The Coast with the most: Ford-Basis finishes up West Coast tour

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While millions of Americans were glued to their couches with the pretense of watching NCAA March Madness, Ford-Basis' cyclists participated in a March Madness of its own. Racers competed in the McLane Cycling Classic, Central Valley Cycling Classic, San Dimas Classic, Redlands Classic, Sea Otter Classic and the Fresno Institute for the Psychologically "Different" Classic.

Nicole, who manages, directs, races for and cleans everyone's bikes with a toothpick hourly, won the crown jewel of the series: The Fresno Institute stab yourself in the skull with a knitting needle contest. "I felt okay afterwards. Like most of my 'roommates', I happened to be wearing a helmet at the time of the contest."

In addition to three fourth place finishes at the McLane Road Race, Gila Criterium and Gila Monster Road Race the team earned four eighth place finishes and five 13th place finishes.

"Clearly, these numbers indicate we are about to win BIG. Title sponsors Ford and Basis are supportive of our investing 100 percent of our sponsorship dollars on lottery numbers 8 and 13. I will call them right now and let them know the good news."

On the promotional side, the team conducted cycling clinics in Detroit, Palo Alto and San Francisco aimed at aspiring racers, participated in the Sea Otter Century and conducted school talks in San Dimas, Silver City and Fresno.

"I love the teaching and coaching side of the sport", says Nicole whose horoscope in "The Onion", April 27th reads:

Gemini: (May 21-June 21)
Good coaching and kind, compassionate discipline
will turn a ragtag group of problem kids into a top-notch team,
but you're just what they need to turn them
back to violence and drug abuse.

To sign up for our email list, please email: snerf@aol.com with the following subject header: "Go Ford-Basis, Beat T-Mobile". To be removed, that is from the mailing list, please send me a kind email at the Fresno Institute.

Feel free to visit our website: www.ford-basiscycling.com.

Top 10 race results:

4th Central Valley Classic Road Race - Chrissy
4th Tour of the Gila Criterium - Alisha
4th Tour of the Gila Monster RR - Chrissy
7th Central Valley Criterium - Nicole
6th Sea Otter Prologue - Chrissy
7th Redlands Criterium - Nicole
8th Redlands Prologue - Chrissy
8th Redlands Road Race, - Chrissy
8th Redlands Overall - Chrissy
9th Tour of the Gila, Time Trial - Kele

Upcoming race schedule:

5/8 Wichita, KS Schofield Cycling Classic
5/13-5/15 Fayetteville, AR Joe Martin Stage Race
5/20-5/22 Russelville, AR Tri-Peaks Challenge
5/26 Richmond, VA CapTech Classic
5/27 Raleigh, NC Raleigh Twilight Criterium
5/28 Baltimore, MD Bike Jam/ Race for Pulaski
5/29 Arlington, VA Clarendon Cup
5/30 Somerville, NJ Tour of Somerville
5/29 Montreal, CAN Montreal WC
6/2-6/5 Hood River, OR Mt Hood Cycling Classic
6/5 Philadelphia, PA Liberty Classic
6/10-6/13 Minneapolis, MN Nature Valley GP

Upcoming promotions:

5/12 Fayetteville, AR Beginning Racer Cycling Clinic
5/12 Fayetteville, AR School Talk
6/1 Mt Hood, OR Beginning Racer Cycling Clinic
6/1 Mt Hood, OR School Talk