PETALUMA >> High school mountain bikers from Clear Lake, Kelseyville and Middletown high schools will be among the hundreds of riders competing Sunday in the California State Championships at Five Springs Farm in Petaluma.
Plenty of parking, including handicapped parking, is available at Five Springs Farm, which is located at 4497 Adobe Road in eastern Petaluma. Parking attendants will be on hand to direct traffic.
The Five Springs Farm course is 6.8 miles long and riders in the California State Championships will complete two to four laps depending on the division they are entered in. Varsity boys are the only division that races four laps (27.2 miles). Varsity girls and sophomore boys complete three laps (20.4 miles) while freshman, sophomore and JV girls as well as freshman boys race two laps (13.6 miles).
Racing starting times on Sunday are staggered in waves. Action begins with wave one, which consists of varsity girls at 9 a.m. followed by JV girls at 9:05 a.m., sophomore girls at 9:10 a.m. and freshman girls at 9:15 a.m.
Wave two opens with freshman Division I boys at 10:30 a.m. and freshman Division II boys at 10:35 a.m. Wave three begins with sophomore Division I boys at 11:45 a.m. and sophomore Division II boys at 11:50 a.m.
The final wave, wave four, features the varsity boys at 1:30 p.m., the JV Division I boys at 1:35 p.m. and the JV Division II boys at 1:40 p.m.
The Five Springs Farm course is open for pre-riding on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. No pre-riding is allowed after 8:30 a.m. on Sunday.
A coaches meeting is set for 7:45 a.m.
Primitive camping sites are available on Friday and Saturday nights. There will be water and port-a-potties available and possibly showers. Those wishing to bring a recreational vehicle or camping trailer need to obtain permission beforehand. There are also many motels and hotels in the Petaluma for those looking for other accommodations.
California State Championships racing merchandise will be on sale during Sunday’s races.
Lake County riders earned points toward the California State Championships during the recently completed NorCal Cyling League season, which consisted of five points races. The final points race took place April 29 on the new Six Sigma Ranch course near Lower Lake.
The NorCal Cycling League was organized in 2001 to provide quality mountain biking programs for students in the ninth through 12th grades regardless of ability level. The NorCal Cycling League is committed to providing a positive experience for all student-athletes and helping them to create strong body, mind and character through the sport of cycling.
