‘Cross Up’ indoor cyclocross event coming to The Lumberyard

The Lumberyard is still a work
in progress, but you can catch a glimpse
of it at “Cross Up.”
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Winter weather got you down? Then perhaps “Cross Up,” an indoor cyclocross race being put together by Amanda Sundvor of Backyard Blam, will deliver you from the doldrums.

Cross Up will be tournament style races with two riders going shoulder-to-shoulder in each heat. Racers will ride customized Raleigh Furley singlespeed cyclocross bikes with flat bars, big tires and platform pedals. Amanda and her Backyard Blam crew have devised a course that will include some jumps, rollers, berms and barriers. Whether you like catching air or if you prefer to stay earth-bound, Amanda says the course will be a ton of fun for novice and experienced riders alike.

Or, as Amanda put it, “The course will be manageable for the novice… It won’t be too intimidating… But for people that can get rad on their bikes they’ll have the opportunity to do so.”

As if that wasn’t exciting enough, this event will be held at The Lumberyard. The indoor bike park (we shared the full scoop back in November) on NE 82nd Avenue is still a few months from its official opening, but the owners have agreed to host this event.

Amanda is like the Willy Wonka of bike events and Backyard Blam is her factory. A bike mechanic by day (at 21st Avenue Bicycles) and a super-fun DJ by night (she’s a regular at local bike events), her energy and enthusiasm for bikes is infectious.

Amanda at the Circulus race.

Backyard Blam has built a reputation for awesome events like the “Hole Shot,” where competitors dueled on no-brake coaster bikes on a tiny, flat oval concrete track (check the video).

Adding to the fun of Cross Up will be free beer, great prizes (men’s and women’s winners will win a Raleigh Roper) and plenty of good stuff in the raffle (including a frame).

Cross Up is February 4th. Registration opens at 5:00 pm and racing starts sometime thereafter. Race entry is $10 but it’s free to get in, drink beer, and heckle/cheer your favorite riders. The Lumberyard is at 2700 NE 82nd Ave. More info at the Backyard Blam blog.