The Grand and Other Big Things to Come

Jingle Cross is over. There was a time, before the World Cups came to the USA, when Jingle Cross was Thanksgiving weekend or later and felt like the culmination of the season. All the more reason that while we nurse our tired legs, skinned knees, and bruised egos, we also look forward to a lot of great cyclocross racing ahead in this 2021 season.

First and foremost for us Eastern Iowa types is The Grand this weekend in Des Moines. Two days of cyclocross brought to you by the Phoenix Syndicate, The Grand unfolds around The Sands Volley Ball Club right in the heart of the city.

"The course will be similar to years past with a few changes and possibly some new lines in the woods," said Scott Olsen. "Other highlights will include the free Women's clinic on Friday afternoon, Hector’s Hot Pepper Taco Truck, and kids' race both days. We'll give away beer in the woods Saturday afternoon, and prizes will be swag, cookies, and some neat ​handmade signs."

The forecast for the weekend could include rain late Saturday and all day Sunday, so we might have some mud as well. Not a problem. "2019 and 2017 were both a little muddy," explained Olsen. "We didn't have to alter anything those years. The Sands is very accommodating and excited to have us coming!"

For 2021 Scheels DSM stepped up from team sponsor to be the the title sponsor of The Grand. Bike Rags, Merchants Bonding Company, and DSM Stamp are also sponsoring the race. Online registration closes Thursday night, so get it done at Bikereg.com.

Angy Snoop (angysnoop.smugmug.com/)

Angy Snoop (angysnoop.smugmug.com/)

Angy Snoop (angysnoop.smugmug.com/)

Spooky   Cross   and   Beyond

Of course, this wouldn't be October if we weren't looking forward to Spooky Cross at the end of the month. This year Spooky will be just one day, Saturday October 30, but will offer plenty of cyclocross fun nonetheless. More on Spooky Cross later.

The first weekend in November will feature two races in the Iowa City area. Sadly, Bobber's Cross won't be happening, as the marina campsite/bar & grill will already be closed for the season. Creekside Cross in Coralville is still a go for Sunday, November 7, and will be presented by Corridor Devo. For Saturday, November 6, Goosetown Racing/New Pi has plans for a new race in Iowa City's Lower City Park. We'll have more on that soon.

Angy Snoop (angysnoop.smugmug.com/)

Valley Cross will roll in Des Moines Saturday, November 20, and there's even a rumor that another one-day edition may happen the Saturday before that, November 13.
Our fingers are crossed.

Saturday, December 4 will be the Iowa State Cyclocross Championship in Altoona. That's just days before the start of the USA 2021 National Cyclocross Championship near Chicago December 6-12.

Next week more details about the local races above, plus some teasers for great racing options throughout the region. Check the CRANDIC Calendar for all the latest. And get ready. There's plenty more great racing to come.