The Season Winds Down
Chrismas Eve: Happy Holidays! We know it has been a while since we gave you an update. It's been a wild month for NW 'crossers since the CycloCrazed series wrapped up at Tractor 'Cross five weeks ago. From the Crank Bros USGP in Portland to the Seattle series final at Kelly Creek, and finally onto U.S. Nationals in Kansas City, there has been no shortage of epic weather, superb results, and general cycling mayhem to make this season a memorable one!
We'll have more to report on Nationals in a bit. First we want to explain what's been up in our department (basically an excuse for not getting the final results out sooner). We have finally revamped our home office to an all Mac environment, so that means all new programs for calculating results, prepping race photos, and even editing this web page. We're pleased to announce we are now happier and more productive, and looking forward to generating some quality content to keep you entertained over the winter: photo galleries of all our past races, new & improved results look-up, and some Flash animation just for the bling effect. So stay tuned!
Before we wax poetic about the past, let's talk about the future. Thankfully, the local cyclocross races are not yet over! A friend of the CycloCrazed series, David James, is helping promote Kringle Kross at Magnuson Park on Sunday, Dec. 30th. This is a fun location, a new format, and hopefully a four-day weekend for you. What excuse do you have to not burn off some holiday fat and keep the 'cross pedals turning? It's starting to look like a real 'cross season around here -- next up has got to be a race in January!
Now onto the really good news. The CycloCrazed Series received a tremendous amount of help from the WWU Cycling team this year. Even though a relatively small portion of their members had ever raced 'cross before this season, the crew was very enthusiastic to help with set up and take down of our ambitious courses, track the positions each lap, and we even discovered some new 'cross talent in their ranks!
To help return the favor, we were able to assist a few riders with their travel expenses to Kansas City. The dedicated crew of Tela Crane, David Fleischauer, Christoper Parrish, and Chris Ellis (first year 'cross racer) did not disappoint! They stacked the podiums in the Division II Collegiate Men's & Women's races, yielding them the overall team championship!
Tela Crane wins Collegiate DII Women's National Champsionship
WWU Cycling men Chris Ellis, Chris Parrish, and David Fleischaeur (l-to-r) take 5th, 2nd, and 4th (respectively) in Collegate DII National Championships
The 'cross pride is oozing out of Bellingham right now. These riders demonstrated extreme fortitude in the tricky, icy conditions, but especially Tela considering she crashed hard enough to merit a trip to the hospital before climbing on the podium! Also, since two of these chaps raced some of their first 'cross races in our series, we feel like we're keeping a good thing growing.
11/19 Tractor Cross News: Preliminary Results are posted! Thanks to everyone for partaking in the epic demolition derby quicksand, skate park ramps, and near vertical run-up!
Series points will be posted after people have a chance to straighten me out about about Tractor Cross. Then prizes will be sent to your mother.
We will get some photos and write-ups about the 2007 series up soon. In the meantime, check out these fantastic photo galleries courtesy of Patrick Means and Dan Bennett, as well as Mike McQuaide's blog!
11/8 Muerto Cross News: Results are finalized! It was an awesome day at Cornwall Park, what some are calling the best course all season!
Special thanks to the WWU Cycling team for their major volunteer effort in putting the course together, while simultaneously securing a 6th place overall at Collegiate MTB Nationals!
One week later, the grass is quickly recovering and the impact is indiscernible in many places. If you think this venue is as special as we do and cyclocross should be allowed to return here, please send a message to Paul Leuthold at Bellingham Parks or call 676-6985 and tell him why!
Check out the many stylish photos taken by Jeff Morriss. We snapped a few ourselves:
Beware the Muerto Man - he will deduct points for no costume!
Fear the Spiral of Death!
Blogs: A couple of Bellingham locals newer to 'cross, Mike McQuaide and Glenn Gervais, scribed about their day of racing. Check it out!
Lost & Found: We found a very nice, red Giordana warm-up jacket at the start line at the end of the day. We also still have a red Giro helmet from 542 'Cross. Meet us at Tractor 'Cross registration and claim your goods.
Whatcom Youth Cycling
Another special addition for this year -- we will be fundraising for a new junior racing organization in our area called Whatcom Youth Cycling or WYC.
If you are (or know of) a youth aged 10-18 and need support in the pursuit of the sport of cycling, please e-mail us!
November 17: Tractor 'Cross
Our first visit to the home of the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds in Lynden aims to be a fast & unique course setting that you will thoroughly enjoy!
Click the image below for an 11x17 pdf (163KB) outline of the course:
Wickedly close for Canadians, too, and no special license required! See below for special news about Skate Church!
To print just the information below, highlight it with your cursor. Then choose "File->Print..." and check the option to print "Selection"
Course Description: Fast compact grass, pavement, and gravel. Mostly flat with one descent. One substantial run-up and a barrier set. Mud will be sought after in the Grandstands and The Valley. Possibly a trip through the Swine Barn.
Directions: Coming from I-5 South through Bellingham, take exit #256A for Guide Meridian (same as for Cornwall Park), but this time turn right and head north to Lynden.
From the Trans-Canada 1A, take Hwy. 13 (264th St.) to the Aldergrove border crossing. Continue approx. 7.3 km to Lynden.
Both directions, turn east onto Front St. which passes between two cemetaries (scary!). The Northwest Washington Fairground is a few blocks down on your right.
Parking: Parking is plentiful on Main St. You can also enter the main gate (#2) and we will try to set up some parking within the fairground without interfering with the course, of course!
Registration: See the Entry Fees page for info on costs, race numbers, etc.
Race Times: See the Start Times page.
Waiver: Can be printed out and completed in advance: Tractor 'Cross Waiver
Warm-ups: Lots of room on the grounds to ride around, or take a tour of the little Dutch village of Lynden!
Food: There are several restaurants within a few blocks of this facility - the quaint & quiet downtown establishments to the east, and the fast & franchised back on Guide Meridian.
We will be offering some drip coffee for $1.
Facilities: We have rented People's Place for registration. This is a cozy little building with a fireplace, chairs, restrooms, etc. Your family can hang out here, but you cannot if you are muddy! Bring a change of clothes and spare clothes, please. Restrooms are also accessible from the outside.
Dogs: are not allowed at the NW Washington Fairground. Sorry!
Skate Church : This local skateboard youth group is currently occupying the Swine Barn. Pastor Shawn is allowing us to open up the building for our race to run through. Hopefully there will be some skaters hitting the ramps while we pass through! Tell your kid to bring the skateboard.
October 27: Muerto 'Cross
CycloCrazed is pleased to announce the return of Bellingham cyclocross racing to Cornwall Park, the former home of the 'Belly Cross!
Click the image below for an 11x17 pdf (445Kb) outline of the course:
Furthermore, this is as close to Halloween as we could get, so you can bet there will be major bonus points for racing in costume! Obviously, the better the costume, the better the points -- completely at the judgement of The Muerto Man.
To print just the information below, highlight it with your cursor. Then choose "File->Print..." and check the option to print "Selection"
Course Description: Mostly flat with one run-up and several barrier/log sets. Combination of wide forest trails, compact gravel, asphalt, and slippery grass. Be mindful of the roots on the long straight-away in the back section( they are painted white to help you).
Exhibition Race! Bonus round at 2:30 p.m. for those with costumes or a special bike to try out, preferably both! Try to outdo Cyclocross Man and Sprocket Girl.
Directions: Both directions off I-5 from out of town take exit #256 in Bellingham. From the South, take #256A (not Bellis Fair Mall) to Meridian street and turn Left. From the North, turn right onto Meridian Street. Cornwall Park is immediately after the next intersection at Squalicum Way, less then one mile south on your left.
There are actually two entrances here, one right after the other - please utilize both to spread out your large hunks of steel.
Parking: Parking will be limited. Locals who know the back entrance from Cornwall Street are advised to use that space, please. For those who follow the directions above and find a full lot, overflow parking is recommended on the shoulder of Squalicum Way (see map) and/or the new Mt. Baker Vision Clinic building from where several small trails lead into the park.
Registration: See the Entry Fees page for info on costs, race numbers, etc.
Race Times: See the Start Times page.
Waiver: Can be printed out and completed in advance (please, save our paper): 2007 Muerto Cross Release
Warm-ups: We recommend Squalicum Parkway, a long, quiet road where you cannot get lost. Head west immediately across the street from the northern-most park entrance on Meridian St. For a real good warm-up, ride about 1 mile west to find the future home of Squalicum Park on the old Pacific Concrete site. We have been trying to secure this location as the ultimate Bellingham 'cross course for several years now, but a portion of it is currently being re-constructed.
Food: There are plenty of food vendors within a few blocks of this park - perhaps too many to the north, but the southern direction is pleasantly referred to as the Fountain District. A Haggen grocery store is a few blocks down, as well as restaurants, coffee stands, etc. This park is also near the core downtown Bellingham area which houses many highly-favored restaurants, so we will not attempt to compete with them.
Restrooms: There are two sets of public restrooms, one on each end of the park. They are roomy, heated, and well-lit..
Dogs: are allowed in the park on leashes. This is a gem of a park and we are pleased to be using it, so please pick up after your animal. Naturally, keep them off the course.
Frisbees: Cornwall Park is the home of Bellingham's only "official" frisbee-golf course. Although holes #2, #6, and #9 will be completely obstructed by the cx course, and #1, #3, and #7 will be partially obstructed, #4, #5, and #8 will be wide open! If you want to shoot a few holes to cool down, by all means, bring your disks!
Lost & Found: We found a very nice, red Giordana warm-up jacket at the start line at the end of the day. We have a red Giro helmet left over from 542 'Cross. Please inquire at registration. (How have you kept your lid safe all this time?)
September 8: 542 'Cross
This season opener was great low-key event at
Silver Lake State Park on a beautiful, warm, sunny day. Results are posted.
According to rider feedback, this was a fairly non-technical "power" course which was appropriate for this time of year. We aimed for a clinic-style atmosphere with a total of six barriers and no run-ups. We welcomed some newcomers to the sport as well as some seasoned vets.
The newly formed Bicycle Northwest website sent out Sean Brandenburg and F. Joe Hamilton to provide race-day coverage and even mix it up in the grass with the others. Click the banner '07 Cross Season' banner on their site for some hilarious race photos and a great writeup!
Here's a shot of A Men winner Nick Weighall putting the barriers to the test. More photos will be posted soon.
photo courtesy of Lavon Weighall
Special thanks to the Norka Recreation crew (Kelly, Margz, Oliver, and Charlie) who also executed a superb Mt. Baker Hill Climb the very next day.
Norka Recreation has also sponsored the Wednesday night practices, so they deserve extra props for supporting the growth of 'cross in Bellingham!
Here's an aerial view of the area and a rough outline of the course:
Every Wednesday at 6 p.m. Practice!
Thanks to Runningshoes.com and Norka Recreation, the local 'crossers have returned to our home under the lights in the softball fields at Lake Padden. These sponsors have generously covered the facility costs for the entire season, so you have no excuse to not attend.
Here's how it works: volunteers set up break-away barriers (that is, you can't trip over them) and everyone starts by hopping on & off their bikes a bunch. Then we practice getting clipped into our pedals right off the start line and sprinting for position.
After these relatively simple exercises, we split into smaller groups by ability and do a shortened race loop. This gets us some intensity as well as more practice on cornering, run-ups, etc. It is great to get some 'race-pace' action mid-week!
Anyone with a bike can join us. New people are welcomed and often mentored into the art & madness that is 'cross.
You can find us every week throughout the season until December.