This is what USAC needs to do to get people excited about XC.  The Urban Rage MTB Assault Race is a sick little event that puts mountain bikers across every sort of city obstacle you can think of.  Here’s how their website puts it:
“On Sunday, December 7th, the HP Urban Rage presented by Jeep Apparel kicks off for the first time at Durban’s, Ushaka Marine World and will be mountain biking to the city of Durban in Kwa-Zulu Natal. Athletes will be expected to cross beaches, race through skanky garages, zoom through allies and abandoned buildings, cross draw bridges, floating walkways and slip down pipes and that’s just some of the fun and games waiting for them.”
Seriously…can you imagine an XC race, even a short track event, through a major metro?  In fact, if someone puts on something like this in 2009, Bikerumor will throw $100 into the purse…but it’s gotta be nasty.  Check out this course map (left, click to enlarge) and read the list of obstacles here.  There’s a beachside afterparty and stuff for the kids.  What more do you need?
