As we look forward to our annual Winter Banquet, here are the people nominated by their peers for our annual recognition awards. Please read what your fellow members had to say about all the deserving nominees for Rider of the Year, Most Improved Rider, In-the-Dirt (off-road specific accomplishments), and the club’s “People’s Choice” award. Then vote for your favorite in each category using the link below.
POLLS CLOSE 8PM SATURDAY JAN. 11
Use this link to complete your ballot: https://poll-maker.com/QCV3E3Y70
Nominees recognized and winners announced at the Winter Banquet, Saturday Feb. 1.
For reference, you can also check out the race results we’ve recorded in 2024 on the club web site (canyonvelo.org/index.php/race-results)
2024 CV Award Nominations
RIDER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
Ralph Bonnin: Ralph won the Belgian Waffle Ride “Tripple Crown” series (Arizona, Utah, California) in the 60-69 age group. He topped the 60+ podium at Rock Cobbler. Then he dusted off his road bike and podiumed in his age group at Breathless Agony and the Heartbreak 100. He’s a hard man to beat…oh yeah, 2nd place in his age group at the Hardman Classic too.
Rob Kelly: CV legend Rob Kelly garnered two USAC state championships this year (4-Man Team Time Trial and Individual Mixed Tandem Time Trial)! He went on to win the 4-Man 60-69 category in Race Across America (RAAM). Now he is also the World Ultra Cycling Association Noth American Champion setting the 4-person mixed 60+ course record for 500 miles at the Hoo-Doo 500.
Ed Kissee: Ed Kissee won five gold medals at the USAC Masters National Track Championships (500m TT, Match Sprint, Flying 200m, Team Pursuit and Team Sprint) and for the third consecutive year a gold medal at UCI Masters World Championships (Team Sprint). Championship titles require talent, commitment and discipline. Ed has them all. His track journey is an inspiration to all of us.
David Stanton: David is a perennial medalist at the USAC Masters National Track Championships. For the second consecutive year, David won a gold medal at USAC Masters National Track Championships (this year for Team Pursuit). Add to that a bronze medal finish for Individual Pursuit.
George Tomasich: Whether you are talking about the CV Saturday route or Highway 39 to Crystal Lake, George is the Local Legend on Strava as in real life. This year George was also highly visible on the 60+ masters criterium circuit. But its when the racing starts to go up hill that George leaves his mark taking 1st or 2nd in races like Mulholland Challenge, Breathless Agony, Heartbreak 100, Palomar KOM, GMR Challenge TT, Onyx Summit KOM and Santa Barbara’s Gibraltar KOM.
MOST IMPROVED RIDER NOMINEES
Juan Araque: Is Juan getting stronger or are we just still discovering the depth of his power? In just his second year in our sport, Juan is setting pace on all the club rides including the Saturday Morning World Championships of Irvine. This year he placed 3rd in his first USAC race (GMR Challenge TT, Men Cat. 4/5). Juan still has some learning to do, like power to weight ratio should mean that he cannot drop you on a climb the way he does.
Ben Franchi: This was the year Ben Franchi would start racing both on and off road. He podiumed twice in the Over The Hump race series and entered a dozen criterium races. He even took on the Sea Otter Classic Circuit and MTB races. He traveled to Iowa to complete the RAGBRAI. He rounded out his year by taking on another discipline/riding surface and got certified on the velodrome.
Randy Menton: Randy has dramatically improved on safety and efficiency in a paceline. He is getting stronger and consistently does his share of work in a paceline. Showing attributes of a ride leader, he is able to “read the room” and match the tempo to the group/vibe of a ride.
Willis Sutcliff: Sometimes the context for improvement is a comeback from infirmity instead of a rooky year. That is the case for Willis Sutcliff in 2024. This made it extra sweet when he was able don the California Bear Flag jersey awarded for his victory with Ed Kissee in the Tandem 90+ category Individual Time Trial.
IN THE DIRT NOMINEES
Ralph Bonnin: Ralph won the Belgian Waffle Ride “Tripple Crown” series (Arizona, Utah, California) in the 60-69 age group. He topped the 60+ podium at Rock Cobbler. He’s a hard man to beat…oh yeah, 2nd place in his age group at the Hardman Classic too.
Danny Davisson: Danny Davisson loves to challenge himself on and off the road. This year his passion for off road led him to compete in the Pebble Cobbler where he placed 2nd in his age group and 7th overall. In May he completed the Surf-N-Summit, a 120 mile gravel ride from the coast to Angels Oaks in the San Bernadino Mountains. Super strong, super determined.
John Ritchie: John Ritchie is the Founder of the North Orange County MTB Club. Over the years, John has been a big part of the local Mountain Biking Community. John offers help to stranded riders, including sharing his water and making repairs, giving directions, making sure no one is left behind as well as performing trail work throughout the year. He also finds time to introduce the trails to newbies and enjoys spending time with riders of all skill levels.
David Stewart: David Stewart is a beast on the mountain bike competing and dominating in his age group at the Over the Hump summer race series (on the podium in 5 out of 6 events, taking 2nd in the summer points series). This year he has over a million feet of climbing and he picked up 19 off-road KOMs along the way.
As a ride leader for NOCMTB, David exemplifies inclusivity, welcoming riders of all ability levels and disciplines (even “roadies”) to share in the fun. He is known for the post-ride refreshment sessions hosted at his home and is always willing to help with trail work, keeping the trails open, clear and safe for all riders.
With the addition of David to the CV Leadership Team, we can expect the CV/NOCMTB collaboration to be stronger than ever.
PEOPLE’S CHOICE NOMINEES
Kym & Garrit Singerland: Kym and Gerrit Slingerland need to be recognized for more than just the tremendous mountain bike skills they both have but also for all of the trail work they perform in Chino Hills State Park, the Oaks and their local trails. They not only hike out but often stop mid-ride to spend hours clearing trails, cutting mustard, brush, tree limbs and redirecting trails to make them safer for all of us.
Joseph Socco: Last year, Joe Soco was awarded Most Improved Rider. This year he has excelled as a true Canyon Velo ambassador. He is not only incredibly inclusive and inviting to other riders (in and out of the club), he puts together road, gravel and MTB group rides suited for those members who find the CV scheduled group rides too early or not a preferred style of riding). “Joe’s Rides” accommodate most fitness levels and if they are too challenging, there are convenient re-grouping opportunities to help all gain fitness over time. These group rides also usually include coffee and social time.
Added bonus: Joe is a very knowledgeable self-made bike mechanic and is ALWAYS helpful in mechanical situations and flats. Go Joe!
Wes Kridle: Wes Kridle is the nicest guy, undoubtedly it’s a joy to count him as a friend on and off the bike. What doesn’t Wes do for the club? He’s a member of the CV Board of Directors, serves on the organizing committee for the annual Winter Banquet and other club parties. He makes all of us look good figuratively, and when it comes to the team photo, literally. A true gem within our club!
Eric Newman: You don’t always appreciate what you have until you come close to loosing it. When Eric Newman went into the hospital with life threatening injury from a crash, the entire CV membership hung on every medical condition update they could get while he was in hospital and asked his closest associates on a weekly basis, “when are we going to see Eric back on the bike?” The later question was answered in December, caping what seems to be a miraculous recovery.
Glen Wells: Glen is a very active member of the club, participating in all four disciplines: road, gravel, MTB and (once a year) track. Also once a year, Glen and his family make us all feel welcome in their home for our Kit Fit Party. We appreciate you Glen!
Christy Frazelle: Christy is a CV Board member serving on the Winter Banquet and other club party subcommittees. She is the Leadership Team member responsible for the club’s social media presence. On the SART or on the trail Christy is a rolling ambassador for our club.
Rich Savitt: Rich is always promoting CV activities, riding consistently every week, officiating competitive races, supporting fellow riders, participating in fundraising rides, and sharing his knowledge to perspective club members. It is always a pleasure cycling with him.