Photos by Ryan Brennecke / The BulletinRiders jockey for position after making the first turn of the course while competing in the Thrilla cyclocross race at the Athletic Club of Bend on Wednesday night.

Bikes, beer and cowbells, what’s not to love?

Bend’s Thrilla Cyclocross Series is up and running, as the second of five races was staged Wednesday at the Athletic Club of Bend. The series, which is in its 11th year, seems to have finally found a permanent spot at the west-side athletic facility as race organizers from Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation estimated more than 200 riders competed in races on Wednesday and Sept. 3.

“This is for everybody,” said competitor Amber Clark, 37, a teacher at Central Oregon Community College who raced in the women’s A division. “We all just love bikes.”

Beginners, juniors and masters over 50 did 3 1/2 loops around the course for about 30 minutes before the studs took to the track for 45 minutes. The course, which MBSEF officials plan to tweak every week, started in the front lawn of the Athletic Club before twisting and turning on singletrack southwest of the building.

“It’s such a great sport,” said Clark, who was introduced to ’cross racing while living in Portland. “You ride hard, everyone’s loud, you drink beer and you get to heckle people!”

Cheering, jeering and mocking of riders are just as much staples of the sport as tight turns, obstacles and multiple race surfaces. All done in good fun.

“Bend’s so supportive, anybody can come down and race,” said Kyle Mills, 35, who raced in the men’s B division. “You see pros and national champions out there cheering on guys like me.”

Always loud and often a bit zany, the whimsical nature of the sport has a way of bringing in cyclists who have never raced or those turned off by the sometimes uber-serious road and mountain bike worlds. Beer and food tents are usually found on race courses and some fans have been known to motivate slower moving riders with beer and/or doughnut handouts. Wednesday’s event had an unofficial “commuter” division in which racers rode their commuter bikes and dressed in the clothes they typically commute in. (Fun concept, until you realize that guy in the full suit is much, much faster than you.)

“I like to fling (crap) around,” said John Livingston, 40, the man behind the commuter race, with a laugh.

Livingston donated a pile of old gift cards and got Primal Cuts butcher shop to contribute a pound of bacon to the cause. (The commuter winner received half of that pound as Livingston took the other half as a “commission.”)

The Thrilla continues over the next three Wednesdays. The cost is $20 per race and riders must have an Oregon Bicycle Racing Association license. One-day licenses are $5.

“Biking’s an awful lot of fun,” Livingston said. “This is a good excuse to stay active and ride some bikes.”

—Reporter: 541-383-0305; beastes@bendbulletin.com.