Riders battle epic sand trap at Het Meer cyclocross race

Seriously sandy cyclocross.(Photos by Matt Haughey/Flickr)
Seriously sandy cyclocross.
(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:

Cat A Men/Masters/Women

Cat A Men/Masters/Women

Cat A Men/Masters/Women

Cat A Men/Masters/Women

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Cat A Men/Masters/Women

Cat A Men/Masters/Women

B Masters/50+/60+

B Masters/50+/60+

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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Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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Work Account
Work Account
7 years ago

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.

johnny
johnny
7 years ago

Are these last years photo’s or is it the same thing every year?

TJ
TJ
7 years ago
Reply to  johnny

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.

BB
BB
7 years ago

Stick it perpendicular then swim out sideways.

John Liu
7 years ago

Look out, flying MAMILs!

jeff
jeff
7 years ago

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!

johnny
johnny
7 years ago

Haha, love it. That sand pit should have a little scull & crossbone marker someplace… 1 for each indo it’s claimed.

Dan A
Dan A
7 years ago

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.

Rob Chapman
Rob Chapman
7 years ago

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!

Matt
Matt
7 years ago

Does this event not allow mountain bikes, or are the riders just too cool to use one?

jeff
jeff
7 years ago
Reply to  Matt

Mountain bikes are allowed, but usually not ideal. You’ll see plenty in the beginner category.

rachel b
rachel b
7 years ago

That looks…fun. ??? You people are insane.