The Manhattan Beach 2008 Grand Prix

[profette_IHB]

Even though the IHB team didn't race on Sunday, it was an exciting event. The course is quite challenging and very technical. It was shaped like a bent paperclip, with two straight-aways, a couple of 180 degree turns and some 50 feet of climbing per lap.

There was a frightening crash on the last lap of the last race, but everyone walked away.

Teamwork was key and very much in evidence, as Rock Racing's Rashaan Bahati pointed out when stepped up to take the medal.

The most thrilling race was the women's pro race, where Brook Miller rode to victory, with the help of her team. It was a hard fought victory. Here's a a break-away early in the race. I was cheering for Rock Racing (the rider in front):

We met many of the racers and found them to be friendly, and in most cases hawt. Some of these guys and gals really rock the lycra!

 

[caycifish_IHB]

Question:

Do most/all of the riders do so professionally? Or do they have day jobs and this is a side thing?

 

[awgee_IHB]

I rode in the MB Grand Prix on a StingRay when I was ten years old. I am not kidding. Valley Dr. and Ardmore are about five small blocks from where I grew up.

 

[skek_IHB]

.

 

[tenmagnet_IHB]

Is that a banana seat?

I saw one of those during my high school visits to the Smithsonian.

Seriously, are you guys collecting social security?

 

[OC_Boston_Bay_IHB]

Ten,

Many of us had Stingrays as first bikes, replete with banana seat. That was before BMX got huge (Torker? Red Line? Cook Bros? DG? Do these names ring a bell for anyone??) and you ditched the Stingray as soon as you could convince the 'rents to buy a BMX rig. If you are too young to remember that means you missed out on growing up in the late 70s/early 80s. It was a golden time. The pre-HIV era at USC was...awesome.

 

[profette_IHB]

awgee,

You never cease to amaze me! There was a "race" for kids this year as well, following the main event.

It's a nice little neighborhood. :coolsmile:

 

[skek_IHB]

.

 

[PeterUK_IHB]

Question:

Do most/all of the riders do so professionally? Or do they have day jobs and this is a side thing?

Cay, "professional" can mean so many things in Cycling, the majority of young Pro Cyclists earn surprizingly little money...

"The representatives of professional cyclists and the teams have unanimously voted on October 13, to set a minimum salary floor for professional cyclists. In a meeting in Lisbon, the representatives decided to set the salary to 15,000 euros (US$13,365) for neo pros and 18,000 euros (US$16,038) for other riders." .

Only a handful of top European pro cyclists earn anywhere close to $1 million US annually. These are usually Grand Tour winners, World Champions, World Cup Classics winners, etc. The majority make a small salary and rely on bonuses from results and prize money. In the US it's even worse as many neo pros on domestic teams aren't even getting paid salary, just race fees, transportation, and equipment, so yes, almost all of them have to find a way of making a livable income...

For instance, Kayle Leogrande (below) who rides for Rock Racing owns a Tattoo shop in Upland and I guess the best situation would be to own your own Business so you can take time to train and travel all over the Country/world to events...

Most of Lances Team Members would earn around $100-150K per year but to make it to that kind of level you have to be an extraordinary Athlete.

 

[awgee_IHB]

I rode in the MB Grand Prix on a StingRay when I was ten years old. I am not kidding. Valley Dr. and Ardmore are about five small blocks from where I grew up.

Was that the Schwinn StingRay, awgee? If so, that was my childhood bike, too -- red and yellow.

Something like this?

Yup, except it was blue and no fenders, and a two speed rear hub. My parents made me pay half.

 

[awgee_IHB]

awgee,

You never cease to amaze me! There was a "race" for kids this year as well, following the main event.

It's a nice little neighborhood. :coolsmile:

It was a very nice neighborhood to grow up in. My mom and dad bought our house in about 1967 for $40,000, which now "zillows" at $1,330,500. It was a sleepy beach town back then with lots of aerospace families. I do not find it quite as attractive now, but the schools are excellent. There seems to be too much new money and Hollywood types now.

 

[awgee_IHB]

I do not find it quite as attractive now, but the schools are excellent. There seems to be too much new money and Hollywood types now.

Scratch that "not find it quite as attractive now" stuff. I just found out that Maria Sharapova lives in Manhattan Beach. Bestill my heart.