Registration is Open for Hyattsville CX 2013

To register for the race please follow this link: www.bikereg.com/net/2013hcx We look forward to seeing you all on October 6 at Magruder Park. So excited.

Hyattsville CX 2013 Date Announced!

The 2013 Hyattsville CX will take place October 6, 2013, at Magruder Park in Hyattsville, Maryland. We look forward to seeing you all. More information to come as the season gets closer. In the meantime, visit www.super8cx.org to see the entire Super 8 Cyclocross Series calendar.

Hyattsville CX 2012 A Huge Success

The fourth annual edition of Hyattsville CX, race #3 in the BikeReg.com Super 8 Series, Hyattsville CX took place in classic cyclocross weather. Temperatures in the low 50s and rain showers welcomed over 500 racers to Magruder Park for Hyattsville's biggest event of the year. Sponsored by the City of Hyattsville, Arrow Bicycle and Spy Optic, and organized by Route1Velo and Crosshairs Cycling, Hyattsville CX continues to provide racers with a fast flowing course that rewards riders with both power and handling skills.

The extended wooded section added new thrills for racers and spectators, too. The off-camber 180 turn was a crowd favorite with many riders taking two or three shots at it before figuring out the correct line. As in years past, proceeds from the day's race go to Prince George's County  Special Olympics.

In the Men's Elite race, Stephen "Steevo" Cummings (C3-Athletes Serving Athletes) won his biggest race to date. He also took over the lead in the VergeSport points race and will wear the leader's jersey in two weeks at DCCX. Steevo held off Ryan Fawley (Pro Tested Gear) and Colin Becker to take the win.

The Women's Eliter race was won by Laura Murray (Race Pace). Murray's first race in the elite field happened a year ago at Hyattsville where she finished fourth. In that short year, she has not only won a number of races but is also building a sizable lead in the VergeSport leader jersey competition.

Other winners on the day included Dave Weaver (ALAN) in the Master 1/2/3 field, Sean O'Donnell (Crosshairs Cycling p/b Spy Optic) in the Single-Speed, Julian Kennedy (Race Pace) in the Men's Cat 4, Larry Miller (Crosshairs Cycling) in the Men's Cat 3/4, Shea Frederick (C3) in the Master Men 3/4 35+, Jerzy Wozniak (Winchester Wheelmen) in the Master Men 45+, Richard Paukstitus (ABRT) in the Master Men 55+, Owen Brenneman (Keystone Velo Club) in the Men 10-14, Tanner Browne (Bike Doctor) in the Men 15-18, Shauna Sweet (ABRT) in the Women 4, HEather Heinrich (Wooden Wheels Racing) in the Women 3/4 and Olivia Schulz in the Women 10-14.

The next race in the BikeReg.Com Super 8 Cycloross Series is DCCX, which takes place October 21. Register here: https://www.bikereg.com/Net/17400

Hyattsville CX 2012 from In The Crosshairs on Vimeo.

Hyattsville CX 2012

Route 1 Velo and Crosshairs Cycling are proud to announce that the 4th annual Hyattsville Cyclocross Race  will take place Sunday, October 7 at Magruder Park in Hyattsville, Maryland. The spectator- and family-friendly park, which features multiple playgrounds, plenty of parking and indoor restrooms, is only 6 miles from the U.S. Capitol, and just a 20 minute bike ride from Capitol Hill.

As in previous years, proceeds from the race will benefit Prince George’s County Special Olympics. Racers who buy Hyattsville CX pint glasses will help out a good cause and get to enjoy a tasty post-race beer. Each pint glass purchase comes with one free fill-up on race day. In the past three years we have raised over $15,00 for the Special Olympics program and remain their single largest contributor.

For the 2012 edition, Hyattsville CX will once again be part of the Super 8 Series, one of the largest cyclocross series in the United States. Presented by BikeReg.com, the Super 8 series is committed to offering racers, families and spectators a day filled with the best racing and amenities available on the East Coast. Check out the rest of the Super 8 Series here.

So come join us, won't you? Registration for all the days races can be found here: https://www.bikereg.com/Net/17197

See you October 7. Don't forget the cowbell.

Thank You!

Route 1 Velo and Arrow Bicycle wants to thank the close to 600 racers, hundreds of spectators and the Hyattsville community for making the 2011 Hyattsville CX the best edition, yet. We could not have asked for a better day. We've gotten tons of positive feedback on our course and are happy the community continues to support the event. Thank you to all the sponsors (listed on the right) that make Hyattsville CX possible. We could not do it without your support!

Although we have not finished the accounting, we most likely will be donating in excess of $5000 to Prince George's County Special Olympics!

Thanks again to everybody who made the day possible. For those that couldn't make it out, here's what you missed.

Hyattsville CX Course Preview

Hyattsville CX is this Sunday! We are super excited to have everybody out to our race. To make sure folks know what to expect, we put together a course preview of our new course layout. No spiral or sand this year, but other bigger and better surprises are in store.

If you haven't registered, go to BikeReg.com and do that now. Registration closes tonight, at Midnight.

Here's the preview. Thanks for watching and come on out Sunday! It will be fun for the whole family.

We also have this preview from last year, which will fill you in on all the parts that remain the same.

2011 Race Poster

Register for the race here. We look forward to seeing you!

2011 Hyattsville CX

Route 1 Velo is proud to announce that we will present the 3rd annual Hyattsville Cyclocross Race on Sunday, October 9th at Magruder Park in Hyattsville, Maryland. The park, which features multiple playgrounds and indoor restrooms, is only 6 miles from the U.S. Capitol, just a 20 minute bike ride from Capitol Hill.

As in the previous two years, proceeds from the race will benefit Prince George’s County Special Olympics. Racers who buy Hyattsville CX pint glasses will help out a good cause and get to enjoy a tasty post-race beer. Each pint glass purchase comes with one free fill-up on race day. In the last two years we raised $8,500 for the Special Olympics program and are their single biggest contributor.

For the 2011 edition, Hyattsville CX has been chosen to be part of the MABRAcross Super 8 Series. Presented by BikeReg.com, the Super 8 series is committed to offering racers, families and spectators a day filled with the best racing and amenities available on the East Coast. Check out the rest of the Super 8 Series here.

Watch this space for further updates as race day approaches.

Thank You!

Another successful Hyattsville CX is in the books. We had over 400 racers participate on a superb day for cyclocross racing. Special thanks to all that stayed late and participated in our Special Olympics parade lap.

Results and a race report are available here.

Pictures from Route1Velo's Joel Steen are available here.

Helmet-Cam video from the Masters 3/4 race is here.

A big thanks to our racers, their families, the sponsors, City of Hyattsville. Another successful year means another nice donation to Special Olympics.

See you next year.

Hyattsville CX Course Preview

We are stoked for Sunday! Over 300 racers are already pre-registered, but we have room for plenty more. If you are still on the fence, here is a course preview to help you decide. This is a super fun course winding through Magruder Park. The City of Hyattsville is making this a premier event on their schedule and doing all they can to make sure your experience is top notch.

Ready to race? Go register here: http://www.bikereg.com/events/Register.asp?EventID=11555

Still not sure? Here's the preview. Thanks for watching and we hope to see you on Sunday.

First Financial Group To Sponsor Hyattsville CX Dash for Cash

When you come to Magruder Park October 10 for Hyattsville CX you better be ready to get your fast on. With five separate drag strips connected together with fun technical sectors, Hyattsville CX offers opportunities for the diesels to open up their motors, and the technical riders to take the time back in the turns.

To make sure that everyone is going full gas from the start, we are giving away $100 in cash money to the fastest starters in five fields. These first-lap premes are provided courtesy of Mark Lewandowski of First Financial Group, a financial services firm with offices in the Washington, DC area.

Along with the First Financial Group, Dash for Cash, Hyattsville CX has a trunk load of other great prizes up for grabs. Wheelsets and gift certificates from title sponsor, Arrow Bicycle; a weekend getaway at the Raw Talent Ranch in West Virginia; a Poste Roast feast from Penn Quarter hot spot Poste Moderne Brasserie; portable, collapsible cyclocross barriers from CrossPropz; refreshing beverages from locally owned Honest Tea and Franklin's Restaurant, Brewery & General Store; shirts and socks from In The Crosshairs, CXHairs.com; assorted goods from Embrocation Cycling Journal and so much more.

For the kids, Hyattsville CX will feature a moonbounce and plenty of area to play. Food will be available throughout the day and beer proceeds will be donated to the Special Olympics.

Hyattsville CX is a great community event. Come out and support a race that has been embraced 100 percent by the local government, business community and citizens. Race your bike, win some swag, earn some MABRAcross series points, drink some beer, and have a great time at this year’s Hyattsville CX. We look forward to seeing you.
For more information, visit hyattsvillecx.blogspot.com. To register go to MABRAcross.org and click on HyattsvilleCX in the sidebar. Or go to http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=11555.

Registration Opens Tonight!

At 9:00 PM tonight, September 7, registration opens for the second annual Hyattsville CX. You can register by going to BikeReg.com and searching for Hyattsville CX, or just follow this link. This year is going to be bigger and better than last year. We are now part of the MABRAcross series, which guarantees a whole lot more racers will attend our event. Sign up for a race or just bring out the family for a day of fun.

Magruder Park is a family-friendly venue with multiple playgrounds and indoor restrooms. The park is located only 6 miles from the U.S. Capitol, right on the Anacostia Tributary Trail system, a 20 minute bike ride from Capitol Hill.

As last year, proceeds will benefit Special Olympics Maryland, P.G. County-Purchase your Hyattsville CX pint glass to help out a good cause and/or make a donation to Special Olympics. Each pint glass purchase come with one free beer on race day. Last year's race raised nearly $3,000 for the Special Olympics program.

This year, the Hyattsville CX beer sponsor is Franklin's Restaurant and Brewery, a fantastic local Hyattsville business that brews some of the best beer around: http://www.franklinsbrewery.com/.

Hardy's Divine Chicken and Ribs will be back to provide grub on race day.

Prizes to include:
Restaurant gift certificates, including a Poste Roast from Poste Brasserie
Franklin's Beer—Fill your growler up on the way home
Cross Propz
Embrocation Magazine/Mad Alchemy Products
In The Crosshairs, www.CXHairs.com swag

And, of course gift certificates and schwag from our favorite local bike shop and Title Sponsor, Arrow Bicycle www.arrowbicycle.com

and much, much more.

Check back here for updates. And check out our sweet new poster designed by Colby Waller.

Mark Your Calendars!!

UPDATE: We apologize for the false alarm. Registration has been delayed. We still have a couple of tees to cross and eyes to dot before opening for business on BikeReg.com. We will post it here as soon as a new date is set.

Thanks for your patience and we look forward to seeing you at Magruder Park in October!!

Registration for the second annual Hyattsville CX race opens Sunday, August 29, 2010, at 9:00 p.m. You can register at BikeReg.com by clicking here or going to this address: http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=11555.

We look forward too seeing you all on October 10. Can't wait for another great day of racing in Hyattsville. Talk to you soon!

Hyattsville CX Now Part of MABRAcross

A couple quick notes to report from the offseason. The Hyattsville CX race raised $3500 for Special Olympics. Representatives from Route1Velo and race sponsor Arrow Bicycle presented a check to the organization at a Hyattsville city council meeting last month. Thank you to all the volunteers, spectators and racers that supported the race and made it possible for us to give back.

As a result of the great success Hyattsville CX enjoyed in its first year, the race will be part of the Mid-Atlantic Bicycle Racing Association's Cyclocross series. The BikeReg.Com MABRAcross series includes eleven races that take place in Maryland, Virginia and D.C. We can expect to see at least twice as many people on race day as we did for the inaugural event.

2010 MABRAcross Schedule

9-26 Ed Sander Memorial Cyclocross (NCVC)

10-2 Breast Cancer Awareness Cyclocross Challenge (Antietam Velo Club)

10-3 Winchester Apple Harvest Cross (Winchester Wheelmen)

10-10 Hyattsville CX (Route1Velo)

10-24 DCCX (DCMTB)

10-30 All Hallows Cross (Patuxent Velo)

11-7 Tacchino Ciclocross (Squadra Coppi)

11-14 UrbanCross at Ix

11-20 HoCo2xCx: Schooley Mill Cross (Team BBC and Kelly Benefit Strategies/LSV)

11-21 HoCo2xCx: Rockburn Cross (Adventures For The Cure)

11-28 Turkey Chase/MABRAcross Championships (T.E.A.M. Fuji)

Results

Results can be found on the MABRA-USCF Google group by following this link. We know there are a few errors and omissions. If you spot one, please send an e-mail to hyattsvillecx@gmail.com. We promise to get it all sorted out and correct.

Thanks!!

Battles

Everybody that enters a cyclocross race fights their own battle. In every field there is a small selection of people that are battling for the victory. Others are battling to finish top 5 or top 10. Many battle just to finish.


This is a battle.

A battle for 17th place.

But it could be for the World Championships.

Come fight your battle with us on Sunday.

On-line registration closes tomorrow at midnight. But don't fret, if you can't pre-register, show up on race day. We won't turn you away.

100 Racers And Counting

This is turning into an honest to goodness bike race. We now have 100 registered racers and three nice sized fields. Still need the women 'crossers out there to get signed up. Same goes for you CAT 1/2/3 racers. There is money out there just waiting to be won.

We also wanted to mention that Magruder Park is about as family friendly as you can get. We have indoor plumbing, parking at the venue and TWO, yes TWO playgrounds that abut the course. You can watch your beloved racer suffer in separate locations throughout the race while the kids climb, swing and make new friends.

Lastly, we will have food at the venue. Hardy's Divine Ribs and Chicken is excited to be part of the festivities and sure to keep your stomachs full throughout the day.

A Good Sign ...

Saw this today as I did some easy laps of the course. Everything is coming together. Look forward to seeing you there. Still time to register: http://www.bikereg.com/events/Register.asp?EventID=9209

Beer!!

If you register for the October 11 Hyattsville Cyclocross the beer is on us! That's right, all registered racers receive a free beer.

But wait ...

If you purchase a commemorative pint glass, you get another free beer.

But wait again ...

If you drink said free beer in the start...ing grid before your race, I will personally buy you one to replace it.

So go, register. And we will see you at the races.

Still not convinced?

Proceeds from beer sales benefit Special Olympics Maryland P.G. Co.

Drink beer, race cyclocross, watch even more cyclocross, and support a good cause. Win. Win. Win. Win.

Fine Print: The amazing FREE BEER offer is not available for anybody under the age of 21.

How are you preparing for HyattsvilleCX?

Thori Wolfe, who races cyclocross and MTB for Hyattsville CX sponsors Route1Velo/Arrow Bicycle, headed west to Colorado and toed the line with Lance Armstrong, Dave Wiens and over 1100 others to tackle the Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Race. Here is Thori's take on how the day went down:

Leadville Trail 100 2009 Race Report

This was an epic and well worth doing. The course is an out and back of approximately 105 miles on a mix of asphalt, fire road, and double and single track. Not very technical with the exception of a few sections on Powerline and Columbine. The challenge is the elevation, weather, distance—and obviously, your own mental state.

I wanted to finish in less than 12 hours first and foremost. I planned on maintaining an average 10 hour pace to provide a buffer for stops, mechanicals, hiking the bike, and the inevitable fatigue at the end. That ended up working for me as the race wore on as I needed the time … additionally you have to make the time cutoffs throughout the course. Min speed was 0.0 mph, max speed was 42 mph.

Conditions/preparation:
The weather was something of a factor, but not unexpected: 40 degrees with rain clouds shrouding the peaks we would ride that morning. Temperatures probably got into the 60s eventually. I wore a very light Assos waterproof / windbreaker that I wear all the time, knee and arm warmers, Craft short-sleeve undershirt, and euro-dork cycling cap. Nothing you wouldn’t wear here in DC on a cold and wet winter morning.

I rode my FS 26” Blur with Kenda Small Block 8s (clinchers)—good tires, I really like them for hardpack. It was also nice to have disc brakes today because of the rain. FWIW, I also switched to my road saddle—Fizik Arione because of the distance and the planned riding conditions (e.g., fire road, double track, road—generally non-technical). I don’t ride my bikes too hard so there were no mechanicals (e.g., broken chain, broken derailleur cables, blown sidewalls) to f-up my day.

Training was predominately road training, some MTB in Gambrill/Shed or Rosaryville, and 30-45 minute roller sessions before work during weekdays. The week prior I was in Colorado Springs at an elevation between 6000’ and 10,000’ doing 3 to 4 hour rides with sustained (30 minute to 2 hour) climbing on both easy and steep climbs. The key for me was elevation (or a lack thereof in my training). I needed to get more elevation during training. I could have used more distance and specific training too, but then again I would also like to split my time between Girona, Spain and Aspen riding my bike with the odd surf trip—but somewhere in my life I missed the ticket on that train. I was prepared to ride conservatively to finish, and deal with the elevation as it came.

I did not pre-ride any of the course, unless you count “You Tube” videos as pre-riding, which I will say did help. So with that in mind, the only real surprise for me came when I got above the treeline at Columbine. To see the seemingly endless line of riders (nobody was riding read: hike-a-bikers) heading to the turnaround was impressive and —kind of Spielberg/MacGillivray-esque in scope. The image and altitude combined to hurt. I also counted on the return trip up Powerline/Sugarloaf as difficult because of its location relative to the overall course (e.g., 80 miles into a 100+ mile race). Two critical points in the race: Columbine climb outbound, and Powerline/Sugarloaf climb inbound. Neither disappointed.

I prepared drop bags at the three full aid stations (Hatchery/Pipeline—24 and 76 miles respectively; Twin Lakes—40 and 60 miles respectively; and Columbine Mine—50 mile turnaround), but used relatively little of their contents. Contents in each consisted of warmer clothes, ride food and powdered electrolyte mix, extra tubes, cartridges, and chain lube. They were there for contingency purposes but I used them sparingly.

The course/race:
I started waaaay in the back (basically at the 6th Street Gym), although I wasn't too worried about that given the likelihood of a 10.5 to 12 hour ride (ahem 'race') for me. I wanted to finish in less than 12, but planned on riding a 10 hour pace to provide a buffer for stops, hiking/pushing the bike, delirium and mechanicals.

Overall the course was really fun. Seriously. Even when I was feeling hypoxic or just like crap, I couldn't get enough of the terrain – particularly the downhills. The elevation at Columbine, then the elevation and distance combined on the return back up Powerline to Sugarloaf was tough and took me a looong time.

So, the race report: The ride out of town is an approximate 5 mile downhill ride to the start of the race, then you hit fire road enroute to St. Kevin's Mining District climb. The official description for the initial climb is extremely narrow and steep, but really it was double track and rideable the whole way up unless you were stuck in the scrum like me, and even then folks were pretty civil and if you asked to pass, they would let you. That went up to approx. 10,500’, but again completely rideable with some fun little downhill sections to break up the climb.

Off St. Kevin's you hit an asphalt downhill for approximately 3 miles on your way to the Sugarloaf Pass/Powerline drop. Even better. The climb is mellow fire road followed by a switchback to double-track (also mellow) up to about 11,200’. It was raining the whole time on both these climbs, but drainage is good, so in reality it got rid of the dust and loose dirt. The down was truly epic despite the crush of riders, most of whom were pretty cool and sufficiently proficient to ensure no crashes. The upper part off Sugarloaf is double track, not really technical and just basically fun. Then you hit Powerline proper (as I understand it), which was also hard pack, a little steeper with some ruts, but no reason to get gripped – still good fun. If you were in Leadville, Colorado riding for fun, this would be a great out and back with good climbs and descents, which would probably take about 4+ hours depending on how hard you were going.

For me the initial two climbs were easy and I did not feel any ill effects from the elevation. Well within my own capability. After Sugarloaf/Powerline you hit the flats with quite a bit of asphalt and fire road – good to form up a pace line toward the Fish Hatchery/Pipeline aid station at 24 miles outbound. I didn't stop at this station on the way out, but did use it inbound. I pressed to the Twin Lakes aid station (at 40 miles) on kind of a mesa fire road for a few miles— the sun came out along this point of the race as well. The race course was altered from previous years with some single track coming off the mesa— hard pack surface cut out of scrub that meandered along a hillside down to the lower elevations (9500’) followed by an easy fire road climb to the circus known as the Twin Lakes aid station. This was the 40 mile point and 4 hour cutoff. I rolled in at approximately 3 hours 20 minutes and filled up my water bottle. I still felt good at this point (mostly because I was conservative and at lower elevations).

The crowd on Twin Lakes was impressive— rode through the rest of the crowd on the Twin Lakes lead in to Columbine, and onto the Columbine climb. This is where I saw Lance coming down the last portion of the Columbine fire road as I entered that portion of the climb – there weren’t many other racers coming down close behind him— he had opened quite a gap on the other racers in the climb. This is also where my sea level training started to meet with reality. I was pedaling at a decent pace up Columbine until about 4 miles to go when I could feel the effects of 11,000+ feet of altitude. Very familiar feelings from my physiology training in military and aviation training—no graying of vision and all that, but light-headed for sure. I estimated I was on a 10 hour pace at that point, but quickly dialed back my pace to keep from dying. It also got warm in the treeline—off with the arm warmers, and unzipped the jacket and jersey—a la Frank Schleck. Glad I kept the jacket on though, because shortly thereafter there was a mix of rain and hail followed by the "above the tree line" section chill. Columbine was amazing. It was crowded and a death march, but what a sight to see all those riders going (slowly) up hill, with a few dudes bombing the downhill. You are EXPOSED above the tree line. For me and most of the other folks it was hike-a-bike to the top ... the hiking starts just above the tree line for most of us, when it gets steep and rocky. I heard some say about two miles or so, and that makes sense looking at the times. I stopped and helped a guy with a flat that lost his pump—karma. The down was a little tentative because there were so many people coming up—so not too smart to bomb the down, nor was it smart to fall either. But still killer.

I recovered on the way down the Columbine double track and fire road, and flat section to Twin Lakes, followed by the ride across the flats to the single track climb back to the mesa I mentioned earlier. Backing up a bit—I did stop and shed clothes at Twin Lakes and refilled the Camelbak. I can’t say enough about the volunteers at those aid stations. One guy grabbed my bike, another got my drop bag, another filled my Camelbak—then another that I was shooting the shit with says “hey do you want me to clean your sunglasses?” Unbelievable—plus you had all these people cheering you on as you went through—very motivating.

Back to riding: I started feeling the mileage (and a little bit of bonk) on the single track climb back up to the mesa and the Hatchery/Pipeline aid station. The single-track to Hatchery encompasses a section of about 65 to 76 miles into the race. I stopped for about 10-15 minutes at the Hatchery aid station to clean and lube my chain, drink coke and refill bottles—and take a break before hitting Powerline inbound. The road ride back to Powerline was quick and I actually felt pretty good all things considered until I hit the Powerline climb. That comes at 80 miles and is a steep, long, technical climb for approximately 3 miles to 11,200’. This hurt and I slowed to a crawl on this climb, adding an hour or more to my overall time. Finally crested the pass and took the double-track and fire road down to the asphalt climb to St. Kevin’s. The asphalt climb wasn’t too bad despite its length simply because there isn’t the uneven terrain and steep grade to contend with. I put my head down for the three-ish mile climb back to the top of St. Kevin’s express station (approximately 10,500’) grabbed some Sprite, Coke and watermelon and started back down to Leadville. This is a super fast, and non-technical down toward Leadville Junction and the beginning of the race. The last part is flat asphalt and gravel road into town. About 1.5 miles longer than I expected, but not all bad because of the gradual climb into town—and you’re almost done.

I finished in 11.5 hours—about an hour longer than I would have liked, but realistically about what I expected given my first look at the course and the type of training I did in advance. This race is worth doing.

That’s it. I enjoyed the race and look forward to doing it again. I will put in some more miles on the MTB, and get in some more altitude training.