Looking Ahead

The Silver Goose took flight quickly. The cyclocross race started in the fall of 2014, a little more than a year and a half after organizer John Hauser made a trip to the world championships in Louisville, Ky. He was smitten by the muddy sport and wanted to bring it to Little Lake Park in Midland, Ont. By 2016, he was hosting the provincial championships. Last year, the continent’s best racers came for the Pan American championships. “We brought the first continental championships in cyclocross to Canada,” Hauser says. “We also hosted the first-ever continental championships i n cyclocross for masters athletes in the Americas.”

He has another first planned for the 2019 edition. “We’re adding the junior women category to the continental championships. It will be the first time men and women have had the same racing opportunities in terms of age categories,” Hauser says. “When the Silver Goose started, I did it with a goal of having greater equality between the men’s and women’s sides of the sport. Adding junior women is a big step in that direction.”

Last year, the course impressed and challenged the riders. Hauser plans to develop it even further. “For 2019, we may dial some lines,” he says. “We’re considering some pro-only sections to really bring on the hurt for elite competitors. I’m going to remain hush on any details for now. People will just have to come and enjoy it.” Which they should. The course is spectator-friendly, making it easy to take in the best riding on the continent.

Unfortunately, the Silver Goose might soar for the final time this fall. “It’s very unlikely I’ll take on 2020,” Hauser says. “Right now the mindset is to end on a high note.”