San Anselmo cyclists at top of international scene

While most of us know that San Anselmo and Fairfax are great hubs of cycling, you might be surprised to learn exactly how deep the talent runs here. And I'm not just talking about on the bike; cycling is made up not only of racers, but managers, coaches, mechanics, and team directors. All can be found here and, uniquely for the sport, they are largely women.

Katherine Carroll, of San Anselmo, won the popular local race - The San Rafael Twilight Criterium – on July 11. But Carroll isn't just a local racer. She also races internationally with the U.S. National Team, as well as her professional team, Peanut Butter & Co./Twenty12. She has more than ten wins on the National Racing Circuit and has won several sprint competitions on the international stage. 

"As a professional cyclist, it's great to be in an environment where so many people ride and understand what I do. The community in Marin is wonderfully supportive. I love being able to roll out my door and be on top of Tam in 45 minutes," Carroll said.

"The terrain and conditions definitely give me an edge in terms of ideal preparation, whether I'm racing in the US or abroad," she said. 

Carroll's Peanut Butter & Co./Twenty12 teammate, Olivia Dillon, calls San Francisco home, but is often spotted training on the roads here. If you could look closely at Dillon's uniform before she sped by, you would notice green, white, and orange stripes around the neck and arms. Add to that a thick, lilting accent, legs that will break you if you try to keep up (but a mischievous smile that dares you to try) and it all equals a double National Champion of Ireland, in both the time trial and road race disciplines.

It is no coincidence that these two women both ride for the same team. They were each hand-selected by Nicola Cranmer, the team's founder and manager, who happens to be – you guessed it – a resident of San Anselmo. You might have even seen her driving the team's colorful car around town! Originally from England, Cranmer fell in love with Marin, and the cycling here, in 1986 and hasn't left since.

Cranmer started her powerhouse cycling team with the sole mission to develop women's cycling in the US. Cranmer, her riders, and their Director and Olympic gold medalist Kristin Armstrong are fast helping U.S. women catch up to their European counterparts. The team and its members now hold­­­ over a dozen 2010 national titles, three podium spots in World Cup races, and a world record in the team pursuit on the track.

And yes, the Twenty12 in their name is in reference to the 2012 Olympics – a goal, and a strong possibility, for many of the riders on the team.

Another foreign local, but by way of Australia, is Emma Rickards - Director Sportif of the well-known TIBCO professional women's team. Up until last year, Rickards was the one actually on the bike, racing with the squad all over the US. Upon retirement, she slipped seamlessly into the role of Team Director, traveling with the athletes and orchestrating their tactical approaches and race plans.

Lisa Hunt, of Fairfax, also knows all about the role of Director, having been at it for the last four years. Hunt was first with the ValueAct Capital team and currently manages Team Vera Bradley Foundation. Both women, former racers themselves, guide their respective teams to fantastic results in the National Race Calendar.

Aside from the professional racers, staff, and owners in San Anselmo and Fairfax, we also boast a number of impressive Masters, Juniors, and amateur cyclists.

Helene Drumm, of San Anselmo, riding for Peanut Butter & Co./Twenty12, doubled up on Masters national titles in both the Super D and Cross Country races at the National Mountain Bike Championships in Colorado earlier this year. Dario Frederick, who owns Whole Athlete in San Anselmo, won the Men's Cross Country, ages 40-44 division, at that race. Mary McConneloug, of Fairfax, placed 4th in the Pro Women's Cross Country race.

Locally, at the Timpani Criterium in Santa Clara, Lauren Catlin, of Fairfax, won the Women's Category 4 race. And the Patterson Pass Road Race last weekend also saw a local on the podium in the Women's Category 4: Tanya Fredricks, of San Anselmo, placed 2nd. Tom Lyons, of Fairfax, took 8th in the Men's Category 3 race, and Gregg Marioni, of San Anselmo, was 2nd in the Category 4, 45-years-and-up race.