​This coming weekend, October 21 & 22, BIKEIOWA will host two days of cyclocross at a new venue, The Sands Volleyball club just off Grand avenue in the heart of Des Moines. According to  Race Director James Armstead, "The most obvious feature of The Grand that everyone thinks of is...sand. There will be sand. It may not be used in the way every one thinks, although we did toss around the idea about a sand pinwheel (joking, that would be horrid)."

"People will be surprised by this venue. Most people in Des Moines, know where The Sands is and have looked at it on google maps. But this won't be just another wide open field race. There is a large wooded area, a fantastic open area with some great small hills, some sand, and an amazing patio and area for a great party. The owners have been more than welcoming to this idea and have done an amazing job accommodating us in this new venture."

​The Sands will also be pouring beer from BIKEIOWA's sponsor, Oskar Blues. It will feature food from Big Acai food truck both days and pizza from 515 Pi Saturday.
 
This is the first year for The Grand, but it was born out of the ashes from two separate teams and a few different races. "When Flat Tire Lounge/Level B Racing ended and a good chunk of our team joined up with BIKEIOWA we wanted to bring something new and fresh back to Des Moines," said Armstead, "New venue, new ideas, new team members, and a growing cyclocross community. This year is a rebuilding year. BIKEIOWA Racing is back and is helping to grow the cycling community over the next few years. We hope that this race will become a staple in the Iowa racing schedule similar to how Nite Cap became everyone's love a few years back.

​"As race promoters we strive to make the event appealing to every level. As a new race, we are focusing on getting as many people as we can to come and experience this new race and venue with us. We want to learn how novice racers enjoyed it and what they hated, and we want the same from the more expert level racers as well. This should be an awesome race for all levels."
 
Mid series IowaCX  

Saturday and Sunday of The Grand are days 8 and 9 of IowaCX, meaning it marks the very middle of the series  (http://iowacx.com/). "The IACX is a great new addition to the racing calendar this year. As Iowa racers ebb and flow with their interest in the sport, the promoters need to grow with it. Jacob and team did a great job identifying and looking at other regions to see how they are growing their communities. It will be great to see how the series ends up and watch as the competition heats up towards the end of the year. I’m hopeful the series will bring some good consistency for racers over the next few years."

The Sands is so close that it would be easy after racing to take the trail into downtown Des Moines and explore. There are also some great mountain bike trails (the Center Trails) nearby, some of the best in the area. Finally, "There has been some talk of an after party at Sully’s across the street Saturday after the race. If you are around, most definitely hit it up to let us know what you think and what we can do differently for next year. Or, just come to smell Sumpter’s beard. Your choice."

​The Sands in Des Moines is under two hours from Iowa City by car. So far, at least, the weather forecast looks fine for the race with a better chance of rain later Saturday. Check out The Grand at BIKEIOWA.com.

John Stonebarger
Originally published by Goosetown Racing Club

​This coming weekend, October 14 and 15, eastern Iowa cyclocross racers will be spoiled rotten with Bobbers Cross Saturday and Morgan Cross Sunday. The two old favorites -- one with some new twists -- are just 30 minutes apart. Hopefully both in one weekend will work up a lather and draw some folks who don't always make it to races beyond their metro area. HEAR THAT DES MOINES?
  
Saturday we'll be back in North Liberty for the eighth edition of Bobbers Cross, "The best little cross race in Johnson County," presented by the Iowa City Cycling Club and the good folks at Geoff's Bike and Ski.

What can we say about Bobbers Cross? That the beach-volleyball sand-pit can be a monster? That the beer-garden sprint is sweet? (Duh.) That we love them dearly but everyone involved with this race is nuts? (See "dryland ski race.")

Sunday: see Morgan Cross
​
Bobbers Cross is fun. Bar-and-grill-with-playground-equipment fun. The organizers are a lot of the same folks that bring you Jingle Cross. But this is what they do to unwind and have fun.

Mud
Speaking of fun, the forecast for Friday night and Saturday currently includes a lot of rain. What could be more fun than that?
 
There's camping at both Bobbers and Morgan Creek Park. For that and other options see the Morgan Cross site at https://www.morgancrosscr.com/camping.
 
Register for Bobbers Cross at USACycling and keep up with the latest on Facebook.

If it's not too cold this year maybe Brett will leave his van to officiate? Maybe?

John Stonebarger
Originally published by Goosetown Racing Club

Captain Roy's in Des Moines is the newest bike-trail bar and grill in a city that loves its bike trails. Saturday the Iowa Cyclocross Series continues  at this new venue with a new race, Captain's Cross.

"The venue is what makes this race great," says Race Director Corey Philips of the Sakari Race Team. "The race will take place in Union Park (of Race Like a Girl/Squirrel fame) and Birdland Marina on the banks of the Des Moines River and finishes right at Captain Roy's. Captain Roy's has fantastic grub, local craft beers, and will host post-race music with Cold Filtered, featuring MTB extraordinaire Darvish Shadravan.

​"The course itself is no joke," says Philips, "featuring a paved, full-road, uphill start, three fast descents, and numerous off-camber and technical features. Plus there are another two major climbs, one with rideable barriers -- if you have the skills.

"Hicklin Powersports  and KTM Bike Industries are our presenting sponsors. KTM is pushing really hard into North America in 2017 and Hicklin Powersports is one of the first to carry their bicycles in the Midwest. Hicklin is a professional motorsports shop with a lot of championships under their belt. They understand cross training, with most of their competitive racers using bicycles to stay in shape. This partnership is a natural fit and a great way to cross-promote our sports and passions." Hicklin Powersports will have KTM fat bikes, cross bikes, mountain bikes, and e-bikes on display Saturday.

This is the first year for Captain's Cross, but Philips and Sakari are no strangers to pulling off a good event. Sakari offered up Palooza Cross in 2013 and 2014, and hosts an annual road race and the Juicy Gravel Race. "Our race targets all bike racers, with a division for everyone. We have cash payouts for all divisions other than juniors and beginners, with equal payout for men and women. It's a killer venue in a great setting in the heart of Des Moines. Cyclocross, craft beer, grub, and music... what more could you want?"

Birdland Marina is under two hours drive from Iowa City, and the weather for Saturday looks good so far.

John Stonebarger
Originally published by Goosetown Racing Club