By Barbara Day, M.S., R.D., C.N.
Photos by Craig Dooley (www.dooleymann.photoreflect.com)
The 2012 Master Worlds Cyclocross was held in Louisville at the Eva Bandman Park off River Road last week. There were over 500 participants in this 4 day event. On Thursday, it was rainy and muddy on the course, but as the weather got colder, the mud turned into icy hardened grooved paths that became treacherous on Friday and early on Saturday. As the weather warmed it became muddy again. This was the first time the Masters Worlds have been in the United States and they chose Louisville, KY. How great is that!
Meeting & Greeting Cyclists from all Over the World
I volunteered at registration on Friday afternoon. Sixty participants were non-American. I met a cyclist from Belgium. Many of the cyclists drove to the event with their bikes. One family brought their 2 kids, a boy about 4 and their daughter, 2 with them on a cross country adventure from Arizona. Mom said the kids got cold on Friday morning but loved watching and cheering for their dad. The family had been to the Slugger Museum because they had the little bats in their backpack.
Another pair of cyclists I met were from Durango, CO. I asked them if they knew one of our former junior cyclists, Andrew Llewellyn, who is from Louisville. Andrew goes to college in Durango. They both knew him and the one of the cyclists said he is actually Andrew’s cycling coach.
The oldest woman participating was Julie Lockhart age 70 . The oldest man participating was 76. In fact, in the 70-76 year old male division there were 5 finishers.
Many of the cyclists had very positive comments about Louisville’s hospitality. When I have worked at registration for IronMan Louisville, the athletes all have enjoyed our hospitality as well!
What is Cyclocross?
Cyclocross is a form of bicycle racing that occurs in the fall and winters months. The season is from September to January. The course consists of many laps of a short course from 1.5 to 2-mile which could be on pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills, and over obstacles. Cyclists are required to get off their bicycles and carry their bicycles over the obstacle and then remount. Master races are typically 30 to 60 minutes in duration. Cyclocross bicycles are similar to racing bicycles and must be lightweight with drop handlebars but typically use knobby tread traction tires and cantilever style brakes due to rough terrain in muddy environments. Many cyclocross racers bring two bikes, one to ride while the “pit crew” can clean and repair the other bike as needed depending on the terrain.
The Competition
Only 80 people were allowed in each race. Everyone starts together but based on the times from the heats on Thursday and Friday. Cyclists with the best times were in the front roll with only 4 cyclists in each roll.
In 2013, the Elite Worlds will also be held at the Eva Bandman Park on February 2 – 3. If you want more information about the results of the 2012 Master Worlds Cyclocross or about volunteering at 2013 Elite Worlds go to www.Louisville2013.com.
Many thanks to Photographer Craig Dooley (www.dooleymann.photoreflect.com) for the use of his photos.
Barbara Day, M.S., R.D., C.N, is a registered dietitian who has been teaching healthy lifestyles strategies to consumers for over 35+ years. Barbara has a new health and wellness online magazine as well.
