Stairmasters: Competitors in the Boulder Cyclocross series deal with the “terrain.”
’Cross Your Circuits, The season is here for mud and pain. We point you to the best cyclocross races across the state.
Colorado may lack the extreme mud of Belgium, the birthplace of cyclocross, but that doesn’t make our courses any less fun to race, or exciting to watch. There’s pretty much a race every weekend in the fall and winter, complete with an ample beer garden for the rowdiest two-wheeled spectating in the state. Here are some of the highlights on the schedule. See coloradocycling.org for a complete listing.
PIKES PEAK VELO SUPERCROSS
Spetember 8 • Colorado Springs
Since 2001, this club has been putting on one of the best races in the state. We were not sure how they could possibly top last year’s course— the two-mile loop was the first bike race held at the historic Rock Ledge Ranch property in Garden of the Gods—but they surprised us when they announced that the race will cover the University of Colorado Springs campus. Supercross is also one of the only ’cross races in the state to include a category for brand newbies.
pikespeakvelo.com
THE BACK TO BASICS CYCLOCROSS SERIES
Wednesdays, September 12 to October 17 • Golden
After a successful debut last year, the Back to Basics series returns with an expanded schedule that includes three Wednesday evenings in October. These weekly practice races take place at the Lookout Mountain Youth Center and cost $15 each, or $65 for the six-race series. Choose to enter one of four loosely defined categories based on your gender, how hard you want to race, and whether you’re planning to ride a singlespeed or not.
active.com/cycling/golden-co/back-to-basics-cyclocross-series-2012
BOULDER CYCLOCROSS SERIES
September 16, 22, October 20, November 17, December 8
Boulder Racing puts on some of the most classic bike races in the area including the Koppenberg Classic and the Morgul Bismark Road Race, and pioneered chip timing for ’cross races back in 2009. Once again, its Cyclocross Series is back for 2012, with all your favorite venues including the Valmont Bike Park, Xilinx, Interlocken, Westminster City Park and the Louisville Rec Center. There will also be two additional races as part of the CycloX series, one November 10 at Sienna Lake and one December 1 at an all-new venue that’s yet to be announced.
boulderracing.com
FRISCO CROSS
September 29 • Fricso
The seventh annual Frisco Cross will be held at the Frisco Peninsula. This local favorite kicks off the first race in the Colorado Cross Cup (coloradocycling.org/bcr/about), a series created by the American Cycling Association, Colorado’s governing body of bike racing. Racers accrue points for placing and participation, earning bragging rights and trophies at the post-season party in February.
townoffrisco.com/events/frisco-cylcocross
MONARCH HIGH CYCLOCROSS
October 7 • Louisville
Now in its third year, this race just keeps on getting better. So much so that nearly 600 racers descended on the athletic fields surrounding Monarch High School last year to get a piece. Created by the very reputable DBC Events, this is a classic Colorado course with plenty of grass, ample 180-degree turns, a long sand section and barriers where you least want them (read: when you’re most blown out of your cardio mind).
dbcevents.com
THE NEW BELGIUM CUP
October 13-14 • Fort Collins
Part of the US Grand Prix of Cyclocross, the most prestigious series in the U.S., this race returns to Colorado for 2012. Superstar (and Fort Collins resident) Georgia Gould will be there, along with some of the top pros in the nation. Known for having a deceptively tough course (native grasses require more power to pedal over than you think), this race draws the strongest, fastest field this side of the Atlantic.
usgpcyclocross.com
BOULDER CUP
October 28 • Boulder
The Boulder Cup turns seven this year, and hopes to keep its title of the largest ’cross race in the Rockies. In 2011, nearly 800 racers and 3,000 spectators showed up. The race even set a state record with almost 150 competitors under the age of 18. After a successful debut at the Valmont Bike Park last year, the race will take place at that same venue for 2012. The Boulder Cup is an absolute must see, or even better, must race.
dbcevents.com
CROSS OF THE NORTH
December 15-16 • Loveland
After a big inaugural year, the Cross of the North returns for 2012, this time as the venue for the State Cyclocross Championships. Hosted by the Echelon Energy (E2) Cycling Team at The Ranch events complex, this high-profile race boasts facilities that are just as memorable as the course, including indoor showers for both racers and their bikes. The course will change some from last year to improve the spectator experience, but it will still feature the infamous Royster Run-up. crossofthenorth.com
