“An Hour in Hell” Comes to Forest Hill Park

RunRideRace.com has worked with the Department of Parks and Recreation to bring what is more or less (I say that because the course will run slightly afoul of a traditional cyclocross course) a cyclocross series to Forest Hill Park September 8, 15, and 22nd before the Virginia Cyclocross series returns in earnest for the year with stops at other parks in the city (Bryant and Chimborazo respectively). As an offshoot of traditional road racing expect to see competitive riders with a slightly more relaxed demeanor than pro road racers, tackling courses through the park on these Wednesday nights starting at 5:45pm. Cyclocross has been referred to as “An hour in Hell” for both the time races generally last for and the conditions riders must endure.

Our friends on the other side of town have seen weekly criterium races being held at Bryant Park on weeknights for years now and cycling in the summer usually includes a trip to these races for anyone who is serious about the sport. Cyclocross, or simply “Cross” for short can’t be pinned down to exact origins but the common lore is that this type of racing was born out of the need for professional road racers in France to train during the wintertime. As such, weather conditions during these months in the northern hemisphere typically were poor, and consisted of rain, mud, and sloppy race conditions and official cyclocross courses consist of sections of dirt or mud, grass fields, obstacles to portage (or carry your bike over) and asphalt. Cyclocross bikes themselves have evolved to be their own specific genre of bicycle usually looking like a road bicycle would with drop bars and lightweight parts, but also containing elements of what became the Mountain Bicycle as well like knobby tires and mountain brakes that can shed mud more easily. To be certain, this did not happen overnight and just as “cross” is a stepchild of road racing bicycles, so too are many of the rides racers employ to thrust themselves to glory and recognition. Cross has been evolving in the US to become a family affair with less emphasis on the strictly competitive nature of bicycle racing and more leeway for first timers and amateurs looking for a thrill. Ownership of some race specific bicycle is certainly not a requirement.

In addition to the cyclocross race, mountain bikers will be racing concurrently as well starting at the same time and tackling the same course. Indeed the single-track trails in the park are more appropriate for mountain bike use and anyone who owns an old beater and wants to test their mettle should sign up to ride! Registration is available here.

Unfortunately this summer has been marred with criminal activity occurring in exactly this area at or around this time of night. Hopefully this series will provide some awesome free entertainment for adults and children alike to experience the thrill of cycle racing in a relaxed atmosphere and will serve to keep the park populated with users who can help ward off some of the perpetrators of these crimes. Additionally, this should be a fun, relaxed event, where a cup of coffee from your nearest coffeehouse should have you prepared to watch the racers suffer through the course. Indeed, falls can be a common occurrence in cyclocross and this series should be no different. Post race celebrations will be held at O’Toole’s to add to the local flavor and all donation proceeds will benefit Richmond MORE and Friends of Forest Hill Park. Drop the remote, put your dog on the leash, stop by Crossroads for a cuppa, and bring a blanket to the park to enjoy what should be some fine entertainment Wednesdays in September, and if you feel like living dangerously (or suffering immensely) bring out your old road bike (or mountain bike) and see how well you fare against the cross course.

This was a guest post by RVABIKECOMMUTER click on his name to check out his awesome site on getting out of the car. He will be trying to get us some pictures of the races in the future. Thanks