Mud, Sweat, and (Cyclo)Cross-Dressing in the Rain
Cyclocross: Take high-octane bike racing, then shake things up with terrible weather and tough terrain. My friend Paul calls cross, “The hardest hour in cycling.”
Started in Northern France 100 years ago and featuring a deep history, cross is a lap race in the sharp teeth of incoming winter. REAL cyclocross happens in pouring rain, sleet, mud, and cheery chaos.
For a variation, there’s the Cross Crusades Halloween race in Bend, Oregon. It’s cross racing, but mixed with a generous dose of hilarious costumes. The result is a fine way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
Pictures are the only way to convey this scene, so I’ll let them do the talking. (I was snapping photos, not racing, to be clear.)
If you get a chance to see a cross race, make it happen!
Great post, Dakota! Makes me feel like I was there.
Sean
Agree with Sean, you put us right there in the action! Great shots of a weirdly awesome race!!
Thanks you two! Such a fun scene. Allllmost makes me want to race cross…but maybe taking photos is easier!
I love all the creativity the participants went through for this race! I love watching cyclocross – adding a costumed twist to the sport makes it all the more fun!
Too fun, huh! There’s even a 5k after the main race if you aren’t into the biking. Buy your plane ticket north already, J$! But maybe wait until spring…
Haha, my favourite was the minion man. Great fancy dress with a dash of functionality with the goggles as well