Tequila shortcuts, golden Speedos and more fun than six barrels of PBR

Wed November 14 2007
Posted Nov 14, 2007
8,065

PURE CLASSIC - Nope - this ain't Iowa and Iowa is not mentioned anywhere. It just had to be posted here. front and center! Wicks, Williams win single-speed 'world championships

What happens when you combine a world-championship event, six kegs of PBR, a limitless supply of Oregon microbrews, 110 men and 30 women, a heckling contest, a tequila shortcut and a golden Speedo? You get the Single Speed Cyclocross World Championships (SSCXWC) November 11-12 near Portland, Oregon. What else? This year, Adam Craig (Giant) let the powerful spirit of Portland cyclocross overwhelm him in the finishing straight of the SSCXWC, held at Estacada Timber Park. In possession of an apparently race-winning lead, Craig stopped to take a beer hand-up a couple hundred meters before the finish line - only to see Barry Wicks (Kona) charge by before he could get clipped back in. Wicks pipped Craig at the line to claim the coveted inaugural golden World Champion Speedo. "The 'cross scene in Portland is the best," said Wicks. "I've raced all over the world and nothing compares. I always come back for Portland." Saturday saw what may have been the first time-trial qualifier ever held for a cyclocross race. Ryan Trebon (Kona) posted the fastest time for the men while Wendy Williams (River City Bicycles) won the women's time trial, and though the promise of mud never materialized, the residual tackiness and challenging run-ups made for exciting racing. Perhaps even more exciting were the sideshows, including a best-heckler competition, a single-speed lounge with food and drink, a PBR beer tent, and karaoke. At one point, Carl Decker (Giant) and Craig took to the stage and performed a rendition of Britney Spears's classic "Hit Me Baby One More Time" that will not soon be forgotten. Sunday saw the big race, and while the top three might not be a surprise to some, the antics on the course were truly unprecedented. As usual, time-trial placings determined each racer's position at the start line. But when race promoter Dani Dance said, "Everyone turn your bikes around!" the hierarchy was quickly reversed. Trebon, Wicks, Craig, Decker and many other top qualifiers found themselves forced to make their way through the 100-strong field from the back. more...