Portland’s ‘cross scene.
(Photos: Kenji Sugahara)
Regrettably, I wasn’t able to attend last weekend’s cyclocross debauchery out at Estacada Timber Park (30 miles southeast of downtown Portland).
Not only was it the sixth stop in the Cross Crusade series, but the event also crowned the King and Queen of single speed cyclocross.
Yes, it was the first annual Single Speed Cyclocross World Championships.
If you’re curious what you missed, the photo at right should give you a clue. Then there’s this snip from the official press release put out by the Oregon Bicycle Racing Association (OBRA):
“What happens when you combine a World Championship event, 6 kegs of PBR, a limitless supply of Oregon made microbrews, 110 men and 30 women, a heckling contest, a Tequila shortcut and a golden Speedo? You get the Single Speed Cyclocross World Championships (SSCXWC) in Portland, Oregon. What else?
As for the racing action, the Championship was fittingly decided by a beer. According to OBRA, with a lead going into the final hundred meters, Team Giant rider Adam Craig stopped to chug a beer, only to let Oregon native Barry Wicks sneak by.
In true Portland fashion, the racing clearly took a back seat to having fun. Bikini-clad spectators, massive crowds, costumes. Awesome. Next year I won’t miss it.
For a full report of the event and official results, download OBRA’s press release (PDF).