A shark ramp (to jump the shark, get it?) was one of the many creative obstacles on the course.
(Photos by Rob Kerr)

The officially unofficial Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships (SSCXWCXPDX) are now nothing more than a memory — or a hangover if you were lucky enoughy to be out there.
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This running-of-the-bulls inspired costume was one of the most creative of the day.
(Photo: J. Maus/BikePortland)

The River City Bicycle Cyclocross Crusade was at an entirely different level over the weekend. With its annual stop in Bend for races number five and six in the eight-race series, it was Oregon cyclocross at its peak. There was creativity, debauchery, inspiration, and fun around every corner.
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Come for the bike race, stay for the costumes (and the party, and the fun people, and the beer…).
(Photos: J. Maus/BikePortland)

The most anticipated weekend of cyclocross in Oregon is just two days away.

With half of the eight race Cross Crusade series in the books, organizers have a special event in store this year with a few new surprises and an entirely new course. Thousands of competitors and fans from throughout the state are expected to make the pilgrimmage to Bend for the traditional Halloween weekend. As usual, the festivities will be based on and around Deschutes Brewery in Bend’s Old Mill District.

As you get your cowbells, bikes, bodies and costumes ready, here are few things to keep in mind…

The course

There’s an entirely new course this year. It’s got a bit of everything: straight pavement sections, tight trails, and is likely to have some unexpected surprises. Organizers say race sponsor Red Bull is “bringing something very cool,” to the course. We’ll also get to pedal closer to the Deschutes River than ever before as the course winds its way behind the Les Schwab Ampitheater. Oh, and there’s a massive stair run-up that already has people buzzing. Our friends from Deschutes Brewery shared this preview video of it on Instagram on Monday…

A video posted by Deschutes Brewery (@deschutesbeer) on Oct 24, 2016 at 1:46pm PDT

The party

As is tradition, there’s a huge blowout party on Saturday night. This year it’s called “Altercross” and it’s a benefit for Oregon Adaptive Sports. The name is a reference to what organizers describe as, “An immersive alternative reality experience.” “The theme dictates anything can happen,” they continue, “from light, airy, whimsical & fun to dark, scary, creepy & odd… and everything in between!” These parties are known for excellent on-stage entertainment and this year is no different with over a half-dozen acts already lined up.

The headline band is Deltron 3030 an “alt-rap” trio from Oakland, California whose 2000 album, “warped space, bent time, transcended genre and blew minds, creating an album that still stands today as one of the most important records in the annals of underground hiphop.”

In years past this 21-and-over party has had to turn people away, but it’s in a new, larger space this year. Advance tickets are already sold out but plenty will be available at the door for $25. Check out the official event page on the Deschutes website or the Facebook event page for the latest updates.

The scene

If you want to experience true Oregon cyclocross — and arguably one of the best-run ‘cross events in America — you won’t want to miss this weekend. The team vibe is always strong at this event and this year will be no different. You have the best racers in the state, one of the largest race series in the world (in terms of participation) and the silliness and fun of Halloween costumes all over the place (the official costume day is Sunday). And did we mention it all happens on the grounds of one of the 8th largest craft brewer in the U.S.?!

There will also be a cross-country running race thrown into the mix on Saturday afternoon.

If you go the event, look for me and say hi. I’ll be there all weekend to race and soak up the atmosphere and I’ll be spending some time in the Giant Bicycles booth showing off my new bike!

— Jonathan Maus, (503) 706-8804 – jonathan@bikeportland.org

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Quite a backdrop for bike racing.
(Photos: J. Maus/BikePortland)

The River City Bicycles Cyclocross Crusade headed to the Columbia River Gorge for race #3 in the series with the scenic town of Cascade Locks playing host. With the steep gorge cliffs on one side and the mighty Columbia on the other, hundreds of racers enjoyed an excellent day of racing despite dire storm warnings all over the news.

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The mud in this tricky off-camber downhill section gave even the elite riders a lot to think about on Sunday.
(Photo: Dylan VanWeelden/Pushing Towards Normal)

The River City Bicycles CylcoCross Crusade kicked off in fine fashion this weekend. With a big double-header at Alpenrose Dairy in southwest Portland, we are now in the thick of Portland ‘cross season. And by thick, I mean thick mud.
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A few of the 1,500 images we’ve taken of the Cross Crusade over the past decade. See them all here.
(Photos by J. Maus/BikePortland)

This weekend the race series that defines cyclocross in Portland will turn over a new leaf as it launches into its 23rd season. First held in 1993 — before many of its current participants were even born — the River City Bicycles CycloCross Crusade has grown past its adolescent years and is settling into adulthood. The antics the series is known for are by no means coming to an end; but you might notice a slight smoothing of the edges and a shift from partying to professionalism.[Read more…]

The course at Heiser featured plenty of narrow trails and a bit of mud.
(Photos and words by Daniel Steinle/Yung Pine Photography)

This is the latest dispatch from our cyclocross photographer Daniel Steinle (Yung Pine Photography) comes from the Heiser Farms race which took place in Dayton on Saturday.

“Push it. examine all things intensely and relentlessly.”

That quote from Annie Dillard is a fitting quote for this time of year.
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Racing through tall corn stocks, an Oregon cyclocross tradition.
(Photos by Daniel Steinle.

Liepold Farms in Boring, Oregon (yes that’s the name of the city) is a working farm 364 days of the year. But for one day each year it’s also a cyclocross race venue.
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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.
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Hope you’re ready. Even if you’re not; go ahead and drop in, you’ll be OK.
(Photo: J. Maus/BikePortland)

In case you missed the memo yesterday, cyclocross season is upon us. As the sun recedes and the leaves fall, it’s time to turn your pedals and jump into the local ‘cross scene.

Portland is lucky to have one of the most vibrant and accessible ‘cross cultures anywhere. Whether you want to race, dip your toes in the mud to try it out, or spectate — these next few months have a lot to offer.
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