Cyclocross bicycle racing returns to Newton for the fourth year on Sunday at Woodland Park for a day of exciting off-road races in a wonderful park setting.
Rob Versteegh and Marc Hollander, 1992 NHS graduates, have been hosting the annual fall bicycle race in Newton since 2001. The pair returns to promote the 2004 Iowa State Cyclocross Championship races with the most popular race course in Iowa.
“We’ve had phone calls and emails from former Newton residents in Minnesota, Kansas and Wisconsin who want to race cyclocross at home this weekend,” said Versteegh.
Cyclocross is a spectator-friendly hybrid style of bicycle racing that is growing in popularity across the United States. The race at Woodland Park utilizes over a mile of tight turns, long and fast straight-aways where speeds reach over 30 miles an hour, and 15" tall barriers requiring the riders to dismount their bicycles and run parts of the course.
“Racers and spectators love Woodland Park because nearly the entire course can be viewed from any one place,” said racer Paul Jensen. “It is a festive atmosphere out there, where people bring noise-makers like cowbells and horns to cheer on the participants.
“We’re creating a ‘haunted forest’ theme for the race this year. The racers will be amused by what we’re setting up for them, the spectators will laugh, and the kids will have a great time,” said Hollander. “We’re encouraging families to come out with kids in costumes to show off, have a few tricks or treats, and even do the kids “Haunted Forest Bike Race”
The race benefits the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Iowa. Hollander was diagnosed with the disease in 1999, requiring emergency surgery to repair damage from the disease. Since, he has used the series to raise funds and awareness.
The cycle club will be honored at the 2004 Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation Annual Gala on Saturday night at the Des Moines Marriott for their work for the foundation and donating over $1000 in the past three years.
There will be three races on the day, including a ‘B’ category race at 11:00, The “Haunted Forest Bike Race” Presented by Jacobson Companies, a national third-party supply chain management company and long-time partner with Maytag Companies, at noon, and the ‘A’ category race at 12:30pm, with an ‘Halloween Costume Derby’ for everyone afterwards.
The Newton race is one of seven stops on the 2004 Iowa Cyclocross Series with other races in Des Moines and the Quad Cities. There will be over $700 in cash and prizes for the top finishers. Newton will be the site of the series finale on Sunday, December 5 at Woodland Park.