Why People Like Cyclocross....Mud, Handups, Costumes, and Crashing!

Finalized CrossReno Course....And last day for registration!

Head over to the CrossReno website if you need to register or get more information!  http://cxreno.com/

How to crash in a cyclocross race....

 Don't bunny hop the barrier completely and bounce the rear wheel into it.  Allow rear wheel to completely rebound....  Be sure to completely commit to eating shit by removing hands from handlebars!

Use now free hands to catch the rapidly approaching ground!  Note...to make this look really good, do not clip out yet!

Tuck and roll....for dramatic effect don't unclip second foot yet.

Show everyone your Lycra clad ass!

Complete roll / slide through and unclip.

Begin recovery.

Ok...almost begin recovery....

Start smiling because you see someone is getting this on camera....grab bike and slam the brake levers back into place while running the next two barriers.  Continue racing for 3 more laps!

Oh...and if you're wondering.  I'm the chump eating it....so if you were thinking I'm being a bit harsh with the comments it's ok, because I'm insulting myself!

Cyclocross makes the local news!?

So....I'm completely stoked to see a story like this actually make the local headlines.  On the other hand, I'm guessing it must be a slow news day for them to cover this.  Either way, this could be a huge plug for Reno biking in general if we could land the event! 

And I can't help but throw in a little personal editorial on our competitor cities (think Bike Snob sarcasm here folks).

Louisville, Kentucky....these guys just hosted the single speed cycloscross world championships like a week ago.  They've had their day....let's move on!  Also, insert Redneck joke here....

Hartford, Connecticut....East coast, nuff said....no one wants to go there.  And what do they say back east, "Forgotttaboutit"?

And then there's Bend, Oregon....what to say about Bend.  If you like "craft" beer and like your waiter to have a minimum of a masters degree, I think there's a brewery or two that fit the bill.  Although they're hipster enough that PBR will be available.  They also have "a" bike trail built by some guy named Phil (I think).  When I hear people talk about it, they usually say "whoops", so it must be a mistake to go ride there.  It's also a great town for cross racers (who are notoriously lazy) because you don't even get out of your car to pump your own gas (in fact it's illegal).  And if you can't figure out how to fill your car with gas, there's at least a bike lane or two in town....so you might be able to ride around, if you wanted to take your life in your hands.  So yeah, if it can't be in Reno, Bend is probably a strong second choice.

So good luck other towns.  Once the dirtbag cyclocross community hears Reno is in the running with legal prostitution, breweries and distilleries in non-fixed up warehouse space, cheap hotel rooms with gambling only steps away, and real 80's bands playing nightly....you don't have a chance of landing this Olympic caliber event, unless Reno turns up its nose at it!!!

Ideas for the weekend?

The truth is I've got some other plans for this weekend.  But with the cooler weather, I'm thinking this might be the perfect way to ring in a Sierra Nevada change of seasons. 



Or if you're just looking for an excuse to enjoy the fall weather and run, ride, race, or just spectate....check out Galenafest this weekend.

Sagebrush Cyclocross time!!

Click here to link over to the Sagebrush Page.

The official calendar starts off this weekend with a riding clinic and some trail building at the newest course location (the Reno Dam).  Even though it's a race series, it really is just a fun set of events with a really friendly (family) feel.  I'd never entered a bike race in my life prior to last year and I ended up having a lot of fun both riding, helping with the course layout, and just meeting some great people.  So if you've ever remotely considered racing this is the perfect way to give it a try.  Hope to see you all out there this weekend.

The Davis Creek Park Cyclocross Race....there was snow!

Ok, it definitely snowed the night before and we already had snow on the ground.  None the less, bikes were loaded into cars and folks showed up (almost 30 racers)!  Wifey and I got there around 8:30 am for the 10 am race.  The ranger was just starting to plow out the park and about 5 other brave souls were present.  We calmly looked at the 1 - 1 1/2 feet of snow on the ground.....

In short order shovels appeared, a modified course layout was devised, and the "fun" began.  Basically, the course looked like the screen capture below.  Meaning we only had to walk through and then shovel about 1/2 mile of trail!

Did I mention that the portions on the campground roads had a nice sheet of ice just under the plowed surface....yeah, they definitely did.  So the course was challenging on the road and on the winding single track that was only a single shovel width! Anyway it was a total blast so I'll let the pictures do the talking!

Deep snow....you know dogs love it.  Apparently bikes do too!

Clearing the course!

The start house.

Start of the Men's C, women's B, C, and Juniors.

And they're away on the ice!

If you can't ride it.....run it...with a fantastic smile!

Outta the single track and onto the ice!

Staying warm by the fire!

Bike parking isn't a problem in deep snow...just stow and go!

More warming!

Men's A, B, and Women's A from the gun.

Cyclocross coming up on 12/7...maybe we'll get snow....maybe we'll get mud?

Just found this video from a cyclocross race up in Washington.  Looks like they had a few days of rain prior to the event that made for an interesting course!




Here's a few stills from a local photographer (Photos by Leonard Johnson / HotFootPhoto) too:

Sagebrush cyclocross series at Clayton.

Yep, they just keep coming.  I missed the event up in Truckee due to my Michigan trip but this weekend the series was back.....and only a mile from my house!  Work is busy so I'll just dump some pictures on you for now.  Here it is.

Registration.

Some juniors practicing the curb hop.

It was a full house this week!

Seriously...I don't think there was any parking left.

Pancake breakfast anyone?

The start of the Men's B / Women's A race.

Into the first corner.

A bit of a mash up at the first stair climb.

Into the sand.

The series of step ups kill you on the way up....but they are fun on the way down.

The first drop gave you just enough speed for......

.....a little bit of air on the second bump/drop.

All in all it was a great course.  A lot of up and down and some off camber side hills with high entry speeds.  More than one rider slide out on some of them.  So get the race schedule and join in next time!

Cyclocross time!

I've never done this before....in fact, I haven't ever been in a bike race of any kind.   Well, unless you count bmx races around the block when we were kids.  The first race in the series is over in Hidden Valley this weekend (tomorrow) if your interested.

To prep I stripped the Fargo down from touring configuration back to a lean, mean monstercross machine.  Ok, it's steel and rolls 29ers....so it isn't actually lean.....but it does look mean.   I'm hoping the course will actually favor these huge tires vs. the 33mm cyclocross tires ( and 14 lb carbon bikes) the rest of the field will be riding!

Touring tires, rack, and panniers are out.

Cyclocross / Monstercross machine is ready....and yes, I'll be racing with the flask and bell!