Tracklocross Nationals 2018 - MPLS

Tracklocross Nationals 2018 - MPLS

Tracklocross isn't dumb, you're dumb! - Sean Doe

The last few years a movement has been brewing, spear headed by Resistance Racing in the Bay Area and spanning continents: TRACKLOCROSS!

What is it: Cyclocross racing on fixed gear bikes. 

Why is it: Riding track bikes off-road has always been a good time. Why not race them? 

Is it kind of silly? It is. 

Is it tons of fun? Yep!

And we hope it continues to catch on. 

This Spring Resistance organized an nationwide series (plus Japan) of local Tracklocross races with each city sending its winners to Minneapolis for the final showdown. The rules were simple, all racers must ride a fixed gear bike, in order to qualify for the podium you had to be brakeless. 

Races showed up from all over the country and Japan to race the first ever Tracklocross National Championship which was held as part of the brand's namesake All City Championship weekend. Because of my extensive experience throwing Bandit Cross, they were kind enough to trust me with their baby. Plus MPLS being in the middle of the country made it easy for both East and West Coasters to show up. A list of the cities re[resented off the top of my head: San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento, Richmond, Georgia, Chicago, New York, and Tokyo.

It was a hot sticky Friday in MPLS with the temps hovering around 95 and the humidity at knockout levels (hence the shiny sheen on all the riders). Around 40 riders lined up to take on a gnarly Bandit Cross style course that had sketchy singletrack descents, a leg sapping run up, and three dismounts per lap. 

In the end Chas Christiansen and Chelsea Strate were crowned the first ever National Champions. Congrats to them, and props to all who came out!

Hopefully these photos by Marty Wood will paint the scene for you. 

Registration and hangout area. 

Julie - pro roadie hanging with us for the weekend

Stu Louder pinning on his number. Both Stu and I opted for the Nature Boy as our mounts. 

This T-Dome was too good. 

Kadence of the All-City X Fulton team 

Kell and Chas would battle it out lap after lap, switching leads constantly and putting a solid gap on the rest of the field. 

"K" from Tokyo

JP from Tokyo

Risa who would go on to win the alleycat the next day. Crushing everyone in both the WTF and Open categories.

Our ace Nico. 

The author en route to 4th place. 

 
Chris from Squid Bikes

Mitchell

 

Our homie from Blue Lug!

Stu!

Opie

Sean Doe

Chas - first Men's Tracklocross National Champ

Chelsea 1st Woman Tracklocross National Champ!

See you at Tracklocross Worlds 2019 in Japan!