Harbin Park UCI Cyclo-Cross!

October 8, 2007 on 10:17 pm | In Cyclocross |

Sunday, October 14th is the big day for UCI cyclo-cross racing at Harbin Park! That’s just over a week and a half away. This is about as big a bike race as we get in Cincinnati.

For those that haven’t been to a cross race before, it’s an extremely spectator-friendly event. We want those that come to be loud. We’re handing out 100 cowbells at the event to registered racers, we’ll have drummers down at the sand pit, and we’re asking people that are coming to spectate to bring a plethora of noise-makers. We don’t want those that are traveling here from out of town to forget Harbin Park, and Ohio Valley Cyclo-Cross. There will be food served to raise money for the Aubrey Rose Foundation, all kinds of kids races and events, music, 2007 and 2008 Jamis mountain bikes to demo on the trails there, and all kinds of other things going on.

Some of the female pro names we’ve gotten to fly in this year include a few past and present United States and Canadian Mountain Bike National Champions. Topping the list is Katie Compton, three time U.S. National Cyclo-Cross Champion and the 2007 World’s Silver Medalist. Katie used to be a member of the Trek team that used to dominate the 24hrs of Canaan back in the late 90’s. Now she’s racing cyclo-cross and track, and kicking butt at both. Giving her a run for her money will be Wendy Simms, former Canadian Mountain Bike and Cyclo-Cross National Champion from British Columbia. Two U.S. Master’s National Cyclo-cross Champions, Wendy Williams and Susan Butler, will be here from Portland, Oregon - and Wendy already has one UCI win under her belt this year. These ladies are tough; they’ve all raced ‘cross over in Europe - and will put on quite a show.

The men’s pro race may almost be as exciting as the women’s. This will be the most stacked men’s field we’ve ever had as well. The first rider we had signed on was two-time Danish National Champion Joachim Parbo, who is doing a tour of the States before heading back to Europe for the World Cup season. No doubt he’ll have his work cut out for him though with California’s Barry Wicks, 2006 U.S. National Mountain Bike Short-Track and 2005 U.S. Grand Prix Cyclo-Cross Champion. His teammate from Oregon Erik Tonkin will be up towards the front, as well as Colorado’s Brandon Dwight, U.S. Master’s National Champion Ryan Leech (State College, PA), New Zealand’s Mark Legg, and another Oregonian, Molly Cameron. Phil Noble (Xenia), Brandon Jessop (Cincinnati), and Shawn Adams (Akron) will be there representing Ohio mountain bikers - looking to crack the top ten. Louisville pro Anthony Slowinski will be representing KY mountain bikers - looking to do the same. It will be an unforgettable race.

There are categories for all ages and ability levels, so if you’re wanting to give cyclo-cross a try, you won’t find a more fun course than at Harbin. Registration info can be found here: http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?EventID=5042

Local sponsors making this happen: United Dairy Farmers, Reece-Campbell Construction, Wyoming Steel, Legacy Stoneworks, Wellington Orthopaedics, and MSA Architects. Also, Jamis Bicycles, Hammer Nutrition, Ritchey Design, Endura, QBP, and www.procyclocross.com.

More info:

http://www.biowheels.org/Home/Article.asp?ArticleID=5891