'Cross Focus Wednesday

Today we look ahead at the opening acts in each midwest state's cyclocross calendars to see what's in store for us this new season.

WISCONSIN: Eagle - Sept. 17th - No Good Double Cross. *CANCELLED* BUMMER! Great course on a western town themed horse ranch. Goats, horses, saloon with wooden sidewalks, Hilltop chapel along with a very technical course. Forced to be cancelled due to unknown problems with the property owners.

So, that bumps the start of the WCA Series up to Saturday, October 1st and 'Cross the Domes, held smack dab in the middle of the city of Milwaukee at the botanical domes - Mitchel Park. It was a tough course in 2010 with a LONG sand pit and wicked climb that only the fittest Cat. 2's were able to pedal up. Guaranteed to be a great event.

The next day, Sunday October 2nd is a new venue in Kewaskum, WI at River Hill Park. I can't picture this park in my head, but the villiage of Kewaskum describes it as: "... home to the popular July 4th Fireworks display.  River Hill Park is also ideal for a leisurely walk, family picnic, or fishing. The park contains a large fishing pond and dam where the Milwaukee River flows south through the Village. There is also a large, wooded hillside, picnic tables, access the Eisenbahn State Trail, and two playground areas. Group/family activity facilities include a kitchen, two food stands, a band stand and a large shelter area all with electricity and are vailable for reservation/rental. " and the official course description reads: "This course will consist of a mix of grass, gravel, and off-camber terrain. The course is situated next to the “River” and makes full use of the “Hill” traversing it with many off camber sections, including 1 steep ride/run-up per lap. " As far back as I can remember, there has never been a sanctioned race in Kewaskum, so this should be exciting. You can now find up to date information on this race's Facebook page.

ILLINOIS: The unofficial start to the Illinois cyclocross season is the XXX Relays on Sunday August 28th at Chicago's Jackson Park. Yes, THIS Sunday. Then, the first race of the Chicross series is on Sunday October 2nd at Hopkins Park in Dekalb. COURSE DESCRIPTION:  Mature Trees, open fields, a short hill and a few asphalt sections await you on this fast course.



INDIANA: For the most up to date information on the Indiana CX Cup, LIKE them on their Facebook Page. The opener of the Indiana CX Cup is the Brookside Cup on Saturday, September 24th and the St. Mary's 'Cross at Fort Benjamin Harris State Park on Sunday, September 25th. This all get's a little confusing because their schedule includes races in KY and OH which begin a bit earlier in September.

MICHIGAN: Okay, now it get's confusing! In eastern Michigan (Saginaw area) there is the Tri-City Cyclocross series which begins in Harrison on Sept. 18th and the Tommy Tsunami 'Cross Race. In western Michigan (Grand Rapids), it is the Krisscross Series beginning on Sunday, September 11th at the Plaster Creek Park, Grand Rapids. Finally, up north is the UP Cross series that officially begins on Sunday., September 25, 2011 at the Al Quaal Trails in Ishpeming, MI.  *HOWEVER*, there is a 'cross race in Houghton on September 17th at the Michigan Tech Sherman Field held at night under the lights! That would be a great one to attend. This series also includes two races in Ashland, WI on October 23 and 24 which are the only 'cross races in far northern Wisconsin.






MINNESOTA: The Minnesota Cycling Federation has both a weekly Tuesday night 'cross race in St. Louis Park, and weekend series that begins on Saturday, September 24th with Cyclocross Conspiracy in Corcoran followed on Sunday the 25th with EC3 Rivers 'Cross in Maple Grove.

IOWA:  There are two races in the Iowa Cyclocross series and weekly practices held on Tuesdays in Des Moines. The first race is Cory's Irish 'Cross in Bondurant on September 17th. Course description: Cyclocross pavement, grass, and gravel. One short killer hill. Course starts and stops at Cory's Irish pub. Should be a fast circut.