Mud left its mark on the Crusade finale out at PIR yesterday.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

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Big crowds welcomed the 2012 Cross Crusade to Alpenrose yesterday.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

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Sunday!
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

The Cross Crusade race series (brought to us by River City Bicycles), the grand-daddy of them all, is set for another wild kickoff event this Sunday at Alpenrose Dairy in Portland's southwest hills. Last year nearly 1,500 people showed up to race at the Crusade opener, which makes it one of the largest cyclocross races (in terms of participation) in the world. With record field sizes at races so far this season, official are expecting another massive turnout.

Keeping with their fun, irreverent, and creative traditions, the theme of this year's Crusade is "Through the Ages." Event promoters mailed out a poster/brochure to past racers this week that included a hilarious mock-up of the famous Washington Crossing the Delaware painting by Emanuel Leutze. The mock-up is called Cyclocrossing the Delaware and the figures in the painting are organizers and volunteers from the Crusade's producers, Vivo Productions. Crusade director Brad Ross plays the role of Washington.

Check it out (and yes, that's a keg in the river)...
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The popularity of cyclocross
continues to grow.
(Photos © J. Maus)

The numbers are in and they show another year of very healthy growth for the Cross Crusade cyclocross race series. According to a tally by Oregon Bicycle Racing Association officials, 9,542 people participated in the series this year — that's over 800 more than last year.

For a wider perspective on how much cyclocross has grown in Portland, in 2005, the Crusade series had just 3,579 participants. (more...)

What a weekend!
(Photos © J. Maus)

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In case you haven't heard, the central Oregon town of Bend has become a premiere bike town. As they proclaim on VisitBend.com, "No other town in America can boast 8 USA Cycling National Championships in 4 years!"

This weekend will only further Bend's reputation as they host the Day of the Dead Cyclocross Festival — three days of 'cross madness that will attract visitors from across the Pacific Northwest.
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Big crowds turned out for the Crusade opener, which is typically the largest race of the year.
- Photo Gallery -
(Photos © J. Maus)

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Get ready!
(Photo © J. Maus)

Organizers of the the wildly popular Cross Crusade cyclocross race series have announced the dates, venues, and other changes we can expect this coming season.

In a statement, Race Director Brad Ross wrote, "The Knights of the Crusade have been feverishly working to line up race locations and dates that we think will make for the most kick butt season ever." (more...)

As we shared last week, the 2010 River City Bicycles Cross Crusade wrapped up on Sunday with a final showdown at Barton Park in Estacada. Our ace photographer David Haines was there and brought back some great photos of the action. They're a fitting tribute to another epic Cross Crusade:

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Story written by race reporter/photographer Pat Malach of Oregon Cycling Action.

A scene from past Crusade action
at Barton Park.
(Photo © J. Maus)

The world's most popular participatory cyclocross series winds up its 2010 run Sunday when Cross Crusade #8 invades Barton Park off of Highway 224 east of Clackamas about 20 miles from downtown Portland.

Recently crowned Canadian National Champion Chris Sheppard will be on hand to try and wrest back control of the men's overall series from current leader Shannon Skerritt, who seized the series lead after Sheppard missed three races in a row as he prepared for the Canadian race Nov. 6. (more...)