The Thrilla is back after a brush with the grave.

Webcyclery’s popular Thrilla Cyclocross Series, which was almost called off this year for lack of a venue, will be held this fall after all — at the Athletic Club of Bend, starting Thursday, Sept. 12.

“It’s a relief, that’s for sure,” Webcyclery owner Kevin Gorman said Friday morning after receiving the final OK needed to stage the weekly series at the Athletic Club of Bend in the southwest part of town. “It’s nice to know we’ve got three weeks to get things in place.”

The Thrilla, which is entering its 10th year, had most recently been held on open lots near Summit High School in west Bend. Home development on the property made that space too small, leaving Gorman and his shop looking for its fourth different venue since starting the series — it was originally called “Thrilla in the Milla” when the event began in the Old Mill District in 2004.

“We knew we were running out of time there (near Summit),” Gorman said. “(The landowners) were super awesome and told us we were still welcome this year, but the fence line (for construction) was a little bigger than we originally thought.”

While Gorman is still fine-tuning all the details, this year’s Thrilla will again be held on Thursday nights, between approximately 5 and 7 p.m. Four evenings of competition are scheduled, with at least two races and multiple categories planned each night. Single-race cost is $15 for adults and $8 for juniors. Riders can also purchase a series pass for $45 (adults) or $25 (juniors). The Thrilla is an Oregon Bicycle Racing Association (OBRA) event, so riders will need to purchase an OBRA license — $5 for one day or $25 for the year.

“Now it’s just getting the course solidified,” said Gorman, who added that he is hoping to have a beer garden for this year’s series. “We know what we want to do.”

Gorman urged riders to not practice on the course, as it is private property. Riders can register for the Thrilla series at Webcyclery, 550 SW Industrial Way, Bend, starting Thursday, Sept. 5.

“We’re really excited,” Gorman said. “Is it a long-term solution? We’ll see how the first one goes.”