Its the sport so controversial, they banned it from Lincoln Park! Well, not reallya recent city permit snafu was to blame. The European-derived sport of cyclocross works something like this: Imagine youre pedaling your bike up Yesler. Now imagine youre riding on mud, not pavement. On skinny tires. Now imagine youve got to dismount, shoulder your bike, then leap over some inconvenient hay bales while jostling for position in a race. Also, its cold and raining. Sound like fun? The autumn sport has a growing, enthusiastic following here in the Northwest, and the Woodland Park GP is your chance to taste the mud and excitement firsthand. In Europe, the courses typically loop around a rowdy beer garden. Unfortunately, that is not a permit the city is likely to issue anytime soon, though tailgating parties arent likely to be policed. BRIAN MILLER
Sun., Nov. 15, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., 2009
