One of the most anticipated events of the year begins this Sunday at 8:00 AM at One Mile Recreation area.

The annual Paskenta ride frequently draws 200 to 300 riders from all over California and Nevada. Over the years it has become more than just a ride (unofficial race to some) it has become a cultural event.

Where else can you get such a diverse group of cyclists together on a day when most American's never get off the sofa? Where else can you be a part of a giant peloton with pros and non racers all working together just to survive to the finish?

What would you say if I told you I could increase your performance 30% or more and the effect would be both immediate and exponential over time? That is a bigger improvement than most riders gain from a season of highly structured training. For a lesser advantage some have risked their health and a ban from the sport with performance enhancing drugs... Would this secret be worth a few days of training? How about a new way of thinking?

For those who don't know, or do know but haven't taken it to heart, it is a four-letter excuse for failure. For those who do know, it can be the difference between an easy WIN and D-day for the rest. Do I need to spell it out to you? It's W-I-N-D.

Meetings: Since the next Corsa club meeting falls on the night before the Mike Sayers Pre-Paskenta Dinner and many club members are already attending the dinner, there will not be a meeting this Friday night. If you have not yet registered for the dinner you can do so here until Tuesday, February 1st at midnight. No tickets will be sold after that and tickets will not be available at the door.
More information about Mike Sayers and the dinner is available here.

The 2011 kits are in and if you haven't already picked yours up there is likely a bag with your name on it waiting at North Rim Adventure Sports. Go get it and wear it on Paskenta day...

Chico Corsa will be sponsoring a nutrition stop at Woodson Bridge for all riders on the Feb 6th Paskenta ride. Pull off before the bridge to fuel up and use the restroom before continuing on or heading back.

Race Results:
Race results are posted to the Chico Corsa Website in the race team section. (You will need a login and password to post your results)

Latest News:
Jeff Ochs still needs parts for junior bikes. Specifically, frames with 1" steer tubes. He's looking for frames around 54-55 cm, aluminum or better but he can put just about anything to use. If you've got something you have been saving but now realized you don't need, he will take it and build it up for a deserving junior rider. STI shifters (8, 9 or 10 speed Shimano) are also a big need. Working shape is preferred, especially the rear/right shifter. Please e-mail Jeff if you can help.

Upcoming Events: The Chico Velo Rice Valley Tandem Rally will be held Sunday, February 13, 2011 (All bikes welcome)

Early registration is $35 (on/prior to Feb. 7); $40 thereafter and same-day.

You will get two meals, SAG, rest stops and good company. For more information visit the Chico Velo website.

Chico Corsa Event Calendar:
Chico Corsa

NCNCA Road Racing Calendar:
NCNCA Road Calendar

NORBA Calendar:
NORBA Racing
TBF Challenge MTB Races
MTB Calendar - California

Western States Ride Calendar:
Ride Calendar

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When I started racing I was awful at riding in the peloton. I would pedal like a madman on the outside of the group to get to the front where I was immediately swallowed up again and spit out the back. It was a perpetual cycle of going to the front and then getting spit out the back, again and again. (At least it was a good workout...)

It soon became obvious that not everyone was having the same problem I was. In fact some riders were always near the front, but not out in the wind like me. They seemed to have some kind of magical force field that kept them in the right place all the time no matter what happened.

It is not surprising that reading a race is typically the hardest thing for someone new to competitive cycling. (And sometimes even for a veteran racer though few are willing to admit it).

Sure, you may have been riding for years, be stronger than most, silky smooth in a paceline, read weather conditions like a pro and glide through the peloton like a ghost, but do you still lose races with ill timed moves or by missing the crucial break?

Just how important is self-confidence on the bike? If Yogi Berra were a cyclist, here's what he'd say: "Cycling is 90% mental, and the other half is physical". Only with enough self-confidence will our minds stay out of our way, giving us the freedom to perform to our potential. Further, the mentally fit cyclist knows how to assess, maintain, and build self-confidence to improve fun and performance on the bike.

Confidence... It's a huge thing in cycling. You can improve so much by believing in yourself. It's alright to say, 'I should be at the front of the race/pack, I should be top 3 or 5.' You don't have to be arrogant, but if you're not confident, your chances are pretty slim. You've got to believe in yourself. We're not talking about unrealistic aspirations based on whims, but a sense of yourself that accurately reflects your best capabilities.

With the racing season now in full swing for a lot of us (finally), it's probably a good time to remind ourselves that, often times, our NCNCA races are seen as hassle by non-cyclists who live or work near the events. As such, and especially when wearing a Chico Corsa/Sierra Nevada kit, it is awesome if we are respectful of the venues and thank the locals for letting us invade their space.

I absolutely don't want to come across as being "holier than thou" or standing on my soap box here (I know that many of you are much more experienced than me and probably nobody here needs this reminder) but early in the season it's good to remind ourselves that our sport does not have the greatest reputation with some members of the community and how we conduct ourselves at races can help repair, or do further damage to that reputation.