'Go Home Yanqui Promotions' and The Bike Hutt, present the Independence Day Cyclocross Classic* in California Park, Upper Hutt.

4th July, 9am Registration. A miniature entry fee of $5.

Two categories: Fast (45mins + 1 lap) and Slow (30mins + 1 lap).

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From Mike at the Bike Hutt: I’ve decided to have in store specials over the weekend for all of the Vorberinos out there. 25% off all bikes in stock and 30% off everything else. This will not be advertised anywhere else. I should tell you that VORB got the ball rolling for me and my family to emigrate from the US. I found my first job in NZ on the site which was at the time a requirement for permanent residency. I am a sentimental guy for sure.

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If you have never done or even seen a cyclocross race, you can expect fast paced riding around a short course, with regular dismounts to run up banks and leap small obstacles. The courses are more open and much shorter than regular mtb courses, making cyclocross a great spectator sport too, so bring the family to cheer everyone along!

Traditional cyclocross bikes are like road bikes with grippy tires and cantilever brakes. While there will be a few on the course, most people will be on mtbs. If you are riding an mtb, you may wish to run lighter narrower tires if you have them, and firm up or lock out your shocks. If you have shoes that take studs, consider popping some in for the run ups - they could be slippery! And get some practice for dismounting at a pace and leaping back on! Get this right and you gain good ground, get this wrong and the family jewels get the good news.

For research, try search cyclocross on youtube. The Europeans are the big dogs at this game, but the Americans are starting to impress too. All eyes on Yankee Mike!

If you have any questions please contact Mike at mike@thebikehutt.co.nz / http://www.thebikehutt.co.nz or cruise to his fabulous new shop at 808 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt - opposite the H2O Extreme pool.

See you there!

*destined to be a classic

Bushlove Media Services Inc

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More information from Mike:
Food on site by La Siesta Mexican Cafe. They’ll be serving up breakfast style burritos as well as nachos.

Coffee by Espresso Rescue.

Masi CX and Surly Cross Checks on display.

I’ll also bring some cheap (!) Conti cross tyres for those who want to score a twenty dollar Conti.

Prizes provided by Geax/Vittoria, Enervit, Louis Garneau, Sock Guy, Maxxis and BBB.

I’ve decided to have in store specials over the weekend for all of the Vorberinos out there. 25% off all bikes in stock and 30% off everything else. This will not be advertised anywhere else. I should tell you that VORB got the ball rolling for me and my family to emigrate from the US. I found my first job in NZ on the site which was at the time a requirement for permanent residency. I am a sentimental guy for sure.

There will be GOOOOOD beer, cheese and baguettes in true euro trash style at the shop on Saturday after the race. More rain in the forecast, so folks might want to head over and eat, drink and be merry.

The course will be primo! Nice and wet of course. I’d say it’s two thirds grass and one third gravel. If it rains on the day, the carnage will provide great thrills.

Hmmmmmmmm.

I wants a cross bike now!

So.... California Park. What's it like?? Steep? Muddy? (I guess mud is a prereq for cx...)

Fairly flat I think

http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=California+Park,+upper+hutt&sll=-40.84706,172.617188&sspn=46.399718,79.101562&ie=UTF8&ll=-41.104385,175.090013&spn=0.004931,0.019312&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=-41.106463,175.088523&panoid=LoM3QlohO0wEKVFvKwisRQ&cbp=11,352.89,,0,-17.5

Well I'm definitely coming out to watch!

ryda wrote:Fairly flat I think

http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=California+Park,+upper+hutt&sll=-40.84706,172.617188&sspn=46.399718,79.101562&ie=UTF8&ll=-41.104385,175.090013&spn=0.004931,0.019312&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=-41.106463,175.088523&panoid=LoM3QlohO0wEKVFvKwisRQ&cbp=11,352.89,,0,-17.5

Thanks

sweet_P wrote:

ryda wrote:Fairly flat I think

http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=California+Park,+upper+hutt&sll=-40.84706,172.617188&sspn=46.399718,79.101562&ie=UTF8&ll=-41.104385,175.090013&spn=0.004931,0.019312&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=-41.106463,175.088523&panoid=LoM3QlohO0wEKVFvKwisRQ&cbp=11,352.89,,0,-17.5

Thanks

Stopbanks are steep tho

SlackBoy wrote:

sweet_P wrote:

ryda wrote:Fairly flat I think

http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=California+Park,+upper+hutt&sll=-40.84706,172.617188&sspn=46.399718,79.101562&ie=UTF8&ll=-41.104385,175.090013&spn=0.004931,0.019312&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=-41.106463,175.088523&panoid=LoM3QlohO0wEKVFvKwisRQ&cbp=11,352.89,,0,-17.5

Thanks

Stopbanks are steep tho

didnt think there is a anystop banks in that park, as the stop banks run along the grass area parralell (sp) to the river

michael wrote:Well I'm definitely coming out to watch!

I couldn't think of a better place to freak out one's parents by coming out after all those years...

ryda wrote:

SlackBoy wrote:

sweet_P wrote:

ryda wrote:Fairly flat I think

http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=California+Park,+upper+hutt&sll=-40.84706,172.617188&sspn=46.399718,79.101562&ie=UTF8&ll=-41.104385,175.090013&spn=0.004931,0.019312&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=-41.106463,175.088523&panoid=LoM3QlohO0wEKVFvKwisRQ&cbp=11,352.89,,0,-17.5

Thanks

Stopbanks are steep tho

didnt think there is a anystop banks in that park, as the stop banks run along the grass area parralell (sp) to the river

Sorry I hadn't looked close enuff. But if you really want to know, there is a steep grass bank in that park, there is also a steep wee gravel climb and another gravel track off the wee knoll.

I promise there will be pain.
The Wellington Fault runs right through the park, so there is a short steep one that you will be forced to run up.
Multiple times.
And barriers that will prevent the bunny hoppers from showcasing their skills.
Mud will be decided by Mother Nature. I'm working on sand.
So, in a nut shell you'll have lots o' grass, some gravel, three steep ups per lap, one steep off camber down, lots of chicanes, and the requisite number of the aforementioned barriers to keep your rhythm broken up.
Fun for all.
And for those of you who want a cx bike---we've got two Masi Speciale CX's in stock (a 53 and a 58).
If you're real tall, I might even loan you my sweet custom 59cm Coconino SS CX. Check out Steve's work: www.coconinocycles.com
See you there.

keen to go check it out ... will give participation a skip, this time ...

Mmmmm. Tempting, unless Mt Ruapehu has good weather, and the odds on that are never flash.

I might have to swap the tires on my new commuting CX bike back to something more knobbly.