1 / 37
The Pro Sick Kent Factory Racing team were out in force heckling one and all.
2 / 37
Jeff Curtes, putting the hammer down in Round 2 on Saturday.
3 / 37
Singlespeed Rob (on a geared bike) getting some good pain face.
4 / 37
The Juniors racing was fully lit up.
6 / 37
Dope AF in some knock off Mapei kit.
7 / 37
We parked our Isuzu DMax right next to the beer tent. And brought a designated driver.
8 / 37
Hand ups are the go in the age group classes. Michael Rush takes an Acai bowl hand up on his way to the win in Expert Men.
9 / 37
The elite women under starter’s orders.
10 / 37
Kiwi visitor Kim Hurst lead from the front in a super aggressive race on Saturday.
11 / 37
2016 National Series winner Naomi Williams was fresh off a race win in Melbourne, but also injured and not so fresh while training for National Champs.
12 / 37
The MAAP – SV squad had a card table and everything.
13 / 37
The Focus-Attaquer Team had huge numbers – and had the team tent game dialled. But with the sun out the workstand was out from under cover.
15 / 37
Andrew Demack was a pro on the mic, a great commentator all weekend.
16 / 37
Andrew Low came up from Victoria for a battle in Masters.
17 / 37
Over Yonder and up the ‘W’ section.
18 / 37
Michael Rush was back to compete in Expert again on Sunday, in NCXS Round 3.
19 / 37
Dean Hill, attacking the mud. Yes, mud in Queensland!
20 / 37
Day 2 had a long run up, and a long, fast descent. Garry Millburn got his eye in during practice.
21 / 37
The women’s start showed that once again, Kim Hurst would lead from the front.
23 / 37
Fiona Morris was in hot pursuit of the leaders.
24 / 37
Imogen Smith traded her mountain bike for a ‘cross bike for the weekend.
25 / 37
You see all sorts of things at a ‘cross race.
26 / 37
Gerni were good enough to set up a wash bay – pretty useful after about 30mm of rain on Saturday night added some mud to the mix.
27 / 37
National Champion Rebecca Locke came in 5th on both days, and is aiming towards National Championships.
29 / 37
Sean Lewis bombs the fast descent.
30 / 37
Kents were everywhere.
31 / 37
The run up… this really took a toll.
33 / 37
Beer hand ups are a no-go in elite races.
34 / 37
Local hero Declan Kilkenny up the wall.
35 / 37
Garry Millburn took the race to National Champ and Series Leader Chris Jongewaard – but in the end ‘JBlood’ got away solo.
36 / 37
Chris Aitken chasing the leading duo.
The Pro Sick Kent Factory Racing team were out in force heckling one and all.
1 / 37
Jeff Curtes, putting the hammer down in Round 2 on Saturday.
2 / 37
Singlespeed Rob (on a geared bike) getting some good pain face.
3 / 37
The Juniors racing was fully lit up.
4 / 37
Dope AF in some knock off Mapei kit.
6 / 37
We parked our Isuzu DMax right next to the beer tent. And brought a designated driver.
7 / 37
Hand ups are the go in the age group classes. Michael Rush takes an Acai bowl hand up on his way to the win in Expert Men.
8 / 37
The elite women under starter’s orders.
9 / 37
Kiwi visitor Kim Hurst lead from the front in a super aggressive race on Saturday.
10 / 37
2016 National Series winner Naomi Williams was fresh off a race win in Melbourne, but also injured and not so fresh while training for National Champs.
11 / 37
The MAAP – SV squad had a card table and everything.
12 / 37
The Focus-Attaquer Team had huge numbers – and had the team tent game dialled. But with the sun out the workstand was out from under cover.
13 / 37
Andrew Demack was a pro on the mic, a great commentator all weekend.
15 / 37
Andrew Low came up from Victoria for a battle in Masters.
16 / 37
Over Yonder and up the ‘W’ section.
17 / 37
Michael Rush was back to compete in Expert again on Sunday, in NCXS Round 3.
18 / 37
Dean Hill, attacking the mud. Yes, mud in Queensland!
19 / 37
Day 2 had a long run up, and a long, fast descent. Garry Millburn got his eye in during practice.
20 / 37
The women’s start showed that once again, Kim Hurst would lead from the front.
21 / 37
Fiona Morris was in hot pursuit of the leaders.
23 / 37
Imogen Smith traded her mountain bike for a ‘cross bike for the weekend.
24 / 37
You see all sorts of things at a ‘cross race.
25 / 37
Gerni were good enough to set up a wash bay – pretty useful after about 30mm of rain on Saturday night added some mud to the mix.
26 / 37
National Champion Rebecca Locke came in 5th on both days, and is aiming towards National Championships.
27 / 37
Sean Lewis bombs the fast descent.
29 / 37
Kents were everywhere.
30 / 37
The run up… this really took a toll.
31 / 37
Beer hand ups are a no-go in elite races.
33 / 37
Local hero Declan Kilkenny up the wall.
34 / 37
Garry Millburn took the race to National Champ and Series Leader Chris Jongewaard – but in the end ‘JBlood’ got away solo.
35 / 37
Chris Aitken chasing the leading duo.
36 / 37
Rounds 2 and 3 of the Australian National Cyclocross Series flew north to Queensland. Yes, the Sunshine State, and we caught the action.
Think of cyclocross and you think of mud, cold weather, rain, big jackets, and probably burning legs and searing lungs. But cyclocross is also fun, super friendly for spectating, and one of the most readily accesible forms of cycling – as long as your local club is active in the scene.
On July 15 and 16, the 2nd and 3rd rounds of the National Cyclocross Series came to Samford, just outside of Brisbane in Queensland. Temperatures were over 20 degrees, and while there was a mud puddle on Saturday it was mostly dusty. Overnight rain made for some tacky and slippery fun on Sunday, but best of all there was a great atmosphere from the kids races, age group classes, and through to the elite ranks.
Want the results? You can find them online.
Cyclocross caters for elite athletes, but it also caters for those who want to have fun on bikes. Although many of the riders in the field are on top-level carbon or high-end steel or titanium frames, with carbon wheels and expensive parts – you can jump in and have fun for a whole lot less. In fact, we put a Reid Granite 2.0 to test over the weekend, to see if a $850 gravel/cyclocross bike could be a good starting place. Check back next week to see our thoughts on this verstaile and capable bike.
Can the Reid get you into the sport? Yes – yes it can. Photo: Jeff Curtes.