Viva Cross Vegas 2011

MORE COWBELL!

Cross Vegas un-officially kicked off Interbike 2011 in style with a freshly rain-doused course, fiercely competitive fields in all 3 categories, and huge crowds that came out to cheer/heckle (?) fellow riders on. Wheelers and Dealers kicked off the event, followed by the Elite Women and then the Elite Men.

"Viva Las Vegas!" croons Elvis. "Viva BIKE Vegas," we say.

BicyclingHub.com staff member Jenn Clunie caught the shuttle to the venue just in time to see returning champion Katerina Nash (Team Luna Pro) charge to victory, followed closely by Amy Dombroski (Crankbrothers) and fellow LUNA Chix teammate Georgia Gould.

After Elvis came on stage to sing a lively version of "Viva Las Vegas" to whip the crowds into a fervor, 109 Elite men lined up to start. Bystanders were not prepared by the speeds and gusts of wind generated by cyclists blowing by at 20+ mph in energy-sucking wet grass, off-camber patches and technical tight turns. At the end of 60 minutes, U23 Cyclocross World Champion Lars van der Haar (Rabobank) sprinted to a win with a capital "W," with Christian Heule (Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld.com) taking second and Rob Peeters (Telenet-Fidea) scooping up third.

Returning Cross Vegas champion Katerina Nash (Luna Pro Team) relaxes after a job VERY well done. According to an interview afterwards posted on CrossVegas.com, Nash recounts: “Georgia [Gould] and I were working together keeping the gap,” stated Nash. “Perhaps I was keeping a faster pace than Georgia could maintain today. Georgia and I didn’t talk before the race. We have raced together enough times to know what to expect from each other. We did talk during the race though. We talked about working together to maintain a gap.” Katkja maintained that gap and rode on to victory.

Racers came flying down the hill into this tight corner at full speed. NO BRAKES! was the motto of the evening--at least for the winners :)

Interbike 2008-Kevin Langton's View

September saw Bicyclinghub make it's annual pilgrimage to Interbike 2008 in Vegas. Our owner Doug, now an Interbike vet , took me, the novice, along for my first Interbike experience. As well as checking out new lines we caught up with some of our friends from, to name a few, - Albabici, Giordana, Gore Bikewear , Opsal, Primal Wear, Swobo, Vanderkitten all of whom we don't get to see as often as those who, like us, made the trip from Portland/the NorthWest (Castelli USA, Showers Pass & Sheila Moon who we also stopped in on - it would have been rude not too !)

I've been to other shows in Europe big and small - my first Interbike did not dissappoint and had me running around like the proverbial kid in a candy store that I'm sure all we people who ride bikes become when placed in such an environment. Of course in my mind (and my dreams !) I fitted out my bike with all the very latest in trick gear - not just once I might add - and of course the necessary attire to go with it - for that Pro rider look. Someone said to me at the show - 'it's not about how fast you go - it's about how fast you look'. One of those may require a little less training I think - or training of a different kind at least. Whether you wish to dress fast or slow - there was plenty for everyone on display at Interbike and many of our favorites are included in our store.

From retro wool to the latest technical wear, for raceday, century ride, club ride and the latest in 'lifestyle' wear - clothes you can bike places in and leave on when you get there without getting strange looks. Be it to catch a movie, a beer, hang out with friends - pursuits that I'm sure, along with riding a bike, are popular the world over - not just in Portland. Actually I didn't see any pub theaters in Vegas - there you go - that's what it needs - I knew there was something missing - just couldn't put my finger on it until now !

There was plenty to see at the show - a lot of which I wished I'd had the time to check out more thoroughly. Said Hi to Eddy Merckx and to some of the guys at Rock Racing including, who was kind enough to bring me up to date on how the weather had been in my home town. He was still recovering from a spill taken in the Tour of Britain.

Didn't see Lance but heard the buzz aplenty about his news conference debate with Greg Lemond. He did Cross Vegas also which we didn't get over to see.

Back in PDX now - cross season is upon us. We are also looking forward to the Oregon Handbuilt show this coming weekend ; new premises and more space for the hub ; lots of new inventory for the Fall/Winter season ; and the perfect weather to road test it !