LAKEWOOD, Wash. (December 15, 2019) — After leading from start to finish, Park City, Utah’s Katie Clouse (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com) takes the win in the Women’s U23 race at the 2019 US Cyclocross National Championships. Hannah Arensmen (J.A. King-Blue Ridge Cross) finished second, while Shannon Mallory (NWCX Project-Van Dessel) rounded out the podium in third.
Katie Clouse (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com) wins the Women’s U23 race at the US Cyclocross National Championships. Screencap from USA Cycling’s live coverage on YouTube.
Winner in the 17-18 division in 2018, Clouse crushed the Women U23 division to claim her third Stars-and-Stripes of the week, coming home more than two minutes in front of Arensmen and Mallory. Clouse also won the Women Collegiate Varsity and the Collegiate 4×4 Team Relay on Friday.
Katie Clouse (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com) tackles one of the run-ups on her way to winning the U23 National Championship. Photo courtesy USA Cycling/Dejan Smaic
In a post-race interview with announcer Dave Towle, Clouse said “I really just wanted to ride a consistent race and do the best I could. It’s nationals, sometimes there’s mistakes that happen, so I’m really happy that I was consistent the whole time.” On her 31st national title, she said “The past two years I’ve had to train the most I ever have, and it’s just going to get harder from here.”
“This course has definitely been one of my favorites,” said Clouse, who now has 31 national championship titles across multiple disciplines. “It’s an awesome course, it’s really challenging. There’s not a lot of rest, there’s a perfect amount of running and power. It’s great.”
When asked about her Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com team, Clouse replied, “I got really fortunate this year. Stu [Thorne] reached out, and I was able to get on this team. It’s such a well-respected program and I’m really excited about it. Stu and Curtis [White] and Kaitie [Keough] and Stephen [Hyde] have helped me out so much. It’s definitely been a season of growing, and I’m really excited about what’s to come.”
Consistency (and a lack of mistakes) was key to Katie Clouse’s commanding win in the Women’s U23 National Championship. Photo courtesy USA Cycling/Dejan Smaic
With the support of USA Cycling Foundation’s MudFund, Clouse will be headed to Europe this next week. She’ll be racing the remaining UCI World Cup races, along with a few of the “Kerstperiode” UCI events, as part of her preparation for the World Championships in Switzerland at the beginning of February.
“The World Cups aren’t going to be easy. I got to race collegiate, then the relay, and this. I got some really good training in. it’s been a really hard week of racing, and I’m really excited for it.”
SALT LAKE CITY (Dec. 14, 2019) — GREENbike, Salt Lake City’s non-profit bike-share system, donated 1,100 winter clothing items to the Volunteers of America’s Homeless Youth Resource Center after the completion of its “Basket Bolt” charity bike ride today.
For every rider that completed the Basket Bolt circuit, GREENbike donated 100 new winter gear items to the VOA. All items donated by GREENBike include adult beanies, adult gloves, adult socks, children’s beanies, children’s gloves, children’s socks, and hand warmers.
A GREENbike rider racing between two stops of the Basket Bolt winter clothing drive benefitting Volunteers of America’s Homeless Youth Resource Center. Photo courtesy GREENbike
“We wanted to create an opportunity for residents to get together, have a good time, get on bikes and, most importantly, give back,” said GREENbike Founder and Director Ben Bolte.
The GREENbike team donated a total of 300 beanies, 228 pairs of adult gloves, 248 pairs of adult socks, 120 pairs of children’s gloves, 84 pairs of children’s socks, and 210 hand warmers.
SLC Bike Share volunteers hosedt a winter clothing drive called the “Basket Bolt” on December 14, 2019. Photo courtesy GREENbike
This event was made possible by a generous grant from the Salt Lake City Arts, Culture, and Events Fund.
“The Mayor’s Office is proud to support hundreds of community events through our ACE Fund,” said Mayor Jackie Biskupski. “The purpose of this fund is to support organizations who are creating innovative and meaningful ways for Salt Lake City residents to come together, and GREENbike has certainly created that with the Basket Bolt.”
Beginning at Pioneer Park, riders biked to 5 different GREENbike stations to collect winter clothing items (provided by GREENbike) before returning to the beginning of the circuit.
The 11 Basket Bolt riders included members of the general public, annual GREENbike members, and Former Executive Director of the Pioneer Park Coalition David Garbett.
LAKEWOOD, Wash. (December 14, 2019) — Dark skies and heavy clouds delivered light, steady rain for the penultimate day of the 2019 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships in Lakewood, Wash. Hundreds of Junior cyclists rocketing around the course brightened the atmosphere at Fort Steilacoom Park. Stars-and-Stripes jerseys were awarded in six juniors divisions. The fan-favorite Singlespeed races on Saturday crowned champions for Men and Women, as well as Industry riders.
“The city of Lakewood is excited to be the host city for the USA Cycling 2019 Cyclocross National Championships and we are proud to showcase our crown jewel – Fort Steilacoom Park – this week for the world to see,” said Lakewood Mayor Don Anderson. “Watching these cyclists navigate their way through this challenging course this week is impressive and is an exciting opportunity to know we have such high-caliber athletes competing in our community. Who knows, we may even have a future world champion in our midst.”
Cold and wet conditions did not dampen the enthusiastic crowds around the challenging yet balanced course. They packed around the steep run ups to create tunnels of energy for the athletes. A true party atmosphere reigned on the second twisting descent, referred to as “Disco Descent” near one of the Chainline Brewing Company Beer Garden.
Saturday’s racing action started with Non-championship Industry races. David Greif (Tucson, Ariz.; Project Echelon Racing) defended his Industry Men’s title, while Brenna Wrye-Simpson (Portland, Ore.; Team S&M CX) claimed the Industry Women’s crown.
Fierce competition for Junior titles began on a shortened track with Miles Mattern (Rochester, N.Y.; Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld.com) hitting the line in 28:24 for the Junior Men 13-14 division title. George Frazier (Louisville, Ky.; Merlin Metalworks) was second and Nathan Sabol (Edmonds, Wash.; RAD p/b CycleU) was third.
Last year’s silver medalist Vida Lopez de San Roman (Sebastopol, Calif.; Trailworks Dirt Devo) attacked on the steep run up to win the Juniors Women 13-14 title in 26:33. Dahlia Kissell (Erlanger, Ky.; Lionhearts Junior Racing) finished second and Haydn Hludzinski (Boulder, Colo.; 2003) was third.
Pennsylvania’s Haley Cline (Health Education Cycling) pushes her bike through the mud in the Junior Women 11-12 race on Day 5 of the US Cyclocross National Championships. Photo courtesy USA Cycling/Dejan Smaic
Rowan Child (Ashland, Mo.; Dogfish Racing) earned the Juniors Men 11-12 championship by completing the course in 23:40. Kian Reid (Wenatchee, Wash.; Gillespie Devo Racing) was second and Bjorn Blankenship (Bend, Ore.; Cascadia Junior Cycling) finished third. Reigning 11-12 Cross Country mountain bike champion Kira Mullins (Littleton, Colo.; Avout Racing) used her technical skills to take gold in the Juniors Women 11-12 event. Keaghlan Robinson (Bellevue, Wash.; NWCX Project) took silver medal and Alexandria Beard (Boise, Idaho; BYRDS) took bronze.
The Junior Men 11-12 shoulder their bikes on the run-up. Day 5, USA Cyclocross National Championships. Photo courtesy USA Cycling/Dejan Smaic
For the development team RAD p/b Cycle U based in Seattle, Wash., the 2019 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships provide a great opportunity to showcase a national caliber race to its riders. The team had 40 riders at the event during the week, and many finished in the Top Five.
“It’s not really about making great racers, it’s about making great people and teaching young people the lessons that cycling has to impart which are numerous, deep, and fantastic,” explained Craig Undem, Coaching Director of RAD p/b Cycle U. “So how to be good people, how to push themselves, how to overcome obstacles, attain goals, stretch themselves and it really is great.”
The afternoon races continued on a muddy full-length course where Jack Spranger (Sammamish, Wash.; Broadmark/Mt Si Racing) took the Junior Men 15-16 national title in 28:13. Spranger took advantage of his competitor’s mechanical on the final lap to claim his first Stars-and-Stripes jersey. Frank O’Reilly Jr. (Pearl River, N.Y.; FinKraft Cycling Team) crossed the line 16 seconds later for second place. After running to the pit for a new bike, Ian Brown (Bend, Ore.; Speedvagen) fought for third place, 22 seconds behind the winner.
“It’s so awesome to do it in front of my home crowd. I’ve been working so hard for this,” said 15-year old Spranger, who lives one hour from Fort Steilacoom Park. “My first cyclocross Nationals was in 2015 in Austin. I’ve been racing here since I’ve been six or seven, so it’s a long time in the making.”
In a tight sprint finish, Mia Aseltine (Littleton, Colo.; Avout Racing Select Juniors) bested Carrie Masters (Morrow, Ohio; Lionhearts Junior Racing) to capture the Juniors Women 15-16 division title in 26:22. Katherine Sarkisov (North Potomac, Md.; CXHairs Devo / TREK BIKES) was third at 16 seconds back.
A mass of singlespeed riders tackle the run-up on Day 5 of the US Cyclocross National Championships. Photo courtesy USA Cycling/Dejan Smaic
Saturday concluded with the popular Singlespeed competitions. Defending champion Sarah Sturm (Durango, Colo.; Specialized + Ten Speed Hero) won her back-to-back Women Singlespeed title in a time of 40:40.
“I was really excited once I saw the course. I knew that it was going to be technical and muddy, and fun running. There’s enough of everything and that helps to calm my nerves, because you can know in your mind that you have to suffer, then everything is okay,” said Sturm who raced in cutoff jeans shorts and a denim vest. “Wearing costumes is fun for me because it reminds me that I’m doing all this for fun and that I’m choosing to be here.”
In the Men Singlespeed race, Jake Wells (Avon, Colo.; FORM p/b IRC tires) defended his title and captured his sixth Stars-and-Stripes jersey in a row. He was the best in the largest field of the week, 135 riders, in a time of 44:40. Earlier in the week he won the Masters Men 40-44 crown.
Day Six of the Championships continue Sunday, Dec. 15 with Juniors 17-18, U23 and Elite, events for Women and Men. Racing and live streaming begin at 8:15 a.m. PT. The live streaming is presented by Shimano and will feature commentary by Tim Johnson, Meredith Miller and Brad Sohner.
The official hashtag for the event is #CXNats. Championship and Non-Championship races will be covered all week on Twitter via @USACyclingLIVE, with behind the scenes content posted to the USA Cycling Instagram Stories. Galleries will be posted nightly on USA Cycling’s Facebook Page and on Instagram. Follow your favorite athletes this week at www.livelynxresults.com. One2Go Results will provide live lap splits for every athlete every time they cross the line for all events.
More Information
Start lists, call-ups, and full results can be found here.
Details about the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships is available on the event webpage.
LAKEWOOD, Wash. (December 13, 2019) — The fourth day of racing at the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships in Lakewood, Wash. featured seven events for women – five races for Masters Women, the Collegiate Women Varsity race, and a Women 11-22 Non-Championship contest. The final contest of the day, the Collegiate 4×4 Lap Team Relay, concluded the Collegiate Omnium competition.
A fusion of sun and clouds cast a rainbow over Fort Steilacoom Park for the Friday morning races. Later in the day, Mount Rainier refused to show its face to the east, with clouds rolling in from the Pacific. Rain stayed away, but tires still found mud on the course.
Utahn Katie Clouse (Colorado Mesa University) adds another National Championship to her collection on Day 4 of the US Cyclocross National Championships. Photo courtesy USA Cycling/Dejan Smaic
The spoils of gold in the opening contest fell on Katie Clouse (Park City, Utah) of Colorado Mesa University taking the win in the Collegiate Women Varsity event in a time of 51:31. It was the second Collegiate Stars-and-Stripes jersey for Clouse this year, as she also won the Collegiate Women Varsity short track category at Collegiate Mountain Bike Nationals in October.
“It’s pretty awesome,” said Clouse, who took the Women Junior 17-18 Cyclocross crown in Louisville in 2018. “I’m really excited about this course, this is by far my favorite course. It’s super fun. It’s really ‘Euro-like’ and I really like that. I like the technical descents, and the power sections.”
Defending champion Samantha Runnels (Austin, Texas) of Savannah College of Art And Design-Atlanta took silver, crossing the line 1:23 behind Clouse. Hannah Arensman (Brevard, N.C.) representing Brevard College was third, 1:40 back.
Clouse, who will race in the Women U23 event on Sunday, noted, “I really like collegiate [cycling]. It makes it more fun to be with all my college teammates. It definitely takes some pressure off of the whole weekend to have a fun first race going into the weekend.”
What’s at the end of the rainbow? Women racing cyclocross on Day 4 of the US National Championships. Photo courtesy USA Cycling/Dejan Smaic
Live streaming will be available for all races on Sunday, as well as Saturday. The live stream will begin Saturday at 9:10 a.m. PT and will feature Juniors and Singlespeed events for Men and Women. Racing will begin at 8:15 a.m. on Sunday for Juniors 17-18, U23 and Elite events for men and women. Viewing is available at https://bike.shimano.com/en-US/information/news/2019-usa-cycling-cyclocross-nationals-live-stream.html.
The first Master’s race on Friday featured Marit Sheffield (Pittsford, N.Y.; Park Ave Bike p/b Borah Teamwear) taking the Women 55-59 title in 37:26. Julie Robertson Zivin (Seattle, Wash.; Thrive) won the Masters Women 50-54 in a time of 45:42. Robertson Zivin, who finished second in the Women 40+ Non-Championship on Tuesday, dug deep and managed to hold off her closest competitor to claim her first career Stars-and-Stripes jersey.
Mielle Blomberg (Unattached) tackles the flyover in the Women 45-49 race on Day 4 of the US Cyclocross National Championships. Photo courtesy USA Cycling/Dejan SmaicDefending champion Melissa Barker (Longmont, Colo.; Feedback Sports Racing) sprinted to a repeat victory in the Masters Women 45-49 division, in 43:17. The 40-44 title went to Tricia Fleischer (Seattle, Wash.; Trek Cyclocross Collective), who soloed to the line in a time of 42:38. It was the first national title for Fleischer as well.
“It was so cool to hear my name yelled out by lots of people. Having a second to look out and see faces that I recognized, it felt really good,” said Fleischer, who enjoyed racing in her home state.
Laura Matsen Ko (Seattle, Wash.; Audi) captured the Women’s 35-39 crown in 42:03, a race with multiple lead changes in the four-lap contest. Racing her first cyclocross season, Matsen Ko also won the Women 23-39 Non-Championship event on Tuesday.
“It was wonderful,” Matsen Ko said of the course. “Us locals definitely have a leg up, we got to race this [course] earlier this year. It’s our kind of mud and our kind of season. It was a great course. I love the run ups. The descents always scare me, because I’m pretty new to this. The long power sections help me a lot.”
Starting as the 14th rider called up, Matsen Ko had a clear strategy, “My coach just said ‘burn a match on the first lap to the top of the first run up.’ So I just hammered as hard as I could to make it to the top of that first (climb) and I made it up there first and then went from there.”
The Non-Championship Women 11-22 event was won by Cassidy Hickey (Parker, Colo.) in 23:11.
Friday finished with the Collegiate 4×4 Lap Team Relay for club and varsity teams. Colorado Mesa University took the Varsity title in 32:14, which was 10 seconds faster than second-place Brevard College. Savanah College of Arts and Design -Atlanta finished in third place. Colorado Mesa University also took the Omnium competition for Varsity teams.
The University of Georgia won the Club contest in 36:50. The University of Vermont was second, four seconds back and the University of Arizona was third. The University of Georgia also captured the Omnium for Club teams.
Clouse, who anchored the Collegiate 4×4 Team Relay for Colorado Mesa University, added, “I’m really happy to be here with CMU. I’m really happy to get a result for them, because they’ve done so much for me and our team. I’m really happy that our whole team could be here and we could win the overall omnium.”
Day Five of the Championships continue Saturday, Dec. 14 with Juniors, Singlespeed and Industry events for Women and Men. Racing begins at 8:30 a.m. PT, with live streaming starting at 9:10 a.m. The two days of live streaming will feature commentary by Tim Johnson, Meredith Miller and Brad Sohner.
The official hashtag for the event is #CXNats. Championship and Non-Championship races will be covered all week on Twitter via @USACyclingLIVE, with behind the scenes content posted to the USA Cycling Instagram Stories. Galleries will be posted nightly on USA Cycling’s Facebook Page and on Instagram. Follow your favorite athletes this week at www.livelynxresults.com. One2Go Results will provide live lap splits for every athlete every time they cross the line for all events.
More Information
Start lists, call-ups, and full results can be found here.
Details about the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships is available on the event webpage.
Cycling West and Cycling Utah Magazine’s Winter 2019-2020 Issue is now available as a free download (16 mb download), Pick up a copy at your favorite Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, Montana, W. Colorado, N. Arizona, and N. California bike shop or other location!
Cycling West Winter 2019-2020 Cover Photo: Cycling Utah founder David Ward near Lee’s Ferry, Arizona in the midst of a bike tour. Photo by Karma Ward
LAKEWOOD, Wash. (December 12, 2019) — Rain, wind and muddy conditions challenged the athletes on the third day of racing at the 2019 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships in Lakewood, Wash. Three Collegiate titles and four Masters titles were decided on Thursday, as well as one Non-Championship contest. Intermittent morning showers were followed by afternoon rain and gusty winds, turning the course at Fort Steilacoom Park into a slick track with tricky descents and a heavy sand pit.
The Collegiate Men’s Club race gets started at the 2019 US Cyclocross National Championships. Photo courtesy USA Cycling/Dejan Smaic
The first collegiate Stars-and-Stripes championship jersey was awarded to Eric Brunner (Boulder, Colo.) of University of Colorado-Boulder in the Men’s Club category. A dominant Brunner, a repeat winner from Reno in January 2018, led from start to finish. He crossed the finish line solo in a time of 42:54. Brunner is also the reigning Collegiate Criterium National Champion.
Eric Brunner (University of Colorado-Boulder) on Sludge Hill at the 2019 US Cyclocross National Championships. Photo courtesy USA Cycling/Dejan Smaic.
After starting on the third row, Calder Wood (Anacortes, Wash.) of California Polytechnic-San Luis Obispo crossed the line 2:04 behind Brunner for second place. Jack Tanner (Boulder, Colo.) of University of Colorado-Boulder finished third.
“I’ve raced (at Fort Steilacoom Park) multiple years in a row, but I have been off at college and I haven’t raced it since they’ve made a lot of modifications. I’m obviously biased,” said Wood, who grew up two hours north of Lakewood. “It’s really cool to get to see a lot of people who don’t travel as much for racing and who race local, I get to see them and they’re out cheering. It’s just amazing to be racing so close to home.”
Caleb Swartz (Madison, Wisc.) of Marian University pulled away with three laps to go in the Collegiate Men Varsity event to win back-to-back titles. Tyler Orschel (Brevard, N.C.) representing Brevard College was second, 22 seconds back. Scott Funston (Maple Valley, Wash.) of Colorado Mesa University was third, 37 seconds down.
“It’s so amazing to race in Washington. I have my family out here and friends. It’s just crazy to walk around and talk to people and know everyone,” said Funston, who participated in the course build in June. “We were out there, whacking bushes with machetes and it’s cool to see (the course) with all the tape up and everyone riding it now. It’s been a cool process, definitely.”
In her first season racing cyclocross, Emily Cameron (Athens, Ga.) representing University of Georgia took advantage of the terrain to go from fourth after the hole shot into the lead of the Collegiate Women Club contest. Cameron held on to win her first Stars-and-Stripes jersey in a time of 53:03.
“I like the run ups a lot, I think they’re awesome. I think they take a lot of effort. I used that to my advantage I think,” Cameron said. “I just got into riding ‘cross, this is my 10th race I think. I just wanted to come out here for the experience and it was freakin’ awesome.”
Cara O’Neill (University of Arizona) on her way to 2nd place at the 2019 US Cyclocross National Championships. Photo courtesy USA Cycling/Dejan Smaic
Cara O’Neill (Tucson, Ariz.) of University of Arizona and Abby Hobbs (Athens, Ga.) of University of Georgia battled it out for the silver medal, which was taken by O’Neill five seconds ahead of Hobbs.
The sun peaked out briefly for the Master Men 40-44 contest, where defending champion Jake Wells (Avon, Colo.; FORM p/b IRC tires) pulled away with a slight gap early in the five-lap race to claim another title in a time of 43:29.
After competing in 20 National Championships, Todd Cassan (Boulder, Colo.; Rally Sport) claimed his first Stars-and-Stripes jersey in the Masters Men 55-59 event. Cassan and Andy August (Pittsford, N.Y.; Park Ave Bike p/b Borah Teamwear) pulled away from the 69-rider field to battle it out for gold. On the fourth and final lap, Cassan made his move and dropped August.
“I just went hard from the beginning,” Cassan said of his racing strategy. “He was with me and we swapped turns and it worked out well. He was good on the flats, and then on the other parts I was pulling. I think he bobbled with three quarters of a lap to go and I took off.”
Impacting the last three races of the day were heavier rain and winds gusting to 15 miles per hour. This made the course “epic,” according to Cassan.
In the largest field of the day, multi-time national champion Donald Myrah (San Jose, Calif.; Ibis / Buy-Cell) outdistanced 93 riders to claim the Masters Men 50-54 title. The final event of the day saw Jonathan Baker (Nevada City, Calif.; Touchstone Racing) pulled away mid-way through the Masters Men 45-49 contest for his victory. Baker also won the Masters Men 45-49 road race at the 2019 USA Cycling Masters Road Nationals in Colorado Springs in August.
The Non-Championship Men 11-22 event was won by Adrian Magun (Mercer Island, Wash.; Apex Racing).
Day Four of the Championships continue Friday, Dec. 13 with Collegiate and Masters events for women beginning at 8:10 a.m. PT, as well as Collegiate 4×4 Lap Team Relay. Morning events will also include the Women 11-22 Non-Championship.
Live streaming will be available for two days, Saturday, Dec 15. and Sunday, Dec 16. on USA Cycling’s YouTube channel. Commentary will be provided by Tim Johnson, Meredith Miller and Brad Sohner. The live stream will begin Saturday at 9:10 a.m. PT and will feature Juniors and Singlespeed events for Men and Women. Racing will begin at 8:15 a.m. on Sunday for Juniors 17-18, U23 and Elite events for men and women. You can view the live stream at https://bike.shimano.com/en-US/information/news/2019-usa-cycling-cyclocross-nationals-live-stream.html.
The official hashtag for the event is #CXNats. Championship and Non-Championship races will be covered all week on Twitter via @USACyclingLIVE, with behind the scenes content posted to the USA Cycling Instagram Stories. Galleries will be posted nightly on USA Cycling’s Facebook Page and on Instagram. Follow your favorite athletes this week at www.livelynxresults.com. One2Go Results will provide live lap splits for every athlete every time they cross the line for all events.
More Information
Start lists, call-ups, and full results can be found here.
Details about the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships is available on the event webpage.
By Lukas Brinkerhoff – As all good things go, it started as an idea. It was one that when it was in my head, I thought, this is one of those “good” ideas people always talk about. One that there was no possible way for us to fail. It would be easy. There was a good chance burritos would be involved and I couldn’t fathom a reason I would end up sleeping in a culvert hoping it didn’t flood. And to be honest, I was sheepish about this idea. I mean I’ve had lots of bad ideas that ended up being good ideas, but the problem with good ideas is that they come with the expectation that they will be good. You don’t have anything to fall back on if things do, for one reason or another, go south.
Joey rockin’ out at the mouth of West Canyon. Photo by Lukas Brinkerhoff
The crew gathered at Red Rock Bicycle at 5 pm, or at least most of the crew, ok 75% of the crew was there. The other ¼ was to be picked up en route to the burritos. We did the typical pre-trip double and triple checks, filled the flasks with the whiskey that was bought last minute, pulled on a few compression straps and started the pedal out of town.
The day was overcast with some ominous looking clouds hovering right over our destination. The forecast had called for scattered chances of thunder storms. We all had rain jackets and Joey Sparkles had at least 1/3 of his tent. Based on those two things, we didn’t see any reason to reconsider our choices and we headed toward a dark cloud and into the head wind.
It definitely wasn’t the worst place I’ve awoke. Photo by Lukas Brinkerhoff
If we back up to when this became an idea in my head, we would end up in Morgan Hill, California. Joey and I were there for the Specialized product launch and had been invited to participate in a “bikepacking” thing. Basically, the idea was to load the clothes we would need for the evening into a couple of bags that were on borrowed bikes and ride to a campground about 17 miles away where there would be burritos, firewood and stuff to sleep in waiting for us. It sounded pretty iffy on the fun scale, but in comparison to spending a night in a clean hotel, it sounded awesome. I have a pretty strong dislike for sleeping in hotels. They always make me feel cheap and dirty.
The ride over was a spirited ride with plenty of regroups, sprints into trails unknown on bikes not made for dirt, paceline speedbike riding, backroad let’s take this whole lane while we chat for a few soft pedaling, all followed by a steep climb up to the campground. The firewood, burritos and sleeping stuff was there as promised. A quick tent setup and we were left with nothing else to do but sit around the campfire eating burritos while I lamented the state of the bicycle industry.
Exploding rainbows. Photo by Lukas Brinkerhoff
The next morning everything was done in reverse and as we ended up back at the Specialized Headquarters, I lamented that we didn’t have any campgrounds in Washington County that such a ride would be feasible because it was fun, easy and something we could do almost every weekend. It took me about a week to realize that what I was lamenting was about the dumbest thing that had ever come out of my mouth. Ten miles from the shop is Snow Canyon State Park. A park that people from all over the world come to visit and it has camping. I never looked for bikepacking spots so close to home, but once I changed the parameters, my eyes were opened. There were easily a dozen such spots, all with world class views.
This good idea of mine was to start checking those spots off the list and the first one was to hit the most obvious, Snow Canyon.
Joey Sparkles demonstrates proper salsa bar safety. Photo by Lukas Brinkerhoff
Our first objective was the burritos. We had two choices for said food items on our course and settled on the least sketchy one, La Cocina. Only Joey had eaten there, but assured us that the food was good and the salsa bar was not to be rivaled. We were happy he was right. The food was fresh, didn’t have the typical greasy texture of inexpensive Mexican and the salsa bar was top shelf. We got the burritos to go and whilst stuffing them into our packs we felt the first rain drops start to fall. It was hard to say if these were drips signaling that the rest of the storm was about to come down on us or if the storm was just edging past.
Undeterred, we continued toward the canyon.
The ride over is about 10 miles of flat. From Red Rock Bicycle, you can get there entirely by bike lanes and paved bike paths. These all lead us straight toward that cloud I mentioned. The head wind wasn’t bad enough to damp our spirits, but it was felt. The rain failed to ever come down. We would get sprinkled on for a few minutes, just long enough to start considering stopping to put on that rain jacket and then it would stop. By the time we hit the mouth of the canyon, we could tell the clouds were moving away from us.
Blake “Blah-Kae” Mitchel and Joey Sparkles en route to Snow Canyon. Photo by Lukas Brinkerhoff
A rainbow exploded out of the top of the cliffs just as we rolled into camp. We quickly set about devouring our burritos and high fiving ourselves on having such a rad idea. The sky darkened just as our fire wood was lovingly delivered by Mrs. Sparkles. There was nothing else left to do other than enjoy the fading light, a few sips of whiskey, the warmth of the fire and the folks sitting around it.
We chose to start the next morning with a 10-mile jaunt up West Canyon which is a dirt road accessed canyon off of the main route. In my opinion, it’s even more beautiful than the main canyon and there’s lots less people. This turned into a photo shoot of epic proportions as the colors popped and our eyes feasted on our surroundings. And then we pedaled up the canyon to make our ride home a little harder.
In total, we rode about 30 miles. Not what you would put down as an epic bikepacking trip. However, the quick overnighter was exactly what we all needed, a quick escape and a night under the stars. We finished the ride with high fives and vows to do it all again soon.
LAKEWOOD, Wash. (December 11, 2019) — The second day of racing at the 2019 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships included five contests in Masters categories, as well as the Non-Championship team relay. Cold, rainy conditions led to a slick, slippery course at Fort Steilacoom Park in Lakewood, Wash., on the south side of Tacoma, the “Grit City.” Athletes had to grit their teeth and dig in their spikes to ensure good positioning on the first climb of the course, nicknamed Sludge Hill.
Racers tackling the muddy run-up, nicknamed Sludge Hill, during another rain-drenched day at the 2019 US Cyclocross National Championships. Photo courtesy USA Cycling.
The first of the Master’s categories featured Danielle Arman (Boulder, Colo.; Tenspeed Hero p/b Bitchstix) taking the Women’s 30-34 title in 39:44. Arman accelerated away from Stephanie Taplin (Tacoma, Wash.; Indigenous Wheel Co.) on the final turn to claim her first Stars-and-Stripes jersey.
“I was either going to try to make a move right at the sandpit, or right at the finish, and the finish seemed like the right spot,” said Arman, who crossed the finish line with a scant one-second gap on second place. “It was close.”
A native of nearby Tacoma, Taplin enjoyed her experience close to home. “It’s great to have everything so close. (My team) Indigenous Wheel Co. is a local bike shop and we are a team that was setup a few years ago as soon as this venue was announced. The goal was to have a team represent at Nationals,” she noted. “The venue is awesome. It has everything you could want. It’s got a great bike wash station. It’s got excellent terrain. The parks department has been wonderful, letting them adapt that terrain to the course.”
Bradford Perley (Brevard, N.C.; Brevard College) captured the Men’s 30-34 crown in 45:19, a race with multiple lead changes in the five-lap contest.
“We had a great race,” said Perley, who is the cycling coach at Brevard College in North Carolina. “I think that there were a lot of guys in that race that could have potentially won that one. There were a lot of mistakes happening on everyone’s part and it went back and forth a little bit.”
Morning fog rolled in from Puget Sound, then led to intermittent light showers throughout day yielding a muddy but fast course.
“There’s a lot of sand in the ground and it’s interesting because it’s muddy, and it’s been raining almost the whole time I’ve been here or close to it, but it really doesn’t bog you down. You can carry a lot of speed through things,” added Perley.
George Smith (Menlo Velo Cyclocross) takes the Masters 65-69 title on Day 2 of the 2019 US Cyclocross National Championships. Photo courtesy USA Cycling.The Masters Men 65-69 title was taken by George Smith (Menlo Park, Calif.; Menlo Velo Cyclocross) in 42:13. After a tough duel, Smith outsprinted multi-time national champion Paul Curley (Taunton, Mass.; Spin Arts/American Lung Association Cycling Team) to win his first Stars-and-Stripes championship jersey.
In the largest field of the day, Harry Hamilton (Madison, N.J.; Colavita-Whole Foods Market Racing) made his move in the sandpit to power away from 50 other riders and win the Masters Men 60-64 title in 40:46.
Starting from the third row, Caleb Thompson (Durango, Colo.; CRC Janitorial Scott P/b 2nd Ave Sports) worked his way to the front to win the Masters Men 35-39 race. Thompson, who finished second in Reno in 2018, claimed his first Stars-and-Stripes jersey in 46:18.
The Mixed Team Relay non championship race closed a full day of racing on Wednesday, as Team Van Der Not (Amanda Nauman, Savid Sheek,Ryan Drummond, Aubrey Drummond) took the win in 37:49.
Day Three of the Championships continue Thursday, Dec. 12 with events for Collegiate and Masters events for men beginning at 8:15 a.m. PT, the Collegiate Women Club contest . The day’s racing will also include the Men 11-22 non-championship event.
The USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships will conclude on Sunday, Dec. 16. Live streaming will be available on USA Cycling’s YouTube channel for the Junior Men’s, youth Women’s (ages 17-22), U23 men’s, Elite Women’s, and Elite Men’s races. Racing will begin at 8:15 a.m. PT with commentary by Tim Johnson, Meredith Miller and Brad Sohner.
The official hashtag for the event is #CXNats. Championship and Non-Vhampionship races will be covered all week on Twitter via @USACyclingLIVE, with behind the scenes content posted to the USA Cycling Instagram Stories. Galleries will be posted nightly on USA Cycling’s Facebook Page and on Instagram. Follow your favorite athletes this week at www.livelynxresults.com. One2Go Results will provide live lap splits for every athlete every time they cross the line for all events.
More Information
Start lists, call-ups, and full results can be found here.
Details about the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships is available on the event webpage.
Hazard: The bicycle aerobars can crack and break, causing the rider to lose control and crash.
Remedy: Replace.
Consumers should immediately stop using bicycles with the recalled aerobars and contact Profile Design for instructions to receive a free replacement aerobar via their local retailer.
Consumer Contact: Profile Design toll-free at 888-800-5999 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or online at www.profile-design.com and click on “Recall Notices” or email [email protected]for more information.
Recall Details
Units: About 260
Description: This recall involves Profile Design Aeria Ultimate carbon aerobars sold individually and as an original equipment upgrade on consumer configurable Diamond Brand Bikes and Quintana Roo model bicycles. The aerobars were sold in one size and are all matte black in color. “Profile Design” and “Ultimate” are embossed in gloss black on the top of the rear edge of the aerobars. The best way to identify recalled handlebars is to measure the uncut hand extensions from the leading edge of wing to tip of hand extension (where brake lever is placed). On recalled bars it is 13.6 cm (5.3 in) measured from leading edge of wing.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received two reports of the bicycle aerobars cracking or breaking. No injuries reported.
Sold At: Independent bicycle stores nationwide from May 2017 through October 2018 for about $1,300 for the aerobar sold individually or between $5,200 and $14,000 as original equipment on bicycles.
Importer/Distributor: Profile Design, of Carson, Calif.
By Gary Chrisman – Along the border of Wyoming and Idaho is an area rich in beauty and outdoor recreation. What usually comes to mind for many people when traveling to this area in winter is skiing and snow machining; but now it has also become a haven for winter Fat Biking.
Riding near Hebgen Lake, Montana near the border of Yellowstone National Park. Photo by Jamye Chrisman
Fat Biking is a fast growing genre of cycling and for good reason. Riding over surfaces on tires ranging from 3.8 inches to 5 inches is a lot of fun and with incredible traction, stability and flotation it’s hard not to get a big smile on your face while riding one of these ballooned tired bikes. Most of the larger bike manufacturers as well as a few of the smaller bike brands are making Fat Bikes which gives consumers numerous options to choose from when buying or renting. The larger tires combined with modern frame geometry makes them very capable four-season bikes. While the big tires do provide some flotation they won’t carry riders over deep soft snow so it is necessary for riders to either ride on frozen firm snow or snow that has been groomed. Wydaho is fortunate to have approximately 1,400 miles of groomed track that Fat Bikers can choose from. Yes that’s right, 1,400 miles!
Teton Valley Fat Biking
On the Idaho side of the Teton Mountain Range sits Teton Valley. The local non-profit grooming organization is (TVTAP) Teton Valley Trails and Pathways. TVTAP grooms and maintains about 96 miles of Nordic and Fat Bike tracks in the valley and gives locals and visitors alike many options for their fat bike outings. Opportunities range from wide nearly flat terrain in out of a Teton Canyon to wide twisty-turny rides with small ups and downs on some of the Nordic ski areas. TVTAP has also purchased a snowmobile that tows a 30 inch-wide turf roller that makes what locals call the fat bike singletrack.
Located to the north east of the town of Driggs is about 2 miles of this fat bike singletrack. Riders follow the trail over flat terrain with amazing views of the mountains to their east. Down in the south end of the valley TVTAP, in cooperation with volunteers from Fitzgerald’s Bicycles, grooms about 5 miles of fat bike singletrack leaving right from the parking lot of the bike shop in Victor. The track follows some of the summer cyclo-cross course through Pioneer Park and offers riders flat track as well as some small hills and twisty-turny corners with berms. The track actually goes right through the front yard of Grand Teton Brewery (which is across the street from Pioneer Park) before it heads further south into the Teton Springs Golf Course Community. The track twists and turns its way through parts of the 18 hole golf course and follows the hills and contours offering riders a really fun experience. Riding out and back from Fitzgerald’s provides riders with 10 miles of fat bike singletrack! The weekly night rides from the bike shop are a blast and typically make a stop at the brewery to enjoy great beer and company.
Grand Targhee Fat Biking
Grand Targhee Ski Resort is located just across the border in Alta Wyoming and is the first ski resort in the United States to allow fat bikes on their Nordic trails. With 9 miles of Nordic trails and 4 miles of fat bike singletrack to choose from Fat Bikers won’t be disappointed with their riding options at Grand Targhee. The Jolly Green Giant Trail has to be ridden to be believed. Narrow and winding with banked turns, climbs and descents this trail is what all groomed fat bike singletrack trails should be like. It will leave riders grinning from ear to ear. The Rick’s Basin Nordic Trail is wide and has numerous hill climbs and descents. A ticket for use of the Nordic trails must be purchased at the base area of the resort in the Activities Center. For trail information or lodging call 1-800-353-2300 or go to GrandTarghee.com
Fat Biking Trail Etiquette
It is important for Fat Bikers to use proper etiquette while riding these groomed trails, particularly when riding on trails used also by Nordic skiers. Yield to skiers as needed. Do not ride if conditions are too soft and you are leaving a rut. Make sure adjust tire pressure accordingly to reduce chances of leaving unnecessary ruts.
More Fat Biking in the Wydaho Region
Snow Machining is also a popular winter activity in this region and this works great for Fat Bikers because the Skyliners Motor Club grooms 200 miles of trails in the Big Hole Mountains to the west of the valley. The terrain in the Big Holes is steep and takes riders into remote settings. Fat Bikers will want to wait for snow conditions to be firm or the riding will be very difficult. From high a top these mountains the views looking back across the valley to the east provides unrivaled views of the Tetons.
About 20 minutes east of the town of Ashton, Idaho (about 45 minutes north of Driggs) is the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway. The road is not plowed in winter but is groomed for snow machines and allows fat bikers quick access to views of both the lower and upper Mesa Falls. What can be a crowded place for summer tourists is sure to be almost a private experience for fat bikers wanting to ride the 4 miles up from the south end parking lot to the falls. Starting a few miles further south from the Warm River Campground and following the snow machine tracked old rail road grade along the Warm River provides riders with a scenic pedal for about 3 miles before turning left and joining the Mesa Falls Byway directly at the winter parking lot. This should definitely be on you’re list if you are visiting the area.
Riders near the start of the 200 mile Fat Pursuit in Island Park, Idaho. Photo by Jamye Chrisman
Approximately one and a half hours to the north of Teton Valley lies Island Park and it’s hundreds of miles of groomed snow mobile trails. This is the area that Salsa Cycles sponsored athlete Jay Petervary has chosen to put on his fat bike winter ultra-endurance race called the Fat Pursuit (see the Calendar of Events for Details). This should tell you something about how great the riding in this area is. Jay has competed numerous times in both the Iditarod 350 and 1,000 mile in Alaska and the Arrowhead 135 in Minnesota. He has finished first in these events on more than one occasion. If he thinks that the riding in Island Park is good enough for him then it should be good enough for the rest of us. The scenery in this area is spectacular! Be sure to stop into the Ponds Lodge for a drink and meal while visiting this area. Cabin rentals are also available. Call 1-208-558-7221 or go online to The Ponds Lodge in Island Park.
Be Prepared
Riders should be prepared when heading out into the woods in these areas. Bring extra clothing, food, water (or possibly a small stove for melting water) and a bike repair kit in case of a mechanical mishap or a sudden change in the weather. Winter in these areas can be hostile to the unprepared rider. Unlike the groomed trails around Teton Valley and Grand Targhee, riding in the Big Hole mountains or in the Island Park area takes riders into the wilderness very quickly. When riding on snow machine trails riders should have both front and rear blinking lights on their bikes and should have them on both day and night for safety. Stay to the far right when riding on snowmobile trails, avoid using head phones in both ears so you can hear approaching snow machines. Snow machines move much faster than bikes and may not see fat bikers until it is to late to avoid a collision. Wearing brightly colored clothing is also encouraged.
Fat Biking in Harriman State Park
Fat bikers wanting to avoid riding on snow machine trails should check out Harriman State Park located in Island Park. With 24 miles of groomed Nordic trails to ride on and no snow machines to worry about this State Park is a fat bikers playground. Situated along the Henry’s Fork River Harriman is a serene and beautiful place to ride and visitors to the Park can expect to see numerous species of bird life and very likely North America’s largest antlered mammal — the Moose. In addition to the $5 fee for vehicle entry, riders are charged a $5 Winter Access fee which supports Harriman’s trail grooming program.
Fat Biking in the Jackson Hole Valley
Heading over to the Wyoming side of the Teton Range into the Jackson Hole valley gives riders even more options to choose from. The singletrack trails in Cache Creek Canyon to the east of down town Jackson offer some of the most entertaining and challenging riding in the area. With so many people walking dogs, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and fat biking the trails in this canyon stay packed down almost all winter long. This is as close to true winter singletrack riding one will find in the region as the trails winter routes follow the same trails mountain bikers enjoy in summer. Be sure to wear your helmet while riding these trails. Fat Bikers looking for a mellower experience can choose to ride along the Snake River on the levy. With great views of the Tetons the levy trail is flat and easy to ride on and offers people the chance to see bird life and maybe a moose along its banks and gravel bars. Riders have the option of heading upstream or downstream.
Fat Biking at Togwotee Pass
Driving about an hour to the north of Jackson is Togwotee Pass (pronounced Toga-tee). The pass sits on the Continental Divide and has approximately 600 miles of groomed trails in the area. The “Togwotee Winter Classic” fat bike race is held here at the Togwotee Mountain Lodge. The riding in this area is extensive and challenging and offers amazing views of the Absaroka Mountains and the Teton Range to the west. Make sure to grab a map before heading out into this area as the trails are numerous and getting lost is a possibility. Only the most fit, experienced and prepared riders should attempt riding deep into this area. There are many hills, valleys and canyons to navigate and due to its higher elevation rapidly changing weather can be a threat. Beginner and intermediate riders should choose trails and loops that are closer to the lodge and highway. For lodging or trail information call 1-877-975-9094 or go online to Togwotee Mountain Lodge.
Fat Biking in Granite Canyon
About 45 minutes south of the town of Jackson is the entrance to Granite Canyon and at the end of this box canyon is Granite Hot Springs. In the summer months the 10 mile dirt road can be driven by car up to the hot springs but in the winter the road is groomed but not plowed and can only be accessed by over snow travel. To ride to the hot springs on a Fat Bike, soak and ride back out is not to be missed by any adventurous Fat Biker. The road in is a gradual uphill ride which means on the way out it is almost all downhill. Yeehaawww!!! Both snow machines and dog sled tours may be encountered while riding in and out of Granite Canyon. For information about Granite Hot Springs call 1-307-690-6323 or go online.
With all of these different fat bike riding options it easy to see why Wydaho has become the Fat Bike Fun Zone. The winters in the region are the real deal and snow conditions can vary from firm and easy to ride on to soft and very challenging. Groomed doesn’t always mean firm and riders visiting this area should always look at the weather and the snow reports detailing recent snow accumulation. If it has snowed 3 feet in the past 3 days it may be better to break out your skis than your fat bike; but if the conditions are right and the snow is firm enough to ride on Wydaho is a fat bikers paradise!
The area is fortunate to have a couple of year round bike shops that specialize in Fat Bike sales, service, rentals and trail information. Fitzgerald’s Bicycles is the areas premier Fat Bike shop and has locations both in Victor Idaho and a new location opening soon in Jackson Wyo. Call 208-787-2453 to chat with one of their friendly knowledgeable staff or go online to Fitzgeraldsbicycles.com
Also, Hub Bicycles in Jackson, WY can be reached by calling 307-200-6144.
Best Fat Bike Rides in Wydaho
With so many options to choose from it’s a little easy to get over whelmed with where and what to ride. The top few rides to choose from in no specific order are:
Grand Targhee
The South Valley Victor Idaho trails with a stop at Grand Teton Brewing
Harriman State Park
Riding to Mesa Falls starting at the Warm River Campground
Cache Creek Canyon east of Jackson
Granite Canyon up to Granite Hot Springs south of Jackson
LAKEWOOD, Wash. (December 10, 2019) — The 2019 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships began today with seven Non-Championship events and two Masters races to present the first Stars-and-Stripes jerseys of week. The national championships are expected to attract nearly 2,000 top professional and amateur cyclists representing more than 45 states. A total of 37 events will be contested from Dec. 10-15 to crown national champions.
All competitions are held at Fort Steilacoom Park in Lakewood, Wash. The last time the Cyclocross Nationals were held in this region of the Pacific Northwest was in 1996 in Seattle. At 340 acres, Fort Steilacoom Park is the largest park in Lakewood, which includes a paved trail around Waughop Lake, Pavilion in the Park event venue and a 25-acre off-leash dog park. The park has become a regional draw boasting more than one million visitors annually. Rich in history, the park and surrounding land was used by the Nisqually and Steilacoom Indian tribes as a food source and gathering place before settlers and fur traders moved into the region.
Racers tackling a muddy run-up at the 2019 US Cyclocross National Championships in Lakewood, Washington. Photo courtesy USA Cycling/Dejan Smaic
Lakewood is located south of the Puget Sound and west of Mount Rainier, a 14,410-foot glacial volcano. The snow-capped mountain never came into view as cloudy conditions gave way to rain for the championship events in the afternoon. Starting with a short and steep run up, the demanding course raced through Douglas firs and also included two flyovers, a sand pit and more run ups.
The Masters 60+ event for women saw winners in four divisions. Taking the top step of the podium in the Masters Women 60-64 race was Laura Howat (Salt Lake City, Utah; Kuhl Cycling Team) in 34:16. Howat finished third in 2018. The Masters Women 65-69 title was captured by Sheryl Johnson (Silverdale, Wash.; Egencia) in 41:35.
Utah’s Laura Howat (Kühl Cycling Team) on her way to winning the Women’s 60-64 US Cyclocross National Championship. Photo courtesy USA Cycling/Dejan Smaic
“The course was amazing, it was just wonderful,” said Johnson, who lives 30 miles northwest of Lakewood. “You had to be ‘on’ the whole time, there was no rest and the descents were getting pretty slick and muddy, but it was an amazing course. I loved it.”
The 70-74 title went to Maurine Sweeney (Highlands Ranch, Colo.; Racer X Cycling/ ColoBikeLaw), winner of the 65-69 title in 2018, in a time of 41:09. Frances Marquart (Lakewood, Wash.) raced to victory in the Masters Women 75-79 division in a time of 41:26. She recaptured the title from two seasons ago, when she won in Reno, Nev.
Colordado’s Maurine Sweeney (Racer X Cycling/ColoBikeLaw) brings home the gold in the Women’s 70-74 race at the 2019 US Cyclocross National Championships. Photo courtesy USA Cycling/Dejan Smaic
“In front of a hometown crowd, it’s great. Everybody is cheering for you and it feels good,” said Marquart, who lives just one half a mile away from the race venue in Lakewood. “I’ve been training here. It’s a very tough course, very tough and very bumpy.”
Tuesday concluded with the Masters Men 70+ divisions. John Elgart (Sacramento, Calif.; Sacramento Golden Wheelmen) bested the group of men’s 70-74 riders with a 35:34 victory. James Wagner (Auburn, Wash.; Indigenous Wheel Dirt Team) took top honors in the men’s 75-79 event in a time of 37:57. Both Elgart and Wagner previously won the same title in January 2018 for the 2017-18 season. Multiple-time and defending champion Fred Schmid (Waco, Texas; GeriAtrix) rode solo to victory in the Masters Men 85-89 division, finishing in 41:07.
The day’s action started with the Men’s and Women’s Singlespeed Non-Championship events, won by Garrett Sczechowski (Bellevue, Wash.; Project 529 Legion) and Kristal Boni (Erie, Colo.), respectively.
The Women’s 23-39 and 40+ Non-Championship events were won by Laura Matsen Ko (Seattle, Wash.; Audi) and Jessica Cutler (Seattle, Wash.; NWCX Project), respectively.
The Men’s 23-39 Non-Championship event was taken by Mark Severy (Mckinleyville, Calif.; Aventure’s Edge). The men’s 40-49 and 50+ non-championship events were won by Ian Tubbs (Bellevue, Wash.; Audi) , and Paul Bourcier (Eugene, Ore.; TCNF Legal p/b West End Bikes), respectively.
Day Two of the Championships continues Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 8:30 a.m. PT and features Masters events for men and women.
The USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships will conclude on Sunday, Dec. 16. Live streaming will be available on USA Cycling’s YouTube channel for the Junior Men’s, youth Women’s (ages 17-22), U23 men’s, Elite Women’s, and Elite Men’s races. Racing will begin at 8:15 a.m. PT with commentary by Tim Johnson, Meredith Miller and Brad Sohner.
The official hashtag for the event is #CXNats. Championship and Non-Vhampionship races will be covered all week on Twitter via @USACyclingLIVE, with behind the scenes content posted to the USA Cycling Instagram Stories. Galleries will be posted nightly on USA Cycling’s Facebook Page and on Instagram. Follow your favorite athletes this week at www.livelynxresults.com. One2Go Results will provide live lap splits for every athlete every time they cross the line for all events.
More Information
Start lists, call-ups, and full results can be found here.
Details about the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships is available on the event webpage.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (October 30, 2019) – USA Cycling announced today the 2020 USA Cycling National Championships schedule. Riders from throughout the country will compete to win one of over 600 Stars and Stripes jerseys in their respective categories with racing spanning coast-to-coast.
The schedule starts in early April this year with National Championships being contested almost every month in junior, collegiate, amateur, elite, and master categories.
Photo courtesy USA Cycling.
“Every year, the USA Cycling National Championships brings together the best athletes in the country who have spent all year preparing for their chance to wear the Stars and Stripes jersey and win a national title. What we love about bringing these national championships to life is that they are not only an opportunity for riders to compete on the national stage, but it brings the host cities and cycling community together,” said Chuck Hodge, USA Cycling Chief of Racing and Events. “2019 was an impressive year watching our athletes inspire us across all disciplines. We are excited to return in 2020 to some amazing venues as well as introduce our community to some new and exciting destinations and are looking forward to the thrilling races ahead.
The 2020 schedule starts off with Collegiate BMX in Redmond, Ore. inside the Deschutes County Fairgrounds. Collegiate Road returns for a second year to the Peach State in Augusta, Ga. The U.S. Pro Road Nationals goes back to the hills of Knoxville, Tenn. Masters and Para Track Nationals goes to the famous Valley Preferred Cycling Center, known internationally in the cycling community by its nickname T-Town, in Trexlertown, Penn. Elite and Juniors Track will once again race at the VELO Sports Center in Carson, Calif. Mountain Bike Nationals will remain at Winter Park this summer. Fall will kick off with Collegiate Track Nationals at the Major Taylor Velodrome in Indianapolis, Ind., home of Marian University. Marathon Mountain Bike will move to later in the year at Palo Duro Canyon, Tex. in September. We are excited to bring Collegiate Mountain Bike to Purgatory Resort in Durango, Colo., the host of the first Mountain Bike World Championships. The year closes with Cyclocross Nationals in DuPage County, IL, where cyclocross athletes and fans alike can experience the amazing culture that the Chicago-area cyclocross scene provides.
By David Ward – It was when I could no longer ski the groomers without too much pain to have any fun that I finally decided to have my left hip replaced. Still, as I hobbled into the hospital the morning of June 3rd, I wondered how my life would change. Little could I know it was one of the better decisions I will have made in my life.
I had heard that if you have good fitness, it really helps with your recovery. So in the two months leading up to the surgery, I was riding quite a lot. That may sound odd, given the condition of my hip, but interestingly cycling was one of the least painful things I could do. It hurt less than walking, actually, though I could not ride in the drops because of my restricted range of motion.
David Ward with teammates during the 2004 Lotoja. Photo by Marinda Ward
Surgery itself was an interesting experience. I went into the operating room at 1:30 p.m. The anesthesiologist came up to me and said he had just started the anesthetic. In the time it took me to say, “I am beginning to feel it . . .”, I was out cold.
The next thing I remember was someone telling me that if I needed something for the pain, to push the button on a little handle they had placed in my hand. I couldn’t even hold on to the handle, much less push the button. My wife told me later that she would push the button for me when I would start to moan, but was then sharply reprimanded. Fortunately, it was not too long before I could do it myself.
When I came out of surgery, my doctor, G. Lynn Rasmussen (a great guy and excellent surgeon) told my wife that I had one of the most developed TFL (tensor fasciae latae) muscles he has had to deal with. My years of cycling and my training right up to the day of surgery are to be thanked for that. However, this apparently caused some difficulty for Dr. Rasmussen as it made it hard to work past the TFL to get into the hip to do his carpentry work. (They no longer cut the muscle. They basically push it aside enough to have room to get into the hip and do their work.)
At any rate, first thing the next morning, a therapist came in and told me she was supposed to get me out of bed. “Are you kidding me?” I thought? But she did. We slowly worked my legs over the edge of the bed, then she had me grab round her shoulders and she literally lifted me up on my feet. We stood there for a few minutes while another nurse changed the sheets on my bed, and then I sat back down and she lifted my legs back on the bed.
In the afternoon, another therapist came in. He got me up, and with the aid of a walker, I walked over to the door and back. When he came the next morning, we walked down the hall, back to the other end of the hall, and back to my room, and that afternoon I even went up and down stairs.
The fact is, the hip no longer hurt, and the drug I kept pushing the button for was taking care of the rest of the pain from the incision and surgery. With the hospital staff taking care of me and bringing me meals, and painkillers keeping me happy, life was good. All I had to do was eat, sleep, read and take an occasional stroll.
Three days after surgery, I was released from the hospital. At that point, I became serious about recovery and rehab. I received in-home physical therapy for about three weeks, and was fortunate to have Shane Dunleavy, a cyclist and racer, as my therapist. In addition to understanding my needs better, we talked cycling while I did my therapy.
Naturally, there were exercises to strengthen the muscles and loosen the tissue surrounding the hip, and some of these were quite challenging. But, I could literally sense improvement each day. I took my exercise assignments seriously as I wanted to not only recover, but recover well and be better than ever.
I went outside the day I arrived home and, with the aid of a walker, started out toward the end of our driveway. I quickly realized that, now on ground less smooth than a hospital floor, crutches would work better than a walker. And that was the end of the walker.
Within two days, I was walking (with crutches) a half mile each day. Then, about three weeks after my surgery, Shane had me on an exercise bike for 15 minutes a day. That felt great. And again, walking and sitting down on the commode hurt far more than my time on the exercise bike.
I did have a setback that arose from walking. First, the sole of my right foot became painful, to the point I had to stop my walking routine. With a new hip, the bio-dynamics of my body had changed, and it led to a flare up of a some plantar fasciitis in my right foot. Because of the surgery to my left hip, the right foot had been taking a lot of the weight and pressure of my body, and in new ways.
After three weeks with Shane, home therapy was no longer allowed, and so I started going to Red Butte Clinic for physical therapy. There I managed to hook up with Jason, also a fellow cyclist, who added more exercises and refined my routine to the progress I had made to that point. I am now finished with physical therapy, but continue with the exercises I learned.
Looking back, I can define a few things that made my surgery and recovery a success. First, fitness. By my own experience, and anecdotal evidence from others, this makes a huge difference. The body deals much better with the trauma of surgery if it is fit. Plus, it makes it so much easier to get into the exercise and stretching routine of therapy. Finally, recovery becomes a process of bringing the hip to the same level as the rest of your body rather than trying to rehab your hip and get into shape at the same time in order to do so.
Second, being serious about therapy. I was told to do my exercises two times a day, and I did. Even after getting back to work, I did them religiously. Now that I am three months post-surgery, I have scaled that back to once a day, and about 3-4 times a week. But the initial couple of months are of prime importance, and the therapy is key. Even now, I can tell there are some things that need attention. I can’t imagine how much more difficult it would have been if I had not been committed to therapy.
Finally, a good doctor. Dr. Rasmussen who practices at TOSH (The Orthopedic Specialty Hosptial) met with me the first time I went in, unlike the doctor to whom I was referred at the University of Utah Orthopaedic Center where I was seen by a physician’s assistant. I have nothing against physician’s assistants. Indeed, my daughter is one, and I know they are good. But Dr. Rasmussen personally spent about a half hour with me, explained the condition of my hip, the history of the development of artificial hips and the one he now uses, and what I could expect of surgery. There really is something about meeting personally with the doctor who is going to be cutting into you, sawing off your bones and installing a new hip. I felt confidant after meeting with him, and even excited about getting it done. He really made me feel comfortable with him and what he was going to do.
Hip replacement is major surgery and very invasive. But, it is also a very well developed procedure and, of the three main joint replacement procedures, hip, knee and shoulder, it is the most successful. In my case, it has restored me to a level of life enjoyment that I had feared might be permanently past. Indeed, it has been one of the best decisions I have made.
The Kamas Valley Challenge is a 43.0-mile loop that incorporates some popular bicycling roads in the “Wasatch Back” of Summit and Wasatch Counties. The loop follows roads that have been used, on occasion, for the U.S. national road racing championships and the Tour of Utah, and which regularly attract a legion of devoted riders. The ride visits several small communities, of which Kamas, with a population of 1,899 in 2012, is the largest. The loop is challenging in that there are several significant climbs, although the gap between the highest elevation (7,047 feet) and the lowest (6,113 feet) is only 934 feet. The route follows marked state highways primarily, although a couple of diversions are inserted to add a little extra to the experience. Notably, even the state highways are not heavily traveled in this region (the highest volume is along SR 248 west of Kamas, with 7,000 vehicles per day), hence their popularity among cyclists.
The ride begins at Kamas City Park, located at 100 South & 100 East in Kamas. Kamas is located at the junction of State Routes (SRs) 32 & 248, at the “gateway” to the Uinta Mountains. The city’s name is a reference to an edible bulb, growing in the valley, which was a staple of the Ute and Shoshone tribes who once lived here. The name is also a reference to the landscape: “small, grassy plain.” To get to Kamas, travel along the I-80 freeway to the SR 32 exit. Head south on SR 32 for 16 miles. The city is located 48 miles east of Salt Lake City (via the route just described), and 16 miles east of Park City (via SR 248). One of Kamas’ claims to fame is a cycling tradition: the annual High Uintas Classic, which features an 80-mile road race to Evanston, Wyoming, on a course that climbs to 10,700 feet over Bald Mountain Pass, along SR 150. The current ride does not attempt to tackle the Uintas, though, staying on roads to the north and west of Kamas.
Start by heading west on 100 South, and then turning right onto Main Street (SR 32). (Please note that this article describes a counterclockwise loop; doing this ride clockwise is equally fine). Heading north on SR 32, leave Kamas after at mile 0.9, and enter Marion at mile 1.2. Marion had a population of 685 in 2010. The town is named for a former LDS Church official, one Francis Marion Lyman (for which Francis, visited later in this ride, is also named). Soon after SR 32 bends left, at mile 4.3, turn right, off of the highway, onto New Lane. Make another, immediate right onto Boulderville Road, and head east, climbing gradually. Cross over Crooked Creek at mile 5.1 – the creek is one of several waterways in Kamas Valley, contributing to one of the more fertile valleys in Utah. The road bends left at mile 5.6 and heads north, becoming 1000 East and continuing to climb. At mile 6.6, 1000 East begins a series of curves mixed in with several short, steep climbs. After bending to the left at mile 7.6, you are now on Pinion Road. Just 0.2 miles later, at the stop sign at mile 7.8, turn left onto Weber Canyon Road.
The Weber River parallels Weber Canyon Road for a stretch – its source is runoff from the adjacent Uinta Mountains. After a gradual downhill, enter Oakley at mile 10.2. Turn right, at the stop sign at mile 10.5, onto SR 32. You have now completed a “reverse-C” shaped diversion from the highway, and are ready to continue along SR 32. Oakley, population 1,524 in 2012, is named merely for the scrub oak that grows in the area. After a gradual uphill, and a sharp bend to the left, at mile 11.0, the highway descends at a 7% grade into the community of Peoa (population 253 in 2010). The name is derived from a native-American term meaning “to marry.” SR 32 bends right at 13.3, followed by a few curves.
At mile 14.3, turn left onto Brown’s Canyon Road. Thus begins a long, almost steady climb from the low point of this ride (6,113 feet), to an elevation of 6,849 feet, followed by a short plunge to the junction with SR 248 (elevation of 6,697 feet), at mile 21.2. Turn left here, onto the highway, and continue to descend. The Jordanelle Reservoir appears on the right at mile 22.3. Jordanelle State Park, which surrounds the mighty reservoir, is best accessed from its opposite side. SR 248 descends rapidly to mile 23.0, and an elevation of 6,324 feet, before kicking upward for a strenuous 2-mile climb. The highway finally crests at 7,047 feet, the high point of this ride, at mile 25.9. There are dramatic overlooks of Jordanelle along the way. From here, the highway descends rapidly toward Kamas.
But wait! One option would be to continue along SR 248 to SR 32 in Kamas; turn left and return to 100 South and City Park to conclude the ride. A longer option, however, extending the ride by about 12 miles (to 43 miles), would be to make a very sharp right onto 200 South, near the base of the SR 248 descent, at mile 30.1 (i.e., before entering Kamas). Turn left onto Lambert Lane at mile 31.3. Follow this road as it bends to the left a couple of times, ultimately heading east. Next, turn right, at mile 32.8, onto Hallam Road and head south. After a curve to the left, the road descends steeply to SR 32. Carefully turn left onto the SR 32, watching for traffic in both directions. Enter Francis (population 1,120 in 2012). Turn right onto Spring Hollow Drive at mile 34.5, adjacent the Uinta Junction Country Store (there was no street sign when I did this ride). After a short, steep descent and climb, at mile 35.0, the road curves to the left, making another steep drop. Turn left onto Lower River Road at the stop sign at mile 35.6. This road winds through a strikingly picturesque, pastoral setting.
At mile 37.8, make a hard left onto SR 35, and make a short climb. Shortly after the highway bends to the left, at mile 40.1, turn right onto Foothill Drive (no street sign when I investigated). Follow Foothill as it bends to the left and right, with Kamas on the horizon. Once in Kamas, amidst its residences, turn left onto 300 South (mile 42.4). Next, turn right onto 100 East. Proceed across 200 South, and continue to City Park (mile 43.0), where the ride ends.
For more rides, see Road Biking Utah (Falcon Guides), written by avid cyclist Wayne Cottrell. Road Biking Utah features descriptions of 40 road bike rides in Utah. The ride lengths range from 14 to 106 miles, and the book’s coverage is statewide: from Wendover to Vernal, and from Bear Lake to St. George to Bluff. Each ride description features information about the suggested start-finish location, length, mileposts, terrain, traffic conditions and, most importantly, sights. The text is rich in detail about each route, including history, folklore, flora, fauna and, of course, scenery.
Wayne Cottrell is a former Utah resident who conducted extensive research while living here – and even after moving – to develop the content for the book.
Hazard: The recalled front bicycle rack can loosen and contact the front wheel, posing crash and injury hazards to the rider.
Remedy: Repair
Consumers should stop using the recalled bicycle racks immediately and contact the bike shop or online retailer where it was originally purchased to arrange for a free repair.
Consumer Contact:
Surly Bikes toll-free at 877-773-3191 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or online at www.surlybikes.com and click on the “Safety Recall 8 and 24-Pack Rack” button for more information.
Recall Details
Units: About 5,139
Description:
This recall involves all Surly 8-Pack Racks and Surly 24-Pack front bicycle racks and Pack Rat Bicycles equipped with these racks. The racks were sold in black and silver finishes, are made of tubular chromoly steel and are intended for use on the front of a bicycle.
Incidents/Injuries: Surly has received 15 reports of racks failing, including three reports of minor injuries including sprains and lacerations, and seven reports of serious injuries including a fractured vertebra.
Sold At: Bicycle stores nationwide and online at various websites from December 2015 through September 2019 for $110 and $150 for the 8-Pack Rack and 24-Pack Rack, respectively, and $1,350 for the Pack Rat complete bicycle with rack.
Importer: Surly Bikes, a wholly-owned brand of Quality Bicycle Products Inc., of Bloomington, Minn.
