October 28, 2009; Conshohocken, PA, USA: Cyclocross racers at MAC’s two days of UCI and amateur racing in New Jersey this weekend will need to pay closer-than-normal attention to what they’re wearing. Beacon Cyclocross in Bridgeton New Jersey will see racers trying to avoid the Jersey Devil while rushing through the woods on Halloween, while promoters of the following day’s Cat and Kitten Cross presented by HPCX in Jamesburg New Jersey have a few suggestions about what to wear to a wedding reception in the middle of a cyclocross race.
Beacon Cyclocross Celebrates Halloween
The irrationality of cyclocross, such as Beacon’s “Amphitheater of Pain” run-up to the top of the terraced seating area of Bridgeton’s two-story high amphitheater, provides a good setting for Halloween attire. Last season, the entire C3 team, nearly 20 members strong, debuted a special Karate Kid “Fists of Death” skinsuit just for the occasion. In keeping with the theme of trick or treat, Halloween day’s Beacon Cross has made the first change in many years to its classic roads-in-the-woods course. “The city installed new guardrails, so we’ve extended the straight, paved start several hundred feet further up the hill before merging it with the main course this year,” says Beacon promoter Wade Hess. “It’ll probably be a treat for most racers, but it’ll be a cruel trick anybody that expects the old right-hand corner that isn’t there anymore.”
HPCX Combines, Bikes, Beer, and a Wedding Reception
For Sunday, in Highland Park, NJ, Cat and Kitten Cross presented by HPCX have teamed up with Van Dessel and Triumph Brewing Company to provide the two essentials of cyclocross for their race on November 1st in Jamesburg, NJ: bikes and beer.Van Dessel Sports, headquartered in Mendham, NJ, will have their line of high quality cyclocross bikes on offer for racers interested in experiencing what a true ‘cross bike should feel like. Stop by the Van Dessel Sports tent at HPCX or, to reserve a demo, contact Van Dessel Sports ([email protected]). Triumph Brewing Company will keep the brew flowing for the 21-and-over crowd with two choices of beer. Paying homage to the homeland of cyclocross, Triumph will provide their Belgian-style ale. For the ultimate in refreshing, thirst-quenching, post-race recovery mixes, Triumph will supply their hoppy IPA.
In addition to bikes and beer, Cat and Kitten Cross will feature all the food, music and dancing fit for a wedding celebration. Returning to the race this year is CT’s BBQ, a staple of HPCX. CT’s BBQ trailer will be on hand to feed racers, spectators and newlyweds alike with BBQ chicken, pulled pork, hamburgers, hot dogs and all the fixins. The Spectacles, a Brooklyn-based jazz band, are scheduled to get the funk out from 11am to 1pm. Drawing influence from Bobby Hebb, Futurama, the Gin Blossoms and Bill Murray, their unique brand of funk will help keep the ‘cross vibe alive. The most popular entertainment, though, will undoubtedly be the Li’l Belgians Kids Race, held at 12pm. Kids with bikes of all varieties will race multiple laps of their own cyclocross course. Registration is free and helmets are required.
Cat and Kitten Cross celebrates the 10th year of HPCX. From humble beginnings as a “grassy crit” in Highland Park’s Donaldson Park, HPCX capitalized upon a venue change and has grown to become a premier UCI C2 cyclocross event in the Mid-Atlantic Cyclocross Series. Past Elite champions at the Thompson Park course include Adam McGrath and Laura van Gilder (2008), Davide Frattini and Georgia Gould (2007) and Matt White and Maureen Bruno Roy (2006).
Because “Cat and Kitten Cross presented by HPCX” serves as the wedding reception for pro riders Jonny Sundt and Mandy Lozano, the organizers have issued a statement clarifying what constitutes “proper attire” at a reception that incorporates a cyclocross race:
“Proper attire is requested for Cat and Kitten’s reception. Since the lovebirds have settled in Texas, and the race takes place just minutes from the New Jersey Turnpike, cowboy boots would be appropriate. But for the love of humanity, and in the name of all that is decent, please do not walk around the reception (nor anyplace else) wearing only a skinsuit and cowboy boots. HPCX suggests that a freshly-coiffed mullet and a fashionably black HPCX Tee Shirt (purchased from our registration page on BikeReg.com) would be a tasteful, yet not ostentatious, wardrobe combination for this special occasion. Please also wear trousers.”
Sundt, for his part, has no doubt about what he and Mandy are expecting from their wedding reception, “It’s going to be an insane party, with the Beer Garden and the great food. And you can keep your belly full and your mug full and watch really good UCI racing.”
Register for Cat and Kitten Cross p/b HPCX
Van Dessel Sports: http://www.vandesselsports.com
Triumph Brewing Co.: http://www.triumphbrewing.com/indexfl6.html
The Spectacles: http://www.thespectaclesband.com
