17 September 2014

My Photography

I love photography

When I was a rock climber it took me years before I would title myself as such to others. Even long after I had climbed El Capitan and some other very difficult climbs; I found it hard to proclaim "I am a rock climber." But I have noticed lately that I have no problem telling people "I am a photographer." I think it may be because being a photographer is not bragging or over-stating accomplishments. Being a photographer is a way of looking at the world.

I have looked at the world with an artist's eye for as long as I can remember.

To see the world in frame, sensitive to light and composition seems to be the way my brain organizes stimuli. It's not just that I want to hold time as I experienced it, I need to see beauty. I am so sensitive to ugliness that I intentionally tunnel my vision when I am in particularly ugly places, like freeway interchanges. It is true. The only real pain I experience when riding a bike is when I have to pedal through ugliness.

I started taking pictures at a young age, filling photo albums and boxes, always happy if I had a camera in hand, just in case something caught me eye. My shots are not about look at me, but more about me looking at. Did you know I do not have any of my own photography in print around my house (in a house very full of artwork)? Most of my photography resides in a great big file cabinet inside my head. I can remember almost every photo I have taken, the place and year.

After friends (thanks Anthony!) asked if I collect my photos into albums for viewing, I decided to scratch off an item that has been on my to-do list for, oh, about three years - create a photography website. So I am doing it, as in, in the process of doing it. I figure if I spend six hours a week, I may have it complete in a year and a half. That's a lot of photos.

Ironically, just as I began this big project, I fearfully dragged myself into the ophthalmologist's office for an eye exam. I had been experiencing blurred vision in my right eye. Sure enough I have some vision loss in both, but more so in the right eye, which needs further testing by a specialist. Bummer. Strange, and sad, to be an individual so sensitive to beauty and be experiencing difficulty seeing beauty.

I look through my camera with my right eye. Photography treats me to capturing the world as I see it. In a way, it records my uniqueness. I now have new solid motivation to share my photography and get this website organized. Perhaps others will enjoy the beauty as I have.

The inside scoop on my photography

Sharing tips on how and what I am using these days for my travel and sports photography.

Hardware:

I am a mac user, but rely heavily on external hard drives for photo storage. I use a specific one for travel, not wanting to risk loosing or damaging the other portable hard drives. I also use cloud storage, but photos can overwhelm that type of storage very quickly. A photo card reader rapidly uploads pictures directly onto the external hard drive from my photo card.

Software:

I like Lightroom for photo editing and file management. It allows me to advance through and edit photos very quickly. There is so much to this software that I could take a year learning all its possibilities (but then that is what tutorials or Youtube are for). With some simple keystrokes I can select and edit. Lightroom also offers good file labeling, with very fast uploads of fully edited versions back to my hard drive or directly into Zenfolio.

Zenfolio displays my photographs in a style that appeals to me, it is not only the look, but the layout and file management behind the scenes that I like so much. Uploads are very rapid, instructions helpful. I tried to use smugmug but I could not achieve the layers of slideshows, group, galleries, and unique pages that Zenfolio offers, plus I didn't want to look like everyone else. On Zenfolio the set up was quick, with many more features yet to be discovered.

I don't do Instagram, I sometimes do Twitter. One can only spend so much time on social media, and with pressure to have hundreds/thousands of followers on all sites, it is just too much for me personally. I'd rather be out living it. I remain a blogger. 

Photo Equipment:

I use Sony and Pentax products (although I am a believer in Canon as well). The end product is not all about the size of the camera, it is about buying the right camera for your purpose. My purpose is travel and action sport. I need portability, zoomability, ease of use, beauty in results, moderate cost. My Sony and Pentax cameras offer high resolution and beautiful images.

My choice of small camera for travel and cycling jersey pocket: Sony Cyber-shot Digital Camera (there are various models in the series depending on your price point and desired features.) or Sony Nex series of product.  My camera has a good zoom and wi-fi connectivity. Don't dismiss these small cameras, they take fabulous travel pictures and are so convenient to carry, you wont go without, fearing the excess weight. Interchangeable Lens Cameras (ILC) are also an excellent option for achieving crystal clear images in a small package.

My choice of large DSLR camera for races and travel: Pentax K5. I have been a Pentax user for years because I love the soft pretty quality for travel and landscape. If you want good quality, less cost and a larger selection of lenses, I might go for a Canon camera set-up. My friends who use Canons achieve great results. Nikons - you better be pro to get beauty. I use a variety of lenses and filters on my Pentax for travel and sport, the lenses are: Pentax SMC-DA 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM LENS, Pentax 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 DA ED AL (IF) ZM LN, Pentax SMCP-FA 43MM F/1.9 LIMITED SERIES AUTO (my favorite), Pentax Wide Angle 35mm f/2.0 SMCP-FA AL Autofocus Lens. I steer away from finish line photos, I would need this and $3400.

iphone: hey you can't deny the ease of an iphone for in the moment shots. But the way I snap photos, it barks at me far too often for "not enough storage". Still my brother only travels with his T-mobile camera phone, and sends home amazing photos from afar. For me, the iphone remains the easiest way to get photos up on Twitter fast, resulting in fun behind the scenes photos at races or photos from the road.

I prefer the PNY Technologies 32GB Elite Performance SDHC Class 10 Memory Card. Always format a memory card on your camera, and always have two or more camera batteries (charged!).

Pedal Dancer Photography

This is my new photography website - in the works - pedaldancerphotography.com

I don't have a lot of photos added yet, but you can see some of the initial images in my Best Of gallery here http://www.pedaldancerphotography.com/homepagegallery.


Here is a recent photo where I utilized all of the above hardware, software and equipment together with my Pentax K5. Capturing the call up at a pro bike race with my Pentax and Lightroom:

please click on any image to enlarge



When I want to capture totally natural color, zoom in action in sports and get the photos out fast, I want a fast zoom lens with little (to no) editing necessary after snapping the shot. This photo was taken from a distance with my Pentax K5 and the SMC-DA 50-135mm f/2.8 lens.



When I use the fixed 43mm lens I never have to do any cropping or adjusting. This lens takes fast up-close photos. It captures the feeling of how a fan watches a race. I like the Pentax SMCP-FA 43MM F/1.9 LIMITED SERIES AUTO lens for stage starts, sign-ins and cyclocross races.



When I am traveling as a tourist and want freedom to compose the frame how I best see it, I use my standard lens with flexibility - Pentax 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 DA ED AL (IF) ZM LN.




Here is a shot with the small Sony point and shoot. See how it compares to the larger Pentax K5 photo above. There is no reason not to bring a good (but small) camera with you on your next bike ride.

Cycling in France, and stopping to capture the scenery I rode through with my Sony camera. I can stand on the road and see what I am capturing with an adjustable zoom far better than a camera phone for exactness.

Would you believe this amount of detail was captured using the Sony Cyber-Shot point in shoot. There is no real need to carry a big camera bag around Florence, Italy.



iphone cameras can create interesting effects and still provide good memories of your travels.

Manhattan by night in a boat with a camera phone. The memories are just as bright, even without high resolution.

11 September 2014

Big Weekend of Cyclo-cross Racing in Boulder

Back to back UCI CX races

The only two UCI level races in Colorado will both take place this weekend in Boulder County. You will be able to watch the top level American cyclocross racers (and maybe a few of the Europeans still hanging around after yesterday's Cross Vegas in Las Vegas) at two different venues.

All the talk last night about Boulder, Colorado during the Cross Vegas race coverage was a bit embarrassing (and inclusive), especially since Cross Vegas is the biggest national cyclocross race in America and plenty of communities beyond Boulder have active cyclo-cross race schedules with very talented racers. When we consider growth of cyclocross (and in particular junior racers), it is far healthier to focus broadly and not limit a racer's potential in the sport to a zip code.

My point made, Boulder has two great days of racing planned this coming weekend. I live close by, in Denver, and plan to attend with camera in hand. Sunday I will be on site for over 10-hours. The prospect of sorting through thousands of photos after two days of shooting cyclocross overwhelms me, so if you see me chatting often with friends during the day and not taking your photo, I hope you will understand it is my way of lessening my later editing load.

Still, I am so looking forward to watching some great cyclocross racing this weekend!

Two big days / Two big events:

US Open of Cyclocross UCI 2
Boulder Cup UCI 1

This race is not just for the pros. You will also be able to race in the usual categories for men, women, and juniors. And then there is spectating...

© Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®


How to race and/or watch the race:

First, you will want to make sure you show up at the correct venue:

Saturday 9/13 - Boulder Reservoir - US Open of Cyclocross 7:30am - 5:25pm racing
Sunday 9/14 - Valmont Bike Park - Boulder Cup 8:00am - 5:15pm racing

Flyer - US Open of Cyclocross; Technical Guide
Flyer - Boulder Cup

Registration - US Open of Cyclocross Without Limits Production
Registration - Boulder Cup DBC Events

Course Map - US Open of Cyclocross
Course Map - Boulder Cup

Public Parking at Boulder Reservoir: dirt lot south of entrance gate
Public Parking at Valmont Park: north of the bike park, turn up Airport Rd and follow signs

*Category times are DIFFERENT each day, check the flyers closely for category start times.

Saturday at the Boulder Res - US Open CX course map 2014 (link)
Sunday at Valmont Park - Boulder Cup course map 2014 (link)

General Schedule of the day:
7:30/8:00am-noon - Mens and womens categories
noon to 3:00pm - Junior men, Men 35+1,2,3, Singlespeed, Junior women
Sat 3:20pm - Elite Women Start US Open CX; Sun 3:20pm - Elite Women Start Boulder Cup
Sat 4:25pm - Elite Men Start US Open CX; Sun 4:15pm - Elite Men Start Boulder Cup

Where to see the race? Best race viewing is typically at the run-ups, barriers, sand-pit, off-camber grass, beer garden and tricky corners.

* No pets, No glass bottles at either location. Beer Gardens at both locations: Cycleworx sponsorship at Boulder Res and Boulder Beer sponsorship at Valmont Park. USAC rules and license apply, Day-of race registration available. Thank you sponsors for US Open CX, thank you sponsors for Boulder Cup.

At the Boulder Cup in 2013
Race Results: BRAC results
Race reports, bios, and interviews: Pro Velo Passion
Cyclocross News: VeloNews
How the Race was Won - Cyclocosm
Next Race: 2014-15 Colorado Cyclo-cross Race Calendar by Pedal Dancer 

PHOTOS FROM THE RACES

Update 09/15/14: Here are my (big!) photo albums from the cyclocross races:
US Open of Cyclocross: http://www.pedaldancerphotography.com/usopencx
Boulder Cup: http://www.pedaldancerphotography.com/bouldercup2014

Meredith Won!
Read the great news about Meredith Miller's big win at Cross Vegas 2014: Meredith Miller notches CrossVegas win By Matthew Beaudin Published Sep. 11, 2014

You can watch Meredith race both races in Boulder this weekend, or if you are really lucky you can race against her.

03 September 2014

I am a published photographer

5280 [The Denver Magazine] September issue

On page 55, deep in the recesses of the September issue of 5280 magazine, a magazine that celebrates the Colorado lifestyle, you will find my tiny photo of cyclocross racing.

My photo in 5280 Magazine in all its large glory.

They say photography is not about the camera. Although I believe the camera set-up and chosen lens make a big difference in delivering what the photographer is trying to convey.

They say photography is about the photographer. I agree that you can ask twenty photographers to go shoot a sporting event and all will come back with wildly differing results.



I say photography has to do with the camera, the photographer, but mostly the subject matter. Good photography also has a lot to do with being hyper alert to your environment in capturing the moment and telling a story that draws the viewer into the frame to study the detail, encouraging the eye to wander.

My great joy at having my photo included in this month's edition of 5280 magazine, within the article titled Playing Dirty, by Jayme Moye about the sport of cyclocross, would not have been possible if the brave strong women cyclocross racers in the photo did not race Cyclocross National Championships in Boulder, Colorado, last January.

In giving credit where credit is due, featured in this photo are star subjects:  Emily Phillips (MA), Jessica Bernstein (CO), Cristienne Beam (CO), Alyssa Severn (MO), Kelly Chang (CA).

Thank you - you are featured in 5280 this month!

.

02 September 2014

Travel Quotes

I love traveling.

Mostly because it breaks up routine and sets me off keel enough that I feel challenged. The unknown unnerves me; something will always go wrong, and yet something unexpected always goes more than right.

My brother recently canceled a major 3-week trip to eastern Europe because of puppy issues. A new puppy is reason enough. They will be taking a road trip to Bend, Oregon with the dogs instead of visiting the major tourist cities in eastern Europe. I told him, "You are going to have to get some cultural, architectural, historical podcasts to listen to on your road trip. How are you going to make up for all that knowledge you would have learned (and forgotten in short order) while instead traveling with a car full of dogs?"

Cancelling that vacation trip was painful for my brother - he spent SO many hours planning it. Truth is, he planned it twice, cancelled it twice. Ouch. Puppies. For travelers, planning is indeed half the fun, but getting out there and spontaneously changing all those plans is even more fun.

A number of friends recently encouraged me to head to Canada to photograph some bike races up yonder. I still think of myself as a writer, so I replied, "But what would I write about, "Gee this is beautiful"? I have never been to those cities for a bike race before." I am not sure why I believe I need expertise to go someplace. Travel is about discovery, after all.

So instead I am home, in Denver, trying to figure out where to plant my massive collection of photographs online. It has been on my to do list for about two and a half years. In so building a new photo site, I began browsing over travel quotes and found some doosies. Quotes are cool, here are a few:

“Too often. . .I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen.” – Louis L’Amour.

“When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.” – Susan Heller.

“Traveling tends to magnify all human emotions.” — Peter Hoeg

“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” – Scott Cameron

“Our happiest moments as tourists always seem to come when we stumble upon one thing while in pursuit of something else.” — Lawrence Block

“Every exit is an entry somewhere else.” – Tom Stoppard

“If God had really intended men to fly, he’d make it easier to get to the airport”. – George Winters




I am very sorry Jens Voigt about your travails yesterday in having to pay to fly your bike on an airplane. Welcome to retirement, welcome to the real world of the traveling cyclist! Traveling with a bike is a nightmare, no getting around it -- unless you are Jens Voigt. So next time Jens, I suggest you find a Trek bike store in the town you are visiting, make their day by stopping by, and make your day by borrowing one of their bikes! It is much cheaper and they will probably sell a few bikes.  twitter.com/thejensie

01 September 2014

2014-15 Colorado Cyclocross Race Calendar and Professional CX Calendar

2014-15 is going to be a big season for Cyclo-cross in the USA

Update: 2015-16 Colorado Cyclocross Race Calendar and Professional CX Calendar

This year the cyclo-cross season in Colorado begins in September and continues through early December, 2014, with National Championships in Austin, Texas January 7-11th and World Championships in Tabor, Czech Republic from January 31 - February 1, 2015.

The sport of cyclo-cross continues to grow, continues to refine rules and continues to deliver excellent racing opportunities to cyclists across the United States. Cyclo-cross is big in Colorado. Maybe because it gives us something to do during the cold winter months, but more likely because it is a wonderful community event where bike racers of all ages and genders come together on weekends and race bikes up, over and down dirt, mud and snow.

Viewing or racing a cyclo-cross race can be great fun. The unpredictable weather and changing race locations mixes things up every week, rarely making the race the same. I admire anyone who shows up to race in twenty-five degree snowy weather. Plus I rarely hear racers screaming and yelling at each other (as I do at criterium or road races), instead I hear fun banter and lots of encouragement.

Good luck to every racer this year. Thank you to all the family members who come support the racers. Thanks especially to each and every race organizer and race sponsor who offer the racers a place to play hard and compete.

For the past three years, I have had a great time photographing many of the CX races in Colorado. I look forward to the season ahead. Photos below © by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®





2014-15 Colorado Cyclocross Race Calendar and Professional CX Calendar Lists

Colorado Cyclo-cross 2014 CLINICS

08/29-31/14, weekend - Jeremy Powers & FasCat pre-season Cyclocross Camp, Boulder info
08/16/14, Saturday - Inspired Cyclocross 101 Clinic Flyer
09/03/14, Wednesday evening - Inspired Cyclocross Workshop Flyer
09/06/14, Saturday - Inspired Cyclocross 101 Clinic Flyer
09/10/14, Wednesday evening - Inspired Cyclocross Workshop Flyer
09/17/14, Wednesday evening - Inspired Cyclocross Workshop Flyer
09/24/14, Wednesday evening - Inspired Cyclocross Workshop Flyer 
09/27/14, Saturday - BRAC Junior Cyclocross Camp
09/28/14, Saturday - BRAC Junior Cyclocross Camp
10/04/14, Saturday - Inspired Cyclocross 101 ClinicFlyer

Weekday Race SERIES

09/03/14 - 10/08/14, every Wednesday evening - Back to Basics Cyclocross Series, Golden Flyer
*Race cancelled 10/01/14 due to weather.

COLORADO CX CALENDAR

Colorado Cyclo-cross 2014 RACES

09/07/14, Sunday - Kick It CX Festival and TT, Castle Rock Race Flyer
09/13/14, Saturday - US Open of Cyclocross, Boulder Reservoir, GOLD Race Flyer
09/14/14, Sunday - Boulder Cup, Valmont Park, Boulder Race Flyer
09/20/14, Saturday - Cyclo X Xylinx, Longmont Race Flyer
09/20/14, Saturday - MAD Powder Cross, Powderhorn, CO Website
09/21/14. Sunday - no race 
09/27/14, Saturday - Green Mountain Sports CX, Littleton Race Flyer
09/28/14, Sunday - Cyclo-X - Flatirons, Broomfield GOLD Race Flyer
10/04/14, Saturday - Frisco Cross, Frisco Summit County cancelled
10/04/14, Saturday - Amy D. Memorial Cross, Golden Race Website
10/05/14, Sunday - Primalpalooza, Arvada/Golden Race Flyer
10/10-12/14, Fri-Sun - Cross of the North, Loveland Race Flyer GOLD (3-days!)
10/18/14, Saturday - Cowboy Cross, Denver Race Flyer NEW!
10/19/14, Sunday - Cyclo X - Valmont, Boulder Race Flyer
10/25/14, Saturday - Cyclo-X - Interlocken, Broomfield Race Flyer
10/25/14, Saturday - MAD Creepy Cross, Grand Junction, CO Website
10/26/14, Sunday - Blue Sky Cup, Longmont GOLD Race Flyer
11/01/14, Saturday - The Barry Wicks Classic, 38th & Irvine St., 6:15pm FREE
11/01/14, Saturday - Schoolyard Cross, Longmont Race Flyer
11/02/14, Sunday - Feedback Cup, Golden Race Flyer
11/08/14, Saturday - Cyclo-X - Sienna Lake, Broomfield Race Flyer
11/09/14, Sunday - no race
11/15/14, Saturday - Cyclo X - Boulder Res, Boulder Race Flyer
11/15/14, Saturday - MAD Salt Wash Cross, Fruita, CO Website
11/16/14, Sunday - MileHigh Urban CX Chaos, Denver Race Flyer
11/22/14, Saturday - Cyclo-X - Louisville Rec GOLD Race Flyer
11/22/14, Saturday - MAD Orchard Cross, Palisade, CO Website
11/23/14, Sunday - no race
11/29/14, Saturday - Turkey Cross Race Flyer
11/30/14, Sunday - no race
12/06/14, Saturday - MAD River Edge Cross, Grand Junction, CO Website
12/06/14, Saturday - Rocky Mountain Cross Championships GOLD Race Flyer
12/13/14, Saturday - Colorado Cyclocross Championships GOLD Race Flyer
12/14/14, Sunday - Colorado Cyclocross Championships GOLD Race Flyer
12/20/14, Saturday - MAD Merry Crossman, Grand Junction, CO Website

*More race flyers will be added as made available.

Full race calendar at the BRAC website for Colorado, or cyclo-cross race calendar at USA Cycling.

Cyclocross Race Results

BRAC Colorado Cyclocross race results 2014
USA Cycling Race Results and Rankings

ANNUAL RACES - the ones we all talk about

Cross Vegas - "Biggest cyclocross race in America"
September 10, 2014, Las Vegas, NV: www.crossvegas.com
Watch the webcast online Live: Behindthebarriers.tv


USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships 2015
Austin, Texas
January 7-11, 2015 2015 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships; Facebook and Twitter.
Asheville, N.C. will host the 2016 Cyclo-cross National Championships.

PRO CX

2014/15 USA Cycling Professional Cyclo-cross Calendar (18 states will host races in 2014)

Sept. 6 Nittany Lion Cross Breiningsville, PA, UCI 2
Sept 10 Clif® Bar Cross Vegas Las Vegas, NV, UCI 1
Sept. 13 US OPEN of Cyclocross Boulder, CO, UCI 2
Sept. 14 Boulder Cup Boulder, CO, UCI 1
Sept. 20 Trek CXC Cup Waterloo, WI, UCI 1
Sept. 20 Charm City Cross Baltimore, MD, UCI 2
Sept. 21 Trek CXC Cup Waterloo, WI, UCI 2
Sept. 21 Charm City Cross Baltimore, MD, UCI 2
Sept. 27 Rapha Super Cross Gloucester Gloucester, MA, UCI 2
Sept. 28 Rapha Super Cross Gloucester Gloucester, MA, UCI 2
Oct. 4 Providence Cyclo-cross Festival Providence, RI, UCI 1
Oct. 5 Providence Cyclo-cross Festival Providence, RI, UCI 2
Oct. 11 Ellison Park Cyclo-cross Festival Rochester, NY, UCI 1
Oct. 12 Ellison Park Cyclo-cross Festival Rochester, NY, UCI 2
Oct. 18 HPCX Jamesburg, NJ, UCI 2
Oct. 19 HPCX Jamesburg, NJ, UCI 2
Oct. 25 Gateway Cross Cup St. Louis, MO, UCI 2
Oct. 26 Gateway Cross Cup St. Louis, MO, UCI 2
Oct. 31 Cincy3 @ Harbin Park Fairfield, OH, UCI 2
Nov. 1 Cincy3 @ Kings CX After Dark Mason, OH, UCI 1
Nov. 1 Cycle-Smart International Northampton, MA, UCI 2
Nov. 2 Cincy3 @ Devou Park Covington, KY, UCI 2 (Elite Men Only)
Nov. 2 Pan Am Continental Cyclo-cross Championships Covington, KY CC
Nov. 2 Cycle-Smart International Northampton, MA, UCI 2
Nov. 8 Derby City Cup Louisville, KY, UCI 1
Nov. 9 Derby City Cup Louisville, KY, UCI 2
Nov. 14 The 3 Day Carousel Volkswagen Jingle Cross Iowa City, IA, UCI 2
Nov. 15 The 3 Day Carousel Volkswagen Jingle Cross Iowa City, IA, UCI 1
Nov. 16 The 3 Day Carousel Volkswagen Jingle Cross Iowa City, IA, UCI 2
Nov. 22 Supercross Cup Stony Point, NY, UCI 2
Nov. 23 Supercross Cup Stony Point, NY, UCI 2
Nov. 29 Baystate Cyclocross Sterling, MA, UCI 2
Nov. 29 CXLA Weekend – Day One Los Angeles, CA, UCI 2
Nov. 30 Baystate Cyclocross Sterling, MA, UCI 2
Nov. 30 CXLA Weekend – Day Two Los Angeles, CA, UCI 2
Dec. 6 NBX Gran Prix of Cross Warwick, RI, UCI 2
Dec. 6 Deschutes Brewery Cup Bend, OR, UCI 2
Dec. 7 NBX Gran Prix of Cross Warwick, RI, UCI 2
Dec. 7 Deschutes Brewery Cup Bend, OR, UCI 2
Dec. 13 North Carolina Grand Prix Hendersonville, NC, UCI 2
Dec. 14 North Carolina Grand Prix Hendersonville, NC, UCI 2
Jan. 3, 2015 Kingsport Cyclo-cross Cup Kingsport, TN, UCI 2
Jan. 3, 2015 Resolution Cross Cup Dallas (Garland), TX, UCI 2
Jan. 4, 2015 Resolution Cross Cup Dallas (Garland), TX, UCI 2

2014  USA Cycling Professional Cyclo-cross Calendar (Pro CX)
A $40,000 prize purse to be split between the top riders in each of the men’s and women’s standings in the eight UCI 1 races in America. This is the same prize purse as 2014, although two more C1 races have been added to now total eight races. (see each individual race link above). If you want to see the best pro cyclo-cross racers - they will be at these races!
Sept. 10 Clif® Bar CrossVegas Las Vegas, Nev
Sept. 14 Boulder Cup Boulder, CO
Sept. 20 Trek CXC Cup Waterloo, WI
Oct. 4 Providence Cyclo-cross Festival Providence, RI
Oct. 11 Ellison Park Cyclo-cross Festival Rochester, NY
Nov. 1 Cincy3 Lionhearts International Mason, OH
Nov. 8 Derby City Cup Louisville, KY
Nov. 15 3-Day Carousel Volkswagen Jingle Cross-2 Iowa City, IA

USA Cycling’s Cyclo-cross National Calendar (CXNC)
Races that seek UCI inscription and inclusion on the USA Cycling Pro Cyclo-cross Calendar (Pro CX) must first be part of the CXNC for at least one year.
September 21 GP Clark Natwick San Francisco, CA
November 8 VeloCX Blaine, MN
December 6-7 Ruts 'N Guts Tulsa, OK

CX WORLDS

Coupe du Monde UCI / UCI World Cup
19 October 2014 Cauberg Cyclo-cross, Netherlands
22 November 2014 Wereldbeker cyclocross 2014 Koksijde, Belgium
29 November 2014 Milton Keynes UCI Cyclo Cross Worlds Cup, Great Britain
21 December 2014 Soudal Classic, Belgium
26 December 2014 Heusden-Zolder Limburg, Belgium
25 January 2015 Zandag, Netherlands

UCI World Championships 2015
31 January - 1 February 2015 Tabor, Czech Republic, website race information

NEWS AND PHOTOS

Cyclocross Magazine
Follow the news of the sport at Cyclocross Magazine www.cxmagazine.com

Pro Vélo Passion
Local Coloradan Mary Topping interviews and writes about the races and racers of Colorado cyclo-cross. Learn more about the athletes and race results by reading her stories collected at: Posts from the ‘Cyclocross’ Category.

Watch a recap from the 2014 World Championships, see how the best in the world race and notice how a world championship was won due to an intentional tactical slowing of the opponent behind in the last meters, forcing him to get off his bike, then speeding up rapidly once the opponent was faltering and slowed. Smart racing, but don't expect quite this many people behind the barriers in Colorado. (video link)



If you enjoy reading UCI cycling rules, have at it here: Part V: Cyclo-cross Races .