DCCX IS COMING! 10/26

(Great event, seriously. Casual and fun to watch. I'm not even racing!)

DCCX, the only cyclocross race held in the nation's capital, will be
held on October 26 on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home in
NW Washington DC. Registration is now open on BikeReg.com.
For the second-annual event, race promoters DCMTB/City Bikes are
building on last year's exciting, successful race and will offer
improvements to an already awesome race experience -- and provide even
more extra-curricular fun for racers, kids and spectators. DCCX joined
the MABRA cross series this year.
Three ways the fun continues from last year:

1. The race is held on a classic, European-style cyclocross course. It's
fast with lots of transitions from grass to pavement to gravel and back.
There are some tricky barriers and roots. Amateur archeologists from
DCMTB uncovered a stone, Paris-Roubaix-style path before last year's
race, and that has become DCCX's signature feature. The layout is great
for first time cyclocross racers and a fast, challenging event for
veterans.
2. The Armed Forces Retirement Home is the site of four National
Historic Landmarks, including the Lincoln Cottage. Lincoln withdrew to the
Soldiers' Home each summer to escape the heat in the White House. It's
difficult to get on the grounds the other 364 days of the year; with a
registration you can drive right in and check out the grounds, and
schedule a tour of the Lincoln Cottage.

3. Beer. Yes, indeed: Racers will once again be able to enjoy a beer
after their race courtesy of Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar in
Washington, DC.
Three ways the race will be so much better this year:

1. We've upped our payout for elite racers. Whole Foods-P St. has
expanded its sponsorship of the event so that the winner of the women's
1/2 race will for the first time get the same payout as the winner of
the men's 1/2 race. City Bikes remains as the title sponsor of the men's
elite race, with both races paying $700 total, seven deep. Other
category winners will get cool loot.
2. Li'l Belgians will be sponsored by the Belgians. This year, as part
of the MABRA series, DCCX is adding a race for kids, and we've pulled in
as sponsors the Belgian Embassy, which will be offering all
participating kids a special (and tasty) prize.
3. Frites! Just adding to the Belgian ambience, we will be serving free
-- yes, free -- frites (that's Belgian for French fries) to riders and
spectators. Oh, and there will be delicious, vegan cookies from Sticky
Fingers bakery and Drink More Water for those opposed to beer and frites.
What you need to do:

1. Register early at BikeReg.com. Last year's race drew 240
participants, including a sold-out 80 for the Cat 4/beginner category.
Given the great buzz that followed last year's event, this year's race
is likely to be even more popular, and so register now to get into the
race of your choice - and get a better call-up. (As of Oct. 2 there were
already 51 Cat 4 racers registered. The field is capped at 100.)
http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=7143

2. Bring an ID on race day. You may be asked to present an ID upon
entering the base, please be prepared. Also, there will be day-of
registration, but it is guaranteed to be a royal pain in the neck. No
money can change hands on the grounds of the Armed Forces base, and so
you will need to drive back out to an undisclosed location to make your
payment before you race.
3. Remember that Oct. 26 is also the day of the Marine Corps Marathon.
There may be traffic issues. I-395 is open to traffic from the south
(except the HOV lane). Road closures can be found at:
http://www.marinemarathon.com/Assets/Street+Closings+Release+07.pdf

AFRH address is Rock Creek Church Rd, NW & Upshur St, NW, Washington, DC
20011

Course layout can be seen at:
http://tinyurl.com/4r6nve
Use the satellite view. Distance 2 miles. In last year's dry conditions
the top B and masters riders did 5 laps in their 45-minute race. The
winning elite men averaged seven minutes a lap.
Photos from last year's race are here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/ou98dtbiggs/DCCX

The write up of last year's race is here.
http://www.dcmtb.com/blog/archives/222

Starting order will be based on the most recent MABRA 2008 CX Series
standings, order of registration, and promoter discretion.
The most recent MABRA-Cross standings will be used
to call up the first 2 rows (16 spots), then racers will line up row by
row, as
determined by order of registration/bib number.

There are no call-ups for the 9am/Cat 4 Men race. Racers will line up
by row based on order of registration.

Team/race info:
http://www.dcmtb.com/blog/dc-cx