October 28, 2008 – Here are previews to two upcoming cyclocross events in Alberta, including provincials on November 2 at Gold Bar Park, and the “World” Indoor Cyclocross Championships on November 8.

Alberta Cyclocross Provincials – November 2
Pedalhead Road Works will host the final stop in the Alberta calendar this year with the 2008 Alberta Cyclo-Cross Championships. The race will take place on November 2nd at Gold Bar Park, a venue that has hosted many Alberta Cross races and provides numerous vantage points for spectators. With weather looking good for this weekend so come out and enjoy this great event.

Ridley Bicycles and Giant Bicycles have been great supporter’s of Cross in Alberta and have both stepped up to offer Cross Frames as draw prizes. We have a great offering of prizes from: Giro, Vittoria, Adidas, BBB, Ric’s Grill and Dacapo. ?You must be there to win so come race and hang out for some great action. After party is at Dacapo where Antonio will be serving up some BBQ Sausage fresh off the grill which can be washed down with one of many selections of Belgium beer.

Veloplzen Cycling Club Presents “World” Indoor Cyclocross Championships – November 8
The club has secured the use of a 80ft x 240ft heated and lit barn in Springbank, Alberta and a cyclocross course that will be totally inside, running around the bands, spectators and beer garden.

Races will be run 4-at-a-time, in heat-style racing, with every racer getting a minimum of 2 races in. There will be 2 categories, To ensure that the spectators on hand have a good time, we will have music provided by local Calgary bands – The Bownesians, Dead Man’s Hand, and The Ramblin’ Ambassadors.

With Alberta’s cyclocross scene growing every year and producing some of the best racers, on some of the best courses in Canada.

Will you be the first World Indoor Cyclocross Champion?

Time: Noon till early evening
Tickets: $30 — available at Bow Cycle, Campione Cycle, Pedalhead Calgary, Da Capo Cafe in Edmonton — and at the door.
Directions, updates and info here

October 7, 2008 – Here’s the latest cyclocross news from ABA headquarters, including race reports from last weekend’s Oval Cross and Dark Knight Cross races, and a preview for the National Cyclocross Championships to be held in Edmonton on October 11 and 12.

National Cyclocross Championships and Jim Horner Grand Prix
On October 11th and 12th Edmonton will play host to the biggest weekend in Cyclo-cross in Canada this year. This is your chance to be part of the excitment as a competitor or a volunteer. The Jim Horner will now include a Sport category for those who would like to participate in the event outside of the expert and elite categories. The organizing committee is looking for volunteers to help with the event. To find out more about competing or volunteering visit the event website here.

Dark Knight Cross Race Report
Funny thing happened on the weekend in Calgary. A bunch of crazies got together for a bike race in the dark, and a party broke out. It must have been something in the air, or perhaps it was the accumulated stress of a season of racing looking for a place to vent. Whatever it was, it made for a great night of racing in front of a huge crowd. Giving new meaning to the term flow, that course simply left everyone raving. From crash corner in front of the DJ, to the dark flowing sections past the sand pit, this course was as fast and rhythmic as the tunes being spun by the great guys from ilevelcommunications.

The 7:20 start saw the Sport Men and Open Women launch onto the course with the sun setting and visibility getting worse with every lap. Bailey McKnight (Synergy) in only his second cross race took out the win from Ty Andrews (CMC/Bow Cycle), and John Clark (Hardcore). The women’s race saw some hot action from Pepper Harlton (Juventus) and Mical Dyck (Terrascape/Trek). Pepper prevailed after some bad luck with a flat tire saw Mical fall well out of the money. The 8:15 start saw 27 Elites start 1 minute in front of 36 Experts. In the Elite filed Tim Heemskerk (aka The Dark Knight) and Shawn Bunnin slowly reeled early leader Aaron Schooler in and somewhere around 2 laps to go they flew past to battle it out for the podium. Heemskerk ended up prevailing with Bunnin and Schooler finishing 2nd and 3rd … great stuff!!! The Expert race saw 16yr old Kris Dahl taking out an impressive third consecutive Expert victory in front of Mark Rumsey (Hardcore) and David Roberts.

See the full results here.

Oval Cross Race Report
There were many blurry eyes in the morning as racers, still sore from the Dark Knight Cross, made their way to sign-on for the Olympic Oval Cross. In a first for back to back races in Alberta, the same course was to be used on consecutive days. This time though the racers would be able to see just what the heck it was they were riding the night before. Fields were down from the previous night, but the weather was fantastic, and the racing was
hard.

The 10am start Bailey McKnight (Synergy) win his third consecutive sport race. The 11am start saw the Experts and Open Women take to the course. The Expert race saw Mat Krahn (United Cycle) take the win from Mac Carson (Juventus) and David Roberts (Hardcore). Pepper Harlton (Juvenuts) repeated her performance from the Dark Knight and won ahead of Mical Dyck (Terrascpae/Trek) and MTB enduro star Trish Grajczyk (Deadgoat). The Elite men took off in blustery conditions with Tim Heemskerk (United Cycle) running the slate clean for the weekend ahead of Shawn Bunnin (bicisport) and Andre Sutton (Hardcore).

Check full results here.