Drove up to Heber early yesterday for race #2 in the Utah Cyclocross Series. The forecast had called for overnight snow, but when I woke up yesterday morning the ground was still dry … where’s our snow???

Going over Parley’s Summit, it started snowing fairly hard, and I had high hopes for the rest of the day, but it wasn’t to be … it was snowing for the first race, but not terribly hard, and actually started clearing up later.

The new schedule seems to be working for people; there was only one issue of someone warming up on the course during another race, and that was only because the rider involved was wearing headphones and didn’t hear the announcement that the course was closed.

Terrific battle between Chris Pietrzak and Ali Goulet in the Men’s A race until the last lap, when Chris pulled away. Bryce Young, who dominated the singlespeed race earlier in the day, rode to a strong 7th place (IIRC) finish, still on the same bike.

In the women’s A race, Dayna Deuter pulled away from Kris Walker and Tiffany Pezzulo for a brilliant solo victory, while Jennie “the Firecracker” Wade threw down an explosive sprint to take 4th place against Chantel Thackery.

Field sizes in the first race of the day are still making getting accurate results on the first go around challenging. We need longer and more technical courses, to string the field out a bit more …

After tearing down the course, I headed over to Mama T’s for some homemade chicken soup, yummy pastries and cakes and cornbread, fabulous wine, and good laughs.

Then back through blinding (but not sticking to the road) snow conditions over Parley’s Summit on the way home … I managed to stay awake for a couple of hours after I got home before crashing for 10-hours of blissful sleep, interrupted only by the 5:00 am alarm that I forgot to turn off last night … and awoke this morning to the blanketing of snow that we were supposed to have yesterday.

Winter is coming; we will have more opportunities for races in true CX conditions.

Utah Cyclocross News

Online registration is now open for the Last Call Cross and Utah Cyclocross Season Awards Party and can be found here:

https://www.sportsbaseonline.com/Item.aspx?item_id=2123.

Spread the word and PRE-REGISTER with no additional fee. We need everyone to pre-register so that we can get an accurate count for the caterer. You can register day of, but that will cost you an extra $5, and we won’t guarantee food at the party, and you’ll have to sit at the Kiddie table. PRE-REGISTER!!!

The Last Call Cross, January 5th is on at Wheeler Farm.

• 11 AM: C Flite (C Men, B Women, Juniors)
• 12 PM: B Flite (B Men, A Women, 35+ B)
• 1 PM: A Flite (A Men, 35+ A, Singlespeed)

Please note that there is one less flite, and the start times are different than the Series races. No Series points will be awarded for this race.

$20.00 all adult categories, $5.00 Juniors, $8.00 for 2nd race.

Online registration at www.sportsbaseonline.com will open in the next day or two. The flyer can be found there.

There is no additional fee to register and your race entry includes admission to the 80s Theme Awards Party at 5 PM that same night. We are STRONGLY encouraging everyone to pre-register for the race and/or the party, so we can get an accurate count for the caterer for food at the party.

Day of race registration will cost you an extra $5, and we will NOT guarantee food to those riders at the party. Party-only registration is $10 and will also be online at www.sportsbaseonline.com.

What does your $20 race/party charge get you?

• The usual fun at Wheeler Farm, except on ice!
• Jon’s Pre-Party Instructions and Final Call Up
• Dinner at the Williams Building at Research Park, 295 Chipeta Way at 5 PM
• Live 80s Cover Band and DJ

The Matt Ohran World Famous Raffle to include:

• Cannondale Caad 9 Frame and fork (For riders who did 7 races or more)
• Scott Cross Frame (For riders who did 7 races or more)
• Fuji Cross Frame for anyone who used Sportsbaseonline to register during the season or for the party.
• And much, much more!!!

Must be present to Win.

You will be given a ticket at the door. Anyone who has 7 races or more will be given a separate additional ticket. If you have 7 races or more you can have a representative register you at the door if you cannot make the party. That person will be responsible to collect your prize if you win.

• State Championship Medals will be awarded at the party
• Utah Cyclocross Series Individual Awards and Team Trophy Presentation
• Best 80’s Costume Contest: Best Male, Best Female, Best Junior

To be judged by: Matt, Jon, Steven and Steven. Winners will recieve full Winter Training Gear from Cannondale.

In order to get an accurate count for the party EVERYONE must register at Sportbaseonline by Jan 2nd.

Options are as follows:

• Party only: $10.00
• January 5th race which includes the Party: $20.00
• Additional Guest: $10.00

Anyone who registers day of gets into the party and we will feed you if we do not run out, but you’ll be last in line! PRE-REGISTER!!!

The Reverend Steven P. has got his ugly face on …

… while Steve Wasmund continues to rock the single-speed category. Wonder how he’d do if he manned up and rode gears against Bart without doing the single-speed category first?

You betcha, and if you weren’t there (for the race or the food), then you missed out.

The Heber Fairgrounds course is pan-flat, and yet, still very technical, with hard dirt, soft dirt, mud, horse poop, sand, gravel, lots and lots of bumpy grass, s-turns and more, making this a true cyclocross course, rather than the typical jungle-cross course Utah has become known for.

A terrific showing by Cutthroat Racing, including a number of riders who decided to double-up.

A FINE 2nd-place in the women’s B’s by Heather G., in her first ever CX race … and Steve W. walked away with the single-speed race, before turning in a top-10 finish in the men’s A race (also on his singlespeed, I might add).

CTR jerseys galore! Amy A. (who put in a good race, then displayed amazing grace and poise whilst riding her bike straight into a barrel after crossing the finish line), Jim P., two or three riders whom I have absolutely no idea who they are, Mistress Julie, and of course the aforementioned Heather G. and Steve W; with officiating by the fat (and now extremely sunburnt) guy with expensive bikes that rarely get ridden.

And did the fun and festivities end there? NO! For after the race, organizer Jon Gallagher hosted a clam-bake/backyard barbecue … Steamed clams, clam chowder, fire-grilled shrimp, turkey and Boca burgers, fresh corn-on-the-cob, salads of all sorts, and cold beer, water and soda …

Yummy.

By the way, rumor has it that entry fees are dropping back down this year, to $20.00 (pre-reg)/$25.00 (day-of) from last year’s fees … Even though insurance has gone up yet again, Matt O. feels confident that the increased numbers of riders from last year will continue to turn out (and bring more with them), allowing him to lower entry fees and still cover expenses.

10-race season passes are $180 (buy 9, get one free).

7-race passes are $130 ($10.00 off the regular price).

Series passes should be available through Sportsbaseonline.com