Flash player is required to view weather conditions. Download

site web  

You may be quick on a bike. And you may be a fast runner. But how are you at biking on different surfaces, dismounting to get past obstacles and dealing with head-to-head competition?

You can find out this weekend as cyclo-cross riders compete in a doubleheader of races in the area, with kids and beginners welcome.

Racing begins Saturday in Middletown's Sunset Park at the Java Johnny's Lionhearts Cyclo-cross race, part of the 2006 Ohio Valley Cyclo-cross Cup Championship.

If you miss the Saturday race, go to Fairfield's Harbin Park Sunday for the BioWheels/United Dairy Farmers Union Cyclist International Cyclo-Cross.

Local riders are welcome, and some of the nation's top cyclo-cross riders are expected, organizers said.

"Cyclo-cross is the most fun and most accessible way to get started in bike racing. For this particular race, you can actually train less and still be competitive," said Doug Dobrozsi, director of the Java Johnny's race. "You can train right in your own yard or a local park."

Cyclo-cross is a fall and winter cycling sport that involves competitors racing along a set course that includes different surfaces and challenges, including areas where riders must dismount and carry their bikes past an obstacle. Instead of racing a set number of laps, cyclo-cross races are for a set time — whoever goes the farthest wins.

Top racers coming

The races begin at 10 a.m. Saturday in Sunset Park, off Bellemonte Street in Middletown, with registration beginning at 9 a.m. Set in a pretty, compact neighborhood park, the venue offers excellent spectating and racing; fast, diverse surfaces and three dismounts.

Saturday is "the road to nationals that will be held in Rhode Island in December," said Tristan Schouten, a competitor from Sheboygan, Wisc. who rides professionally for Trek VW.

Michael Cody, a rider for the Fiordifrutta Cycling Team, is also expected to compete, Dobrozsi said. The team has consistently been ranked as one of the top three amateur cycling teams in the country.

Dobrozsi — who will also compete in the race, as will his 12-year-old son Sam — will also be giving a motivational speech to the younger age groups prior to the races in Sunset Park.

Sunday's races — which will mark 10 years of cyclo-cross in Butler County, is at Harbin Park, off Hunter Road in Fairfield.

"It's the kind of course that brings out really fast racing," said Mitch Graham, director of the Harbin Park race. "Sometimes you'll get groups of three or four together and there's no way to tell who will win."

Kids welcome

"Fun Races" for kids will be offered at the Saturday event. Children who want to participate must ride a

two-wheel bike and be able to start, stop, and pedal strongly enough to ride through grass and have a parent present to register. Helmets must be worn, and open-toed shoes and baggy clothing are not allowed.

Sponsored by Java Johnny's Midtowne Café and The Jug, Saturday's race is presented by The Lionhearts, the junior racing team of the Queen City Wheels Inc. Bicycle Racing Club.

Sunday's race at Harbin Park is sponsored by BioWheels, with United Dairy Farmers, Reece-Campbell Construction and Dallman & Bohl Contractors.

For more information at Saturday's races in Middletown, call Doug Dobrozsi at (513) 403-1951. For more information on the Sunday races in Harbin Park, call Mitch Graham at (513) 861-2453. Information on both races is also available at www.ovcx.com.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2805 or

lrichey@coxohio.com.