(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)
The opening race of the 2012 Cross Crusade started in festive fashion yesterday at Alpenrose Dairy. According to Oregon Bicycle Racing Association (OBRA) officials, there were 1,392 racers. That’s the lowest total since 2008, but it’s only about 100 racers off the record high of 1,506 participants in 2010.
Other numbers of note: The tough course took its toll with 130 riders failing to finish their race; the Men’s Master C category race had a whopping 224 riders; there were 264 total women; and 254 kids signed up to do the (new and improved this year) Kiddie Cross.
But for anyone that’s attended a Cross Crusade race, the numbers aren’t really all that important. What matters is having fun, and there was plenty of that on Sunday — both on and off the course.
Racers and fans were treated to a sunny fall day and a challenging course. Crusade organizers masterfully weaved the course through dusty, bumpy fields, up and down hillsides, around sharp turns, and even a lap on the velodrome. I threw my helmet in the ring at the last minute, and was glad I did.
Here are a few more shots from the course…
And some faces in the crowd:
This is Ira Ryan Cycles team member Matt Hall, looking quite nice in his team kit and white socks…
Rapha’s U.S. General Manager Slate Olson flashes a pre-race smile…
Part of my cheering section…
Before I lined up, I was happy to meet Ian and Quinten Pearson. The brothers (ages 11 and 14 respectively), were at the race to cheer on their dad Jon Pearson (who won the Clydesdale race); but they figured they’d make some extra money on the side. They stood near the registration and offered to pin numbers on racers for $1. Thanks guys!
As always, the team tent area was like a big cyclocross circus. I didn’t get to spend much time to hang out yesterday (between racing and having my entire family along), but I did take a few minutes to check out the new Speedvagen Racing Machines team vehicle.
Team manager Sacha White (owner of Vanilla Bicycles and Speedvagen) hasn’t been as visible at the Cross Crusades in recent years; but he’s back, and once again he’s raised the bar. The new team vehicle and uniforms are something to behold. I ran into team rider Tina Brubaker (in photo above) and she proudly showed off the custom, handmade zipper-pull Sacha created for their team kits…
OBRA officials say participation numbers are way up at cyclocross events throughout Oregon this year. With such fun courses and great atmosphere, it’s easy to see why.
Thanks for reading.
BikePortland has served this community with independent community journalism since 2005. We rely on subscriptions from readers like you to survive. Your financial support is vital in keeping this valuable resource alive and well.
Please subscribe today to strengthen and expand our work.
You blew by me in the Masters B race yesterday. Nice job!
I want to see a picture of you taking a picture of the “zipper pull”. An awkward moment, I’m sure.
Ha! I though someone might say that. It was pretty funny to get that shot… especially because I had to change lenses and get the focus right so it took several minutes… and Tina (who is a great sport by the way, so it wasn’t awkward at all) was telling people, “No, he’s not taking photos of my boobs!”
(i should have waited before commenting about this. repost from CC opener post) my partner and i attended this from opening to noon-ish. we brought our dog as well since its right by Gabriel Park (which has a doggy section). perfect. our pleasure then our dog’s pleasure after. We enjoyed watching this, although we were disappointed only 4, to our count, unicyclists were racing. that is the reason why we went early 🙂
I bet that armored car uses a lot of gas…
Yeah, that’s a beast. Though I bet it’s not quite as bad as it looks – that would have had something like a Cummins 6L or Navistar DT in it, so biodiesel friendly and relatively efficient (and probably stupidly slow). If they put some work into stripping some of the armoring weight, they’re probably getting better mileage than some of the folks who show up to races in F-series gassers and Suburbans.
Splinter gave you a mention on the PA, JM!
Nice work.
Yeah that was awesome. I actually heard it both times, which was cool because I’m usually so zoned-in to racing that I don’t hear anything. The second time he mentioned me it was funny because it was almost like he was surprised that had held my position and had actually moved up a few spots!
Does anyone know where photos are being posted? I have seen some, but few of the Masters C race. Just curious to see more…
Peter, You can go to Crosscrusade.com Then click on the Chat page. Follow the links to photograghers.
I hope there is no lasting environmental impact from this kind of racing. Erosion can be a problem.
Great post Jonathon. Good to see you there.