by Darren Biggs
DCCX, presented by Family Bikes Shop and DCMTB, is offering five new ways to take you higher for this Sunday's race. As Sly and The Family Stone would say: Boom Shakalaka; Boom Shakalaka.
First the housekeeping: BikeReg pre-registration closes Thursday at 10 p.m. Many categories are already sold out; a few elite men's and women's spots remain.
The race will be held Sunday, Oct. 24 at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, D.C. Info here or on facebook.
Five ways DCCX will take you higher:
- There's a new course: This year the course is losing the long out and back road section, which was so beloved by roadies as a great place to recover on the wheel of a hapless mountain biker. It also lost the uphill barrier and it lost the early dodgy section under the trees. It's gained so much more: A newly constructed set of uphill stairs; a set of barriers on the short uphill power climb; a longer brick walkway section, a tight off-camber turn and a new trail hacked through the woods by our own Lord Stanley, Darren Biggs. We're calling the trail ``Sticky Fingers Way'' in honor of our sponsor Sticky Fingers Bakery in Mt. Pleasant. See the video of the new course here.
- Dogfish Head Alehouse threw in a whopping $1,500 to sponsor the 1/2/3 Women's race and is supplying us with refreshments. They are also providing liquid refreshments for the race. Sure, we had refreshments in the past, but never before from Dogfish Head, the purveyor of the top beers in America.
- Joe Foley Photography is taking pictures. DCMTB's own Joe Foley opened his own photography business and is donating gift certificates for photo sessions up for grabs as first lap primes in the Men's masters 1/2/3 and Men's masters 3/4 races. He'll also have a photo booth set up at the venue. See if you can smile with grit in your teeth and screaming legs.
- Bummed that you registered late and will be starting on the back row, behind 99 Cat-4 riders? Don’t be: DCCX introduces the Jachtmeester prize in its largest category races. The racers that pass the most riders win a six-back of beer, compliments of Blue Ridge Neighborhood Bar and Beer Garden in the Glover Park neighborhood of Washington. Finish 42nd and win a prize? Now that's a reason to give it all up on that last lap. (Blue Ridge is also offering free beer if you come up there the night before and pick up your number. They are located at 2340 Wisconsin Ave. or online at www.blueridgerestaurant.com)
- New race categories: Is there a guy in your office who tells you: "Cyclocross, I would like to try that some time''? If so, there are still slots available in the Rookie Race, a late-day, low stress event for inexperienced racers. Also late in the day are the much anticipated single-speed and tandem events, which are also new this year. The tandem race is shaping up to be a battle royal after local stars Jared Nieters and Joe Dombrowski said they may team up for it. That is the third event Nieters is signed up for; afterwards he is going to have to Drink More Water, compliments of our longstanding water sponsor: contact them for home delivery.
There are some things that are staying the same this year, which is to our benefit. Family Bike Shop in Crofton, Maryland is once again a title sponsor, putting up the prizes for the Men's 1/2/3 race and for a number of other categories. Family Bike Shop will be out there during the day showing of their wares and tweaking your bikes, as needed. DCMTB team members will again be cooking frites; and the Dutch Club will be out there handing out their scrumptious pancakes. DCCX bells, suitable for ringing, are available on bikereg.com. Order now and pick up your bell at registration.
The Belgian Embassy has again signed on as a sponsor, donating chocolates that will be handed out to winners of Belgian trivia questions.
Most of all, we will be enjoying the wonderful environment of the Armed Forces Retirement Home. DCMTB makes a donation to the veterans living there each year, and is grateful to the home for opening its grounds to us each year.
And now, Sly.
DCCX is up to 599 riders, (9 lil Belgins) would be cool to see 600 racers at mabra event.
Posted by: Darren | October 19, 2010 at 04:41 PM