'Ghettocross' series really heats up

Mike Paulus

Ghettocross cyclist Nick Berry. (Photo: Johnson Photography, Elk Mound)
(Photo: Johnson Photography, Elk Mound)

Just a quick post about EC Velo's awesome-looking "Ghettocross Race Series 2012." The series is based on "cyclocross" racing where cyclists complete multiple laps around a short course featuring pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills, and other obstacles. Competitors often must quickly dismount and carry their bike while navigating an obstruction, then remount and sally forth to glory.

Despite the formal attire shown in the image above, I'm promised that Ghettocross is EC Velo's most "loose and purposely fun" event of the year. (These are also the fine people behind Eau Claire's cross-town ValleyCat bike races.)

These images are from the first in the series (held November 3 at Sherman Creek Park). Race two will start at Half Moon Beach (November 10, 2pm), and race three will begin at the Lake Shore Park Pavilion (November 17, 2pm). The difficulty is "moderate." Here's the Facebook page.

Spectators are highly encouraged. They didn't build that raging fire pit for nothing.