Washington, D.C. — DCCX, presented by Dogfish Head Alehouse and Family Bike Shop, is offering a day of bicycle racing, refreshments, kids’ fun and Civil War history this Sunday, October 23.
The course is on the historic grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, located at the corner of Upshur St and Rock Creek Church Rd, NW. More than 700 competitors in the cyclocross races will compete in different events running from 8:30 am until 5 pm — with the elite racers taking off at noon (for women) and 3 pm (for men).
DCCX, part of the Bikereg.com MABRAcross Super 8 race series, is a great place to check out high-level bike racing in a relaxed environment — or to strap on a helmet and try racing for the first time. Registration is still open, and while some categories are full, slots are still available in the 4:15 pm Rookies’ Race.
And come out on Saturday afternoon from 1:30 pm until 4 pm for a chance to pre-ride the course.
Registration: http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=14363
Race sponsor Terra Landscaping has been hard at work cutting back brush, clearing a new hill and working on drainage in order to turn the laps into a challenge of speed and power — just as DCCX has been in each of its past five years. Also back this year are the “heckle steps,” — where the crowds will be cheering as the riders run up the steps and hop back on their bikes.
DCCX is as much a celebration of cycling and a chance to honor American history as it is a bicycle race.
The Lincoln Cottage, where President Abraham Lincoln drafted the first takes of the Emancipation Proclamation, is up the hill on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home. On race day, tours of the site and grounds will be offered every hour from 11:00 a.m. through 3 p.m. Tours last about an hour.
Dogfish Head Alehouse will be back at the course. It’s sponsoring the women’s elite race and serving up refreshments to participants and spectators. The Dutch Club will be out there handing out their scrumptious pancakes. Baja Fresh burritos, chili and Drink More Water will also be available.
DCMTB’s racers will be cooking up their world famous frites, with the supplies compliments of Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar. Sonoma is also hosting race packet pickup party on Saturday evening from 5:30 pm until 7:30 pm, and donating beer for some lucky podium finishers.
And there are two sets of kids’ races, one at 10 am and one at noon. Kids will also have a chance to play in the hay while Mommy and Daddy sweat it out on the race course.
Elite racers win cash. Other podium finishers get sweet swag from some of our key sponsors, including Family Bikes, Northwest Knee Warmers, Crunch Fitness, North Tek, SRAM, Sticky Fingers or Dancing Mind Yoga.
Joe Foley Photography will be on hand, taking classic portraits. Family Bike Shop’s one-and-only Jonathan Seibold and his crew will be out there during the day showing off their wares and tweaking your bikes, as needed.
