Cyclists across San Diego County, at least the more extreme ones, are gearing up for two Cyclocross events in San Diego this weekend, both part of the Southern California Cyclocross Prestige Racing Series.
Cyclocross can be described as the strongman contest for cyclists, a steeplechase event on two-wheels, featuring elements of mountain biking and cross-country racing. The competition has riders pedal on grass, dirt, and gravel, climb over barricades with their bikes in tow, and ride over rocks and other obstacles. In recent years, the style of racing has grown, especially in San Diego County.
"Cyclocross is the hardest, most irreverent, and most community-based facet of bicycle racing," says Michael Marckx, president of Spy Optic, an action-sports eyewear company based in Carlsbad that sponsors the racing series. "As a diehard racer of the Prestige Series, I’ve enjoyed the events immensely over the years along with my 9-year-old son, which makes this so exciting, personally and professionally."
The first race, on Saturday, October 29, is at Lake Hodges. The 2.1 kilometer course features uphill climbs with strategically placed obstacles, tight downhill turns, and a sandpit. The event flier guarantees the track "will challenge every muscle in your body, every cubic inch of your lungs, and will make riders "realize just how much fun pain and suffering can be."
On October 30, the racing-series moves to the Velodrome in Balboa Park for the Adams Avenue Cyclocross, which is co-sponsored by Adams Avenue Bicycles. The course starts at the Velodrome and winds up and down the surrounding canyons.
Both events will raise donations for the San Dieguito River Park Conservancy. For more information on the events go to http://socalcross.org/events/
Cyclists across San Diego County, at least the more extreme ones, are gearing up for two Cyclocross events in San Diego this weekend, both part of the Southern California Cyclocross Prestige Racing Series.
Cyclocross can be described as the strongman contest for cyclists, a steeplechase event on two-wheels, featuring elements of mountain biking and cross-country racing. The competition has riders pedal on grass, dirt, and gravel, climb over barricades with their bikes in tow, and ride over rocks and other obstacles. In recent years, the style of racing has grown, especially in San Diego County.
"Cyclocross is the hardest, most irreverent, and most community-based facet of bicycle racing," says Michael Marckx, president of Spy Optic, an action-sports eyewear company based in Carlsbad that sponsors the racing series. "As a diehard racer of the Prestige Series, I’ve enjoyed the events immensely over the years along with my 9-year-old son, which makes this so exciting, personally and professionally."
The first race, on Saturday, October 29, is at Lake Hodges. The 2.1 kilometer course features uphill climbs with strategically placed obstacles, tight downhill turns, and a sandpit. The event flier guarantees the track "will challenge every muscle in your body, every cubic inch of your lungs, and will make riders "realize just how much fun pain and suffering can be."
On October 30, the racing-series moves to the Velodrome in Balboa Park for the Adams Avenue Cyclocross, which is co-sponsored by Adams Avenue Bicycles. The course starts at the Velodrome and winds up and down the surrounding canyons.
Both events will raise donations for the San Dieguito River Park Conservancy. For more information on the events go to http://socalcross.org/events/