Check back here regularly for a (growing!) list of events at and surrounding the 2012 Cyclocross National Championships in Madison, Wisconsin. And to keep track of all the action, be sure to bookmark and regularly visit Cyclocross Magazine‘s 2012 Nationals Homepage for the full barrage of pre-race features, course updates, interviews, videos, race reports, results, photos…you name it!
US Nationals Race Schedule:
Tuesday, January 3rd
2:00pm – 6:00pm Registration/Packet Pick-up at the Holiday Inn Express (515 W Verona Ave, Verona, WI 53593)
Wednesday, January 4th
8:00am – 2:00pm Registration/Packet Pick-up at the Holiday Inn Express (515 W Verona Ave, Verona, WI 53593)
Races (Badger Prairie Park, 6720 Hwy 151, Verona, WI 53593):
9:00am – Female (non-championship)/all
10:15am – Male (non-championship)/10-29
11:30am – Male (non-championship)/30-39
12:45pm – Male (non-championship)/40+
2:00pm – Singlespeed Female
3:15pm – Singlespeed Male
4:30pm – Awards
Thursday, January 5th
8:00am – 2:00pm Registration/Packet Pick-up at the Holiday Inn Express (515 W Verona Ave, Verona, WI 53593)
Races (Badger Prairie Park, 6720 Hwy 151, Verona, WI 53593):
8:00am-8:45am – Course Open
9:30am – Masters Male 60-64
9:31am – Masters Male 65-69
9:32am – Masters Male 70+
10:30am – Masters Female 55-59
10:31am – Masters Female 60+
11:30am – Masters Female 45-49
11:31am – Masters Female 50-54
1:00pm – Awards (Library)
2:00pm – Masters Female 40-44
3:00pm – Masters Male 55-59
4:15pm – Awards (Library)
5:00pm-7:00pm Registration/Packet Pick-up at the Holiday Inn Express (515 W Verona Ave, Verona, WI 53593)
Friday, January 6th
8:00am – 3:00pm Registration/Packet Pick-up at the Holiday Inn Express (515 W Verona Ave, Verona, WI 53593)
Races (Badger Prairie Park, 6720 Hwy 151, Verona, WI 53593):
8:00am-8:45am – Course Open
9:00am – Masters Male 50-54
10:00am – Junior Female 13-14
10:01am – Junior Female 10-12
10:45am – Junior Female 17-18
10:46am – Junior Female 15-16
11:30am – Junior Male 10-12
12:15pm – Junior Male 13-14
1:00pm – Junior Male 15-16
1:45pm – Masters Female 30-34
3:00pm – Masters Female 35-39
4:30pm – Awards (Library)
Saturday, January 7th
8:00am – 3:00pm Registration/Packet Pick-up at the Holiday Inn Express (515 W Verona Ave, Verona, WI 53593)
Races (Badger Prairie Park, 6720 Hwy 151, Verona, WI 53593):
8:00am-8:45am – Course Open
9:00am – Masters Male 45-49
10:00am – Masters Male 40-44
11:00am – Junior Male 17-18
12:00pm – Collegiate Female/ D1 & D2
1:00pm – U23 Male
2:00pm-2:30pm – Elite Rider Practice
2:40pm – Master Male 35-39
3:45pm – Master Male 30-34
5:00pm – Awards (Library)
Sunday, January 8th
8:00am – 2:00pm Registration/Packet Pick-up at the Holiday Inn Express (515 W Verona Ave, Verona, WI 53593)
Races (Badger Prairie Park, 6720 Hwy 151, Verona, WI 53593):
8:00am-8:45am – Course Open
9:00am – Collegiate Male/D1
10:00am – Collegiate Male/D2
11:15-11:45am – Course Open/Elite Open
12:00pm – Elite/U23 Female
1:15-2:00pm – Course Open/Elite Only
2:15pm – Elite Male
4:00pm – Awards (Library)
Parties and Events:
Bicycles and Icicles (Jan 5th-8th):
Wed, Jan 4th from 7-9pm – Shimano Di2 Interactive Workshop
Rocket Bike Studios at 403 Venture Court in Verona
Shimano will be showing off some of their Di2 Electric Shifting, and if you sign up, you can test some of it out!
Thurs, Jan 5th from 9am to 4pm through Sun, Jan 8th from 9am to Noon – Specialized Rider’s Club
Specialized is bringing their Semi with walls, heaters and plenty of good cheer and the Specialized Riders Club will be open during Nationals. There will be heaters, coffee, hot cocoa, free neutral race support, free massage, SWAG and more … if you have a Specialized ride!
Thurs, Jan 5th Late Afternoon/Evening – NotNationals
Racing at the national championships isn’t for everyone but racing NotNationals can be. Full details revealed at appropriate times at NotNationals.com.
Thurs, Jan 5th from 6-9pm – Rocket Bike Studios Happy Hour
Rocket Bike Studios at 403 Venture Court in Verona
Manufacturers and representatives will be showing off their 2012 product lines. See product from Alchemy Bicycles, Guru, Fizik, Hed, SRAM, Saris Cycling, Vittoria Cycling Shoes, Reynolds, Hincapie, Luna and more.
Thurs, Jan 5th from 7:30 to 10:30pm – Happy Hour with NorCalCyclingNews.com and Cyclocross Magazine
3005 University Ave in Madison
Join Cyclocross Magazine and NorCal Cycling News for a real Wisconsin-style happy hour at Smokey’s dining club.
Thurs, Jan 5th at 8 pm – Bike Films
The Majestic Theater in downtown Madison
Watch bicycle films including On Time, Parasol, Jitensha, and Jour de Fete. Cost is $10.
Fri, Jan 6th at 5pm – Women and Cyclocross
Machinery Row Bicycles at 601 Williamson Street in Madison
Talk, socialize and strategize with the pros. Local Madison women racers will be joined by top pros including Mo Bruno Roy, Sue Butler, Meredith Miller, Teal Stetson-Lee and more.
Fri, Jan 6th from 6-10pm – Veldrijden Nacht
601 Williamson Street in Madison.
Celebrate cyclocross with top pros including Jonathan Page, Katie Compton, and Ryan Trebon. Don’t miss out on the excellent Belgian evening of cyclocross, beer, frites and mussels. (Cyclocross Night at Machinery Row Bicycles)
Fri, Jan 6th from 6-9pm – Bike Art Extravaganza and Photo Exhibition
- Tenney Plaza at 3 S. Pinckney Street in Madison
Bike-art installation featuring Taliah lampert and Pete DiAntoni. - Natt Spil at 211 King Street
MadCross photo exhibit which will feature 10 years of Wisconsin cyclocross racing
Sat, Jan 7th from 6-9pm – Art Pedaler
Revolution Cycles at 2330 Atwood Avenue in Madison
3rd Annual Art Pedaler featuring affordable bicycle-themed prints by local artists
Sat, Jan 7th from 8pm-2am – Bicicle Party and Winter Fashion Show
High Noon Saloon at 701 E Washington in Madison
This Party and Fashion Show will showcase a variety of creations to keep people riding throughout the season.
Sun, Jan 8th from 8pm-Midnight – After PARTY
The Great Dane Pub at 123 E. Doty Street in Downtown Madison
The racing is over but the partying isn’t.
Ice Shanty Extravaganza:
Madison Restaurants:
by Ted Burns
Madison is home to one of the biggest farmer’s markets in the country, a huge university and a good contingent of lawyers so it should come as no surprise that the restaurant scene has flourished downtown, close to the center of the action at the University and capital. While you can still find a fish fry every friday there are multitude of dining options for the fussy, budget conscious, or discriminating traveler. Here are some local options to check out while in town for 2012 Cyclocross Nationals.
Weary Traveler: Run by some cyclists who support a team and race cyclocross. Top of the pile just for that … food was solid and bar is a local favorite. It’s a little out of the way but will feel like home for most cyclists.
The Great Dane: Also a decent bar, but more of a scene. There are a few of these in different spots in Madison and Verona so it has a bit of a cool chain vibe.
L’Etoile: Fantastic & expensive high end french type of fare. The new location right across from the capital gives you a feeling of being close to the seat of power. Reservations needed.
Graze: A slightly cheaper, casual sister restaurant to L’etoile. I saw Wellens and Roberts eating here the night before their race. I was eating fried chicken and waffles (awesome), they weren’t. Pansies. Reservations needed.
Ocean Grill: Recommend the seared tuna for dinner. Also right next to the capital and pretty pricey.
Harvest: Local, organic, and pricey. Still a great option if you are going out for a nice dinner.
Natt Spil: Great bar and restaurnat run by the same folks that own the Weary Traveler. Also on the capital square.
The Old Fashioned: If you want to taste Wisconsin in one restaurant this is your spot. Get some cheese curds, brats, and a real beer within spitting distance of the capital square. Line ups can get long if you go late.
Marigold Kitchen: Awesome breakfast. A little precious but great food.
Sunroom Cafe: A breakfast option found on State Street, so if you want to check out the University and grab a quick breakfast this is a spot.
Mickeys Dairy Bar: A Madison institution right across from the Camp Randall Stadium. Great breakfast option and cheap.
Cluvers: This dinner/fast food joint is known for their custard and butter burgers. Thats right… that’s a burger fried in butter. Definitely the place to go AFTER your race. You can find Culvers spread through out Madison and Dane County.
Smokeys Dinner Club: Classic steak house food and experience. Awesome bar, and spot of the Cyclocross Magazine/NorCalcyclingnews.com happy hour on Thursday January 5 at 7:30.
Gray’s Tied House: a brew pub in Verona right around the corner from the race venue. The beer is good which is always a plus and the location is convenient.
Brasserie V: A great Belgian/French restaurant in Madison that doesn’t break the bank. Who would have thought? Brasserie V is located on Monroe street, an easy target if you are heading back to your hotel downtown after the race.
Wisconsin Beer:
by Ted Burns
Wisconsin is inextricably linked with beer. In a classic sign of over compensation or dearth of creativity the badgers named their baseball team after a bunch of beer makers. Regardless, they love their beer here and the brewers of Wisconsin will give anybody in the country a run for their money. Since American ’cross is linked to beer as much as heckling, Euro tubulars, and frites, here are some drink suggestions for you hearty souls when you make your way to Madison for Nationals next week.
Anything you can find by New Glarus
This is your first stop, and if you only drink one beer while you are here make sure it’s a New Glarus. According to my guide, a local beer connoisseur by the name of M. Sickle, “The line up cannot be touched, even my least favorite of their beers is better than the next brewery. ” The Moon Man and Spotted Cow were his favorites and have found favor with visitors to our house. Sadly you will not be able to enjoy this remotely from the comfort of your home in California, Seattle, or Portland … know why? New Glarus won’t export our of Wisconsin. That’s some hardcore loyalty right there.
Hopalicious – Ale Asylum
Sickle asked me … “Is it just guys that read this? I need to know my audience.”
“No,” I reply. “Lots of women cyclocrossers read the Cyclocross Magazine stuff.” Without missing a beat, he recommended Hopalicoius Ale Asylum. Matt recommends Hopalicious for both novice and pro beer drinkers. If you are looking for something to do one of the evenings the Ale Asylum operates a tap room out by the air port and conducts tours every Saturday.
Supper Club – Capital Brewery
Supper Clubs are a classic piece of Wisconsin history like, cheese, football, and ice fishing. The Capital Brewery supports a cycling club in the summer, and once they realize the real drinkers are at cyclocross races I’m sure they will see the light and support a ’cross team too. The Capital Brewery is located just west of Madison in Middleton, which is only about 15 minutes from downtown. Don’t fret if you can’t make it out there, most of the restaurants downtown carry Capital Brewery products so just keep your eyes open for their neon signs in restaurant and tavern windows.
Organic ESB – Lake Front Brewery Inc
Sickle couldn’t remember the name of this brew off-hand, and seeing as how Organic ESB doesn’t especially roll off the tongue I’m not surprised. Still he was enthusiastic when he sputtered “Lakefront ESB is awesome …” and seeing as how its organic, I bet this will be a big hit with the vegan/portland/hippie/hipster set. Lake Front is a Milwaukee operation so if you want to pick some up you’ll have to hit up General Beverage and Beer on McKee Road which is halfway between Prairie Badger Park and Madison.
Hopped Up ‘n Horny – Horny Goat
Horny Goat is another Milwaukee operation so keep your eyes open if you want to give Horny Goat a try. Alternatively hit up their brew pub in Milwaukee if you are flying through Mitchell International airport. The Hopped Up’n’Horny is a classic pale ale with enough taste to keep you wanting just a little more, plus, it has a crazy name even for a beer.
The depth and quantity of beer options surprises and delights first time visitors. The list above is just a small sample of what you can find at the many restaurants and bars in Madision, Verona, and Dane County.
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