(Photos by Matt Haughey/Flickr)
You’ve probably never tried to ride your bike through deep sand. Why would you? Sand and bikes (unless they’re fat) don’t go together.
That is, of course, unless you are a cyclocross racer.
The second race of the Grand Prix Brad Ross took place at Vancouver Lake on Saturday. The Het Meer event is a local classic primarily because of its big beach that requires competitors to get though a long sandy section. While some people opt to carry their rigs over this obstacle, most opt to ride. And, if the photos we’ve seen from the event are any indication — many of those people don’t make it without at least one tumble.
Check out these images from ‘cross fan Matt Haughey:
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See more of Matt’s excellent images — including people who smoothly survived the sand — on his Flickr album page.
We’ll be covering ‘cross all season long and posting images from the weekend every Monday.
NOTE: We realized after posting this that Matt’s images are from previous years. Sorry for the mistake. They are still worth seeing! `
— Jonathan Maus, (503) 706-8804 – jonathan@bikeportland.org
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The first time I rode into sand, it thankfully just grabbed both wheels and sunk them in and ground me to a, not falling, halt.
Are these last years photo’s or is it the same thing every year?
Same thing every year. The beauty of CX as a gratifying participatory spectator sport is not practicing and forgetting everything over the course of 8 – 9 months. Because crashing is winning.
yes Johnny… the photos are from previous years! I only realized that after posting but figured they were so fun it didn’t matter.
Stick it perpendicular then swim out sideways.
Look out, flying MAMILs!
Came to a full standstill on the last lap because two racers crashed right in front of me. One of them jumped up immediately and gave me enough of a push to power through without putting a foot down. That’s Oregon cross!
Haha, love it. That sand pit should have a little scull & crossbone marker someplace… 1 for each indo it’s claimed.
I really don’t understand why people ride it, unless they can do it successfully every lap. Even legendary racer Ryan Trebon has crashed here, suffering broken ribs & vertebrae in 2014. I’ve always just run it, which is pretty fast since it’s a short downhill in the sand and you can get to the bottom in ~10 steps and then hop back on the bike.
I spy me in the background of the first pic in the old Metropolis kit with the red Pereira. That is a fun course, sand is the best!
Does this event not allow mountain bikes, or are the riders just too cool to use one?
Mountain bikes are allowed, but usually not ideal. You’ll see plenty in the beginner category.
That looks…fun. ??? You people are insane.