Varied terrain is state's third such venue

An inquiry about a two-day biking event led city officials and volunteers to — in short order — convert woods and grassland on the southwest side into the area’s first permanent cyclocross racing course.

John Stonebarger, of Goosetown Racing, approached Coralville officials on March 7 seeking options for a temporary location for a cyclocross race in November, said Sherri Proud, director of Coralville Parks and Recreation.

She and her staff identified a patch of unused land acquired more than a decade ago for the Creekside Ball Park.

Stonebarger and his team, city staff and volunteers embraced the idea and got to work, Proud said.

“Everybody has been so excited we’ve been able to do something that will be available for them to ride and train for Jingle Cross,” she said. “Everyone is excited for it to be a permanent park. And that Coralville was able to take an idea, hear what the community wanted and make it a reality in six months. It’s like a small town project.”

Coralville opened Coralville Creekside Cross, 3550 340th St., on Thursday evening.

It’s the first permanent cyclocross course in Johnson County and just the third in the state, said Nick Sobocinski, an avid cyclist and a key volunteer who helped build the course.

"This blows the other two out of the water,” Sobocinski said, adding he hopes all levels of cyclists give it a try.

The other courses are in the Des Moines and Cedar Falls areas, he said.

The 2.6-mile Coralville course is designed for races but will be open for other uses, such as hiking, trail running and cross-country skiing.

The course travels across sloping terraces, a barnyard, woods, switchbacks, sand and an area that could be turned into a wet muddy obstacle.

Challenging, varied terrain and obstacles are a hallmark of cyclocross, which holds a place of distinction in Johnson County, site of the annual Jingle Cross race.