Weighall and Bishop Grind to Victory at Maris Farms – UPDATED: Full Results and More Photos

Maris Farms SCX © Janet Hill

by Kenton Berg

Seattle Cyclocross race number five took place Sunday at the pumpkin patch known as Maris Farms. In its second year as a venue for the SCX schedule, the Maris track was a week late in dishing out more tricks than treats to the racing population. Heavy rains overnight and over the past week helped transform the pumpkin patch into an incremental mud pit and turned the grassy areas into greasy avenues.

With pumpkins lining half the course, racers were tested by the mud sections as well as a number of back-and-forth turns that made up the south half of the course. After taking in a long run through shoe-stealing mud, racers hopped on their bikes to bump over the rocky road on the back side of the course. Hidden, sharp rocks took their toll on tires while the mud and grass took its toll on other parts of the bike.

Mud, Pumpkins, Sun © Janet Hill

After the trip around the rocky road, racers plunged into the grassy area and were off their bike as much as on it though a series of up-and-down rides/runs which then headed into the barriers and another run-up. More turny sections on the plateau area up top led to a fast off-camber turn next to the pits and then a quick grind up to the finish line.

Splash © Janet Hill

With the morning squalls out of the way the Elite Men took to the course under mostly sunny skies and gradually drying mud. The dreaded peanut butter effect was coming on strong, but this didn’t seem to bother Nick Weighall (Cal Giant Berry Farms) who used his great bike handling skills and power to outlast Russell Stevenson (Cycling NW) by a minute and Logan Owen (Redline) who came in nearly four minutes back to complete the podium.

The Elite Women would take the stage after the men and would spend a good portion of their day working through the men’s fields that were sent out in front of them. While the peanut butter mud continued to cause havoc, Serena Bishop, (Sunnyside Sports) who traveled up from Bend, OR, and series leader Kristi Berg (CycleU) would put the power down to take first and second, and be the only two women who would finish on the lead lap. Coming in one lap down, but still on the podium, was Courtney McFadden (Cycling NW).

The SCX series takes a week off next week before resuming again on November 21st with race number six at the Sprinker Center outside of Puyallup, WA.

Kenton Berg’s Photo Gallery:

Janet Hill’s Photo Gallery:

Full Results

Elite Men

Elite Women