The 2007 Cross Crusade kicked off in fine style yesterday at Alpenrose Dairy. Race organizers reported that a record 1,078 racers took part in the action (that’s up from 760 at the same event last year!).
The course was a challenging mix of bumpy downhills, tight turns, and obstacles.
Earlier this week, Race Director Brad Ross told me he had concerns about the capacity of the course to handle so many racers at once. From what I heard (and experienced while racing myself), it all worked. Most people I spoke to said they had a great time out there.
One of my favorite parts of the day was seeing the huge kids field. From tots on trikes, to aspiring studs, they all attacked the course with gusto.
Once again, the work of local bike builders could be seen everywhere. I noticed frames by Joseph Ahearne, Ira Ryan, Tony Pereira, Sweetpea Bicycles, and a new Portland-based builder, Matt Cardinal.
Luckily, the dreaded “run-up” section was dry; but it was still a tough grind. Some riders blasted up the short, steep hill, but most grimaced and carried their bikes to the top.
The day’s action came to a climax with a thrilling finish to the Men’s A race. Perennial superstars Shannon Skerritt and Erik Tonkin battled it out for the entire race. It the end, Skerritt pulled away from Tonkin in the final few turns of the velodrome finish.
I happened to snap a photo of Skerritt, pensive and anxious just before the race and then got this photo of him after the race. Now that’s a well-deserved smile!
For lots more action (both on and off the course), check out my photo gallery or sit back and watch the slideshow below.
Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
But wait, there’s more! Check out video of the event by Dan Kaufman and Rev Phil over on CrankMyChain!
And stay tuned for more cyclocross coverage…the Crusade continues next Sunday at Horning’s Hideout.
Thanks for reading.
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What a great job by everyone yesterday! From all of the racers, organizers, spectators, just a great Portland cycling party. Special thanks to all of the women racers for watching out for my daughter Haley, 11, who was in her first race, and completed three laps and finished! Huge day!
Thank you so much for taking some great pictures!!!
What a great event recap, and such fabulous photos! You not only captured the faces, expressions, and spirit of both the racers and the crowd, but you did so with such creative images and compositions. Nice! As a mere fan’s observation, it seems that there often seems to be a fine line between ‘cross racing and fine art on so many levels (anything from chamber music to punk qualifies as art, mind you). Yesterday’s lack of rain simply excluded the possibility of any Pollock-esque splatter shots his time around.
Thanks for the post-race coverage, Jonathan! Your enthusiasm and dedication is such a boon to our entire community.
INCREDIBLE DAY! Brad and everyone else from OBRA and Cross Crusade deserve a couple pints for pulling off Sunday\’s races. The numbers are swelling, which is both good and bad, but mostly it was AMAZING to see everything pretty much work without any probs.
Awesome pics too. Nice job all around.
Might be time to break up some of those big classes like C\’s and Master C\’s, and Women\’s too. Some of these groups are gettng out of control…
ICX
Two words: Awe Some
That was a fun event to both ride and watch. Thanks for taking such great pictures Jonathan, you really did capture the event. I agree with bikealicious about spreading some of the catagories out a little. Big kudos to all of the organizers, volunteers and sponsors!
More categories would be great, but I understand if the Cross Crusade guys don\’t want to be out there until dark. I don\’t think anyone wants to race at 6:00am either.
And not to be too much of a scold, but there sure were a lot of cars in that parking lot. I thought we were bike riders?
DR…I can tell you don\’t race much.
its hard to ride to an event with extra wheels, a spare bike, a trainer, extra clothes, food, etc. on your back….there\’s a reason for all the cars.
Wet/dry bags solve all! I skipped extra wheels, but had all the warm clothes, liquids, food, I needed! And the warm up riding from Portland was perfect for the race.
But still, I bet a ton of folks came from un-ridable distances!
Either way, awesome event!
YO Maus, congrats on getting 6th place.
I (very briefly) thought it would be kind of a cool challenge to actually ride from home to all the races, race, and ride home. But then I remembered the weather, and Astoria… Glad I didn\’t start or I might feel guilty. Still, anybody out there trying it?
At the least, make sure you share your drive with someone when you can.
Rev Phil and I have been talking about promoting a \”Bad Ass Challenge\” for one or more of this years races where, as mentioned above, you ride out and then race.
Anyone who completes challenge can consider themselves a \”bad ass\” AND the highest ranking Bad Ass who rides in their normal category would get the Baddest Bad Ass trophy and purse.
There is some other details to be worked out so email dan%pdxk daht com if you are interested and well see if we can put this thing together and film it.
The wheels are turning… I can picture a whole gang of crusaders riding in like harleys into Sturgis. Maybe with little patches like the \”Team Beer\” patches that say \”Team Badass: Pre-ride? We don\’t need no stinking pre-ride.\”
its true and zoobomb\’s #1 Badass (ie 1st in a race on a 16\” minibike up the westhills) will be joining me.
who else?
Big YES to a category for people who do ride to the race. I rode into Krugers Farm. Finished 5th last in beginners men. Saved $5 on parkng too. No distance is unridable! Especially with TriMet on the case. Well, maybe Astoria…
There is now a prize to the top finisher who rides out
http://www.crankmychain.com/2007/10/baddest-baddass-purse-xc-2.html