Cyclocross Nationals :: Before Preride

Last years Nationals start in Edmonton. Photo- Rob Jones (canadian cyclist)

Flying from Sunny Vancouver yesterday morning took me across the country, through some cloud cover, and down into a dark, grey, cold, windy city...Toronto. This years National Cyclocross race is in Toronto, which will is certain to be much warmer conditions to last years race in Edmonton which was all about the snow and ice and almost 10 degrees below zero! This is almost tropical in comparison (or that is what I keep telling myself).

Being a UCI race, the course is comprised of a 3km long lap, and structured within the guidelines of the UCI rule book. This basically means it isn't a basic thrown together weekend race with your buddies, but instead the real deal, full on, planned out course with all the makings of a heart attack. It has the double barriers, the lung busting run up (on slippery Ontario clay mud), off camber grass slopes, gravel, pavement, miles of taped off hard left and right turns. The venue is in Cedarvale Park in Toronto, and I will say, even before I ride the course this afternoon, very well chosen for a National level 'cross race! The terrain is perfect for an event of this caliber. Oh and did I mention there will be a beer garden to really bring in the riff-raff spectators? Beer + spectators= Lots more cheering!

BC Cup :: Foreshore Park Cyclocross in green Vancouver. Photo- Dustan Sept

The competition is going to be fierce with several of the top racers in each age group and riding level from each province. In Pro Elite men there is Kevin Calhoun from BC currently ranked 1st, Tyler Trace, Kevin Noiles, Nick Berry, and more. Women's pro elite will be off the hook with some super fast women including Vancouver Islands speedster, and former National CX Champ, Wendy Simms and Pepper Harlton from Alberta. In my catagory Master's Men A, the reigning Canadian champ Peter Mogg will be there to put the hammer down and give us a carrot to chase! In Master's B it is two more BC guys John Fokkema and Norm Thibault who last year took 1st and 2nd. In U23, there will be last years champ Evan Guthrie again from BC.

So many more names to mention but you get the point, it's going to be BIG! The talent will be out in full force.

Ok, I better get out there and get a few laps of this course in before dinner and a good nights sleep.

-Kimbo