Motocross is a sport I have next to zero knowledge about. It looks amazing, and the mountainbike and cyclocross racers I’ve met who have a background in MX racing always perform well, even when they have to power their machines with their legs.
That is all to say that I was ignorant of the mythical status the Washougal MX park has in the motocross world. Over the weekend, after making the trip to Portland, Oregon, I ran into more than one parent stoked to watch a bike race at this venue, having grown up watching highlights of the Washougal MX races on the Deuce.
This is the first year the Washougal MTB race has been a UCI event. Race organizer Scott Scholz, who runs Zone 5 Promotions, has a love for bike racing and the cycling community that is infectious. On top of that, Scott is committed to bringing UCI racing back to the Pacific Northwest in MTB and, fingers crossed, cyclocross.
The Washougal MX park offers some of the best mountain bike racing in the US Pro Cup series. The XCC races were held on the MX track, and the setup looked like a blast. A chunky rhythm section, beefy fast berms. tough kickers and an on-camber flow that kept the racing fast and compact.
The XCO race reminded me of East Coast racing. Rocks, roots, a little mud, and some gnarly single-track on a short loop created fun dynamic racing. The slick conditions definitely placed technical skills at a premium for Saturday’s racing.
Some teams decided not to make the trip to Washougal after traveling to the first three US Pro Cup events. I think that after hearing the feedback from the weekend, they will realize that it was a mistake. This race offers some of the best trails in the series, and if you missed it this year, it’s definitely worth putting on the calendar for next year, when the stakes may be even higher if the event gets bumped up to UCI C1.
And as a bonus, if you weren’t already sold, Nossa Familia Coffee provided free espresso at the venue. Thanks, Ben.
On the Bulletin and on Cyclocross Radio, I frequently talk about how important it is to go to races outside of your region. It’s a great opportunity to see how different parts of the country do things. Unlike many other sectors of society, bike racing is not completely homogeneous. Seeing different approaches and customs in cycling is a great way to gain a deeper appreciation for the sport and maybe give you some ideas to improve your own local scene.
I know not everyone is in a position to travel, but if you have a list of races you’d like to visit in the future, I’d recommend adding Washougal.
Here are some more photos from the weekend.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.