Twisted

​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.

photo courtesy of Cedar Falls Tourism

"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.

photo courtesy of Cedar Falls Tourism

​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