Author: Adrian Hinman

Final Standings:

QOM:

1. Kristen V: 52:25

2. Ariana Milelli 1:02:04

3. Gabriella Sterne 1:04:04

KOM:

1. Fun Ghi: 45:26

2. Dan English: 48:25

3. Jason Tan: 48:42

Follow these links for the final QOM and KOM standings.

And that’s a wrap! The 2020 edition of the East Bay Dirt Classic has come to a close. Not with a whimper, but with a bang.

There were some incredible rides out there this weekend and some shaking up of the leaderboard on the QOM side. While Kristen V maintained her relatively safe lead atop the women’s leaderboard, Meredith Stowe Christie came out on Sunday and threw down to notch into 3rd only to have another young gun, Ariana Milelli, come back and shave minutes off her first time to notch into second at 1 hour 2 minutes 4 seconds, pushing Gabriella Sterne into 3rd.

On the KOM side, things remained relatively static, though Dan English came back out and gave it another go, turning in another scorching time of 48 min 25 seconds. An incredible effort yet again, but Fun Ghi’s lead was a bridge too far. Rounding out the top 3 is Jason Tang. Only 17 seconds came between Dan and Jason after 5 tough segments. Prizes will be given out to the top three in both the KOM and QOM categories. We will reach out to you each individually. One of the downsides of having so many fast youngins out there (aside from being reminded of the vigor of youth) is we have nowhere to send all of the incredible beer provided by our generous sponsors…

It was a novel approach this year, born of necessity during unconventional times. We have had the opportunity to speak to some who raced this year and so far the comments have all been positive. One universal comment, however, has been the disappointment at missing the post-race barbeque. Rest assured we have every intention of reviving the after-party next year if conditions permit.

Please feel free to reach out with comments about the event, the format or if you registered, donated and rode, but don’t see your name on the leaderboard. Everyone who registered and donated can pick up their limited edition 2020 East Bay Dirt Classic buff at Sports Basement in Berkeley this Sunday October 25th. As a registered participant this year you will also receive an in-store discount on any gear you purchase while there.

Finally, with all of your help and the generous support of many others who donated to our fundraiser this year, we raised over $30,000 to support the Alameda County Community Food Bank. This year in particular these funds will help provide critical support to those residents of Alameda county facing food insecurity.

We loved seeing the spirit of friendly competition as we saw some of you riding past on your way to completing the course. And we enjoyed following the battles atop the leaderboard as the days of the open window elapsed. So thank you. All of you.

Until next year, stay healthy and safe and keep the rubber side down.

Sincerely,

Your friends at C510

There was clearly some pent up energy after folks were blocked from their attempts by the elevated AQI two weekends ago. As predicted, Fun ghi demonstrated why he won in such dominant fashion in 2018 by throwing down a 45 minute composite time to take the lead by 3 minutes (reportedly on a full-squish mountain bike, no less). Jason Tang, another young gun like Dan English, we’re told, went all out to notch into third overall! Two minutes now separate 2nd from 5th place in the KOM hunt. With one weekend left to go, we can anticipate some further attempts and shake up on the leaderboard.

In the QOM hunt, Gabriella Stern had a huge effort to rack up second, while high schooler (and C510jr!) Ella Peterson completed the five segments just 43 seconds slower to drift into 3rd currently. Kristen V continues with her commanding lead in the QOM race and is currently 6th overall! With 1 weekend left of racing, she looks fairly safe on the top podium step.

Every registered participant will receive a limited edition 2020 EBDC buff. Top finishers from both categories will receive prizes from our sponsors. More information to follow on this at the end of this coming weekend.

The weather on tap for the final weekend shows temps in the mid-80s on Saturday with some cooler weather in the mid-70s on Sunday. This is the final showdown. Have fun, be safe and send it!

Thank you!

Your friends at C510

After an ugly weekend for riding resulting from poor air quality, some heavy hitters were back out on the course this week. We saw Dan English (reportedly born AFTER 2004!) take over the top spot on the podium, completing the 5 segments in 48 minutes. Not to be outdone, Taos Ono came back today and gave it another swing, besting his time from his last attempt, coming in at 49 minutes. Incredible effort from these two. On the women’s side, 2018 and 2019 winner Jenny Wong gave it another whack shaving off several minutes and slotting into second. Kristen V, not content with her fairly safe 1st place sent it again to shave off 2 more minutes and go 52 minutes, which puts her 4th overall. Inspiring riding out on the course! Rumor has it that 2018 winner and 3rd place finisher Ryan Gorman and Josh Dapice have registered but not yet ridden the course, so we likely have yet to come to the end of this story.

As of today we are stoked to report that the 2020 version of the East Bay Dirt Classic has raised nearly $27,000 for the Alameda County Community Food Bank thanks to all of our participants and generous donors. We at C510 are incredibly grateful to all of you for helping support the ACCFB at this critical time.

Finally, we have decided to extend the deadline one more week until October 18th, as we know many of you were prevented from making attempts last weekend by the dangerous air quality.

The prizes are rolling in for our top contenders from the likes of Almanac Brewing, Hofkuche, Sports Basement, Capo and Mikes Bikes! Get out there, be safe and have fun!

Your friends at C510