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A   Local   Weekend   with   Creekside   &   Bobbers   Cross

10/27/2019

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photo by CRANDIC Racing
“I prefer technical races so I really enjoyed the wooded section by the creek and the slalom through the ditch," said Spin Devo's Caelyn Bailey. "The long sandpit feature was good too. And the barn was cute.”
Caelyn could only be talking about Creekside ReUnion at Coralville's Creekside Cross cyclocross course, the first of two races coming up November 2 & 3 in the Iowa City area. The second race, Bobbers Cross, is at Bobbers Grill on Scales Point in North Liberty. The two very local races could otherwise hardly be any different.
"I've only done Bobbers once," explained Jim Bethea of Iowa City Cycling Club. "I don't remember much other than a massive sand pit and the possibility of riding into the lake if you weren't paying attention. It is a big contrast to Creekside in that there isn't much elevation gain.
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photo by CRANDIC Racing
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photo by Angy Snoop (angysnoop.smugmug.com)
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photo by CRANDIC Racing
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photo by CRANDIC Racing
"​I like the hills at Creekside. It is the hilliest course in Iowa outside of Jingle and that helps me a bit. The sand pit can be dicey if it doesn't rain. The ability to ride the sand and hills can be a difference maker on that course."
"In general, the course at Creekside is very difficult," said Brooke Bailey, Caelyn's mom and Spin Devo coach. "It may be too hard for juniors. Maybe an abbreviated course for juniors is a good idea, cutting out the top of the climb. As a coach, I like to see the technical features for the kids. How else are they going to learn, and who wants a grass criterium, really? Any junior that wants to do a full course could race category."
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photo by Angy Snoop (angysnoop.smugmug.com)
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photo by Angy Snoop (angysnoop.smugmug.com)
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photo by Angy Snoop (angysnoop.smugmug.com)
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photo by Angy Snoop (angysnoop.smugmug.com)
"The course at Creekside will continue to evolve," said Race Director for both races, Nick Sobocinski. "We plan to use less of the terraces and focus more on the barnyard area.  The big run up of years past is gone. We'll use less of the flat ball field area by concessions as well.  Restrooms and water will be available, but the concessions stand will be closed. Goosetown Racing and Iowa City Cyclocross Club will collaborate to put on the event." Three time sponsor ReUnion Brewery is right down the street from Coralville Creekside Cross.
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"For Bobbers we are just excited to be back after cancelling last year due to flooding.  The course will remain pretty much the same as years past." Both races are part of the Iowa Cyclocross Series.
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photo by Angy Snoop (angysnoop.smugmug.com)
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photo by Angy Snoop (angysnoop.smugmug.com)
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photo by Angy Snoop (angysnoop.smugmug.com)
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photo by Angy Snoop (angysnoop.smugmug.com)
"I've helped set up Bobbers for the past seven years," said Chad Mittelstadt of Corridor Devo. "I like Bobbers since it is a smaller venue with all the amenities one would want, like good food and drinks provided by a friendly staff. Not to mention the scenic view of the reservoir, assuming the weather is nice.
"The course itself is surprising. While relatively flat, it has a mix of terrain and features that challenge even the best racers like the sand pit and the uphill 4x4s. At the same time it's not too intimidating, so many novices use Bobbers as their first real race experience, like I did a few years back. Coming through the patio each lap with your friends and family cheering makes it easier to get that last lap in."


"It's   not   too   intimidating,   so   many novices   use   Bobbers   as their   first   real   race experience."

"Last but not least are the folks who make the race happen every year.  Geoff's Bike and Ski staff are great folks.  Their kid's race with lots of candy is a family favorite.  Who else has some sort of goofy race like tandem skis? Those features plus the end-of-the-day raffle drawing make it better than any other race day.  Their logo is 'the best little cross race in Johnson County,' and I don't disagree."
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photo by Angy Snoop (angysnoop.smugmug.com)
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photo by Angy Snoop (angysnoop.smugmug.com)
Again, two very different races, but with another common thread: lately both have been lightening rods for bad weather. As Bethea recalled, "My biggest memory of Creekside is that it is usually the coldest cross race not called Frosty Cross."
Floods ended any hope of racing Bobbers Cross last year, instead leading to two days of muddy racing at Creekside. In years past Bobbers has been muddly as well. Race either or both, but be prepared.
"Bobbers was my first cross race ever," said Olivia Croskey of Johnson County Flyers. "It was pouring rain and muddy as hell. Everyone said, 'this is ‘cross.' I was thinking, whaaaa??? It was so hard! I came in last and I hate/loved it. But here we are, season three of cyclocross, and I think it is probably the race I am most excited about doing!"
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The weather forecasts look good so far, unless we get a lot of snow Thursday. Keep an eye on them here:
Creekside Cross 10-day forecast
Bobbers Cross 10-day forecast

Wait . . .   No   Masters   Women ? ! ? !

This year Creekside Cross and Bobbers Cross became the second and third races in the Iowa Cyclocross Series to drop Masters Women from their race schedules. (Dirty Wooden Shoe quit offering Masters Women races in 2016.)
This is especially unfortunate as Masters Women have had a great year in Iowa so far, even outnumbering Women 1/2/3 at most races. Rather than ignore that momentum, the IACX Series should embrace and reflect it.
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photo by CRANDIC Racing
Growing the sport we love means making spaces for others who love it too. Beyond any argument about numbers or fairness, remember that in addition to the women already racing Masters, over half of Iowa's 1/2/3s and many 4/5s are age 35 or above. In years to come the option to race Masters may be key to keeping those women in the sport.
I'm a 55-year-old man. Ask me how I know.​
​​
​-John Stonebarger, CRANDIC Racing Club

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