On Tap...

Tis the season for cyclocross, and the weather in the Midwest is cooperating quite nicely...cold, blustery, in some areas snowy and rainy. Below are some races for which you can particpate. If you aren't participating, break out that cowbell and a nice warm jacket and support your local racers.

12/01/2007
New Amsterdam Cyclo-Cross Series
Phoenix, AZ
Carlisle Cross Classic - UCI 2
Carlisle, PA
Cap City Cross - Upper Arlington
Upper Arlington, OH
Hart Park Cyclocross & District Cyclocross Championships
Bakersfield, CA
NC State Cyclocross Championships
Dobson, NC
Sacramento Cyclocross – Folsom
Folsom, CA

12/02/2007
Capital Cross Classic
Reston, VA
State Cyclocross Championships by Hampshire Cycle Hales
Cornors, WI
2007 Bike Authority Cyclocross Race #5
Copley, OH
Waterford Hills MI State Championships CX
Waterford, MI
Hawksnest Crossfest NCCX #7
Seven Devils, NC

For results and/or photos of any of the above, click through to Truesport.com.


US Cycling Cyclocross Nationals Fast Approaching

From the KCCX Press Release,

Kansas City, Kan. (Nov. 30, 2007) - The deadline to register for this year's USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships is less than two weeks away and organizers remind competitors that registration for the event is online only. Registration deadline for the Dec. 13-16 event at Kansas City's Wyandotte County Park is Saturday, Dec. 8 at midnight CST. To register, go to http://www.kccrossnationals.com/.

No on-site registrations are allowed and all entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. No exceptions will be made."We are closing in on last year's record turnout for nationals," said Race Director Bill Marshall of KLM Marketing Solutions. "With the price of airfare to and from Kansas City at a reasonable rate and plenty of hotel rooms still available, we hope racers who were undecided now decide to make the trip."

Riders who have previewed the course say it is a smooth, fast course that any type of rider can shine on. At close to two miles a lap, it includes grass, tight technical turns, natural run-ups and a few sections that will really spread out the competition."I think the course flows pretty good," said four-time U.S. national cyclocross champion Steve Tilford. "Most people would think Kansas would be flat, but this course has more elevation gain than many races I've done."

As for those reasonable travel rates, a check of round trip airfares from major cities for travel the week of the championships (weekday arrival and Monday departure) reveals the following prices:

Dallas-Fort Worth International ($129)
Denver International ($159)
Logan (Boston) International ($199)
Los Angeles International ($209)
Miami International ($221)
Minneapolis-St. Paul International ($217)
O'Hare International ($119)
Philadelphia International Airport ($211)
San Francisco International ($209)
Seattle/Tacoma International ($231)

Nearly 40 races will take place over four days of competition. Non-championship and beginner-level races are scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 13. The elite men's and women's races are Sunday, Dec. 16.