On the scenic highways and byways of the Sacramento Mountains, the 2001
N.M. Road Series came to a close Saturday in the midst of scattered
thunderstorms and an infestation of  annoying little cling-on bugs. This
final road race was the deciding factor in the battle for at least two
series championships, and the winners were chosen on the Cloudcroft
area's selective courses, where the A & B races climb 2,000 feet before
the real climbing even begins.  If that relentless series of  cattle
guards and roll-ups doesn't break the field apart, then the two mile
climb north of Cathy Peak -- the one every category "gets" to do -- will
usually reduce the race to splinters.  Then the even steeper return
climb south of  Cathy will beat it to a pulp.  Then comes a chance to
reorganize, followed by a desperate ten mile chase to the finish.

In the C, D & E races, some riders were lucky enough to escape the rain.
 Others encountered both rain and hail.  In the A and B races most
riders found at least two or three showers during the day.

The A race came  blazing up the 2000 foot climb from Mayhill, prompted,
no doubt, by Ken Zimmerman's move off the front.   He was caught, and
then Doornbos, Hoppe and Slattery escaped and stayed away, with Dan's
win giving him the series championship.

The B race was last out on the course, and that race looked especially
difficult, given the small field.  The race was badly shattered in the
last twenty miles, with cold and wet guys grinding it out alone.

In the C race I offered to refund entry fees to the entire field in
exchange for their agreement to let me to win.  A guy on  a Merlin
Extralight apparently didn't get the message, and Taylor, Todd Mann and
I barely chased him down in time.  Since I had to work for the win, the
refund deal was off.

The finish of the combined D & E race surely confused the uninitiated,
when with Phil Simpson sprinted to win the E race shortly before
KHSnm.com teammates Mike Neal and Chris Osburn crossed the finish line
together, celebrating their D race victory and Michael's series
championship.  A while later Charles Peper finished just one place
behind Stephen Newhall, preserving his E series jersey.

Kevin Clark of Roswell took the F race, in front of series champ Tim
Osburn, who flatted and ran his bike across the finish line. 
Cyclo-cross must be just around the corner.

Thanks for coming.  See you all in El Paso next weekend.



Cat.  A
~ 25 starters
1. Dan Doornbos, Zia Velo
2. Adam Hoppe, Zia Velo
3. Mike Slattery, Bite Me Racing
4. Ken Zimmerman, KHSnm.com
5. Henry Swinty, Team El Paso
6. Derek Mofett, NMVS
7. Todd Bauer, KHSnm.com
8. Geoff Smith
9. Doug Campbell, KHSnm.com
10. Chisom Wilson, Zia Velo
11. Kurt Larson, NMVS
12. Daryl Dagel, NMVS
13. Rene Cano, Team Sol
14. Pablo Lopez, Zia Velo
15. Josh Robertson, Zia Velo
16. Darren Heinz, Hanseatic/Oschner


Cat. B
1. Randy Bradford , Chick's Harley
2. Jason Strauch, Chick's Harley
3. Mike Chapman, Bike n Sport
4. Steve Castillo, Zia Velo
5. Joe Herriges,  Team Sol
6. Silvio Menezes, NMVS
7. James Seamon, Chick's Harley
8. Darian Founds, NMVS
9. T. J. Miller, Bike n Sport
10. Tim Schoney,  Sports & Wellness
11. David Knight, Team Sol
12. Michael Dimezza, Bike n Sport


Cat.  C
1. Wendell Lane, Zia Velo
2. Todd Mann, Texas Tech
3. Taylor Lane, Zia Velo
4. David Schoenwald, on a Merlin Extralight
5. Chuck Spaugh
6. Carolyn Donnelly, Landis
7. Laura Moffett, NMVS
8. Cliff Loucks, Bite Me Racing
9. Richard Verderame, NMVS
10. Scott Faulkner, Sports & Wellness
11. Tony Pomo
12. Anita Doornbos, Zia Velo
13. Alex Fairley
14. Ronda Fong
15. Dan Long
16. Steve Davis, ICCC
17. Lisa Milkavich, Team Sol
18. Brian O'Connor, Zia Velo
19. Karen Zoller
20. Todd Clark
21. Tom Custer


Cat. D
1. Chris Osburn, KHSnm.com
2. Michael Neal, KHSnm.com
3. Caleb Fairly
4. Karen Woods, Hanseatic/Oschner
5. James McGirk, NMVS
6. Phillip Goss, Jr.
7. Dave Neal


Cat. E
1. Phillip Simpson, Zia Velo
2. Chris Vandenlinden
3. Thomas Francish
4. Phil Davis, Zia Velo
5. William Donnelly
6. Stephen Newhall, Hanseataic/Oschner
7. Charles Peper
8. Brad Wilkinson
9. Lance Jones
10. Blake Osburn
11. Scott Conder
12. Darla Faulkner
13. Jep Robertson


Cat. F
1. Kevin Clark
2. Tim Osburn, KHSnm.com
3. Anthony Pomo