Our defending champion is now in his sec-

ond season with Jelly Belly, and expects to

Tell me a story about your win from

2008, the races you were coming off

prior that prepared you for that win;

and what this year looks like in regard

to your health, races and your predic-

tion of how well you’ll do?

Last year I had recently returned from

a 10-day tour in China, at crazy altitude. I

think that once I recovered from that my fi t-

ness started to skyrocket. I actually started

last year’s SRT all wrong! Eric Wohlberg hit

the gas as soon as the fl ag dropped and I was

right there so I fi gured I’d follow. Next thing

I know we’re doing a two-man team time

trial and it hurts! Alas, the fi eld chased us

down so I spent I good portion of the race

just recovering and watching what was go-

ing on. I made the front split, followed a

couple moves that happened to pan out, and

got into a group that worked well together.

There was a little cat-and-mousing, and for-

tunately for me, it all worked out quite well.

Right now I think my fi tness is pretty

good, but defending a race is always harder

I think. There’s nowhere to go but down

from that top step. A repeat would be awe-

some, but if you overthink it you can take

yourself out of the game. Moreover, it’s a

nighttime crit so this all makes for a race

that’s hard to call. //

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OFFICIAL RACE GUIDE//

SRTWILIGHT.COM

RACE GUIDE// RRACE GUIDE//

A Supplement to the Pacific SunGUIDE//ACE GUIDE////

Bernie on the podium at last year’s race.

Bernie on the way to the win.

» Last year’s Winner // p1

» The Best Seat in

the House // p2

» Men’s Preview // p2

» Criterium 101 // p3

» Cowbells? // p3

» Trips for Kids // p4

» Race Course // p4–5

» Seagate // p5

» ProMan Women’s

Cycling Team // p6

» Lung Health // p7

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2 SAN RAFAEL TWILIGHT CRITERIUM // Official Race Guide

The San Rafael Twilight 2009 is hap-

py to have its favorite local club back

this year, ZteaM Cycling. ZteaM is

a national club headquartered in Marin,

which sponsors its own Cat 1/2 cycling

team, ZteaM Elite, and a Masters team

of all categories. ZteaM Cycling is in turn

sponsored by key local sponsor, the Bank

of Marin. ZteaM Elite

is composed of riders

largely in the under-

27 age bracket and is

participating in several

NRC Pro races this year including the Cas-

cade Classic and the grueling 6-day stage

race, the Tour of Utah in August. ZteaM

Elite is strong in the hills with its favorites:

Nathaniel English, who holds some local

records including the Mt. Diablo and Ross

Epic hill climbs; and stellar climbers Jus-

tin Laue and Shawn Rosenthal (2008 U23

NorCal Time Trial Champion). All three

raced at the highly prestigious 2008 Tour

of Pennsylvania, where the team placed

2nd overall with one rider 3rd on the gen-

eral classifi cation. Racing with them will

be local up-and-comers Lucas Binder and

Jim Wingert, along with team newcomer,

Marc Prutton, a New Zealander with cy-

cling roots in sprinting.

“While criteriums have not been our

main focus, we are moving towards races

like the SRT,” said the team’s founder and

Tiburon resident, Hunter Ziesing. “Our

club is largely centered around our mem-

bers and the community, so getting our

Elite riders out racing on local streets is a

great way to show the club and the commu-

nity more of the racing side of the ZteaM

club. The club mainly focuses on promot-

ing cycling in the community and provid-

ing members a network of cycling partners

and club benefi ts, so its good to also see the

younger racers doing their thing as well.”

Ziesing founded the club in 2004 and its

membership has swelled to over 300 mem-

bers locally and can now be found in 18 cit-

ies across the country.

Unlike most cycling

clubs that cater only to

racing, ZteaM works to

attract all types of riders

by holding weekly public ride clinics and

putting on events such as charity rides lo-

cally with cycling legends such as Bob Roll,

Frankie Andreu, and even fi ve-time Tour

de France winner, Eddy Merckx. “The

aim of ZteaM is really to grow the sport,

attract new riders, and simply promote cy-

cling as a healthy and fun mode of recre-

ation and transportation, both in competi-

tion and out. Most of our Elite riders are

new to the sport, but are nonetheless able

to compete at national level races because

of ZteaM,” said local ZteaM chapter leader

Wayne McIntosh. “What is unique about

our club is that these new semi-pros come

out and mingle with the rest of the club on

our inclusive Sunday rides. The pace can

get fast, but for the most part it is social

and anyone can put on a ride kit and have a

blast riding in a peloton.”

ZteaM is continuing to build and is aim-

ing for future inclusion in other major Cali-

fornia races.

For more information about ZteaM, please visit www.zteamcycling.com. //

MEN’S TEAM SHOWCASE//ZteaM Cycling

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

Come celebrate the 11th anniversary

of SRT in style! The San Rafael

Twilight is offering two new oppor-

tunities to enhance the overall experience

for race fans, clients or employees.

The fi rst addition is The Twilight Club

that is 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. While enjoying gourment

treats and signature drinks in a front-row

seat with prime positioning, you will ob-

serve up-close the extreme speeds and

thrills of the top professional athletes bat-

tling it out. Tickets to be a part of the

Twilight Club are only $75 and can be pur-

chased online at srtwilight.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. Vil-

las can accommodate up to 30 people

and can be completely customized. The

Villas sit at the heart of the race and

will have prime viewing of all the ac-

tion. To rent your own private Villa and

discuss the different options available,

please e-mail Ashley Montgomery at

ashley@rbpevent.com. //

niThe San Rafael Twilight Criterium Organizing Team:

Project Sport, LLC – Ryan Dawkins, Ashley Montgomery, Mack Chew, Lorachristine Vichich, Ryan Chamberlain & Jesse Cohen.

City of San Rafael Redevelopment Agency – Brian Auger, Events Coordinator

Pilarcitos Cyclesports – Tom Simpson & Alec Simpson, Operations

THANKS TO THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL, Z TEAM,ARETE’ RACING, VOLUNTEERS AND SPONSORS!

The San Rafael Twilight Criterium Offi cial Race Guide is a marketing product of the Pacifi c Sun

Publisher – Sam Chapman

Art Director – Gabriel Lieb

Ad Director – Linda Black

835 Fourth Street, Suite B • San Rafael, CA • 415/487-6700pacifi csun.com

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SRTWILIGHT.COM 3A Supplement to the Pacific Sun

CRITERIUM 101 //

The most common form of American

bike racing, the criterium, is a multi-

lap 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 mer-

chandise prizes, pronounced “preems”).

The short closed course, generally with

both right- and left-hand corners, makes

this type of racing easy to watch for specta-

tors 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 gravity-defying angle, then

power out of the turn and instantly set up

for the next. It’s important to stay near the

front; the fi rst few riders in a pack can take

a corner with little or no braking. Those to-

ward the back jockey for the best “line”

through the turn, brake, then sprint to catch

up with the pack as it accelerates, develop-

ing 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; rid-

ers who fall off the pace and fi nd them-

selves out of contention or lapped by the

fi eld, will usually be removed from the

race. A rider who crashes, fl ats 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 fl yer” off the front.

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 fi rst 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 fi eld sprint, with each team

maneuvering its fastest rider toward the

front in the fi nal laps—and from near

chaos, a winner! //

COWBELLS AT SAN RAFAEL TWILIGHT //

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Olympian Eric Wohlberg takes a quick look at the fi eld.

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If there’s one thing that makes a bike race

come alive, it’s spectators ringing cowbells

to cheer the racers on. San Rafael Twilight

is an especially good race for ringing bells,

as the start/fi nish corridor

becomes a gauntlet of en-

ergy, spurring the racers

to dig deeper than they

thought they ever could.

How cowbells went

from helping farmers fi nd

lost livestock to cheering on professional

bike racers is something of a European mys-

tery, but SRT is lucky to have the support of

cowbell.com, a Marin-based company and

producer of cheering bells used for bike rac-

es across the country, the US Ski Team, and

even the Olympics. Cowbell.com is also the

source of the large engraved brass cowbells

given to the winners of SRT—see them on

the awards podium following

each race!

Thanks to Performance

Bike & Montecito Shopping

Center, Fourth Street will

once again become Cowbell

Alley at SRT, as thousands

of cowbells will be given away to spectators

beginning at 6pm. To obtain an 11th Anni-

versary Cowbell, be sure to visit the lineup

in the fi nish line chute during the kids race!

Grab a bell & let ’em ring! //

Let the cowbells ring!

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OPEN EVERY DAYLunch: Mon-Fri 11:30-2:30 Sat-Sun 11:30-3:00 Dinner: 5:00-9:30

Thank You For Voting Us In The Top

TRIPS FOR KIDS WELCOMES THE 2009 SAN RAFAEL TWILIGHT CRITERIUM //

SEAGATE PROPERTIES RETURN FOR ITS 4TH YEAR! //

Seagate Properties, Inc., owners of San

Rafael’s Montecito Plaza Shopping Cen-

ter, is proud to return for its fourth year as

Presenting Sponsor of the Twilight’s Profes-

sional Men’s event.

This summer marks the 21st anniver-

sary of Seagate Properties’ acquisition and

rehabilitation of the Montecito Shopping

Center on Third Street and Grand Ave-

nue. The Montecito Plaza Shopping Cen-

ter is anchored by Rite Aid, PETCO and

Trader Joe’s, and features more than 35

shops and restaurants. From Performance

Bicycle Center for pre-race parts, to Pasta

Pomodoro for after-race fuel, Massage

Envy for recovery, or Rite Aid for fi rst aid,

Montecito Plaza Shopping Center has the

racers and fans covered.

“San Rafael is a great city and the loca-

tion of our corporate headquarters. We are

pleased to return for another year as the

Presenting Sponsor of this dynamic and

family friendly event,” said Dennis Fisco

of Seagate Properties. “The quality of rac-

ing is high, and the event fi ts perfectly in

our downtown. We want to ensure that this

sporting event continues to take place and

is 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 Plaza Shopping Center not

only helps make the event happen, it also

donates 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 fi nancial sup-

port to educational, cultural, social and recre-

ational programs throughout Marin, includ-

ing local schools, the The Marin Wellness

Center, 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, Saturday, July

11, racing from dusk and fi nishing under

the lights in downtown San Rafael! //

Trips for Kids (TFK) is honored to have

been chosen as benefi ciary of the 11th An-

nual San Rafael Twilight Criterium. Our

mountain biking programs take low-in-

come, at-risk kids across North America

and internationally into open space and

wildlands. We are thrilled to be a part of

this cycling celebration. TFK’s Founding

Director Marilyn Price says, “We have a

booth to sell our merchandise every year

and know that the crowds of people who

attend love this race!”

Marin is home to a large community of

dedicated bicyclists, and the festive atmo-

sphere of the Twilight Criterium lends high

visibility to our programs and Re-Cyclery

Bicycle Thrift Shop. With record breaking

attendance and more than 700 elite pro-

fessional cyclists in San Rafael, the event

is always popping with people who are in-

terested in cycling and want to know more

about TFK. From the world-class athletes

to the youth on the Kids’ Course, the event

has something for everyone. And the high

drama of racing at twilight increases the

energy and excitement! //

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SCHEDULE //Turn Four Expo // 2pm–9:30pmFeatures more than 40 exhibitors from the cycling, health and fitness industries

Masters 3/4 35+ // 2:30pm–3:10pmDedicated veteran’s and weekend warriors take to the 1K course with their families standing close by.

Elite Category 4 Men // 3:20pm–4pmAmateur racers who’ve started on the bottom rung will surprise you with their speed and numbers

Masters 1/2/3 Men 35+, Presented by Derek Wiback of Pactimo // 4:10pm–4:50pmLook for former pro riders and extremely dedicated veterans to set some of the fastest lap times of the day

Elite Category 3 Men // 5pm–5:40pmThese athletes have worked hard to earn “Cat 3” upgrade points and are now just a handful of top 3’s away from the Pro, 1, 2 ranks.

Kids’ Event, Presented by Pacific Sun & Trips for Kids // 5:50pm–6:30pmOpen to all kids 12 and under, free, and everyone gets a commemorative kids’ cowbell!

Pro and Elite 1/2/3 Women, Presented by Montecito Shopping Center // 6:40pm–7:40pmSome of the fastest women in the country will highlight this race

Pro and Elite 1/2 Men, Presented by Montecito Shopping Center // 8pm–9:15pmThe Showdown at Sundown—the Pro Men will fight to the end at the San Rafael Twilight!

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

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 A St. and B St. between 4th and 3rd Streets. Grab a signature from your favorite cyclists and see their tricked out bikes that they will take upwards of 40 mph.

The Festival //The festival surrounding the event—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 finishes on 4th

St. while running clockwise on 4th St., D St., 5th Ave. and A St.

The Expo // The Expo will occupy 4th St. between Lootens & A St.

Directions to the Course //From US-101, take the Central San Rafael Exit, merge onto Irwin and make a left on 3rd St. The closed course is between Lootens & D St on 4th St.

Road Closures //Saturday, July 11, 2009

12pm–10pm //» 4th St. from Lootens to A St.

(Expo Area) » B St. from the parking entrance

to 4th St.

1pm– 9:30pm //» 4th St. from A St. to D St. » 5th Ave. from Court St. to D St. » A St. from 3rd St. to Mission Ave. » B St. from 3rd St. to Mission Ave. » C St. from 3rd St. to Mission Ave. » D St. from 3rd St. to Mission Ave.

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4 SAN RAFAEL TWILIGHT CRITERIUM // Official Race Guide SRTWILIGHT.COM 5

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6 SAN RAFAEL TWILIGHT CRITERIUM // Official Race Guide

By Mark Deterline © 2009

Charting a Path

One of the most important precepts in

group cycling and particularly in bike rac-

ing is holding one’s line of travel. This is

essential as multiple riders naturally form

one or more moving columns in order to

benefi t from the aerodynamic slipstream

formed by the rider in front of them. This

tendency also serves to keep the group as

compact as possible, whether it’s hurtling

along the edge of a busy road or fi lling the

width of a designated race course devoid of

public traffi c.

Holding one’s line is a concept easy for

motorists to grasp if they consider how dan-

gerous it would be to swerve out of their

chosen lane on the freeway toward other

cars. In a bike race, where participants can

travel at close to 30 mph while sporting

nothing but Lycra and a grimace, straying

off one’s line toward other riders is equally

perilous and can more easily cause a devas-

tating chain reaction. Bike racers not only

intentionally tailgate one another (they call

it “drafting”) to stay out of the wind, but

in their efforts to save energy behind other

riders and to cover one another’s accelera-

tions, they ride in airshow-tight formation,

which often includes overlapping one an-

other’s wheels. If a rider swerves out of her

own line and across another, but competi-

tors’ front and rear wheels don’t cross, ca-

lamity can be avoided. Elbows, handlebars

and hips will often brush or bump, but the

more experienced the racers the less such

instances of contact result in anything oth-

er than a slight adjustment in position or an

angry word. However, if a rider comes off

her line and crosses wheels with someone

else, mass crashes and injuries can result.

Holding one’s line becomes increasingly

important—and diffi cult—as roads curve

and bike racers push themselves deep into

a realm they simply refer to as pain. Many

people can go fast on a bike, but going hard

while holding their line through turns in

a dense pack of riders requires as much

mind as body, as much brain as brawn.

And we don’t even have room here to dis-

cuss team race strategy, which is one of the

most compelling aspects of bike racing and

something Team PROMAN has always

excelled at. Perhaps another time.

Holding one’s line in the face of chal-

lenges, supreme exertion and even hard-

ship serves as a nice metaphor for the

path that the PROMAN Women’s Cycling

Team has chosen and that—despite out-

side skepticism—has proven not only suc-

cessful, but immensely satisfying for its

riders and fans alike.

Now in only its fourth year, the PRO-

MAN “Hit Squad” has amassed numer-

ous national- and international-level wins

and high fi nishes, and simply could not be

deterred after deciding to launch its Junior

squad at the end of last year. (PROMAN’s

blossoming Junior Women’s program has

racked up multiple wins itself and is now

offi cially part of the USA Cycling Junior

Development Program.) Some of the fol-

lowing I’ve recounted before, but please

indulge me as I do so again, because you

just can’t make up stuff like this…

Better Than Fiction

When I began working on the Peninsula

in the fall of 2006 as marketing director for

a bike components manufacturer, I was

already a strong proponent of women’s cy-

cling. Having grown up with a single mom

who regularly attended aerobics classes,

and sisters who excelled in Pilates instruc-

tion and soccer, respect for women’s sports

and their unique equipment needs came

with the territory. In 2002 I had become an

enthusiastic bike racer myself, and the in-

dividuals who made the biggest impression

on me during my formative years were elite

females, all of whom trained with men, and

sometimes even raced with us.

I began receiving calls from PROMAN’s

sponsorship director Julia Violich, former

owner of San Anselmo-based bike shop

Paradigm Cycles, in December of 2006. At

fi rst it appeared to be just one more of the

countless requests for sponsorship that ar-

rived on my desk each week. I had maxed

out my 2007 budget with commitments by

then, and my initial thoughts were how to

let this determined woman down as easily

as possible.

As the brief phone conversations contin-

ued, however, now also with Team Founder

and Manager Nicola Cranmer, I began tak-

ing this PROMAN squad more seriously.

Ultimately, Julia and Nicola won me over: I

could see they would do anything for their

riders, women’s cycling and the success of

this team, so how could I say no?

Champions, Mentors,

Up-and-comers

When I fi rst met Nicola, she brought a

promising young Category 4 (the lowest

race category) rider, Shelley Olds, with her

to the offi ce to see if we had any product

options that might help a smaller rider fi t

better on her bike. Of course, proper fi t

is essential if a rider is to reach her poten-

tial… Well, Shelley has lived up to her bill-

ing and a whole lot more, as have many of

PROMAN’s stars, support riders and, most

recently, Juniors.

An accomplished international competi-

tor on the track (3rd and 6th at the Copen-

hagen and Melbourne Track World Cups,

respectively, as well as distinguished repre-

sentation at Track World Championships),

Shelley has won and placed well at US Na-

tional Race Calendar road events as well

as prestigious regional events like the San

Rafael Twilight, which she helped a team-

mate take last year.

Rachel Lloyd is another prominent

PROMAN rider whose mountain bike

and cyclocross accomplishments are too

numerous to list, including participation at

Cyclocross World Championships last year

and winner of the 2008 mountain bike Su-

per D National Champion’s title.

What do you do when your formula is

working and you’ve gained such valuable

experience? If you’re Team PROMAN,

you share it, passing it on to new team-

mates—including the next generation of

female racers. Coryn Rivera is PROMAN’s

new Junior star who has likewise collected

national-level titles and champion’s jerseys.

She is fl anked by other Junior women who

are making their presence known with

wins and high placings at local and regional

events, and who hold the promise of even

greater things in years to come.

Making It Happen

Formerly known as Carrera de San Ra-

fael, the San Rafael Twilight Criterium

has been held off and on for 11 years. In

2008, race organization and promotion

was taken over by Project Sport, a small

sports marketing company founded and

headed by two longtime amateur bike

racers, one of whom competes at the elite

level. Putting on an event like the San Ra-

fael Twilight is inspired as much by love

and goodwill as it is by hope for profi ts.

Ryan Dawkins, founder and president of

Project Sport, explains it this way: “This

is the rock ’n’ roll show that every racer in

Northern California looks forward to each

year. It’s a lot of work for our team, but the

energy on race day is unparalleled.”

“I am very grateful to Ryan and Project

Sport for all of their hard work in organiz-

ing and promoting the San Rafael Twilight

Criterium, a truly classic event,” expressed

Cranmer. “I also extend my gratitude to

HOLDING THEIR LINE //San Rafael Twilight Two-Time

Defending Champions: The PROMAN Women’s Cycling Team

Rob

Evan

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“Shelley Olds breaks away from the fi eld winning the Nevada City Classic.

Imag

e ©

20

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SRTWILIGHT.COM 7A Supplement to the Pacific Sun

the city of San Rafael and its downtown

merchants. Well promoted and well at-

tended events like this are important for

the growth of women’s cycling and our

Marin-based PROMAN team. The San

Rafael Twilight offers us an opportunity to

showcase our sponsors, as well as our riders.

It is the best twilight criterium on the West

Coast; a fun evening of dynamic racing!”

See It and Believe

If you have never watched a bike race,

you will be blown away by the speed and

exhilaration of a downtown venue like this

one. If you have watched bike races but

have never watched Shelley Olds and the

PROMAN Hit Squad in action, you will be

awestruck. If you already follow these wom-

en like myriad other fans and fellow cyclists,

you will agree that they always impress.

The San Rafael Twilight is indeed well

organized and draws big crowds. It is the per-

fect opportunity for female athletes to dem-

onstrate their skill, savvy and fi tness—all

within a few feet of thousands of spectators

who line the downtown streets each year.

It is often said that the role of a cham-

pion is to inspire. Behind the scenes, these

fi gures set their course, commit to reach-

ing their goals and then with the kind of

discipline and determination that can

move mountains, they hold their chosen

line through all types of challenges. Not

everyone has understood or appreciated

PROMAN’s unconventional path, or the

collective strength they’ve demonstrated

when faced with setbacks.

As if taken from a screenplay, Shelley’s

track bike was stolen last year the day be-

fore Track Nationals where she was hoping

to qualify for a US Team berth that would

mean participation at Track World Cham-

pionships. Shelley and team locked arms,

called on the greater cycling community—

their extended family—recovered the bike

and proceeded to attain another of their

hard-fought dreams the next day when

Shelley took the National title despite ev-

erything cast in the team’s way.

Watching PROMAN riders impact an

electrifying event like the San Rafael Twi-

light by taking hair-raising lines at great

speed through tight downtown corners is

inspiring for women AND men. It’s the

perfect metaphor for the journey and tra-

jectory that have set this team apart since

its inception. If you dare be inspired by a

group of likable, down-to-earth female ath-

letes, I’ll see you at this bike race on July 11

and will take great satisfaction in saying, “I

told you so.”

PROMAN women at the

San Rafael Twilight:

• 2008 1st Place, Helene Drumm;

2nd Place, Shelley Olds

• 2007 2nd Place, Shelley Olds

• 2006 1st Place, Rachel Lloyd;

2nd Place, Shelley Olds //

Mark Deterline is a freelance journalist and director of strategic marketing at Leadout Marketing & Creative. He can be contacted at mark@2thefront.com

Have you ever had more trouble breath-

ing than you should during or after a

ride? If so, you may have exercise in-

duced asthma. Whether asthma is brought

on by exercise, allergies, or other triggers,

you can fi nd help through the American

Lung Association in California. Call our free

Lung Helpline at 1.800.Lung.USA to speak

to a licensed respiratory therapist. Or attend

a Breathe Well, Live Well adult asthma edu-

cation class to help you live a full, active life

by better managing your asthma.

Next Generation Cyclists

The American Lung Association works

to keep kids breathing strong and able to

engage in physical activities like cycling.

Annually, nearly 1,000 Bay Area stu-

dents learn to better manage their asthma

through classroom-based Kickin’Asthma®

and Open Airways for Schools® classes.

Additionally, the lung association and

its community grant-recipients work with

teens in fun, creative, and effective ways to

keep them away from cigarettes and other

tobacco products.

Breathing Clean Air

Cycling up that next hill is tough enough

without having to be hindered by breath-

ing polluted air. Air pollution causes nearly

20,000 premature deaths in California annu-

ally. The American Lung Association is ag-

gressively working for policy changes at the

city, state and national levels to reduce the

emissions of ozone (smog) and particulate

matter (soot) that make our air unhealthy.

Efforts underway are aimed at reducing the

awful exhaust spewed into cyclists’ faces as

you pass a diesel truck; reducing winter’s

biggest pollutant—woodsmoke from home

fi replaces—that fouls the air on those cold,

short winter days when you’re trying to sneak

in a quick ride; and the accelerated adoption

of viable transportation alternatives to single

occupancy car trips like cycling, mass tran-

sit, carpooling and alternative fuel vehicles.

Get Involved

The Breathe Easy

Ride, held each June

in Sonoma County,

gives cyclists con-

cerned about healthy air and lungs a way

to show their support for the research,

education and advocacy programs of the

American Lung Association. Nearly half of

us either have a lung issue or have a close

loved one who had or has lung disease. Join

these fellow cyclists next June 26, 2010 for

a beautiful 100, 66 or 30 mile fully sup-

ported ride through Sonoma County. Visit

www.BreatheEasyRide.org. //

Want to have your voice heard on issues that affect you as a cyclist? Clean air. Second-hand smoke. Funding for research. Become part of the e-advocacy action network and let your elected representatives know your position on impor-tant issues with just a few clicks of your mouse.

PROJECT SPORT AND THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION //

Forging a new partnership to promote a healthy cycling community

Rob

Evan

s, w

ww

.otb

ph

oto

.com

Nicola Cranmer and the ProMan Junior Development Squad.

8 SAN RAFAEL TWILIGHT CRITERIUM // Official Race Guide

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