2009...

Looks to be a huge year for big time cyclocross in the Midwest! Almost 1/4, (11 of 46) of the US UCI cross races are in what I would consider the Midwest, that is a full season of racing for a lot of people. 2 out of 4 USGP weekends are in the Midwest. Major props to Midwest cross racers and promoters! Throw in stellar regional series in Wisconsin, Chicago, Minnesota, Michigan, KC, and the rest of the Midwest and you have some of the best racing in the country. Sure we don't have the numbers of participants at each race as the coasts but our population density isn't the same either. What the Midwest lacks in per race volume we make up in options and local series, all of which seem to be growing by leaps and bounds.

2009 is looking to be the year of the Midwest road trip. How often do you have 5 weekends of UCI races to get your SuperFan mojo going that are all less than 9 hours away. Two of which should have every major player on the US Cross scene duking it out for USGP supremecy. Oh and a Friday NIGHT race added to the Jingle Cross schedule this year! Are you kidding me racing under the lights, can't wait.

KTR Double Cross - Michigan

Planet Bike Cup - Madison, Wisconsin

Jingle Cross Rock - Iowa

I didn't go to Ohio or Kentucky this year, but from what I have heard they are really great races. But if I had to pick only two weekends to attend in the Midwest I would have to pick the Planet Bike Cup in Wisconsin and Jingle Cross Rock in Iowa. Everyone associated with the PB Cup is awesome, and the venue is a blast. The hill at Jingle Cross is epic no matter the weather and what else are you going to do on Thanksgiving weekend - shop?

I need a break, but I am looking forward to next seasons adventure. That's the thing about cross it's an adventure. All the courses and unlocking their secrets and pushing your abilities, the different people you see, crazy guys in speedos, boomboxes crews, and cowbell weilding superfans, the blur of color and cluttered sounds of cheers as you fly by, the smell of fresh mud and wet grass it all blends together to form an energy that you can't find anywhere else but at a cross race.

Start planning your next adventure...