Cyclocross Racing - DCCX update

the course is in great shape, and will have a very similar, but improved layout this year

http://tinyurl.com/yk28frv

if you loved the long flat out-on-the-road /back-on-the-grass section, you'll be happy to know it's still there. if you hated it, you'll be glad to know it's a big shorter. the downed tree log hop was removed, so that's no longer there. we added a few extra twists and turns.

the course should be fast, slightly shorter laps, (1.75 mi vs 2 mi. in previous years). better flow in a couple sections. a couple extra small hills. a little more time in the woods instead of a boring grass section.

the spectator hub will be similar, but with better crowd access. once again we'll have free frites, free beer for racers, dutch pancakes, and free bananas and some other goodies from Whole Foods.

it's shaping up for a real fun race.

still space in all categories, though cat 4 is over 100...

http://www.bikereg.com/events/Register.asp?EventID=9416

marc

someone asked about travel issues due to the marine corps marathon...

the marathon has zero impact on the immediate area- and we have our own parking on campus.

if you are coming from northern va and you would normally come across one of the bridges into DC, then you'll have to pick a route that isn't blocked. but generally it won't affect travel.

we've had our race on the marine corps marathon day the last 2 years and i haven't heard of a lot of trouble.

closed streets: http://marinemarathon.com//Assets/Street+Closings.pdf
MCM route: http://map.mapnetwork.com/event/dc/marinecorpsmarathon/

our venue is far removed from the marathon, and you wouldn't even know it was going on unless you went down near the river.

So, from NoVA, it looks like I would cross the American Legion (495) and head around to Georgia Ave? Or does anybody have a better suggestion?

Could go 495 to River, to Western, to Military (thru Rock Creek Park), to Georgia.

Not sure if that is any faster though.

Hey, I've got friends coming to watch the racing, do they just need picture ID to get through the gate?

Love that this race is like blocks from my house.

Hey, I've got friends coming to watch the racing, do they just need picture ID to get through the gate?

yes- that will be fine

the course is in great shape, and will have a very similar, but improved layout this year. ...the downed tree log hop was removed, so that's no longer there. we added a few extra twists and turns. ...

marc

I was kinda looking for to the tree. Not going over it personally, but watching others.

I was kinda looking for to the tree. Not going over it personally, but watching others.

yeah- the grounds-crew removed it sometime in the last year- it wasn't something we decided. I thought it was fun as an oddball feature.

the course is in great shape, and will have a very similar, but improved layout this year

http://tinyurl.com/yk28frv

if you loved the long flat out-on-the-road /back-on-the-grass section, you'll be happy to know it's still there. if you hated it, you'll be glad to know it's a big shorter. the downed tree log hop was removed, so that's no longer there. we added a few extra twists and turns.

the course should be fast, slightly shorter laps, (1.75 mi vs 2 mi. in previous years). better flow in a couple sections. a couple extra small hills. a little more time in the woods instead of a boring grass section.

the spectator hub will be similar, but with better crowd access. once again we'll have free frites, free beer for racers, dutch pancakes, and free bananas and some other goodies from Whole Foods.

it's shaping up for a real fun race.

still space in all categories, though cat 4 is over 100...

http://www.bikereg.com/events/Register.asp?EventID=9416

marc

btw, cat 4 is at 110 now- it really isn't full yet (despite what bikereg says at the moment!)

The Belgians Are Back for DCCX!

Belgium has ale, frites, waffles, the European Union and -- as every cyclist knows -- cyclocross. In a historic arrangement again this year, the Belgian Embassy will be a sponsor of the “Lil’ Belgians” kids race at the October 25 DCCX cyclocross race. The kids, age three to nine, will take spins around the short track next to the DCCX course at the Armed Forces Retirement Home. Every participant is a winner, earning some chocolates for themselves.

Just as it was last year, the kids race is being organized again this year by Joel Gwadz, author of a famous bike blog Gwadzilla, father of two boys and a man not afraid to race in a cheerleader's outfit. Unlike last year, the Belgian truffles and Cote d’ Or chocolates, which are donated by the embassy, will be shared with a few lucky winners of the men's and women's races that day. Other swag for winners includes beer from Blue Ridge Restaurant on Wisconsin Ave, bike gear from Family Bike Shop in Crofton, Maryland and gift certificates for Stickey Fingers bakery in Mt. Pleasant. Elite men and women winners earn cash.

------

DCCX - Presented by Family Bike Shop - is Washington, DC's only cyclocross race. The third-annual event will be held on October 25th on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home. The historic venue near Georgia Ave. in northwest Washington is transformed for the race into a festival celebrating biking and the sport's northern European roots.

The race, organized by the DCMTB team, is part of the nine-part series of the Mid-Atlantic Bicycle Racing Association. DCCX registration opened last month and there are already 334 pre-registered racers.

Proceeds from the race are donated to help veterans living at the facility, which is off-limits to the general public the rest of the year.

how many forums do you post this on other than rbr?

not hating. just wondering what sites im missing out on

how many forums do you post this on other than rbr?

not hating. just wondering what sites im missing out on

I post to this one and rbr. and a women's forum on cx (estrogen or something)

plus the 2 local listserves: the mabra google group, and the yahoo mac bs group.

i sometimes go to the CX mag forum, but i find it awkward to use

the 2 forums that come up on top when i google "cyclocross forum" are the ones I normally read! and mostly where I post updates.

some other stuff gets posted by the MABRA PR guy- to velo news, cycling news, CX mag, whatever

marc

This will be my first cyclocross race and I'm really looking forward to it. Being in DC only makes it better- very excited.

it sucks how awkward the cx magazine forums are to use.

just a heads up that there are only a few cat 4 spots left.

after that cat 4s can register for the 3/4 or 3/4 masters categories

We encourage all racers to pre-reg- it's easier on our volunteers, guarantees you a starting spot, and saves you $10!

Anybody know if there is a helmet cam out there of the course?

Anybody know if there is a helmet cam out there of the course?


no, there isn't. but that would be very cool.

access is somewhat limited to the facility, but if someone with a helmet cam wanted to ride it with one of us, maybe that could be worked out.

DCCX course work today went really well. the course is looking sharp!

Amazingly, despite all the recent rain, the course has barely any mud. I did several laps and my bike is basically clean- drainage there is very good.

-marc
dcmtb.com

is there a reason this race is always the seem weekend as the marathon?

is there a reason this race is always the seem weekend as the marathon?

originally in 2007, we had a mid september date, but it was the same day as an established road race, and MABRA asked us to move it.

then, we chose a date that didn't conflict with other local races- MABRA, MAC, state championships, the USGP in NJ, Gloucester GP, etc.

We ended up with a date that is concurrent with the MC marathon and the USGP in KY- but we still felt like it was a good date for our race. We were aware of the marathon (ad it made it tricky to locate an EMT the first year), but it didn't seem to be a problem except for a person or 2 who might want to do both. the calender is really packed, and our main concern is coordinating with other regional cx races.

I guess it may be somewhat coincidental that we end up the same as the marathon- we don't have something written in stone that we are always the weekend after Columbus day or whatever, or last full weekend in October (though maybe that's how it ends up)- we just have to fit it in with the mid-atlantic cx calender, and we like being in late October.

i figured it was just a coincidence. i think its a good date. i just wasnt sure if there was something else behind it.

are you guys all set for volunteers?

i figured it was just a coincidence. i think its a good date. i just wasnt sure if there was something else behind it.

are you guys all set for volunteers?


thanks for asking.

I think we are doing ok, but there are always jobs that can use extra hands (course marshall, parking, cooking frites! etc or course setup on saturday)

anyone who wants to pitch in can email Matt mattydonahue@hotmail.com
or just ask a DCMTB member if you can pitch in on race day- I think we will have volunteer t-shirts this yaer, or we'll be in our white-with-red stripe kits.

thanks! the generosity of the CX community really impresses me.

i live pretty close to the venue so i could be available for pre and post race stuff. ill give matt and email.

very excited. this will be my third race

very excited. this will be my third race

There's a bunch of us in the Cat 4 - although I think Bitterken has abandoned us for a tonier group.

Yeah, I'm in the 3/4 35+ for this one (and the HoCo double)...I mis-registered - I have no business there!

Swing by the tent for cold ones.

Oh I will definitely be drinking beer and eating frites at DCCX.

Can you get them to bounce you back down? I'm likely gonna do the HoCo double and Reston. I may do All Hallows, but I'd be getting off a redeye from California to do it.

Yeah, I'm in the 3/4 35+ for this one (and the HoCo double)...I mis-registered - I have no business there!

Swing by the tent for cold ones.

if you want to change to cat 4, matt might be able to do it for you

mattydonahue "at" hotmail "dot" com

but act fast- last time I looked, there were 2 spots left in cat 4.

but the 3/4 masters probably isn't that different in speed than cat 4 in the pack, and a smaller field size

-marc
dccx

Okay - forecast is for rain on Saturday, but clear and cool on Sunday.

Fingers crossed; I want to hangout at this one.

crossed for rain i hope!

au contraire Mr I Just Schlepped Thru Delaware. I don't mind the mud, but when it's actually raining I can't see with my glasses (and my contacts haven't arrived yet).

Although with over 100 riders in the C race, maybe a mudbowl would be worth it just for amusement.

Reminder: Online registration closes at 10pm THURSDAY

Race packet pick-up and registration available on Sat, Oct. 24, from 6 – 9 PM at Looking Glass Lounge, 3634 Georgia Ave, NW, Washington, DC, and on race day at the course with a $10 day-of registration fee. Registration opens at 8:00 am and closes 15 min before each start.

Additional race information can be found at : http://www.dcmtb.com/blog/dc-cx
Get updates on facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/DCCX/137070666858?ref=ts
Register at www.bikereg.com/events/Register.asp?EventID=9416

All women racers are invited to attend the DC-ChiX clinic, free of charge. Saturday, 2pm, on the DCCX course.
To participate, women riders must first pre-register for DCCX through BikeReg.com and then send an email to clinic@dcmtb.com.

9am Cat 4 men's race is full, cat 4 racers can still register for a 3/4 race.

55+ and Jr racers in the 10am and 11am races should be aware that the COMBINED limit for all fields in those time slots is 125 racers- please pre-register to reserve your spot. (at this time the 10am race has 105 registrants, the 11am has >80)

DC-ChiX press release: www.mabra.org/article.php?did=667&scid=69
DCCX's influence release: www.mabra.org/article.php?did=665&scid=69
The Belgian's are back! www.mabra.org/article.php?did=668&scid=69

Map to race-day parking: http://tinyurl.com/yzjkb2h
DCCX is on the same day as the Marine Corps
Marathon- racers traveling from Northern Va. should account for this in
their planning.
closed streets: http://marinemarathon.com//Assets/Street+Closings.pdf
MCM route: http://map.mapnetwork.com/event/dc/marinecorpsmarathon/

So here's the real question -

Sure the beer goes with the frites, but do you have pancakes before or after? Before and after?

So here's the real question -

Sure the beer goes with the frites, but do you have pancakes before or after? Before and after?

I guess pancake hand-ups during the race would be a DQ?

good luck to everyone racing. i'll be in Austin for the Livestrong century (it's only 90mi but I'm riding to the start from the hotel, so it'll be 110 total for me).

Great day; great course. After not crashing at all in my previous races, I crashed 3 times (and dropped my chain once)! I take that as a sign of improvement. Best thing about CX is I learn something about how to ride my bike on every course. Today's lesson, if your weight is too far back on a climb, you will pop a wheelie and fall over.

Crackmonkey was jammin today and I lost Racermike midway thru the 2nd lap. But Bitterken had the Newcastle, so all was well.

This was my 4th race. It was the 2nd race that my field (Cat4) was full. The first race where that happened was Charm City; I finished 86th. Today I finished 85th. I didn't crash at either of those races and I was lapped in both. Of my other 2 races I finished 35th out of 72 and 31st out of 44; I crashed in both of those and was not lapped in either race.

There's something to be said about crashing....

B Masters for me. The only bad part was the start, but otherwise it was a pretty smooth race. My only goal was not to get lapped, and I'm happy to report that the goal was met. I went so hard that I ruptured blood vessels in my nose and had to taste that for most of my race. Unreal.

Post race banter is always the best part, so great seeing you guys again! See you guys at Coppi. I'll have more root beer and Newcastle.

P.S. Tubulars do make a huge difference. I was running high 20's for PSI, and although I felt like I was bottoming out coming off the curbs, the added traction and the smoothing out of the rougher spots makes it totally worthwhile. It's best upgrade I ever made.

amazing race today dc.cyclocross. you guys put on one hell of a race. thanks for all your hard work to make this possible.

Good job to my neighbor Jen Maxwell, hanging on while feeling a bit ill and getting on the podium. :thumb:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v201/BarracksSi/Bike/IMG_3605.jpg

awesome women's race. the chase group was duking it out the whole time. about 67 women! :)
over all, I was told 533 registered

the weather was perfect, and it all came together so well for us. we are psyched!

Def. a fun and fast course :thumb: Can't wait for it next year.

DCCX 2009 was my first cyclocross race and I'm hooked. Just signed up for the Coppi's race on 8 Nov. Thank's DCCX for a great event, look forward to doing it next year... and not get lapped.

Justin

DCCX was amazing. I've raced all three editions now, and it's incredible how the event has grown on all levels. The course keeps getting better and better, while the people get closer and friendlier every year. Of all of the CX races I do in the Mid-Atlantic, this is my favorite. Great job by DCMTB in putting this event together, and great racing by all of the DC-region riders and everybody who showed up.

Who was the older woman hauling her gold GT full-suspension rig in the race? That thing looked like it weighed well over thirty pounds. I watched her chug along for the whole 45+ minutes, and after the race, she came back by the Christmas tree turn to chill with her husband.

She busted her hump to finish, and had a huge smile at the end. I told my friend that she was the coolest racer of the day. ;)

Who was the older woman hauling her gold GT full-suspension rig in the race? That thing looked like it weighed well over thirty pounds. I watched her chug along for the whole 45+ minutes, and after the race, she came back by the Christmas tree turn to chill with her husband.

She busted her hump to finish, and had a huge smile at the end. I told my friend that she was the coolest racer of the day. ;)

i don't know name, but she came to at least on our our clinics. I saw her at the start of her race, and wondered later how she had made out. glad to here she stuck it out! I like that DCCX attracts people who aren't just the usual experienced mtb and road racers. last year we had a guy with bike racks on his bike, and someone spotted rear view mirrors!

how did she do at the barriers?

we almost had a special first timers category, and maybe that will happen next year. we just were worried about spreading our efforts too thin

-marc
dcmtb

DCCX was amazing. I've raced all three editions now, and it's incredible how the event has grown on all levels. The course keeps getting better and better, while the people get closer and friendlier every year. Of all of the CX races I do in the Mid-Atlantic, this is my favorite. Great job by DCMTB in putting this event together, and great racing by all of the DC-region riders and everybody who showed up.

thanks! we learn a lot each time we do it. we very consciously wanted to make it both as good a race as we could, but also as much fun. i think our success has exceeded our own expectations!

i don't know name, but she came to at least on our our clinics. I saw her at the start of her race, and wondered later how she had made out. glad to here she stuck it out! I like that DCCX attracts people who aren't just the usual experienced mtb and road racers. last year we had a guy with bike racks on his bike, and someone spotted rear view mirrors!

how did she do at the barriers?

She would stop, get off, heave the bike over, step over herself, then push the bike to the next one and repeat.

I still have to learn how to step off while moving (I'm no CX racer), so I can't talk down about her at all. ;)

A first timers' class would be interesting for sure. Do other races have such a category?

She would stop, get off, heave the bike over, step over herself, then push the bike to the next one and repeat.

I still have to learn how to step off while moving (I'm no CX racer), so I can't talk down about her at all. ;)

A first timers' class would be interesting for sure. Do other races have such a category?

i think it's so cool she signed up and raced!

i think i've seen beginner categories (maybe not first timers). it would be nice to have a true beginners class for people who never really raced before. the cat 4 is not a beginner class, at least at the front- there are some very strong and skilled riders in that pack

I've never raced before in any discipline, but plan on doing DCCX next year, whether that be in Cat 4 or beginner. Though I can tell you a beginner class would be welcome and much less intimidating.