Cyclocross - Permanent Cyclocross Courses?

Greetings all,

I am just now getting into the world and culture of CC. From what I've seen, many cyclocross courses are set up specifically for events.

Are there any courses around the PacNW that are permanent? I would like to get an idea what CC would be like before I get headlong to it. I suppose if I can't do this, I can at least go watch some races around here when slop-season starts.

we have got one.
very nice
the city gave it to us
we are allowed to do nearly everything



cochem -germany

I'm not aware of any permanent courses, but you wouldn't really get a feel for what it's like without diving in headlong and racing anyway. You can watch some videos (http://www.crankmychain.com/labels/Cyclocross.html) and look at pictures (http://pdxcross.com/2008-photo-slideshows/), which will give you some idea, but to really understand, you must experience it.

The Cross Crusade races are really a blast, but if the idea of racing shoulder to shoulder with 100+ other people sounds like a scary way to get your feet wet (and you will get your feet wet, literally), try Heiser Farms (http://willamettevalleycross.com/) in Dayton on October 3. I did my first race there last year and there were only ten of us starting the beginner's race. I expect more this year, since last year was the first one there, but I imagine it will still be relatively small.

Check out the full schedule (http://obra.org/schedule/2009/cyclocross) and start marking your calendar. :thumb:

Also look for cyclocross clinics. These are a great way to get introduced to the basic cross-specific skills. Sellwood Cycles puts on a few of these at Alpenrose Dairy in September, and last year the Yakima Bike Vigilantes did one in Hillsboro. I wouldn't be surprised if you could find one closer to where you are. Stop by your LBS and ask them about it.

we have got one.
very nice
the city gave it to us
we are allowed to do nearly everything



cochem -germany

I went to Cochem as a kid, you all have a sweet water park there!

The Battlecreek Cross event looks ridiculous (ly fun).

My dad may well disown me for disparaging a golf course so, but that looks like a pretty good intro.

I dont know of any courses. Ive heard rumors of them building something near the 205/85 freeways - in the greenspace..but nothing serious. Id love to see a perm course set up at PIR. Seesm like a good fit.

There are a lot of places you can simply ride though. In Corvallis - you have tons of good single track - so just get out and ride. :)

The Battlecreek Cross event looks ridiculous (ly fun).

My dad may well disown me for disparaging a golf course so, but that looks like a pretty good intro.

Battlecreek Cross was ridiculously fun. It was responsible for my one and only (AFAIK) appearance on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=995of6OhgZQ

(I'm the guy walking through the mud after the other guy does a face plant.)

Unfortunately, it was a one time only event. The reason we got to desecrate a golf course that way was that it was being decommssioned and turned into a housing development, which I believe it is by now.

Mostly cyclocross involves destroying farms and fairgrounds, and even farms may be a declining set of venues -- the annual race at Krueger's Farm out on Sauvie Island got shot down by the local zoning board.

Still, wherever it happens, you can count on it being loads of fun.