I see at least three barriers in this photo.

A Different Kind of Obstacle

Arkansas Cycling & Fitness.
I see at least three barriers in this photo.
I see at least three barriers in this photo.

Cyclocross events usually involve mud, rain and cold but it’s early still in Arkansas and although we do have some cold, wet  days this time of year they don’t always happen on a weekend. Kicking off the Arkansas Super-Prestige Cyclocross Series this year was the Night Race at Kanis Park in Little Rock. The air was warm, the ground dry, the course flat and fast so besides a few barriers and sharp turns it didn’t look like your normal cyclocross race. But what’s normal in cyclocross?

One of the passes in front of the crowd.
One of the passes in front of the crowd.

Race director Trevor Edwards said they had 60 plus participants and a really good sized crowd was on hand to watch the races. The race was sponsored by Team Carve.

Race director Trevor acting as domestique to one young rider.
Race director Trevor acting as domestique to one young rider.

The kid’s race went off without a hitch. Plenty of light for the young ones to get in a quick lap. By the time the B Race; Cat 4, Masters 40+, Women and Juniors 18 & Under got ready to start a new obstacle had presented itself. The city had agreed to turn on the softball field lights for the event and since most of the course wrapped around the field the night races should have had plenty of light. Unfortunately the lights never came on.

Starting line for the B Race.
Starting line for the B Race.

The start and finish lines were in a lit parking lot and had plenty of light which kept most of the spectators together during the races and created a very festive atmosphere. Arkansas Outside had given away a total of 30 cowbells just before the race start and things were noisy. We enjoyed having folks come up to our tent and almost whisper “Don’t Fear the Reaper” to us. It was wonderful.

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Spectators screamed and rang cowbells as riders came through each lap.
Spectators screamed and rang cowbells as riders came through each lap.

Many racers donned lights, a couple of bikes with lights were placed in dark turns to help light the way and the racing was on. The B race went for 40 minutes as racers took tight turns, jumped barriers and negotiated heavy equipment all under the cover of darkness.

Racers fought it out through the night.
Racers fought it out through the night.
Although costumes were encouraged few took up the challenge.
Although costumes were encouraged only a few took up the challenge. This guy (Ryan Johnson) was dubbed CX3000.
Heavy equipment, a mural and a cyclist in a tutu.
Heavy equipment, a mural and a cyclist in a tutu.

After a short break the A Race; Open (Cat 1-4) started. For 50 minutes racers went around and around, in and out of light with the crowd of spectators screaming and ringing bells. It was a tough, long sprint.

Fleet Feet Little Rock
The humid evening made for a tough 50 minutes of racing.
The humid evening made for a tough 50 minutes of racing.

No mud this time out but just wait until tomorrow’s race, things will be different, very different.

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