Smiles, fire, kids, crashes, and mud: A Cross Crusade gallery

(Photos by J. Maus/BikePortland)

On the eve of the opening race of the Cross Crusade, I find myself getting a bit nostalgic. This season marks the ninth year I’ve photographed these epic spectacles.

Looking through the 1,500 or so images in my Cross Crusade archives brings back all sorts of memories. There has been so much great racing and shenanigans over the years!

Scroll down and browse through this selection of images as you get ready for yet another season of the world’s most photogenic cyclocross race series…

Chilling by the fire is an art form.

Some serious calories.

Some racers work for tips.

The Crusade crew is known for routing courses right through spectator areas.

Go Team Slow!

Strange phenomenon: The amount of mud on one’s face is directly proportional to the size of their post-race smile.

Mud is part of ‘cross… And so are broken derailleurs.

‘Cross taps into primal urges to be wild and get back to nature (dirty).

Kiddie Cross often steals the show (and my heart).

A solid and reliable team vehicle is essential.

The Halloween weekend race is always a great time.

I would think twice before attempting to pass this racer.

People really fall for ‘cross.

Legs.

I dare you to touch my frites!

The holeshot goes to Mr. Ryan Trebon.

The hills can be so brutal, people often resort to whatever means necessary to get up them…

… same goes for the downhills.

This guy resorted to prayer.

Holding on for dear life.

Fire is key to staying warm on cold days (and so is clothing, but don’t tell these guys).

Caption contest.

You really have to be prepared for anything when you show up for a Crusade race.

Anything.

What’s that saying? The family that races ‘cross together…

Have fun out there this weekend!