Cycling Thu Jul 10 2008

Palos Meltdown Registration Open

It's hard being a mountain biker in the city. If you're unwilling to risk the wrath of the Chicago Park District by training on the sly in the parks, you've got to either train on the road or make the drive to Palos Forest Preserve in Willow Springs in the southwestern side of Chicagoland in order to get in quality time in the dirt. Racing's another matter entirely – most races are a considerable drive away, with our neighbor to the north, Wisconsin, home to regional competitions.

However, registration's just opened for the Palos Meltdown, to be held September 7. Just a short drive from the Loop, Palos is a well-tended park that doesn't usually hold races. Hence, it's a good idea to sign up for this race, especially if you aren't much of a mudder.

Rumor has it that the Beginner class is definitely cyclocross bikeable, as it's run mostly on double-track or fireroads. The Sport and Expert classes will require a mountain bike and are solid challenges for all but the hardest of the hard. Registration will fill up soon, so hurry over and sign up.

- Zach Thomas