Washington State Championships interview

Interview with Marla Emde about the State Championships being in Spokane this year, Interview conducted October 19th, 2006:

Brought to you by SeattleCyclocross.com and Dirty Moose Productions, Interview by Dan Norton.

SCX.com: What are the courses like for the Saturday and Sunday race at the district championships this year? (editor's note: State Championships are being held Sunday, November 5, 2006 in Spokane)

Marla Emde: Saturday's course is in Riverside State Park by the Seven Mile Bridge. The course has quite a bit of dirt, some dried grassy areas, one asphalt section and a short run up. The course is pretty wide open but has a couple of single track spots of 100 yards each. It's a fun course. Sunday's District course is at Valley Mission Park (a new venue for us recently) with mostly grass, some dirt area in an arena around horse stables, good tough run up's, and a couple short areas of pavement. It's a great spectator course, next to the I-90 freeway and less than a mile away from the host hotel.

SCX.com: Do you have a host hotel for racers? What are the rates and how close to the site is the hotel?

Marla: Yes, the Host Hotel is the Quality Inn - 8923 E. Mission Ave. Spokane Valley, WA 1.800.777.7355 The Room Rate is $72.00 for 2 queen beds and use group number 2989 when making reservations. The hotel is less than a mile (West) from the race course. www.spokanequalityinn.com. for more details. There are several restaurants just across the street and the Spokane Valley Mall is only a couple miles east on I-90.

SCX.com: Does Spokane have any good deals on food or better yet a good brewpub?

Marla: Downtown Spokane has a great food/pub selection such as: The Steam Plant Grill, the Sawtooth Grill, Maaskellers, Europa Pizzeria, Catacombs, Mizuna, etc... if you want the mainstream selection, the Spokane Valley Mall has Azteca, TGIF, Red Robin, Tony Roma's, Hooters...Dan will want to go there! :)

SCX.com: What are the entry fees?

Marla: $20.00 for adults and $10.00 for juniors 18 and under.

SCX.com: How has the Spokane series been going?

Marla: Our series has had good participation this season though we'd like to see it increase just as the West side of the state has seen participation grow. We have venues in CDA, Walla Walla (Oct 21,22) and the Spokane area. We have great courses and great weather and we get riders from Idaho and Western Montana.

SCX.com: How is the level of participation?

Marla: It varies of course... Kevin Bradford-Parish (Redline) is from Spokane so he's been leading the field around but we have the favorites of the last several years still coming out to duke it out and have some fun.

SCX.com: What should the weather be like?

Marla: We are hoping for rain but doubt we'll get it (since we are in Eastern WA). It has been dry and we typically have pretty nice weather though it can be colder and in the low 40's quite easily. We don't have any snow yet.

SCX.com: Any tire reccomendations?

Marla: Your choice... good all around tires that roll well for grassy conditions on Sunday.

SCX.com: Is there a website for information?

Marla: Yes. You can go to emdesports.com and go to 'upcoming events' and click to the '2006 WA State Cyclocross Championships'. You'll get to the page of information and directions to the venues.

SCX.com: Will registration be day of race or online?

Marla: Day of race only so please, please come out early enough. We will feature chip timing from Millisecond Sports as well free neutral bike washing by Extreme Power Wash of Spokane. I think you'll enjoy our races. Thanks for taking the time and we look forward to hosting the WA State District Championships this season.