Veldrijden Columbia

Event Wrap-Up Coming Soon!

2011-12-20T13:47:00.000-08:00

Race Fans,

I'll post a race wrap-up soon, but here is a video one of my teammates put together of the Men's Elite Race. Also, photographers Dan Singer (race photos here) and Mike Dawson (race photos here) have shared some of their excellent work with us.

Hope this tides you over till I can do a proper wrap-up.

In a few short hours...

2011-12-17T20:05:00.001-08:00

We'll be racing at Veldrijden Columbia.

If you're checking this before you depart, here are some things to keep in mind:

*We are guests in the park. Please help me keep it awesome (it will go a long way towards using it next year.)

*Race your guts out. I hope you guys come out guns blazing and enjoy the last local CX race of the season.

*Bring some water. Mokka and a grocery are a 5 min walk, but there are limited drinking fountains.
*Please consider supporting our sponsors. Gateway Harley-Davidson, Mesa Cycles, Psimet Custom Wheels, Enzo's Cycling Products, Mokka Kaffeehaus, Big Shark Bike Co., and Thai House restaurant!

*By coming and racing, you are helping area kids through Helmets First!

I look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow! Best of luck!

Frenchy

De Cross Gaat Door!

2011-12-07T20:35:00.000-08:00

The cyclocross goes on!

Hey Race Fans,

The city council unanimously approved the special event permit, so now we just need to get racing!

COURSE PREVIEW

Below is a GoPro video from Jim (Veda Cycling) of the proposed course. I keep saying "proposed course" since we really will have to wait and see what the conditions are like on 12/18. I intend to have a wicked CX course, but not one that tears up the park. Fortunately, we have tons of grassy "hinterland" that we can use should it get sloppy. The video below is the "dry" course.

SPONSORSHIP ANNOUNCEMENTS

Veldrijden Columbia has already received support from several great sponsors. Two that have gotten behind the race are Gateway Harley-Davidson and Mokka Kaffeehaus! We're grateful for their interest and support in this first year event. Please support these great local businesses!!

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

If you or your business want to sponsor the race, we are still accepting sponsors at several levels. Join the cast of great sponsors we're already featuring in the sponsor links to the right on this page. This is a dynamic advertising opportunity reaching area cyclists as well as community volunteers and spectators. Remember, proceeds from the event benefit Helmets First. Drop me a line at mark (dot) w (dot) french (at) gmail (dot) com, or use the contact information from the race flyer to get in touch. We would love to have you on board during this exciting event!

CALL UPS

For those of you wondering, we will be calling up state CX champions (please wear your jersey if you have it!), and Bubba CX Series podium finishers for categories 3 and up. Cat 4's, if you won your state championship (or Bubba series) and you're racing in the 3's, we'll welcome you to the next level with a callup, too. No cat 4 state or Bubba series champ will be called to the front of a cat 4 field. Upgrade!

If you're coming from out of town and you won another CX series (Boss Cross, Chicago Cross Cup, OVCX, etc), let us know at registration and we'll show you some love at the start line.

COLD WEATHER RACING

And finally, in case you missed it, you need to check out Greg Keller's cold weather racing tips. It's written with parents of junior racers in mind, but we can all learn the tricks to stay warm while enjoying the sport! Btw, a hot coffee or espresso sure helps!

De cross gaat door!

After a crazy 48 hours...

2011-11-17T09:14:00.000-08:00

Things are in the works and we'll post the flyer shortly.

Final approval from the city will have to wait until the next city council meeting but we're getting our ducks in a row. And I don't mean quarrel. Those ducks, they must be in rows.

We're trying to love the sisters with a little more time on course (plus, prize purse parity) and give categories nice long races. We don't want anyone to travel (the very short 20 min.) from St. Louis to only race for 20 min. Here's the provisional race schedule:

1000: Men Cat 4, 45 min
1100: Women Cat 4, 30 min
1145: Men Cat 3 + SS, 45 min (2 waves)
1245: Kids Race (modified course, 1 lap, 30 min, send off by age in waves.)
1330: Women Cat 1/2/3, 50 min
1445: Men Cat 1/2/3, 60 min

I plan to post some pics, and maybe some video of possible course features soon. This park presents an embarrassment of riches to the crosser. Plenty of off-camber available, some "single-track", gravel, steep hills, stairs, and sand. Oh, and down the street on Main and across Rte. 3 in the plaza there are great places to grab a pre-race coffee or post-race refreshment and grub. More info to come as we work out details!

By the way, proceeds from the event will be donated to a local cycling related charity: Helmets First. Check them out!

Is it possible?

2011-11-15T15:12:00.000-08:00

I thought of putting on this race when I discovered this park in the spring of 2011. Three weeks out, can it be done? One more race before 2011 is brought to a close? Dwayne G. pushed me over the edge...here we go!