Despite the bout of unpredictable weather Colorado experienced this weekend, the final race in LTR Event’s 2013 Cyclocross Series went on. Over 70 cyclists gathered at Riverbend Park in Palisade on Saturday to fair the rain, snow, mud and anything else Mother Nature decided to throw at them.

“The weather definitely made the race more difficult,” said John Svoboda, a first time cyclocross racer. “You’re working with less traction, no real bike control. You have to really fight for everything in these conditions.”

Nick Sontag, an LTR representative, explained that cyclocross originated some forty years ago in Europe as something to occupy cyclists once road races were done and the trails were no longer in riding condition.

“It’s a short course, and you have to complete as many laps as possible in forty minutes, so you’re going pretty hard the entire time,” Sontag said. “A cyclocross course is going to have pavement, grass, steep hills and obstacles that require the cyclist to dismount and carry their bike. It’s not an easy task.”

Laurie Brandt took first place in the women’s division on Saturday. Brandt, once a professional mountain biker, said she loves the challenge of cyclocross.

“There’s nothing more fun than slogging it through the mud with a group of great athletes,” she said.

Brandt, now in her fifties, said now that cyclocross is starting to take off and get noticed as a sport, she’d like to see more kids at the events.

“A course like this is going to teach kids crucial bike-handling skills,” Brandt said. “Even if they only wanted to do one lap, they would have a blast, and it’s better to start them young.”

As winter blankets the Valley, cyclists hang up their bikes and prepare for next year’s racing season.

“I’m happy I got my rookie race out of the way,” Svoboda said. “I’m ready for the next series and excited to race again.”

aachambe@mavs.coloradomesa.edu