Race Preview – Crazy Water Cyclocross Festival – October 8 & 9, 2011

Festivals and beer have a long history with cyclocross (hell, the Kiss CX series even pays in beer). So it’s pretty cool to read about the special Rahr micro brew made from Crazy Water that will be a part of the upcoming weekend in Mineral Wells. This hamlet of a town has quite the history, and we’ll be adding to it in just over two weeks.

Click on the flyer to open it in a new window.

Bryan Fawley, promoter of Crazy Water Cyclocross Festival, gave us his take on the course and weekend:

How would you describe the course?
It’s a fast, flowing course with very distinct sections of pain/ fun/ toughness. We will do big perimeter runs through trees broken up by off-cambered turns and three sections off the bike. It uses banks and the natural flow of the ground to make it a nice season opener.

Anything special about the start/finish?
You’ll be called up to the grid with the first spots filled by preregistered racers. The course starts onto a fast, smooth gravel section and then over a bridge and back.

How about technical sections?
The course will offer some of camber, however there is not anything I would call side hill. I am saving the few hills for run-ups not turns. There will be one section of barriers, and another that forces a dismount to the run-up. I don’t want any high-speed (Joey) wrecks happening.

Will we be cursing your sand pit?
There is no sand, but some very sandy soil in back that could be sand-like, given a little love…

How long is the course?
2k+

Anything else special about the race?
We’re paying out more than double the Texas Cup minimum. I have worked very hard on raising sponsors to hopefully start pushing for UCI soon!

UCI CX in Texas? We’ll hold you to that. As a CX racer and course designer, what is your favorite part about the new course?
Back to back high speed, then back to back run-ups….

Where is the best place to put down the hammer?
Back of course just near the start. Should be close to a full minute of solid pedaling with only 5 sweeping turns

Could you compare it to another course in TX?
The Great Sun course in San Antonio for state championships a few years back.

Any special tips for TexasCX readers?
Work on being smooth. Practice your runs and as EJ (Eric Jordan) would say stand up!

Twists and turns were mentioned a couple of times – how many sections?
It’s a surprise!

Pre-reg end date?
Pre-reg ends the wed before at 10:59 Texas Time. Start is in order of Pre-reg and first 100 get free gift bag a t-shirt

Anything else?
Don’t forget the 5K race and festival right there in town. It’s going to be a great weekend – come on out and enjoy.

We race in Pollard Park (some call it Lion Park), not too far from the downtown festivities. The festival includes a car show, live music and things to do for the kiddos. Plus there are $60 hotel rooms and I even read about a great restaurant experience right in town. Follow the festival organizers on Twitter, or you can read more in this Texas Highways article.

They tell me you know you’re close when you see the landmark (abandon) hotel. It looks like that vintage bar coaster on the right.

Did we mention the beer?

Don’t forget your cowbell!