I'm new to the Omaha scene so I'm in need of some recon assistance. Cyclocross will be making a glorious return to the river city this autumn but we need to find a suitable venue.
Two years ago we raced at Standing Bear Lake but reviews were mixed. Does anyone have any ideas on possible race sites.
Keep these criteria in mind. 3-4 mile loop if possible, 2 mile minimum. Needs to have access to a paved section (not a bike path). Preferably some open terrain so to be spectator freindly. Some steep natural terrain to test riders ability without the use of barriers. Grass sections should be relatively smooth and fast.
I'd like a mid town venue to show off the heart of Omaha, but I don't think the terrain is there at Memorial or Elmwood. Possibly Mandan park on south 13, or maybe Hanscom.
Thoughts, Input, Ideas?
15 comments:
wow, the last time you guys had cyclo cross in omahole,
everyone who races cyclocross had to drive an extra hour to race,
I don't think a single person from the omahole sceen showed up. uh., other than Shimonick. (sorry about the spelling dude, if it's wrong that is...)
and rumor has it, that's why no races happended in omahole last year.
why have the main man Leffler get up an extra hour and set shit up for maybe 2 extra people when you can set up in Lincoln and have the same turn out? and more spectators... ?
Now, don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem driving up to Omaha to race, I drive all over the place to race, or to watch and cheer on races, but I'd hate to see an Omaha race happen again this year, and the only people there are us Lincoln folk.
Sorry, don't take this as a whole bunch of shit talk, but it would be a shame if that's how it goes down again this year.... if someone thows out some omaha races.
sorry about the negitive tone...
3p0
Your right, CVO. A few years back I put on four races in Omaha on the north and south side of Standing Bear Lake. That was '02 when I had 8 races in a row. The Omaha support was seriously lacking, but I attribute that to a few things:
1. 'Cross was still growing, albeit slowly in overall popularity.
2. Guys/girls were not training for 'cross season like they are now.
3. Lincoln guys were putting the SMACK down and scared everyone in Omaha away!
Maybe that last one is a bit off, but you get the idea.
It was my decision to have a race weekend in Omaha. It was also my decision to have that Omaha weekend be the Nebraska stop for the 2005 Mid-America Cross Cup.
If we set-up shop in Omaha this year and no one from the local scene shows up, I will be bummed. But honestly, I am confident that with Savery carrying the 'cross torch in Omaha, we will be just fine.
Watch for the 'cross season preview on NebCycling...coming soon!
Did a quick scope out of Mandan park tonight, doesn't look like there is enough room to have a decent race. However, Hanscom looks very promising. Good pavement, lots of natural terrain (Bowls and such) and only 1 block off 480.
I'll agree that Lincoln has a stronger 'cross scene. But Omaha is never going to grow if you ask people to drive to lincoln every week for a race. I was super motivated last year and it got tough towards the end of the season. This year will be different with the revamped schedule.
In '02 the scene was a bit different. And Standing Bear Lake wasn't exactly front and center in the Omaha public eye.
The bottom line is we all need to be a bit more forward thinking and address the real question. Why don't people from outside Nebraska come here to race? That's the million dollar question. The KS races were big, how come only 3 guys came her to race? I wish I knew the answer. The difference between Lincoln and Omaha is just a small footnote.
DAMN, I'm gettin' excited just thinking about it!
cuz Ks racers are pussies, and are scared.
they can't drink, or hang,
and none of them can step to the shit talk we can dish out, and take with a smile
and realize it's all good,
plus,
uh,
ks is a long ways away.
and Bush's oil war has made gas exspensive...
Cross is on like donkey kong in the 'hole. Shim ain't showin, he's aging, and he don't want to come out and try to keep up with the youngins.
I'm bringin it, Mark's talkin the talk, others will follow.
Mark, I'm calling you out. Start yer trainin now, cuz its on, in the new&improved omahole 'cross scene.
How about Chalco Hills? Lots of hills, lots of pavement. Lots of land. Mmmmm cyclocross.
Chalco has been thrown about a bit. I'll have to drive out there today and check it out.
I have heard about Chalco Hills, too. My biggest concern is to be able to close the course off to traffic and provide spectators easy access to watching the race.
Chalco Hills holds high school cross country races quite often. Traffic is still allowed. I'd be happy to join someone on a trip to Chalco Hills to check it out. I can show you where the xc running course, staging, etc. is located. Mod, let me know if you're heading out.
I reconed Hanscom this morning. Did some hiking around the park. Ton of posibilities. pavillion, playground, pretty flowers, you know the good stuff. And they've closed the roads for the Omaha weekend crits before. Might scope out Chalco latter. I'll let you know butchy.
You could get a sweet course together on not much land at all. Check this:
http://www.boulderracing.com
The gallery has pics of the two courses from last year, both were held on very small chunks of property, one was just an empty lot (CU research center).
How about Semore Smith park off of 72nd & Harrision? Y'know where they shoot skeet near the Keystone, yuck-yuck). Anyway, there is a paved road that winds through the park, it has hills and flats, a bike path, plenty o parking, a soccer field and if it could fit it into the course, riders could hop the knee-high guard rail that lines the paved kit-car track on the north side which has a nasty short hill climb. Doing it from a dead run would suck so much it would rock. The only thing is you may piss off the stoners cuz it's also a golf disc course... but most of you Linkun boyz probably knows 'em, so it should be a-ite.
best to stay away from Mandan unless. there are men that hang around there that would actually like to see you all in your lycra.
CREEPY!
Seymore Smith may actually be really good. I totally forgot about that place. We could work in the soap box derby climb for sure, run through the sand pit at the bottom.
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