Cross Crusade schedule released; skills clinics start tomorrow

Learn to master corners
at a cyclocross skills clinic.
(Photos © J. Maus)

This time of year in Portland, if you listen closely enough, you can almost hear the buzz of cyclocross season in the air. With just about a month before the first ‘cross race of the season, the telltale signs are all coming into view: ‘cross bikes are being sold via the OBRA email list, locals are riding to “train for cyclocross”, and plans are being hatched for yet another epic season.

Last week, organizers of the Cross Crusade released their 2009 schedule, officially setting ‘cross season planning into motion for many. The eight race series is the largest of its kind in the world and it takes place from October through mid-November. Venues are scattered throughout the Portland region and include stops in Astoria, Sherwood, Hillsboro, and Estacada.

Who knows what sort of hijinks
the Cross Crusade has in
store this year!?

To help get ready for the season, local experts will host a series of skills clinics. One set of clinics will be put together by Upper Echelon Fitness and Portland Bicycle Studio. The clinics start tomorrow (8/11) and will be held every Tuesday and Thursday (for ladies only) through October 1st at Alpenrose Dairy in Southwest Portland.

Molly Cameron, owner of Portland Bicycle Studio, says the clinics will include both on-the-bike skills sessions and off-the-bike discussions. Molly will lead discussions on everything from equipment selection to training and how to enter an event. She’ll also share her expertise in how to get a great start, master the corners, make effective dismounts, how to go smoothly over barriers, and more.

On Thursdays, Tina Brubaker and other experienced racers will lead a skills clinic for the ladies only.

More info on the Tuesday/Thursday night ‘cross skills clinic series at OBRA.org.

There is also a ‘cross skills clinic series each Wednesday night starting in September. For details on those, watch OBRA.org for updates.