Portland, OR — Even though it seems like summer only started a few weeks ago, the cyclo cross season is now rapidly approaching. The Knights of the Crusade have been feverishly working to line up race locations and dates that we think will make for the most kick butt season ever. Our website, www.crosscrusade.com is finally updated and the 2011 race schedule is posted. We will be visiting many of our long standing venues this year and at the same time have made some cool changes. The biggest of these changes is that we will be going to Bend for the Halloween Crusade weekend on Oct. 29/30. The City of Bend is throwing out a huge fuzzy welcome mat for us and is allowing us to race on the same course that was used for the 2009/2010 U.S. National Cyclocross Championships. Cross Crusade presenting sponsor, Deschutes Brewing Co. is throwing a huge party on Saturday the 29th in their warehouse. Which happens to sit just next to the race venue.
Another big change that has had a positive affect on the Cross Crusade, is that the USGP of Cyclocross has chosen to move to Bend. This free’s us up to use the PIR pro paddock course for the Crusade instead. The USGP will be using the 2010 US Nationals course as well.
We haven’t yet nailed down a location for the season ending awards party, but it will take place on Saturday eve. Nov. 19th.
We are also introducing the first annual Cross Crusade Film Festival. You are all invited to make your own short films and submit them to our esteemed jury for inclusion in the festival. Details are still a little out of focus on this so stay tuned for more details.
Online registration for the 2011 Crusade will open on Monday Aug. 22. Our prices have not changed from 2010.
Here is the 2011 Cross Crusade race schedule:
Oct. 2: Alpenrose Dairy Portland
Oct. 9: Rainier High School Rainier, OR
Oct. 16: PIR (Herron Lakes Course) Portland
Oct. 23: Washington County Fairgrounds Hillsboro
Oct. 29/30: Old Mill District. Bend, OR
Nov. 6: Barton Park Barton, OR
Nov. 13: PIR (Pro Paddock Course) Portland
We have also made a change to our day of race schedule. For 2011, the Men’s A, Women A, and Masters A 35+ will move to 1:00pm start time. The B’s and Singlespeed’s will move to a 3:15 start time.
Along with river City Bicycles, the Crusade is sponsored by Bob’s Red Mill, Yakima, Beaverton Toyota, Sellwood Cycle Repair, Huckleberry Bicycles, Shimano, Go Pro, Deschutes Brewing, Ridley Bicycles, Co. and Chris King Precision Components. We are pleased to announce Bog’s Boots as our newest presenting sponsor. We would also like to thank Alpenrose Dairy, the Old Mill District, Keen, Clif Bar, and Visit Bend.
Enjoy the rest of your summer, but start thinking about washing that baked on 2010 mud off your bike. We’ll see you in October.
