Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Bigger, badder Cross Crusade is back on with return of the Grunge

As expected, rumors of the Cross Crusade's death were greatly exaggerated. Portland's weekly cyclocross series will start Oct. 4 at Alpenrose Dairy and wind up Nov. 15 at Barton Park.

Highlights this year include the "Border Clash Weekend" to decide the The Grail Della Grunge with Washington's best 'crossers. Race 1 of the border battle will be in Tumwater, Wash., Oct. 10, with race 2 the following day in Rainier. And, of course, the USGP will be back Dec. 5 and 6 to close out the local cross season, with the national championships the following week in Bend.

Should be a big season of cyclocross ahead. For more info check out the following release from the Cross Crusade crew, or check out the official website HERE.

SCHEDULE
Oct. 4 CC #1 Alpenrose Dairy, Portland, Oregon
BORDER CLASH WEEKEND*
(Oct. 10 Airport Golf Center, Tumwater Wa. Grunge #1)*
Oct. 11 CC #2 Rainier High School, Rainier Oregon Grunge #2
Oct. 18 CC #3 Sherwood Equestrian Park, Sherwood, Oregon
Oct. 25 CC #4 Washington County Fairgrounds, suburbia
HALLOWEEN FEST WEEKEND
Oct. 31 CC #5 Clatsop County Fairgrounds, Astoria, Oregon
Nov. 1 CC #6 Clatsop County Fairgrounds, Astoria, Oregon
Nov. 8 CC #7 Portland Intl. Raceway, Portland, Oregon
Nov. 15 CC #8 Barton Park, Barton, Oregon

The Crank Brothers US Gran Prix of Cyclocross will return to PIR, Dec. 5 & 6, 2009. The USA Cycling National Cyclocross Championships will be produced by the Cross Crusade in Bend Oregon, Dec. 10-13, 2009.

THE GRAIL DELLA GRUNGE IS BACK AND SEATTLE CROSS RACERS ARE CHOKING ON THEIR CARMEL LATTES
The Grunge battles will be fought on one epic weekend: Oct. 10 in Tumwater, Wa., and Oct. 11 at Rainier High School.

SCHEDULE/CATEGORY CHANGES FOR DAY OF RACE
The Elite Women will race in the same time slot as the Elite Men. The Women's M35+ will be replaced by Women's Masters A and Women's Masters B. Women's M45+ will remain. (Fun Fact: The women's categories are the most consistent in the Crusade, and often have more competitors at the last race than the first!)

MANO A MANO/ TEAM VS TEAM
This year the Cross Crusade is introducing team competition... and with any luck, we may even know the results by Wed each week.... The top 8 results by members of each team across all categories will be scored each week. At the end of the series, the final tabulation will be made and a prize of indescribable value will be awarded to the best team. See the website for complete rules and a convoluted explanation of scoring.

TECH SUPPORT... or "hurry up, my race is staging"
The Cross Crusade is proud to have SHIMANO provide tech support for all races, in both the Expo area and the Pit. They will provide a professional level of service, so show respect.

LEARN TO BUNNY HOP THE BARRIERS
Or at least clear them without falling... Erik Tonkin will host his popular clinics Sept. 2nd, 9th, and 16th, 6-8pm at Alpenrose Dairy. Instructors include Erik and Rhonda Mazza, Jeffrey Struck, and Shannon Skerritt.

$50 BUCKS FOR 50+
The Masters 50+ Category will have betting pool, (no, its not Bingo) for all contenders or would be challengers for the three steps on the PO-dium. Series top 3 split the pot. See the website for rules. Other categories are encouraged to set up their own wagers!

FIRST ANNUAL "CRUSADERS GOT TALENT" VIDEO COMPETITION
The Directors of the Cross Crusade challenge all crusaders to create their own videos, showcasing their talents. Videos may be based on the reunion tour theme or any talent you may remotely possess. Videos will be posted to a YouTube “Crusaders got Talent” channel. All videos will be automatically entered into the competition and will be judged at a special gala screening. See website for rules and suggested prizes!

QUEST FOR THE GRAIL
New route, new quest, same old missing Grail. Find the Grail and win a trip to Tabor, Czech Republic to see the 2010 World Championships of Cyclocross! Or just find one of the other artifacts along the route, and be eligible for the CCXWC raffle.