Although I did get my fix of Walla Walla's gravel roads and endless wheat fields these past few weeks, I didn't arrive quite soon enough. I missed out on the best time of the year...October. Why? Because that is the month that Charles Stanger finishes up his annual modifications to his infamous cyclocross courses.
This year the rider-tall wheat field maze was hardly a standout feature as Charles re-sculpted the hill-climb as the exit of the 2nd river crossing (that's right, I said 2nd...you cross the river twice every 8 minutes!) and finally constructed his long-planned triple overpass! Tailored with perfect angles, riders never touched the brakes and finished the obstacle with a healthy amount of airtime after emerging from the depths of the final under section.
But over the past five years Charles has done more than create one of wicked cyclocross courses in the Northwest US. He has created a legacy in Walla Walla by welcoming new people into the sport of cycling through the muddy and relaxed atmosphere of cyclocross. His own passion for the sport is hard to match whether he is out there crushing it on a vintage bike that doesn't want to stay together...or making noise on the sidelines. Besides...now he is making his own bike frames! Build your own legacy in your town! And if you need a kickstart, maybe you should just buy one of his frames instead!
