CX Shenanigans No. 14

April 18, 2012 in CX Shenanigans Report with 0 Comments

Wow, what an off season so far.

We learned that Texas had an opportunity to host the largest race in the land, and we won tied. So you better get ready, #CXnatsinATX in 2015 is a reality!

We see CX racers hitting the Texas road and mountain bike scene in search of base miles and racing speed to prepare for the upcoming fall CX season. Good job, y’all. It’s cool to see the same names on podiums in those other disciplines that don’t matter for much.

Men's Cat 3 Race - Tough CX 2011.

New Background! The latest image on our site comes from Austinite, Scott King. He captured this ferocious start of the Cat 3 race at Tough CX last September. Scott’s a solid sophmore racer who’s always smiling and eschews the common practice of bar tape (weird, right?).

Results from the annual TXCX Rider Survey
Finally… 75 of you took the time to help shape the races for upcoming seasons this past Decemebr, and for that we say thank you. Please share these results wherever you can. To view a bit larger, download the presentation using this link:

Texas CX 2011 Rider Survey Results


Lots of great nuggets in here. You pretty much:

  • like a staggered start for travelers (later on Sat, earlier on Sun)
  • are willing to pay $30 to race
  • would like to have the same race times every weekend
  • a 100% taped course
  • quality venues
  • food trucks
  • forced upgrades
  • P/1/2 races last
  • results on TXBRA and USA Cycling sites in a day
  • Bikesport CX was your favorite and Sugar CX left a not-so-sweet taste in people’s mouths.

Phew. Plenty of fun in that document, including the comments. Enjoy!

The next season – There will be a call soon for promoter entries. Hang tight, we’ll let you know when it’s coming.

Last note - please accept this author’s apology in not finishing out the season with a recap of podium winners and more. There was a major loss in this house at the end of 2011, and timing was not conducive for generating that content. Bring on 2012.

Hup! Hup! Hup, y’all!

Hells yeah, #CXnatsinATX!

March 1, 2012 in General News with 1 Comment

They say a tie is like kissing your sister, still a win but not 100% the greatest. We'll take it.

Hey everybody, we’re all gonna get laid!

In a brilliant decision that spreads the wealth, USA Cycling told cross enthusiasts in Austin, Boulder and Asheville that their town is the best. Or something like that.

But it matters for naught, the circus that is national-caliber cyclocross racing will make it’s way to The Capital City in 2015, and likely with a national calendar event the year before.

There’s a lot of work ahead for the Austin Sports Commission and Cadence Sports, and our humble TXCX offering will certainly help shape the proposed course layout and experience. We’ve already helped promote the possibility via social media, and several Austin racers were on hand for the site visit with USAC. But that was just a tip of the iceberg of what’s to come.

Course features can't be disclosed just yet, but know the hilly terrain could be utilized (and it was quite fun to ride).

Danny Curtin is already counting back the days. Right now we’re at 1,040, which is plenty of time to start convincing your friends that the best form of cycling involves dismounting their bike and carrying it.

Special thanks to the two groups mentioned above – without them there is no bid and Austin isn’t even on the radar. Behind the scenes was also long-time Texas cycling advocate, Hill Abell. He knows Austin, and all the groups with interests in the park. We’re lucky to have all these folks on our side.

Please keep up with the blog for updates and we’ll spread information as it becomes available.

Hup! Hup! Hup! Y’all!

 

9 Reasons Why Cyclocross Nationals Would Be Great In Austin

January 23, 2012 in General News with 12 Comments

Click the image to jump off to our Facebook page and follow the events there.

Oh crap. Austin is on another top something or other list. We’re on tons of them, don’t you know.

This is quite likely the only one that relates to the great sport of cyclocross. After all, who actually races CX in Texas? A few of us anyway…so let’s get into some specifics.

Austin is one of three finalist cities selected by USA Cycling for Cyclocross Nationals in 2014-15. It’s a superior destination that’s different than many locales in recent years, and we think the unique nature of the Capital City will draw you in, too:

No. 1 – Austin is affordable.
Airfare is reasonable and we’re often direct from most major airports. What’s more, you can get to downtown on the bus with your fancy carbon bikes and wheelsets for a buck. Hotels range from affordable to chic and you’ll find breakfast tacos for under a dollar.

No. 2 – A true downtown CX course.
Zilker Park is the crown jewel in all of Austin. She lies in the middle of the city and sports great views of the growing Austin skyline. Something quite nice to look at when you’re anaerobic and want a distraction.

No. 3 – Mariachi bands and good Texas beer.
Nothing puts a smile on your face than the approaching melodies coming from a mariachi band on the top of a hill. Well, our seriously-great microbrews will likely do that, too.

No. 4 – You can’t beat the weather.
Average low? 41. Average high? 62. It can be cold and wet, and a sloppy course in Zilker would be great. But if it’s not, a fast, undulating, hilly and flowy course will be amazing, too. But no matter what, it will be spectator friendly for all.

No. 5 – Got kids? Your family (and significant other) will love it.
The Zilker Zephyr. Barton Springs Pool (in winter, really!). A huge playscape and park right off the course. Canoeing and paddling right there. A great children’s museum. Amazing boutique hotels and plenty of spas for the significant other. It’s a quality January destination.

No. 6 – Tilly loves Texas.
Current National Champ and World Champ. This guys knows CX and he’s told the world he’d like it in Austin.

No. 7 – Amazing food.
Tex Mex. BBQ. World-class sushi. Interior Mexican that would make a chihuahua break its chain. Austin reinvented the food trailer phenomenon and food seekers are partial to locally-owned institutions. If you dine at a chain you must be in the suburbs.

No. 8 – Live music capital of the world.
You can’t swing a rolled tubular in this town and not hit a musician or venue with live music. It’s everywhere, including on the course. Count on it.

no. 9 – Your roadie and MTB friends will love it, too.
2014 is a long way away, so you have plenty of time to start seeding your team with visions of winter training camps. There’s amazing trails right in town, and accommodations in the hill country for those roadies on your team who don’t race CX (those heathens!).

One item intentionally left off the list is an intense course with really cool features. I’d like to share more, but the locals are sworn to secrecy until plans are sorted. Just trust me – the design will utilize the best parts of the park for racers, spectators and promoting the growth of an emerging form of bike racing.

We hope y’all can make it if we get selected. You won’t regret a week in the Violet Crown, whether racing, cheering or both.

Hup! Hup! Hup!

 

CX Shenanigans No. 13

December 14, 2011 in CX Shenanigans Report with 12 Comments

13.

I love the number 13. I started this post on the 13th and it is, in fact, CX Shenanigans No. 13. Combined with Race Previews and Ask A CX Expert, News and How To’s, we’re at 38 posts all year.

So let’s get this shit posted already.

Steve Tilford cross the line in 1st at The CX Scuffle in Moya Park. Sean Noonan, about to get lapped, waits for the leader.

The Day Tilly Came To Town
He wrote about us. We wrote about him. He even summarized The Shenanigans in the TSA Taunt Tent. It’s pretty cool that a world-class cyclocross racer came to Austin to race. The exposure he brought to our scene will certainly help us all. (Thanks, Champ!)

Well, maybe not the others who were in the money on Saturday, but still…this is the kind stuff. Continue Reading…

Race Preview – Terra X CX Race – Sun, Dec 18 2011

December 13, 2011 in Race Previews with 2 Comments

Day two of the Texas State Championship Weekend finds us just north of H-Town at the venue of past great races promoted by The Woodlands Cycling Club. This planned community has great parks, and I’m glad we get to shred them every year.

One unique change for this year – all the profits raised at this race goes directly to the Christopher and Dana Reeves Foundation. Our hosts have been hit hard by accidents with miserable outcomes, so they’re doing their part to give back. Please race, and please donate if you can.

Eternal 40+ fast guy, Craig Fitzgerald, what’s your take on the 2011 Terra X?

How would you describe the course?
One big lump of glorified cyclocross nirvana. Mostly grassy with climbs, off-camber sweeping descents, straight-away sections, and a run-up section.

Anything special about the start/finish?
How ’bout a gridded start? For races that have a TXBRA Cup Series (e.g. Masters 40+), the first row (8 lanes) will be reserved for top 8 in the series. Subsequent call-ups will be by registration order. Non-TXBRA Cup Series races will be called-up per registration order. Continue Reading…

Race Preview – Bikesport/ION CX Challenge – Sat, Dec 17, 2011

December 12, 2011 in Race Previews with 0 Comments

This is depressing.

There’s only two races left in the season. Yes, there’s the Big D Cup (WTH happened to all the wall posts?), Dirt Derby and others, but this is the last of the bike pro-style TXCX events.

Sad.

But let’s not lament just yet – the party is still going strong and “Tornado” Tom Boonen just showed up at the disco. That’s right, hard core.

This weekend is the Texas State Championship Weekend, and we start our day in glorious Mason Park, guests of Bikesport/ION as we toe the line in the CX Challenge. Don Paullo, tell us about your fine race.

Great looking flyer for this weekend's first event.

How would you describe the course? 
Mason Park has a little something for everyone, we have wide open grass sections, paved path, planks, a steep run up, and a nicely forested section.  The elevation changes are decent and flow very nicely.

Anything special about the start/finish? 
Not really,  just register early as we will do call ups based on top 8 per TXBRA rankings then registration order.  If we have a combined field we will stager the fields so each race has a separate start.

Ah, so if you don’t have points you need to register ASAP. Check. How about technical sections – what kind and how many?
The will certainly be one run up and a set of planks,  there are some 180 degree turns in the wooded sections but they are fairly wide.  Continue Reading…

CX Shenanigans No. 12

December 9, 2011 in CX Shenanigans Report with 3 Comments

OK – is it time for somebody to blow up the damn TXBRA forums already?
What a horrible way to communicate. I’m happy to see and old friend and a new one come to terms and call it nice. Man, CX is too cool for school, yo! Let’s keep it real. It’s like we’re a bunch of roadies in here…

Bring it.

New Background! The latest image on our site comes from…well, I can’t tell you. A whole slew of them were given to me on the condition of anonymity. One of the many mysteries of TXCX…

If you haven’t heard, Steve Tilford is racing in Austin this weekend. How cool is that? I’ve seen him on shop rides from MJs in the past, but never at a CX event. Current Masters Champ, many-time Elite and Masters US Champ – stellar exposure for TXCX.

Speaking of Austin, TSA is pulling out the stops for The Scuffle. Click the party flyer for D’s>

PS – No day-of registration fees for Saturday (the promoter removed them). You have no excuse not to make it.

Some locals raced Jingle CX:
Day 1 – Fawley 10, Fish 19
Day 2 – Fawley 13, Fish DNF
Day 3 – Fawley 12, Fish 15 Continue Reading…

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