Seriously guys… how amazing was that?  Throughout much of the season I felt as though I was going to be very excited to get the season over with, you know, to get my “life back.”  Now that it’s all over though, all I’m feeling is a bit nostalgic.  I can’t even believe how much of a success the past week has been, and it feels so very good to be such a part of it.

We sincerely want to thank first and foremost our sponsors, Thump Coffee and Jackson’s Corner to keeping us not only caffeinated and fed, but caffeinated and fed RIGHT.  We also want to thank Ben Thompson at Breakaway Consulting, not only is this guy super-fast on his bicycle (3rd at nats 30-34!), but he’s also a super-good dude and knows how to make a rad website.  Also, thanks goes to Byron Roe of Byron Roe Photography, although we didn’t get to work with him this season like we wanted to, I know he’ll play a huge part in this site in the near future.  MUCH thanks to Doug LaPlaca and everyone at VisitBend.com for bringing Nats to Bend, and for hosting the most successful national event in history.  Brad Ross… well, you’re badass.  You definitely can call yourself the king of race directors, you sir, put on one hell of a race, thank you.  Everyone else listed below, we couldn’t have done it without you, thank you so very much (I’m sorry if I’ve left anyone out)!

USA Cycling, The City of Bend, Webcyclery, Deschutes Brewery, Shimano, Bob’s Red Mill, CX Magazine, Cycling Dirt, Old Mill District, Yakima, Merrell, Brian Vernor, The Tower Theater, TalkDemonic, Barry Wicks (and Adam McGrath), Cassondra Schindler, The Downtowner’s Association, The Source, BYOB (that bike was beautiful), Elise Jones, Sunnyside Sports, Hutch’s Bicycles, Bend Bike ‘N Sport, Rebound Sports Performance, Giant Bicycles, Carl Decker, Ryan Trebon, Marcel Russenberger, Bart Bowen, Molly Cameron (and Jake!), Henry Abel, Clif Bar/Salsa Developmental Team, Sascha White of Vanilla Bicycles/Speedvagen, Lee and Meredith @ Lay It Out Events, John @ The Summit Saloon (and The Summit itself for hosting a KICKASS party), Team BEER, DJ Mud, Cloaked Characters, MOWO, Lee (double-thanks for making our sound system happen), Action Dynamix (go Ambeer), Professional Massage Therapy (yeah Michelle), Bend’s Community Bike Shed, Central Oregon Couriers, VULTURES CYCLES (Wade, you rock!), Hammer Nutrition, and whoever else that I missed.  WE LOVE YOU ALL!!!

And we also want a shout-out to our past and current sponsors: TRP Brakes, Edge Composites, Hammer Nutrition, DT Swiss, Crank Brothers and Chris King.

Thanks to everyone for keeping the dream-alive.  See you all next year.

That’s right…Bend Cycling Events own Damian Schmitt caught up with Giant factory rider Carl Decker to review the 2010 Cyclocross Nationals course in Bend, Oregon and offer up some riding and racing tips.

Check out the video review with the Deckerator…

The latest video review of the 2010 US Cyclocross Nationals course now that its been taped and marked.

Check it out here on YouTube…

Hey folks, if you’re driving over from Portland to Bend, be sure and take precaution and check out the Oregon “Trip Check.”  Here is a link… Oregon Trip Check.  We at BendCyclingEvents.com drove over earlier in the week, and then again yesterday, and it was reasonably alright for this time of year, but still, be cautious.  We want you to drive responsibly, safe and take your time… the course isn’t going anywhere, it’ll be here waiting for you.  See you when you get here.

As far as the weather goes… well, it’s cold, my friends… really cold.  Hopefully, as per the weather forecast, it says that it’s supposed to warm-up over the weekend, but is also calling for possible showers, we’ll see.  Check out the forecast for yourself and dress accordingly, please.  Weather for Bend.

Yes folks, this is still on, but there has been a bit of delay in the time schedule. Brad Ross (race director, for those who do not know this mystical man) has asked us to please bump this back until 2pm. They might still be working on the course even at 2pm, but it’s going to be a much better time than noon. Sorry to those who may be showing up at noon, but don’t fret, just come on down to Thump Coffee (downtown on Minnesota Ave.), they’ve been nice enough to extend their happy hour until 2pm, as well. So come on down and warm up with some traditional espresso drinks at happy hour pricing, and meet us at WebCyclery at 1:45pm and pre-ride the nationals course with the pros! Call Scotty at 541-788-2202 for any questions, or contact WebCyclery at 541-318-6188.

That’s right, folks… in conjunction with BendCyclingEvents.com and Jackson’s Corner, you too, will be able to own your very own special beer koozie to commemorate ‘cross nationals in Bend, OR!  Not only will you be the hippest beer-drinking cyclocross fan at nationals, you’ll score sweet deals with your custom koozie at various local businesses, not to mention special deals with BendCyclingEvents.com.  Be on the look-out to buy yours online right here in coming days, stay tuned!

Isn’t this what you’ve all been waiting for?  Enjoy! FYI -we just received 5 inches of snow in town yesterday. Keep your eye on the weather forecast for Bend Oregon to see what Mother Nature will throw at the 2010 USA Cycling Cyclocross Nationals course.

Check out VisitBend.com for all of your lodging needs, they are a great resource and offer lots of tips to making the most out of your stay in Bend.  Why don’t you just go ahead and Visit Bend.

Have you seen this tent at a 'cross race near you?

2009 Cyclocross Nationals Bend, OR - Be There!

BendCyclingEvents.com is not only the sweetest place to check out all the upcoming events relevant to Bend’s cycling mecca, but is also responsible for putting on some super-fun events during the week of cyclocross nationals.  Here is just a taste of some of the things we have going on…

UPDATED! Wednesday December 9th @ WebCyclery 2pm (but show up a bit early)-TBD: Come meet the super-fun cyclocross team and various local professionals to pre-ride the cyclocross nationals course here in Bend, OR.  Rumor mill says that we even might get our own local hotshot Ryan Trebon to do a little pre-funk, pre-ride/this is how I would do it/I’m the national champion and I’m 6′5″ tall/just follow me ride with the juniors.  There is also talk of having the Team Clif Bar/Salsa Cycles cyclocross team tag-along, not to mention a hot lap or two with ex-national champion and all-around awesome dude, Bart Bowen (owner/operator of Rebound Sports Performance Lab (www.reboundspl.com).  Maybe Carl Decker, maybe Sue Butler and her awesome husband Tim B, who knows… come and find out.  Fun times dot com.

And just remember, this is the pre-funk to WebCyclery’s very own junior’s presentation, where the Clif-Bar/Salsa Cycles developmental team will be talking about what it takes to be an elite-level athlete and the next step you need to take to make it in this sport.  That will be at WebCyclery 550 SW Industrial Way, on Thursday evening at 4:3opm.  Be on the look-out for coffee and hot-chocolate being donated by Thump Coffee (downtown on Minnesota Ave.) to caffeinate and saturate all your warm-beverage needs.

UPDATED! Thursday December 10th @ Jackson’s Corner 7pm-TBD: Come on down to Jackson’s Corner at 845 NW Delaware Ave. and hear about what it’s like to be a superstar in the world of cyclocross. Meet past superstar, Marcel Russenberger (World Cup winner, Tour de France and Classics vet), current rock’n superstar, Molly Cameron (pro racer, Portland Bicycle Studio owner, factory Shimano Di2 rider, and Belgian Pilgrim), AND (the update) Bart Bowen (two-time national road champion and cx nationals champ, and Rebound Sports Owner/Operator… not only is HE super-fast, but he works with stars such as Adam Craig, Carl Decker, and Ryan Trebon). Presentation starts at 7pm,come early to order your food and check BendCyclingEvents.com for more info and special deals on food, beer and kombucha.

Friday December 11th @ Thump Coffee 5pm-TBD: Look… this is what it is, and it’s totally going to be radical, you should definitely be there.  It’s called “CrossCulture: Art + Bike Love.”  This is going to be a downtown bike/art-walk, a schwanky go-’round of the downtown businesses where you’ll find super-sweet art and be able to sip some tasty wine (make sure and bring your ID, you U23er’s.  BUT, the coolest part of this evening will be located within Thump Coffee at 25 NW Minnesota Ave., along with next-door neighbor Altera.  Who will be focal point of this location?  Only the hottest custom frame-builder in the nation, Vanilla Bicycles/SPEEDVAGEN.  Who is Sacha White bringing along with him?  No… we’re not talking about team hotshots Kevin Hulick, Shannon Skeritt, and Soloman Woras (although we really hope they’ll be there!), but special guests Rapha and Embrocation Cycling Journal.  What you’ll find?  You’ll just have to come and find out!  Schwaaaaaaaaanky!

Friday December 11th 6pm Cross Nat’s Blowout Bash presented by USA CYCLING

The Cross Nats Blowout Bash at the USA Cyclocross National Championships in Bend , Oregon is the official party for Friday night! The party will feature performances by the Dirty Words, Mosley Wotta, and the Sprockettes. Entrance is FREE and riders receive one free beverage when they present their USA cycling card. This will be THE place to be on Friday, December 11. Midtown, 51 NW Greenwood Ave. 6pm.  Prizes, bike art and much more!

Sunday December 13th @ The Summit Saloon 7pm: BOOMDOTCOM!  This is our pride and joy, boys and gals.  The Official SUPER-FUN Blowout Bash, benefiting Bend’s Community BikeShed, presented by BendCyclingEvents.com and Team BEER! This party will be hosted by The Summit Saloon (Bend’s best dance-floor, also featuring a killer menu and now serving items off The Downtowner’s old menu… mmm mmm tasty!), the show will start around 7pm and lets just hope you don’t have a red-eye flight out of Redmond on Monday morning, because you’ll be dancing all night!  Not only are we going to have one of the best DJ’s in Oregon spinning your favorite hits all night, a special-guest music act, but we’re also going to have GoldSprints presented by Team BEER! If you don’t already know what GoldSprints are, well my friend, you’re truly missing out.  You’ll be able to sign-up for a determined amount of money (in which proceeds will benefit Bend’s Community BikeShed), and will be a bracket-type system, where competitors race one another for prizes and the overall glory of being the SSCXGP winner!  This very luck winner will win his/her choice of a custom single-speed Vulture Cycles frame, from Bend’s very own frame-builder, Wade Beauchamp.  There will also be $2 pints pouring all night long from Deschutes Brewery and tons of prizes and schwag from supporting sponsors.  Let me warn you now… you won’t want to miss this.

Rapha GoldSprints!