This one's going to be special, the first of the winter Bandit Cross races and the first to move away from the modern cyclocross format and back to the old school out and back adventure style. I've been talking with various riding buddies about throwing a race on this, one of my favorite rides in the city, for at least the last year.
Typically you need to wait until late summer for both sides of the river to be good and rideable due to spring floods, but plans for a fall race were scuttled with the fall floods we experienced this year.
Well now that sand is frozen (or should be) and thus should be passable with skinny tires. I say should be because really I have no idea, I haven't ridden it yet since the temps dropped though I do hope to get out there and do some recon this weekend and will let you know. It may end up being a course you need mtn tires for, it could be Pug conditions, who the hell knows? But that's part of the adventure.
I am also hoping to do a full Pug version later this winter.
We will meetup at 2pm at the Light Rail station on Hiawatha and 38th. We will then take the light rail (bring fare) out to the American Boulevard station in Bloomington and will start the race on the Low Road. We will race to the Cedar Ave Bridge, cross the bridge on the ped bridge under the highway, take a left onto the trail on the opposite side of the river and end the race at Lucky's pub in Mendota Heights. The winner is the first one to touch the wall of the bar.
Bring lights, tools, food, water and warm clothes. You are responsible for yourself and should be prepared to handle any situations that may arise. You will definitely be riding back to the city in the dark and will possibly be on trail after the sun has set.
The race is free.
It's gonna be sick.
Please spread the word.
I also deleted the Bandit Cross Facebook page and will now just be posting race updates on the Bike Jerks Page.
