An Ode to Nationals

Grant attacks the singlespeed event. Photo: Hardcastle Photography

This weekend is cyclocross national championships here in Boulder at Valmont Bike Park. As you know, we do a lot of races. We usually avoid dragging our non-cyclist friends to spectate the races because honestly, many are not that awesome for spectators. But if you’ve ever wanted to see a bike race, this is the one.

You must be vaguely interested because you’re still reading. Cyclocross is the Northern European analog to NASCAR. Sure, you’d swap the Bud Light for Jupiler and hot dogs for frites, but tailgating is tailgating. The race itself is a ludicrous obstacle course contested on bicycles that are ill-suited for the terrain, all in a small park where specators can see most of the action unfold over the course of the 60 minute race.

Why this race? It’s like holding the Super Bowl in the world’s most football-crazed town, but the tickets are free and your friends from the local league are allowed to hop on the field and try to sack Peyton Manning.

Many from the Evol team are racing the age-group events on Saturday, but all of us will line up for the Elite events on Sunday (schedule). Hope to see (or hear) you out there!