Friday, October 25th, 2013 • The Bulletin
Halloween Cross Crusade preview In Bend • Saturday and Sunday
Cyclocross, at a glance
Colorful costumes are a big part of the Halloween Cross Crusade, which will be held this weekend near Bend’s Old Mill District.
History Born near the beginning of the 20th century in either France or Belgium (historians of the sport disagree), cyclocross originated as a way for road cyclists to train during the winter months. The sport took off in Europe when Frenchman Octave Lapize won the 1910 Tour de France and credited his offseason cyclocross work for part of his success. Countries throughout Northern Europe began holding national competitions soon after Lapize’s endorsement of the sport, and by 1924 the first international cyclocross event was held in Paris. By 1950 the first cyclocross world championship was sponsored by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), again in Paris. America finally caught on to ’cross in the 1970s as the sport began to take root on both the East and West coasts, and the first U.S. national championship was staged in Berkeley, Calif., in 1975.
Andy Tullis / The Bulletin file
Bikes At first glance, cyclocross bikes look a lot like road bikes. But there’s a lot more going on there. Cyclocross bikes have thin, treaded tires, and newer models sport disc brakes. The most elite ‘cross bikes have frames made of carbon fiber that can weigh as little as 3 pounds. This weekend’s Halloween Cross Crusade will likely have a healthy mixture of mountain bikes and older ’cross bikes in the beginners categories as well as a number of high-end newer models that can cost as much as $9,000.
Weather Cyclocross can be staged in all weather, but being a fall and winter sport, the races take on a whole other element when they are held in snow and rain. Precipitation is eagerly awaited at most races, in part to ensure that courses do not turn into the second coming of the Dust Bowl.
Spectators Often taking place on short, looped courses, cyclocross makes for an excellent spectator sport. Grab a beer, some frites and a cowbell and cheer your favorite rider. Or heckle your least-favorite. Just be loud.
’Cross gets a little creepy • Racing will share the spotlight with costumes and a party scene at the 2013 Halloween Cross Crusade By Beau Eastes The Bulletin
The mud and the blood and the beer are back for a third year. The Halloween Cross Crusade — this year’s theme is “Voodoo Cross” — returns to Bend this weekend in all its glorious and indulgent excess. Part of the Portland-based Cross Crusade cyclocross race series, Halloween Cross will be held Saturday and Sunday on and around Deschutes Brewing’s production facility near the Old Mill District. While races both days are scored in the series’ overall point standings, the Halloween Cross weekend has become known just as much for its over-the-top costumes and crazy Saturday night warehouse party at Deschutes as it has for actual racing. See ’Cross / Back page Joe Kline / The Bulletin file
Masters 35+ A rider Juergen Orlich climbs a hill during last year’s Halloween ’Cross Crusade in Bend.
More coverage See the other half of this page to learn more about cyclocross. Turn the page over for a map, a schedule of related events and a spectator guide.
Friday, October 25th, 2013 • The Bulletin • Halloween Cross Crusade preview
Joe Kline / The Bulletin file
Competitors in several women’s divisions prepare for their races during the 2012 version of the Halloween Cross Crusade in Bend. Costumes are encouraged during Sunday’s events.
’Cross Continued from front page Not that anyone is complaining. “(Halloween) is the one weekend we decide to travel,” says Brad Ross, Cross Crusade organizer and director. “We were in Gaston (west of Portland) for a long time, then McMinnville and Astoria and now Bend. And it’s amazing.” Competition kicks off Saturday morning at 8:40 with beginners and unicycles, the first of eight separate races on a reworked course at the same site as in previous years. Among the more notable races throughout the day are the men’s and women’s Category A competitions at 1:15 p.m. Single-speed and Category B men finish the day off at 3:15 p.m. Racing follows the same schedule on Sunday. “It’s going to be harder and have more elevation gain than in the past, for sure,” Ross says about his new course, which was due for a change once hotel construction began on the area west of Shevlin Hixon Drive. “We’ll add a cool run up (by Des-
chutes) on the unused lot south of the brewery,” Ross adds. “In the past it’s been used for parking — and it will continue to be — but we’ll race through it, too.” With race categories available for every skill set, Ross encourages not just veteran ’cross riders to come out for Voodoo Cross, but anyone who likes to ride bikes and have a good time. “You can take this as serious or not as serious as you want,” says Ross, who has helped Cross Crusade, now in its 20th year, become one of the largest cyclocross series in the country. “If you want to dress up in a goofy costume and tool around the course a bit and then go drink beer in the beer garden, we’re happy to help. If you want to do some serious racing, we’ll help you do that, too. “Don’t worry about getting laughed at or finishing dead last,” Ross adds. “Everyone is laughing at everyone, that’s the whole gist of cyclocross. It’s Halloween weekend. Find a costume, ride fast and have a blast.” — Reporter: 541-383-0305, beastes@bendbulletin.com.
Halloween Cross Crusade 2013 race schedule Saturday and Sunday race times (schedules are the same for both days)
8:40 A.M.
12:20 P.M.
Beginner Men, *Unicycles, 40 minutes
Juniors (ages 10-18), 30 minutes
1 P.M.
9:30 A.M.
Category C Men, Clydesdales, 45 minutes
Cyclocross competitor Kenny Wolford, of Bend, does a test ride up the flyover wood structure prior to last year’s event.
Break/course preview, 10 minutes
Category A Men, Category A Women, Masters Men Category A, 60 minutes
10:35 A.M.
2:20 P.M.
11:30 A.M.
Masters Cat B, Masters 50+, Masters 60+, 45 minutes
Women: Category B, Category C, Beginners, Masters A, Masters B, Masters 45+, 45 minutes
3:15 P.M.
Category B Men, Single Speed, 45 minutes
*One lap only, starts after Beginners. Note: Costumes are strongly encouraged on Sunday.
Halloween Cross Crusade festival
2013 Halloween Cross Crusade map Deschutes Brewery
v e. a do A
Early registration and packet pickup at Crow’s Feet Commons in downtown Bend, 6-9 p.m.
Parking
Les Schwab Amphitheater
Start
Deschutes River
Color
Today
Finish
Saturday
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Parking Colum bia S t.
She vlin/ Hixo n
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• First day of the Halloween Cross Crusade races at the Old Mill District and Deschutes Brewery, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. • The fifth annual Clydesdale Championship of the Universe race at the Old Mill District and Deschutes Brewery, 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. • Deschutes Brewery Warehouse Bash for the 21-and-over crowd. This year’s theme is Voodoo Cross — think New Orleans, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Note: Entry fee for the Deschutes Warehouse Bash is $10, proceeds from which go to the Central Oregon Trail Alliance.
Parking
Andy Zeigert / The Bulletin
Cheer, jeer and bring treats for the riders Cheering, jeering and ringing the heck out of a cowbell at a cyclocross event can be almost as much fun as actually racing. Here are some tips on how to make the most out of your Halloween Cross weekend when you are outside the racing tape:
Sunday • Second day of the Halloween Cross Crusade races at the Old Mill District and Deschutes Brewery, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Kiddie Kross races at the Old Mill District and Deschutes Brewery. Bike decorations encouraged for this noncompetitive event. Kids 12 and under will be divided into two categories based on height and bike type, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
1:15 P.M.
10:25 A.M.
Masters Category C, 45 minutes Rob Kerr / The Bulletin file
Break/course preview, 10 minutes
Joe Kline / The Bulletin file
Embrace the mud: Cyclocross courses get muddy, in and outside the actual race. Bring boots, galoshes, or any other footware that can stand to get caked in gunk.
Bring treats: Cookies, money, even beer, riders will swing by and grab during races. Help hydrate your favorite racer by dolling out Dixie Cups of local brew. Be a friend and gift a tasty pastry to a rider who looks like he or she could use a little pick-me-up. Be loud: Cowbells, megaphones, vuvuzelas — anything that makes intense, annoying noises — are welcome gadgets at ’cross races. Be loud and proud!