The Folsom Rodeocross, a Sacramento-area Wednesday night cyclocross race series, is back. Details in the release below.
SHERWOOD FOREST, FOLSOM, CA – In 2009, rumors began to spread through the Sacramento, CA area of a new kind of bicycle race. Using the historic Dan Russell Rodeo Arena and the wooded hollow behind, Folsom Rodeocross was equal parts cyclocross race, short-track mountain bike race and rave. Taking place on Wednesday evenings under hundreds of yards of lights strung through the trees, it immediately captured the attention of the local cyclocross community with its high quality but low key competition.
The first few years of Rodeocross served as a training ground for riders ranging from cyclocross noobs up to Junior National Champ Cody Kaiser. The series also gained fame for ‘Heckle Hollow’, where dozens of spectators gathered in the woods, providing hand-ups and heckling to the backbeat of the Forest DJ serving up punk on vinyl at 120db. Unfortunately, the promoter chose not to continue the series for the 2013 season (cue sound of deflated balloon). This brought many wails of despair and the smashing of PBR cans on foreheads from the ardent cyclocross fans.
Gheto.CX spins the tunes and energizes the party at Heckle Hollow. Rodeo Cross 2014. © Cyclocross Magazine
Unable to resist the peer pressure, former race director Frank Shoemaker and course designer Asa Shoemaker picked up the Rodecross ball for the 2014 season. There was much rejoicing from the local party racers and serious competitors alike. Slightly refocusing the series on grassroots, fun, accessible racing, the couple kept the stoke high and entry fees low. More lights were added to increase the course possibilities, and the party knob in Heckle Hollow was turned to eleven. The emphasis on an un-intimidating atmosphere to encourage the new racer hasn’t diminished the competition, however, as 2015’s start lines included Australian National Champ Lisa Jacobs and World Cup winner Katerina Nash—the latter dressed as a bumblebee, no less.
Katerina Nash made her appearance in 2015. The Folsom Rodeo Cross fun returns for 2016.
With the continued support of Folsom’s Director of Parks and Recreation, a dedicated Rodeocross competitor, the series is back for 2016 with more lights, more stoke, more punk rock, and more high intensity, low ego racing.
Most race promoters get a bit nervous when the head of Parks & Rec shows up. Folsom’s manager fully participates in Rodeo Cross. © Cyclocross Magazine
New sponsor Bike Dog Brewing will ensure that the NorCal dust is mitigated by a liberal sprinkling of IPA, and continuing sponsors Victory Velo, Mike’s Bikes, JGC, with new sponsor Cyclocross Magazine, while Happy Trails will provide neutral support, demo bikes and herds of enthusiastic riders
Race Dates: Sept 7, 14, 28; Oct 5, 19, 26, racing starts 6:15
Cost: $20, Juniors $10
Location: Dan Russell Rodeo Arena, Stafford St, Folsom CA
Follow: Facebook page
Heckle Hollow: The Folsom Rodeo Cross fun returns for 2016.
