Course Report for CX Nationals in Bend

This just in from Bend Bay Area Cross Group and forwarded from Focus boy Chris Jones. Thanks for the info!

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"From what I've seen of the Cross Natz course (you can almost see it from our shop across the river) it's not a wide open course, so with 150 people in a field it might not be easy to pass. That said, there's no singletrack sections or extra tight spots that I know of.

One third pavement, one third hardpack/dirt/bumpy, one third perfect grass (which, in the summer when I rode on it, is really slow feeling).

Mostly all flat with One steep climb on pavement (50 yards?), one wall of a run up (not ridiculous, but not ride-able), and one off camber descent to com back down it.

Oh, and there's going to be a big, wide, wooden staircase to run up - built just for the race.

The dirt sections of the course are in an older construction yard and while it's mostly flat, it could be pretty bumpy and harsh if the ground is frozen. In the summer and fall the dirt is very loose (sandy and dusty) and full of loose rocks. The kinds of stuff that makes riding a sharp turn on a cross bike a real sketchy affair. Even slowly. So to some degree, having the ground wet and/or frozen would be helpful. It will just be bumpy.

The start is a short drag race on pavement with a left hander at the end onto the dirt, so work on your fast starts.

The course is pretty short, and the fields are big, so be prepared yourself to possible be pulled if you're off the back."
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Thanks!!