CXMAS 2008!

BETTER GET READY!
Updated 12/4/08


Bookmark this post as details will be added as the date gets closer.
For now:

When:

• Sunday December 21, 2008. Starts at 12 noon. Pre-race meeting at 11:55am. We will be set-up by 11:30 to take racers names and give out numbers.

What:

• A non-race of 32 miles along gravel, pavement, and other surfaces with no real singletrack. Be ready to climb, run, hop barriers and numerous other things while on your bike and while carrying your bike. Bring your cyclocross, mountain, or maybe even big tire equipped road bikes. (see course description below).

Cost:

• Free

Where:

• Start/Finish at Klondike Park in St. Charles County off of HWY 94 where refreshments around the fire will also follow. Park next to the Shower House or the lot nearby next to the playground. Start will be near there. FYI, water is off and the Shower House is closed at Klondike this time of year.

Course:

• Starts in Klondike Park. It will loop around part of the park and then exit the park down to the Katy Trail. Route heads east on the Katy until Terry Rd. Left onto Terry. Continue up Terry until it ends at Duke road. Turn right onto Duke. Continue on Duke until Matson hill gravel road. Right on Matson down the hill until the Katy trail. Turn left heading east on the Katy Trail. Continue on the Katy until the Hamburg Trail. Turn left onto the Hamburg. Veer right on the Hamburg under Hwy 94. Climb the Hamburg until the drop down into Lost Valley. Turn left down the gravel road into Lost Valley. Head straight up the next gravel hill continuing to follow signs along old road and other detours in Lost Valley. Exit Lost Valley at main parking lot. Cross Hwy 94 to access Hamburg trail again. Head south on the Hamburg to the Katy Trail, making a right on the Katy heading west back to Klondike. At the Klondike Boat ramp turn right onto the gravel path that heads to the front entrance of Klondike Park. Follow course signs back to the finish line near the start area.
• Along the route will be sections of barriers and other obstacles to keep things interesting. Be alert. There will also be course marshals at some of these locations who will have zip ties to hand out to verify you've made it to that point of the route.
• The course will be marked with tape and arrows detailing the route. Maps may be posted here as the date draws near.

Additional info:

• With no true singletrack in the course this non race will happen whether it rains, snows, or is sunny and bright and whether its ridiculously cold or unseasonably warm.
• You must be entirely self-supported for this non race. We will not be providing any assistance along the route, nor will we be sweeping the route to check for lagging riders. Please understand what this means.
• The route is open to other users such as walkers and other cyclists. About 30% of the course is on roads (gravel and paved) open to vehicle traffic. Ride responsibly and follow all traffic laws.
• Expected finishing times are from a little under 2 hours to maybe three hours. Average time around 2:15.
• Decoration of person and/or bike in an appropriate seasonal or event theme will be rewarded.
  

A note on bike choice:

• A cyclocross bike is probably the best bike choice. I've ridden all parts of the course (that are meant to be ridden) on my cross bike with 35c tires. Larger tires will offer more control in some sections, but could slow you down on the fast sections of the course. Much skinnier tires could require you to run sections and/or risk flatting.
• This is just a recommendation on bike. Ride what you got. Cyclocross, mountain bike, your dad's hybrid, or whatever you think will work. Just come out and have fun.
  

Sponsors:

Thanks to our sponsors for providing prizes, schwag, and promotional help.









-Gino