New Sand Pit...

Changes in the Works...

A brief post, but important. We have been asked by the Corps of Engineers to move the Cyclocross Course OFF the LEVEE. There are concerns that over time, our course will wear down to dirt, then erosion may occur, which could compromise the integrity of the levee.

Since we are more than thankful just to have the opportunity to have a CX course at the park, we have volunteered to re-route the course off of the levee entirely. This is a bummer since the levee provided the only real elevation gain and descent on the course, but it is what it is.

We are still working on changes, and the course is open during the construction of the reroutes. Below you will find an updated course map as of today. Feel free to get out and ride! All of the old course is in great shape with a pretty smooth and obvious line. The re-routes are going to be bumpy for a while, just like the old stuff was. Please help us and get some tires on the course. We are psyched, per many requests, to have added a 'spiral' to the course as well as an 'off camber sand pit'. Enjoy!

You will still access the levee on the same mowed entrance path, however since the course no longer goes atop the levee, just use the entrance path to go up and over the levee and then onto the course. The new Start/Finish is on the new straightaway marked by yellow flags. You will have to ride about 100 yards of the course backwards to get to the start/finish (for training races). Otherwise you can roll onto the course at the bottom of the levee. Course still goes CLOCKWISE. We don't have the new mileage, yet. Stay tuned.

The map is also updated with areas you should never ride as 'danger zones'. These areas are known to house thorns and other tire eating beasts. Stay on gravel OR mowed course areas to retain tire psi.

All the best!

How NOT to Flat......

Yes, it's true. there has been an issue with folks flatting out at the park due to Goat Head Thorns. Below we hope to educate you on HOW NOT TO FLAT AT THE RIVERFRONT PARK.

1. Park in the gravel/dirt lot at the grove of trees. DO NOT park at the far South part of the gravel (where the gravel is deep). The brown dead grassy looking plants on this part of the gravel IS the goat head plant.
2. DO NOT cut the course.
3. DO NOT ride around in un-mowed areas of grass. We know you want to go and 'check things out' and ride around the park, but please do so ON THE COURSE. 
4. Approach the curse on the mowed entrance trail as seen on the map, from the gravel parking area. Stay on bare gravel otherwise.
5. If you want to warm-up somewhere other than on the course, we recommend doing so ON FRISBIE ROAD.
6. Assume all un-mowed areas ON the levee OR in the field on the same side of the levee as Frisbie Rd. are danger zones. 
7. Look at the map (below). Click on it to enlarge. The areas shown as DANGER are full of goat head thorns. Don't ride there, you'll flat.

Outdated Map

We'll put it it simple terms for you: STAY ON THE MOWED COURSE AND ENTRANCE TRAIL OR YOU WILL FLAT. If you can't manage this, then run tubeless tires and it won't matter. 

We really really want you to have a place to practice and train for cyclocross. If you follow the simple directions above, you can do so and not have any issues. This course is an awesome resource for Kansas City. Please, use it, use it wisely, have fun and bring a friend. Enjoy!

Training Race Video...

Please enjoy this unedited Go Pro video taken by Snackerdog while flying a motorized para-glider during the Dirty Crits #1 training race (this past Monday). You will come away from this either motion sick or uncontrollably psyched.  It's a really long video. The first few minutes will give you an idea of what the Riverfront CX Course is all about.

Get down to the Riverfront CX park on Monday's through November 5th. Mountain & Cyclocross Bikes race at 6p.m., it's FREE. You will become stronger.

Kansas City Cyclocross...

There's a new CX blog in town, Kansas City Cyclocross. That's where we found this great photo of the stair run-up at the Riverfront CX Course.

 Check it out! Lots of good, current (and much needed) info on the local CX scene.

You might also want to check THIS out for more information on the training races that start THIS MONDAY at 6 p.m.. Come on out and join us!

Miles of Smiles...

We are psyched to see traffic at the Riverfront CX course increasing steadily as the word gets out. A huge THANK YOU to those who are braving the virgin and bumpy soil to help burn in the line. 

Work Day Success!

Our Puncturevine eradication and course re-route work day ended in a huge success! Here are the details:

• Areas where we believe the Puncturevine (goat heads) to be located are now CLOSED.
• Re-routes have been added to avoid [these] problem areas (see map).
• Double Barriers have been installed.
• An entrance trail has been mowed-in starting on the gravel parking area leading up onto the levee (see map). PLEASE access the CX Course via the Entrance trail to avoid possible flats. 
• To be safe, assume that any un-mowed areas contain Puncturevine!!!
• A connector trail has been added to the course to provide an optional "short course" (see map). The connector will be obvious due to it being narrower than the rest of the course.
• We are still recommending tubeless tire set-ups until we are 100% sure the Puncturevine issue is remedied.  
• Course goes Clockwise. Start is at an orange stake on the Levee above the parking area.
• Please do not alter the course.
• Enjoy! 

NEW and UPDATED Map

KEYED map for those interested in the recent changes.

The Riverfront CX Course is freshly mowed and in prime condition for you to get some hard training in. The course is still pretty soft and bumpy due to it's newness and lack of tires, so you'll get in a good work-out that will make the race courses this season feel easy. Get out and do your part in burning-in the line and getting the areas only Cyclocross Training Course into shape for your season of use. 

Here are a few images to get you psyched! Spread the word!

New Barriers installed!

The 'R'. You ride this counterclockwise. Ouch!

Entrance off-camber downhill

More off-camber climbing/descending

10/1 Course Update

This morning we had a chance to walk and inspect the current course; looking for the Puncturevine (goat head) trouble areas. We believe we've located the problem areas and have plans to re-route the course rather than try to eradicate the plants (as they are heavily concentrated in one area that we can avoid entirely with a re-route) . The re-routing should take place this week, so over the weekend things should be in perfect condition for any tire. We will keep you updated with a new course map AND additional info.

The course will be open (tubeless tires recommended) during construction of the re-routes.Thank you for your patients.