Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships: Day Two

Another Ridiculously Fun Day in Estacada

By Sean Brandenburg
November 12, 2007

The Undercard

ESTACADA, OR - The second round of events at the Singlespeed World Championships took place today, beginning under calm and cloudy skies before giving way to sunshine and debauchery. The day's racing began with the sixth race in Portland's Cross Crusade Series.

In the men's A race, Ryan Trebon (Kona) took the whole-shot an never looked back. Shannon Skerrit (Vanilla) chased hard, but was unable to bridge the gap between himself and Trebon. Trebon appeared to be on cruise control, and the two would finish about twenty seconds apart.

The women's A race was dominated by Wendy Williams (River City Bicycles) from the get-go. She and two teammates (Bridgett Stoick and Sue Butler) separated themselves from the pack immediately after the gun and Williams would go on to win in convincing fashion.

The singlespeed category race provided another opportunity for riders to qualify for the afternoon's World Championship race and featured several pros who's missed out on the previous day's festivities such as Erik Tonkin' (Kona) and Adam Craig (Giant Bicycles). But all of this provided just a taste of what was to come.

The Main Event: The Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships

Three o'clock in the afternoon rolled around after an exciting day of 'cross racing. The course was primed and ready, and as the sun poked through the dissipating clouds, the course dried up and became tacky. The stage was set for what would surely be a hijinx-filled race. The race organizers had taken the time to set up several top-secret sections of the course that would be revealed to racers only after the starting gun sounded. But the race organizers had a pre-race surprise in store for participants as well.

Day One of the SSCXWC featured a cyclocross time trial in which riders raced against the clock for a shot at the pole position for this afternoons event. Ryan Trebon took the cake with several other pros and top local riders filling out the best spots. As the announcers called riders to the line, it appeared that those who'd blazed through the course yesterday would have the best shot at taking home the Golden Speedo. And that's when the announcer asked participants to pick up their bicycles and turn them around.

The huge crowd let out a roar as racers awkwardly shifted 180 degrees. In a matter of seconds, those who had posted blazing times the previous day were at the very back of a field that contained over 150 men and women. But somehow it seemed only fair.

Much like the day before, those who showed up came not only to race their bikes, but to have a damn good time as well. Riders wore goofy costumes, rode strange bicycles, and generally made a spectacle of themselves for their own enjoyment. The atmosphere was that of a party, and everyone seemed to be having a grand time whether or not they had a bicycle between their legs.

After the trickery at the start, riders were faced with here-to-for unseen cyclocross obstacles as well as an opportunity to make up time on their competition. Everyone who has participated in, or seen a cross race is familiar with barricades and run-ups, but nearly every rider in this race was surely surprised by "Dodge Ball Alley" - a short strip of gauntlet-track in which spectators whipped dodge balls at riders. Many riders could be heard yelping at the sting of a rubber gym ball on bare skin.

Riders fearing the pain and welts of dodge balls could stop and earn an opportunity to cut the course via the Tequila Shortcut. Stopping to take a shot of Liquid Spandex Remover opened the gate for riders to skip a short section of singletrack, as well as build up some liquid courage for the treacherous dodge ball section. So many riders chose this option that the Tequila attendant ran out of worm juice and allowed riders to chug spectator donated beer while supplies lasted.

Competitors who weren't able to get their fill of alcohol by taking the Tequila Shortcut had plenty of chances to refuel on the run-up where fans were handing out well-deserved beers to thirsty riders. With so much alcohol on the course, it was no surprise it ended up playing a roll in the finish

Despite sending the fastest riders to the back in the starting gate, the pros in attendance wasted no time in getting to the front. Barry Wicks, Ryan Trebon and Adam Craig quickly made their way to the front of the pack (rumor has it that they took advantage of the Tequila Shortcut) making the men's half of the mass-start race a three-up challenge. The battle for the Golden Banana Hammock would come down to the last time up the beer hill, as Wicks and Craig approached it together.

Stronger riders were able to ride the short, but steep and muddy hill and as Wicks and Craig raced up it for the last time, Craig could no longer resist the allure of cold beer. He stopped his bicycle, grabbed a beer from a generous fan and began to chug. Wicks Blew by and crossed the line as the first-ever Singlespeed Cyclocross World Champion.

On the women's side, Wendy Williams would again prove outrageously dominant as she took home the Golden Bikini in convincing fashion. The race appeared to be one for bragging rights among members of Portland's River City Bicycles Team as Williams was flanked on the podium by team mates, including her Double-Cross Duo Partner, Sue Butler and Emily VanMeter. Throughout the entire race, Butler, Williams, and VanMeter were in control of the women's field. It is not entirely clear if they had taken the Tequila Shortcut.

Whatever it was you did this weekend,
you should have been in Portland:
Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships

ESTACADA, OR - The Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships were this past weekend, and needless to say it was a blast. We have a recap of Saturday's Qualifying Events below, and will have more up from Sunday's main event as the day progresses! In the maentime, enjoy some pictures...

'Cross Battle: Portland vs. Seattle

Seattle has Starcrossed; Now Portland Has Singlespeed World Championship

By Sean Brandenburg
November 9, 2007

ESTACADA, OR - In the battle for bragging rights over which 'cross scene is better, cooler, bigger, better - Seattle's or Portland's - Portland has struck a blow straight to Seattle's grill. Today kicked off the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships and provided proof positive that Portland's 'cross scene is second to none. Hundreds of singlespeed racers showed up to participate in the first and second of three main events that will lead to the coronation of the world's first men's and women's singlespeed cyclocross World Champions.

The day kicked off with a cyclocross time-trial consisting of a single lap on the race course. Riders battled for tomorrow's pole position and fast times were just below eight minutes. Really fast times were just above seven minutes. The race featured an all-out effort by each rider providing entertainment for all. Many riders sported crazy costumes and outerwear such as the tube-top made of old bicycle tubes worn by Bridgette Stoick of River City Bicycles.

The time trial race wasn't the only thing happening today. There were several other events in which riders could participate to subtract time from their time-trial results. One such event was the Bunny Hop Contest in which racers could earn bonus points by attempting to bunny hop two off-course barriers with a six pack of PBR stuffed in their jersey packets. Another event was the downhill aerobar challenge, in which riders faced a downhill section of the course while committed to their aerobars. And finally, a couple lucky riders were chosen to compete in a beer-chugging contest for time bonuses.

At the end of the time-trial and its peripheral events, there were still many riders who had not qualified for tomorrow's main event World Championship race, but all was not lost! There was still a mass-start, last-chance qualifier race from which the top 15 riders each earned a spot in Sunday's big show. The mass-start race was an entertaining two-lap event and featured many fully dressed characters. Riders again wore goofy outfits ranging from short shorts, to underwear and a mexican wrestling mask.

Spectators were treated to an entertaining day of bike racing, and if they were so inclined, free beer courtesy of Bike Gallery and Cross Crusade. Bike Gallery brought along three kegs of an old faithful: PBR. Cross Crusade brought a darker beer for those with more discriminating tastes. Either way, many fans and racers alke were able to enjoy a pre, post or even during-the-race beer.

The day's festivities wound down around five o'clock as the sun began to set. Tomorrow brings more fun and features Cross Crusade race number six in the a.m and early afternoon, followed by the Single Speed World Championship main event. Pre-race favorites for the Golden Speedo on the men's side include Barry Wicks and his teammate Ryan Trebon (both of Kona) and Shannon Skerrit (Vanilla Bikes). On the women's side, the River City Bicycles team features several riders that could take home the golden bikini incuding Wendy Williams, Sue Butler and Bridgette Stoick.

Aside from the golden speedo and bikini (as if those won't provide enough motivation), the men's winner will be fitted for a custom Vanilla 'cross bike, while the women's winner will be fitted for a custom Ahearn 'cross bike. Also, the two lucky people who are crowned single-speed cyclocross World Champions will be obliged to wear their golden speedo and bikini (both replete with a World Champion's rainbow stripes) at all single speed cyclocross events in 2008.

Event Preview: Single Speed Cyclocross World Championships

Inaugural Race Promises Loads of Fun; Winning Speedos

By F. Joe Hamilton & Sean Brandenburg
November 5, 2007

PORTLAND, OR- What are you doing the Weekend of November 10th? Wrong Answer. Forget that trip to Home Depot and head down to Portland for the inaugural Single Speed Cyclocross World Championships. The event is being hosted by the Portland Single Speed Collective in conjunction with Cross Crusade race number four.

The event will kick off on Saturday with probably the first-ever cyclocross time trial boasting "creative intermediate time bonuses." Riders who don't make the time cut needn't worry; there's a last chance mass start race where the top ten will qualify for the main event. And even if riders don't qualify, they still needn't worry as long as they like to party. There will be plenty of beer to drown the sorrows of those who made the trip but weren't able to qualify! In addition, there will also be the Single Speed class at the Cross Crusade event being held the day before. With these two races being held back-to-back, there will be plenty of opportunity to race with one gear.

The main event, or Grand Boucle, will be held on Sunday, November 11th. The Championship will consist of a one hour, mass start race where one man and one woman will be crowned Single Speed Cyclocross World Champions. The prizes of winning are unparalleled and should ensure an all-out battle between the nations top cross racers. Riders such as Kona Ents Barry Wicks and Ryan Trebon, Lightspeed's Geoff "Two Beers per Barrier" Kabush and Giant Bicycle's Adam Craig are expected to compete amongst a men's field for the Vanilla Bicycles custom 'cross frame. A custom Ahearne Cycles 'cross frame will go to the the top female who will likely come from a group featuring River City Cycle's Double Cross Duo of Wendy Williams and Sue Butler. The winners are also going to be presented with a stars and stripes Speedo, which according to USCF regulations, they will have the right to wear at all single-speed events for the 2008 season.

There will also be opportunities for riders of multi-geared persuasions with multiple podiums for things like Best (or is it worst?) Dressed, Best Hecklers, and Style. Find that red and white striped "Where's Waldo" thong, attach a Superman cape, and one may just earn a podium spot without even straddling a bicycle!

The course will be at the notorious Estacada Bowl, northeast of Portland. It will feature a little of everything: mud, gravel, sand, off-camber sections, some single-track, and of course the infamous barriers that 'cross is known for. There may be prizes for bunny-hopping, as well as some non-traditional, top secret sections.

According to Dani Dance of River City Bicycles the event was inspired by her friend Rich Maile who simply posed the question, "Why has no one come up with an event like this?" The growing 'cross scene in Portland attributes its success to timing. The first Cross Crusade race, held back in early October, drew an unbelievable 1078 riders! In addition, single speed classes are following suit with more and more participants. "[So] it just made sense to have it here in Portland." said Dance.

The laid-back nature of cyclocross, complete with beer gardens and a gaggle of hecklers, also make cyclocross some of the most entertaining races to watch for the spectator. Even if you've never tried this style of racing, it would be worth your time to come down to check it out. This event will be worth the trip. Be sure and check out www.sscxwc.com and www.crosscrusade.com for complete details.

The BicycleNorthwest staff will be heading south to Portland for a weekend of debauchery to cover the racing and events that go along with... so stay tuned for pics, race reports and a weekend recap!

SSCXWC Links

SSCXWC.com	Event Website (nice 'stache!)
	SSCX Schedule
Results:	SSCX Qualifying Events
	SSCX Championship

NW Regional Cyclocross Schedule 2007

When	Race	Where
Let us know of any other events you'd like to see on here!
Nov 17th	Cyclocrazed #3: Tractor Cross	Bellingham, WA
Nov 17th-18th	USGP of CX #3 and #4	Trenton, NJ
Nov 18th	WA State CX Champs	Bremerton, WA
Nov 18th	Cross Crusade #7	Hillsboro, OR
Nov 25th	SCC #8	South SeaTac, WA
Dec 1st-2nd	USGP of CX #5 and #6	Portland, OR
Dec 9th	SCC FInal	Kelly Creek, WA
Dec 12th-16th	US CX Nats	Kansas City, KA
Jan 26th-27th	UCI CX World Champs	Treviso, IT

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