Valley Cross in West Des Moines started last year with races in November and December. This year there will be only one day of racing, this coming Saturday, December 2nd. This is your last chance to race 'cross in Iowa in 2017, and in what looks to be surprisingly good weather, to boot. Each lap of Valley Cross is 1.9 miles. The course is fast with sweeping turns, a berm with off-camber sections, a steep hill run up, and a fast 1/2 mile section around the Global Greens Farm. "It's a great venue for those new to cyclocross since the course is mostly flat," explained U-ME COMPETE's Jeff Osborn. "The berm off-camber sections can be fast when dry, or more difficult if it rains or snows. Also the purse for the Mens 1/2/3 race is $600." Despite the seasonal lack of daylight, Valley Cross offers fields for juniors, masters, fat bikes, men and women. Details are listed at USAC. Proceeds from Valley Cross will help support Global Greens Farm (LSIowa.org). Registration will be inside the Valley Community Center. The race is right in the heart of the West Des Moines area, close to Valley West Mall and Jordan Creek Town Center. There are several hotels and restaurants within minutes of the venue.
Driving time from Iowa City is under two hours. And again, depending on when you race the sunny day Saturday is expected to top off at over 50*F. John Stonebarger Originally published by Goosetown Racing Club
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In 2008 the Iowa State Cyclocross Championship moved to its current location at Lion's Park in Altoona. The venue is mostly a frisbee golf course with some paved trail and road sections along with a touch of gravel. At first glance you wouldn't think much of the elevation change involved, but the race's organizers have been creative in using what they have. "Over the years there have been minor changes here and there, but for the most part the course has had a very similar feel," said Race Director Justin Guiter of Team Emu. "Barriers and railroad ties add to the fun. Probably the most memorable feature of Lion's Park is the paved uphill finish -- spectator friendly and usually very exciting to watch." The State Championship has been going on for some time now. In 2003 it moved from Cedar Rapids to Newton. In 2008 it moved from Newton to its current location in Lion's Park in Altoona. "This is my first year as Co-Race Director," said Guiter, "but I've been around helping with the race. I am lucky to step into this role with a such a solid foundation built over the years. "We try to draw in everyone who has raced cyclocross. The course isn't particularly technical, so a beginner shouldn't be intimidated. However, there are areas that can catch you off guard." As is often the case, the Championship's late date late only adds to its challenges. "Being so late in the season, the weather can be a factor. It's unpredictable, but usually a bit cooler. Also, as daylight becomes an issue training outside can be tough, so a person's fitness can become a factor." Zealous Racing opted out of this first season of the IACX series. "Being so late in the year we battle with daylight a bit. With the series having a variety of different categories, it's hard to cram all of those into a shorter day without starting earlier, and the earlier you start, the colder it can be. Hopefully those involved with the series will also chase a state medal for their category and their season doesn't end with the series wrap up." Altoona has a lot to offer for places to eat and stay. According to Guiter: "A few of my favorites are Jethro's BBQ, which was featured on Man vs. Food, and the Sugar Shack, which has a great old diner type of feel. Also La Feria Mexican Restaurant in Pleasant Hill." And of course, Des Moines is only minutes away.
John Stonebarger Originally published by Goosetown Racing Club Cedar Falls' Tondro Pray Bicycle Park is on land reclaimed from the 2008 flood. Essentially river bottom, it's pretty flat. Twisted Cross, this weekend's cyclocross race at Tondro Pray, runs on a flowing 1.25 mile (2 km) flat course. The course features barriers, a spiral, a sand pit, and a log run. The consensus in 2016, the first year the race was held at its permanent home at Tondro Pray, was that the course flowed nicely, that speed could be carried through the corners. At only 2 km the course is short by modern standards, but even that seemed welcome judging from feedback last year. "When the course was created in 2016," said Race Director Joel Mason, "great care was taken to create a smooth course using heavy equipment." Weekly cyclocross practices were held through August and September. "Before the rains hit in October the course was fast and smooth. We hope it stays that way. The course is not designed to be so hard that it frustrates less experienced racers." The park's soil is sandy and dries quickly, but if Cedar Falls gets the rain forecast for Friday it could make the spiral and the west end of the course muddy. "We want our course to be one that racers of all skill levels can enjoy. In 2017, we will once again offer a one-day USAC license free of charge to racers doing their first cyclocross race ever at Twisted Cross," said Mason. "Twisted Cross is now a 2-day event. Day 1 of the race will have the course in its design from last year and Day 2 will be slightly different. The race is also later than in previous years. We will have a heated hospitality tent and SideCar Coffee will be on site serving hot beverages. SingleSpeed Brewing company will once again be present. Doughy Joey's Pizza Joynt will be providing pizza." Twisted Cross is the last two days of racing in the Iowa Cyclocross Cup series for 2017. After the races Sunday there will be a series podium presentation at SingleSpeed's downtown Waterloo location. "SingleSpeed purchased and renovated the old Wonder Bread factory in downtown Waterloo. It was a masterful renovation project and is definitely worth staying after the races to see and enjoy." The standings in several fields in the state-wide series close enough that they won't be decided until Sunday. Check the series standings at iowacx.com. If you stay the weekend Cedar Falls offers plenty of options for lodging. The Hilton Garden Inn and Comfort Suites are near the intersection of Hwy 58 and Hwy 20 in Cedar Falls. Country Inn and Suites is located near the intersection of University Ave. and South Main. For a different lodging experience, try the historic Black Hawk Hotel in downtown Cedar Falls. The Black Hawk Hotel is located just across the Cedar River from Tondro Pray. Downtown Cedar Falls also offers some excellent dining. "There are a number of good pubs, Cup of Joe's coffee shop, Soho Sushi Bar and Delhi, Whiskey Road, just to name a few located on Main Street downtown. For an elegant dining experience, you can't beat Montage on Main Street. If you dine at Montage, dress casual but nice casual and reservations are recommended. Jim Landau and his wife own and operate Montage and they also own and operate The Brown Bottle that is located on Center Street near downtown Cedar Falls. They are both excellent restaurants with very different menus. For pizza and a great pub atmosphere, Twisted Spokes highly recommends Chuck Landau's Doughy Joey's Pizza Joynt at Hwy 58 and Viking Road in the middle of the new shopping areas." "During the races Andy's Mobile Bike shop will be onsite to assist with bike repairs. If you need a part and Andy has it, he'll sell it to you and do the repair right there. Otherwise, team and race sponsor Europa Cycle and Ski is located on University Ave. in Cedar Falls and race sponsor Bike Tech is located near the race venue in downtown Cedar Falls." Register at USACycling, check the race flyer for more details. Check out all the features on offer at Tondro Pray. John Stonebarger
Originally published by Goosetown Racing Club Frosty Cross started in 2011 and has run annually ever since. Race Director Mark Strub, from Bike Central in Le Mars, explained, "We started with about 30 entrants and have grown to 140 registrations last year. We are proud of that steady growth and grateful to those that have attended in the past. I have been associated with the race every year and have watched it get better and better. We didn't have a clue what we were doing that first year, then we sanctioned the race with USA Cycling and it really took off. "Our races are at the Le Mars Municipal Park. The building we use for registration is a recently remodeled 1930s stone Work Project Administration project. It sits in the middle of our race course and allows spectators to see 90% of the race from one spot. the park has some ups and downs, plenty of open space, and some wooded areas that we use as part of the race course. It's a beautiful park adjacent to the municipal golf course." This year organizers have inserted new stairs into the bank of a steep hill. With the remodeling of the shelter and parking area, access to the shelter will be different but will be clearly marked so everyone can find their way. Beyond that, says Strub, "We don't usually publish the new quirks of the course. We like to surprise everyone!" Frosty Cross is stop 13 & 14 of the IACX series, the last weekend of events before the finale at Twisted Cross in Cedar Falls. "We are very happy and excited about that, especially because at Frosty Cross racers get double the points for the series! Hopefully that means more participants and even more competitive races. "We try not to target one specific group. The junior races have been great. We added fat bike races last year which was awesome. We hope to appeal to the beginner as well as the experienced racer. We have races for men, women, boys, and girls of all ages. We have competitive races and treat the participants and their friends that come with gratitude and respect. We have a great community here in Le Mars with great support locally for Frosty Cross."
Frosty Cross gets a lot of support from area businesses. The Baymont Inn in Le Mars (712-548-4910) offered a block of discounted rooms for participants who made reservations by the 5th of November. Give them a call even though that deadline has passed -- if rooms are still available the discount will apply. As for food, Strub said, "P's Pizza House has been a supporter since 2011 and offers a fun environment and more than just pizza. Other great restaurants include Archie's Waeside, with the best steaks in Iowa. And 4 Brothers is also a great place. And don't forget the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor. After all, Le Mars is the Ice Cream Capital of the World and headquarters of Blue Bunny Ice Cream." Le Mars is a ways from Iowa City--nearly 5 hours of driving. But Frosty Cross is quite an attraction, with a strong juniors showing thanks the Central Juniors Cycling Development Team and a level of competition strong enough to attract racers from South Dakota, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and throughout Iowa. Do your best to make it up there! John Stonebarger Originally published by Goosetown Racing Club |
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