Riders stayed bundled up at Crosstoberfest. © Tal Roberts (TalRoberts.com)
by Tim Akers
Scott Bikes has a lot to be proud of between the The ORICA-GreenEDGE Team, the recent signing of Elle Anderson, or even Geoff Kabush’s top ten finish at the Olympics this year. However, this past weekend Scott Bikes teamed up with the Powerhouse and local organizations to celebrate something else, small town cyclocross. The two day festival is called Crosstoberfest and I was lucky enough to be apart of the event that is now in its eighth year.
Hailey’s population tips the scales at just under 8,000 residents so when events like Crosstoberfest are marked on the calendar, it is a true community celebration. However, the level of talent at the race was anything but small town with the support of Scott Bikes who brought out some of their SCOTT-3Rox Racing Team members Cam Jette and Kyle Douglas while other top racers included former pro Jason Sager and 2012 XC MTB 35-39 National Champion Troy Heithecker. It was a highly talented field that took to the fast grassy course that included a new permanent run-up, a long road section, sand, and the obligatory barriers in front of the beer garden. The event lasted two days with the Friday night hot lap time trial for placing in Saturday’s starting grid where the showdown would take place for the top racers.
With almost 100 beers on tap from brewers all over the inter-mountain area, live music and food tents, racers, spectators, friends and family enjoyed the music, food, and drinks. Conversations with Cam Jette and Kyle Douglas of SCOTT-3Rox Racing Team began after the race as well as Adrian Montgomery of Scott Bikes and others from Visit Sun Valley. In between samples from various breweries and huddled around the bonfires, our conversation started with Sun Valley’s world class mountain biking trails and quickly turned towards trails more suitable for cyclocross bikes as locals told us stories of beautiful rides on the back country dirt roads surrounding Hailey, Ketchum, and Sun Valley that give breathtaking views within the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA).
The conversation continued over at the Powerhouse, a mashup of bike shop, restaurant, and bar. This establishment has gained some serious publicity not only for its burgers but also for its unique blend of business ventures being named as one of Outside Magazine’s top bars for cyclist. Just the Friday before patrons were enjoying food while watching the previous week’s World Cup races in Tabor, this perfect blend doesn’t happen everywhere so stop in during your next trip. Circle this weekend right now on your calendars as a must-do event for next year. Even if you can’t make it up for this festival, take the trip to explore the dirt roads, the trails, and the hot springs of the Woods River Valley. Plans were made for returns trips before the first one was even finished and we cannot wait. Looking forward to seeing you at next year’s Crosstoberfest!
Cat 1/2/3 men
- Troy Heithecker
- Cameron Jette
- Brad Walker
- Shawn Mitchell
- Brent Gorman
- Kyle Douglas
- Jason Sager
- Colton Hlavinger
- Ryan O’hara
- Cameron Lloyd
- Eric Carlson
- Darrin Lightfield
- Chris Pic
- Andrew Filler
Open Women
- Jena Greaser
- Kate Shanahan
- Brooke Hovey
- Laura Abbruzzese
- Brett Stevenson
- Amy Ambroiser
- Tina Pic
- Mary Brown
- Cameron King
- Erin Finnegan
- Susan Bernatas
- Linda Jones
- Lynn Wendt
- Joanne Lance Levy
