Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes Obvious, right? In the mid to late 90’s of the last century, local cyclo-cross races were starting to draw more than 25 racers per event. That was a big deal for a niche sport. Big enough of a deal that Overland Park was selected for the site of the 2000 USCF Cyclocross National Championship.… Continue reading Turn And Face
Category: Road/Track
Lenexa Gets Velodrome (finally)
April 1, 2024. After years and years of wishful thinking and crushed dreams, a hard surface wooden velodrome for track enthusiasts is coming to the metro. Johan Charmin, owner of top cycling team, Royale Madrid, has persuaded the city of Lenexa to bulldoze the former “Old Town” and it’s blight of craft stores and coffee… Continue reading Lenexa Gets Velodrome (finally)
Thin Tires Thin Events
The decline of road racing events. This is not a fresh topic for Kansas City (or many other regions). There are many factors that influence the schedule and interest in competitive road cycling. We believe the two most critical factors are the size of the promoters pool and access to venues. Both are lacking in… Continue reading Thin Tires Thin Events
Road Revival
We’ve been watching the ups and downs of the road racing scene. Here’s a timely infusion for this summer and the future. Submitted by A.I. (nah, not what you think, a real human) “Mike and Amy Ivancic started Midcoast Racing out of their shared love of bikes and racing. They first met at the John… Continue reading Road Revival
Natural Grocers Team: Community
One of the forces that is helping to keep local racing alive: In a very meaningful way. Recently the Natural Grocers Team became a sponsor of the Kansas Track Championship. We asked spokesperson Dan Messina to give us some background on their community involvement: “The Natural Grocers Cycling Team (est 1987) has a long history… Continue reading Natural Grocers Team: Community
Road Hungry?
We’re not quite half-way through 2022. So far, there have been 10 road cycling events in the region near the Kansas City metro. The Kansas Cycling Association Results page is here. The summer months are looking thin, but not empty. We expect a return of “A Very Peculiar Criterium” (in Peculiar, MO of course) mid-July.… Continue reading Road Hungry?
Club Champions
The Jesse Blancarte Time Trial is a long running essential event. For 2022 the race will return to the classic course at Gardner Airport, the straight out and back track, used for many years as a monthly test against the clock. The event has deep roots. Early versions were held on a disused stretch of… Continue reading Club Champions
Velodrome(s) History Lesson
The “World Famous” Lawrence Grass Velodrome – Keeping the Tradition Alive! by Pat “Coach Pat” Schlager Track cycling was immensely popular in the United States during the final decades of the 19th century and the early decades of the 20th century with its peak in the 1920s. In fact, during the 1920s, track cycling (primarily… Continue reading Velodrome(s) History Lesson
KC Corporate Challenge Bike Race
1246. That’s how many cyclists raced the 2019 edition of the Kansas City Corporate Challenge Bike Race. The format is a 3 mile time trial, a race against the clock on the track of the Kansas Speedway. The event is part of an Olympic styled games for businesses held since 1980, the first and largest… Continue reading KC Corporate Challenge Bike Race
Where Are the Women?
Right here. “Where are the women?” A question I’ve heard race promoters/directors ask. Most often regarding local road racing events. The photo above is from the 2019 Castle ‘Cross. A healthy grass roots CX race in Kansas City. The race had 21 women starters spread over 6 categories (WPro 1/2/3, W40, W50, W60, W4, W5)… Continue reading Where Are the Women?