WASHINGTON, DC – In Fall 2012, the new Crosshairs presented by Spy Optic cycling team will make its official debut at the start of the Super 8 Cyclocross Series, the Mid-Atlantic Bicycle Racing Association’s premier cyclocross series. The brainchild of announcer, race promoter, and creator of www.cxhairs.com, Bill Schieken, the team brings together new and experienced racers from a variety of disciplines to pursue their shared love of cycling’s great melting pot, cyclocross.
“People tell me that I’ve done a good job turning Crosshairs into a strong brand and that having a team is a natural extension of that brand,” said team founder Schieken. “I didn’t go to business school and really don’t know what that means, but I like compliments so I ran with it.”
This fall, over 40 riders will fly the team’s black, grey and blue colors over the barriers and onto the podium. But if not onto the podium, then into the beer tent. Maybe both on a good day. Crosshairs p/b Spy Optic jerseys will be visible in the 4s, the Killer 3s, the Masters categories and beyond, including the single speeds and the occasional tandem race, if Larry can find a cheap one on Craigslist.
The team’s diversity, both on and off the bike, is testament to the wide appeal of cyclocross: police officers, firemen, government lackeys, bike messengers, some kind of attorney, carpet cleaners, vaguely defined “communications professionals” and others all unite under the Crosshairs p/b Spy Optic banner. It’s a mix that, without cyclocross, might only ever come together in some sort of courtroom environment, but somehow, it works. Apparently, it works for Spy Optic, too.
“SPY is aggressively embracing ’cross. To us, it’s BMX for adults and it’s the closest thing to action sports that we’ve got in cycling. With a passion for cycling and action sports as our raison d’être, ‘cross works for us,” said Spy Optic President Michael Marckx. “Plus, chicks dig ’cross racers, we drink lots of beer after and between races, and we enjoy keeping the sport funky.”
Though fall will mark the team’s debut in its core discipline, team members have already flown the Crosshairs p/b Spy Optic colors at events across the mid-Atlantic. Team denizens have already logged road races, cross-country and endurance mountain bike events, and messenger races across the mid-Atlantic. And while they’ve netted a few wins and podium appearances already, all ears remained peeled for the first dulcet tones of cowbell in September.
In addition to support and custom eyewear from presenting sponsor Spy Optics, the team is proud to be supported by Vans footwear, JBV Coaching, Tanglewood Development, Fulcrum Coaching and Mad Alchemy Embrocation.
