March 22, 2014 - OTF (Off The Front) Omnium Circuit Race and Time Trial

March 22 & 23, 2014 was the OTF Omnium.  The Off The Front (OTF) Omnium is a 3 event / 2 day bicycle race held in the Fresno & Hanford areas. Each race offers a different discipline of cycling, including Time Trialing, Flat Power, and small hill climbs. There are 3 races, Ventana Hills TT and the Granville Homes Circuit Race on Day 1 and the long time running Hanford Criterium on Day 2.  I worked on the Circuit Race as "eyes on course" for the USA Cycling Marshals, following the racers around the 1.9 mile route.  With the exception of one rider who crashed as the result of a wheel touch, there were virtually no mechanical problems.

The Circuit course was held in the Ventana Hills subdivision, west of the Millerton and Auberry Road intersection, in the foothills of east of Clovis, Ca.  The course wasn't closed, but because there are only 4 or 5 homes built in the subdivision, there was virtually no traffic.  The road surface was new, smooth, and debris free.  Describing the Circuit course as "fantastic" is an understatement.

Ventana Hills Subdivision Circuit Course

The day couldn't have been better.  Temps in the mid 50°s early warmed to the low 70°s later in the day.  A great day for a race.

Pre-Race warm-ups.

Tom Daugherty & his wife Babette oversee some of the Marshalling duties.

This is the start of one of the men's races. The women started 1 minute after.

A pre-race wave. (Steve Grusis, Race Promoter, is over Kevin's left shoulder, wearing the hat.)

Staging for the first heat of the day.

A southerly view of the course.  The fire truck is attending to a crashed racer.

Kevin following a group of riders, just out of frame. (Photo by Jim Hawe)

Staging for one of the larger races of the day.

Mingling between races.

Finish line.

The venue for the OTF Omnium Circuit Race was the Ventana Hills subdivision, just west of Millerton & Auberry Roads in Fresno County.

The venue for the OTF Omnium Circuit Race was the Ventana Hills subdivision, just west of Millerton & Auberry Roads in Fresno County.

A lunch break burrito.

This was the kids race. A favorite to watch.

Cat 2 & 1 race start. (Photo by Jim Hawe)

Cat 2 & 1 race start. (Photo by Jim Hawe)

Kevin following a group of riders. (Photo by Jim Hawe)

Another race start. (Photo by Jim Hawe)

Back home, a bit dirty, and a bit burned.