South Sound cyclocross scene booms as 2015 schedule announced

Half of the 2015 cyclocross season will take place in Pierce County, according to the recently announced schedules.

The South Sound continues to emerge as a premier venue for the fast-paced form of bicycle racing, with Swan Creek Park joining the rotation this season.

The Seattle-based Cross Revolution and MFG circuits combine to offer 14 days of racing Sept. 13-Nov. 22. Swan Creek, Sprinker Recreation Center, the Marymount Event Center, Fort Steilacoom Park and Frontier Park all are scheduled to host races.

Fort Steilacoom Park also is scheduled to be the site of the International Cycling Union’s Subaru Cyclo Cup Nov. 14-15. It is the second consecutive year a Cycling Union race has come to the South Sound. Last year, Marymount and Fort Steilacoom shared hosting duties for a Union race.

Fort Steilacoom Park is scheduled to host an MFG race Sept. 20.

Cross Revolution will use Swan Creek for a race Oct. 4. Organizers said via their Facebook page, “We firmly believe this venue has potential to support a national race.”

Swan Creek was used for a cyclocross race last year, but the race was not associated with the primary racing series.

Cross Revolution plans to return to Graham’s Frontier Park on Nov. 8 after racing there for the first time last fall. It also has a race planned for Sprinker on Oct. 11.

MFG staged the first cross race at Marymount last fall and will return Nov. 1.

Cyclocross is bike racing that uses elements of road and mountain biking and requires cyclists to dismount their bikes to clear obstacles and steep hills. All of the events have categories for racers of all skill levels.

For more information on the racing series, go to cross-revolution.com and mfgcyclocross.com.

This story was originally published July 28, 2015 at 12:23 AM with the headline "South Sound cyclocross scene booms as 2015 schedule announced."