Unofficial single speed ’cross “World Championships” coming this weekend

Wendy Williams, the winner of last year’s SSCXWC, getting her official tattoo — which was required if she wanted to defend her crown.
(Photo: SSCXWC)

This weekend Portland cyclocross scene will get even wilder with the return of the Single Speed Cyclocross World Championships (SSCXWC).

Last year, this event raised the bar for raunchy racing action (which, for the ‘cross crowd isn’t easy to do) and I’m sure the second annual edition won’t disappoint.

The event kicks off Saturday with a qualifying time trial where racers will challenge themselves against the clock. The route is being closely guarded by SSCXWC race officials and will be a secret until 11:00 am. All racers will gather at the headquarters of Chris King Precision Components in Portland’s northwest industrial area (2801 NW Nela St.).

Later on Saturday, a party hosted by Team Beer is planned at the Vanilla Bicycles Workshop (717 SE 35th Ave) which is rumored to be just a “prequel to the Best Pub Crawl Ever”.

Properly primed for racing after a night of drinking and shenanigans, racers will duel out at Portland International Raceway for the glory of being the King or Queen of singlespeed cyclocross.

Umm, yeah.
(Photo: Kenji Sugahara)

Last year’s winners — Barry Wicks and Wendy Williams — are set to return to defend their crowns. However, before being registering, Wicks and Williams must present their championship tattoo from last year.

To give you an idea about what to expect from this event. Here’s how the organizers describe it:

“Continuing the long and prestigious one-year tradition of SSCXWC, the event epitomizes maverick in a way the Vice Presidential hopeful Sarah Palin could never imagine. While one can see Washington from the racecourse and most rules of cyclocross racing remain firm, this race has created its own rules and regulations, be it starting positions, qualifications, course routing and obstacles, or prizes. Expect the unexpected. Precedents do not apply.”

Up for grabs to the winners (or should I say survivors) is a custom Speedvagen cross frame (for the King) and a Pereira Cycles frame for the Women.

But you don’t even have to win to win something. Race officials will be on the prowl looking for “the best dressed, best heckler, best jump/air, best crash, furthest traveled, etc…” and giving away prizes like a limited edition Rainier Beer Frame from Raleigh Bicycles and more.

For more info and registration information, check out SSCXWC.com.