MooseCross rescued from brink of cancellation - East Idaho News
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MooseCross rescued from brink of cancellation

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VICTOR — The MooseCross Cyclocross Festival in Victor is now in its tenth year but it almost didn’t make it. The usual suspects who have put it in on the past, including Mountain Bike the Tetons, Fitzgerald’s Bicycles, and the now-dissolved Victor Velo, had their hands full this year and weren’t sure they would be able to make it happen.

Then Chuck Collins came along. Based out of Salt Lake City, Collins has been involved in the cycling community for 30 years as an event promoter, participant, media consultant, and member of the cycling governing body.

On Aug. 27 he found out that MooseCross, an event he has participated in, was in danger, so he raised his hand.

“It’s an important event in eastern Idaho and Wydaho,” Collins said. “It would be a shame to cancel it, a loss to the bike community and the community at large.”

With such a small window of time, Collins is slightly daunted by the logistics, but he’s making it happen. The Nobmans, owners of Fitzgerald’s Bicycles, have dispatched their race team to help out, and the MBT trail crew has done some polishing on the infamous run-up on the course.

“I’m doing the best I can to put an event together,” said Collins.

The beauty of cyclocross is that it’s very spectator- and beginner-friendly. The course snakes its way through Sherman Park and requires racers to sprint through grass, navigate switchbacks, and of course jump on and off their bikes. Registration is available at moosecross.athlete360.com. Collins said people are waiting until the last minute to register, which seems to be a recurring theme in Teton Valley.

“While the adults are fickle, the parents I’ve heard from are so excited MooseCross is happening,” Collins said. “At this point it’s more about families and kids than adult bike racing.”

Proceeds from adult registration go to MBT and kids under 18 race for free. The race schedule is online at moosecross.com. The action is going down Oct. 7 and 8. Volunteers can register at http://signup.com/go/zoDbEYg.

This story originally appeared in the Teton Valley News. It is posted here with permission.

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