Look what is on the cover of Juice this week

Cameo shots include Andy, Jerome, Louis, JJ, TJ, Sherry, Kim, Heather, Taylor, Kurt

CLICK-n-READ

There’s nothing like the thrill of a fast-paced bike race, especially when sand pits, tree logs and steep slopes are in the way.

These obstacles aren’t a rider’s worst nightmare. Instead, cyclocross riders train for the hold ups. And the weather. Because in addition to the road blocks, cyclocross is raced in the fall and winter, which means it could be 70 degrees and sunny, or 20 degrees and snowing — Iowa likes to keep us on our toes.

Cyclocross is a bike race held on a short course of grass, dirt or mud, with many natural obstacles. Instead of biking over or around the obstacles, riders dismount their bikes and carry them over or through the obstacles.

Despite sounding like something to be avoided if possible, cyclocross attracts more competitors each year, and is currently the fastest-growing cycle sport in America.

“That’s due in part because of its accessibility,” Rob Versteegh, who helped bring the sport to Des Moines 10 years ago, said. “There’s no question about it, cyclocross is a festival atmosphere.”

Riders of all skill levels can compete in races, which are usually held September through November. Classes are organized according to skill level for men and women — including a junior class and three divisions each for men and women. The personality type is the common denominator for all riders: jovial.

Anyone can race, although attending a practice first would be beneficial.

“Like any sport, if you’re new, come out and watch and learn and try in the environment,” Versteegh said.

READ MORE...

Back to Stone Park again tonight for some cross-action!  5:30 pm we roll.  We'll use some of this past weekend's race course, plus we'll throw in some new stuff to keep ya on your toes.

90-ish crosser threw down at the second Renegade practice.   Still stoked about all the new faces.

We added more area to the course this week.  We know she's a little rough yet and are working to smooth out some areas soon so all can be good by Capital City Cross on Sept 24th and 25th.  Feel free to use the park anytime to practice on your own.

Jason alread update:  he has a separated shoulder and will find out more this week. Wish him well.

CROSS TIP:  If you are new to the sport and having a hard time mounting, dismounting, getting over the barriers smoothly, set out a lap or two and watch everyone else go over it. The fast experiened crossers know how to get it done! Learn from them!

THANKS to all who helped set up, tear down, and heckled! Nice turnout at Mullets afterward for some food and refreshments!

Same place next week!

PLEASE join us for another season of Renegade Cyclocross Practices in Des Moines hosted by the BIKEIOWA.com Cycling Team. Cyclocross is the fastest-growing cycling discipline of the 21st century. BIKEIOWA.com/Cross is the url where all cyclocross info, updates, results, photos, etc. will be posted.

CYCLOCROSS CLINIC

For the first Renegade Practice, we are offering a two hour "Cyclocross Clinic" from 5:30pm to 7:30pm on August 30th. This is for Beginners only! We will go over the basics of Cyclocross, and allow you get in some hands-on practice. We will have different stations set up to teach the different skill-sets needed for cyclocross. Folks from the BIKEIOWA Cycling Team who have been doing cross for years will lead the clinic. You'll have opportunity to ask questions before 'real' practice starts. This is highly recommended if you are new to cross. Find out more about Cyclocross, the courses, and the bike set-up here.

RENEGADE PRACTICE

There are 8 scheduled practices on the calendar. Every Tuesday at 5:30pm, we'll meet at Stone park where we will have a different course set up each week. We'll extend practices into November if all is going well, but we will lose our daylight. This will be a training race, bike practice, or whatever else you kids want to call it. No entry fees, no prizes, no official results. Please understand the word "race" is used loosely. What it WILL be is a great opportunity to get some intensity in, practice barriers, run-ups and other cyclocross skills and ride against guys of varying abilities. This makes it a GREAT chance for newer riders to gain some confidence and have some fun, while the experienced guys get a good workout and pass on some knowledge. Above all, it's a good reason to ride cross bikes with friends. Cool?

CYCLOCROSS RACES

All Cyclocross races for the state will be posted soon. The first race on the calendar this year is Cory's Irish Cross in Bondurant on Sept 17th.

Thanks to Des Moines Parks and Recreation for maintaining the Stone Park allowing us to use it all year, New Belgium Brewing for sponsoring Renegade Cyclocross, and Brian Duffy for the Renegade Cyclocross logo.

And the Winners are....

Listed below are the winners (Top 3 of each category) of the Central Iowa Cyclocross Series.

A BIG THANKS to the CICS Sponsors!

There is absolutely no way we could offer $2600 in payouts, give away a free bike, free pizza and beer without our sponsors!

Scheels - Prize money and the Scott bike that was given away
New Belgium - Beer and swag for Renegade practices, and races
Oakley - Prizes and swag
Mullets - 35 pizzas at CICS Party

THANKS to everyone who participated, officiated, spectated and coordinated this year!
See everyone at Jingle Cross next weekend!

Series Results are as follows:

Men's 1/2/3
Brian Eppen
Nate Kullbom
Kevin McConnell

Women's 1/2/3
Kim Eppen
Lisa Vetterlein
Darcy Sanford

Men's CX3
Steve Bullerman
Ryan French
Geoff Perrill

Men's CX4
Don Maschka
Adam Ventling
Adam Prosise

Women's CX4
Darian Nagle-Gamm
Loren Uscilowski
Sheri Robinson

Men's Master 35+
Kyle Sedore
Jason Plunkett
Chris Cornelison

Women's Master 35+
Julie Kirkpatrick
Jana Bachmann
Maria Ruhtenberg

Men's Master 45+
Jim Robidoux
Tom Laughead
Tony Hibbs

Women's Master 35+
Cindy Dubois
Nancy Leysens
Julie Goodman

Juniors
Chase Fletcher
Tyler Rushing
Jacob Vander Horst

Points and all series placement can be seen here

About the Central Iowa Cyclocross Series

Sunday Oct 31st will be the 2010 Central Iowa Cyclocross Series (CICS) Awards Ceremony. Awards will be given after Spooky Cross is over at approx. 2:30 pm (same location - N. end of Living History Farms in Des Moines)

$2,600 in payouts - Enough with the water bottles and GU packs... Yuck! We're given ALL Category Winners CASH! Award breakouts | Current Point Leaders

FREE BIKE - Scheels donated a 2010 Scott Sportster P45 Bicycle that we'll give away at the CICS awards ceremony. You are automatically entered for the bike giveaway each time you participated in a Central Iowa Cyclocross Series race. You need not be present to win, but we'd like ya to stick around!  More INFO

FREE PIZZA - Our friends at Mullets are donating 35 pizzas! Mullets was home to Oakley Night Cap Cross,and they had just as much fun as we did! Visit them often!

ABOUT CICS - The 2010 Central Iowa Cyclocross Series is a 7 race series Powered by Scheels. All races are held in Central Iowa. The series is geared for all skill levels with hopes of growing the Iowa cyclocross scene! The series started in 2009 by Rob Versteegh, Paul Varnum, Scott Sumpter, a slew of race promoters and the BIKEIOWA.com Cycling Team. BIKEIOWA.COM/Cross

CICS SPONSORS - Scheels, New Belgium, Oakley, BIKEIOWA.com

See all you Ghouls at Spooky Cross!

Last update here before the OAKLEY NIGHT CAP CROSS Night Race herein Des Moines!

The Weather is great, the venue rocks and so will the course! Come Race, Come spectate, Come do Both!
ALL DETAILS HERE!

PARKING - It is HIGHLY suggested to park at Principal Park and walk or ride your bike over...

Don't forget - More Cross Racing is happin' this weekend!  Bobber's 2 is Saturday in North Liberty and Middle Park Madness is Sunday in Bettendorf. Bring yuor Night Cap Race number to Bobber's and get an extray entry in for the Specialized Cross frame and lots of other prizes!

See you all there for a Night Cap!

Great video by Tobin Bennett. It sure shows what Cross is! gotta love the heavy breathing near the end!

DID YOU KNOW that each race you participate in gets you one entry for a FREE BIKE???   Any race that is part of the Central Iowa Cyclocross Series Powered by Scheels will get you an entry. No need to enter. Your entry is automatic when you register for one of the series races! The bike is a 2010 Scott Sportster P45 Bicycle that Scheels donated. The bike will be awarded at the Awards Ceremony after Spooky Cross on Oct 31st. You need not be present to win.