For the first time, a cyclo-cross race event was held at River Ridge Trails Park, (north of Langham) on October 11 and 12, which was a success and it proved to be a challenge to the respective racers.
The two-day regional River Ridge Cross event consisted of 19 racers and event organizer Craig de Gier of Prairie Cycling Development said the competitors enjoyed the new course.
“The course is quite a bit different compared to a lot of the other races in the area. It was mostly the climbing, so they had about 40 to 45 meters of climbing per lap. Whereas normally, they’re use to more in the range of 5 to 7 metres of climbing per lap,” de Gier said.
Even though the course, at 2.25 kilometres long, was slightly shorter than an average cyclo-cross course according to de Gier, the competitors were still challenged with the multiple inclines.
The trails at the park are fairly new and de Gier was very excited to see them being used in this kind of way.
“To be able to get people out and enjoying the park in an organized sport format was important for us this year,” he said.
During both days of the event there was a six lap race and a three lap race, as the competition featured competitors of various skill levels.
“Because of the COVID-19 regulations we were only allowed to accept people within the greater Saskatoon area, and we were lucky enough that this park still falls within that range and we were able to use this site within that requirement,” de Gier said.
Despite all provincial and national cycling competitions being cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, de Gier said that River Ridge Cross event was a great opportunity for the Cyclists to race in a competitive format.
The River Ridge Trails Park is currently in Phase 1 of development and the trails for cyclo-cross will serve as a duel purpose.
“For cyclo-cross we’re using a lot of the cuts that will become cross-country ski trails in the winter time,” de Gier said.
Not only does the park consists of trails for cyclo-cross, it will also consist of trails for hiking as well as mountain biking.
“We’re looking at getting a couple kilometres of mountain bike trail properly cut in to the terrain here as well before the end of this construction season,” de Gier said.
The three phase project at the park is just in the beginning stages and de Gier is working with the River Edge Trails Park Association to help develop the different type of trails.
“This going to be an amazing recreation facility for the residents of Langham, the residents of Corman Park and even a lot of the people from Saskatoon will come out here on a day-to-day basis,” de Gier said.
One of the main objectives in years to come once the park is fully developed, is to host various sporting events which will attract more people to the area.
“What really justifies the bigger parts of the project and the bigger parts of the vision, is being able to host events out here; whether it’s running, biking, cross-country skiing in various different disciplines at various different levels all the way from regional to provincial competitions and hopefully at the national level some time in the future,” de Gier said.