Capital ‘Cross Classic – local cyclocross race in Reston

[GuyContinental]

@Bilsko 36774 wrote:

I’m thinking of riding up with Dirt and while I’m not sure what his planned route is, I can guess as much from his user handle. You say the CCT stretch is not road bike friendly – what about a tourer (Surly Disc Trucker) with stock Conti Contact 700×37 tires? I’ve been meaning to pick up a set of CX tires for the winter anyways and maybe this is a good excuse to do so…

700×37 would probably be fine (but I’d walk the creek crossing). You might end up walking some of the climbs described by JW and there is one loose descent in that same section that might be interesting without lugs- as he said, doable but probably not much fun. Also, the early section really holds water in the cold season so you might find yourself in mud. I generally wait as much as a week after rain before busting out the CX tires.

The Ice Rink entrance would be fine- check out my Strava link above to see exactly where it is.

[Dirt]

@Bilsko 36796 wrote:

This way?

Yarp.

[ShawnoftheDread]

I might bring the kid on her trail-a bike to watch the races. We’ll ride in from Vienna or thereabouts.

[eminva]

Have fun everyone and good luck to those racing! Unfortunately, family duties will prevent me from coming to cheer you on in person. I hope to see pictures!

Liz

[vvill]

@DaveK 36763 wrote:

Lots of clutching the brakes in terror.

This is me in any CX race. So far.

[acc]

Um, not sure the trail o bike will work on the terrain. I’m bringing my mtb because I’m a wimp. I’ve done it on a cross bike. There are a lot of roots. And I hate roots more than I hate hills.

[ShawnoftheDread]

It’s a rule 5/ cowgirl up situation. We will persevere. Or we’ll detour to Wiehle.

[GuyContinental]

Alright, I’m in (missed pre-reg though). CAT4 here I come (my first CX race!)- look for a black LeMond and a “Thunderbird” kit.

Also riding in starting at about 06:15 from Clarendon (any takers?), may stop and join Dirt et al in Vienna but having to register on-site will complicate timing a bit. If my captive non CX spectator decides to sleep in I may leave even earlier and do the DR trails into the park (if anyone wants to flail in the dark, let me know)

[acc]

@GuyContinental 36833 wrote:

Alright, I’m in (missed pre-reg though). CAT4 here I come (my first CX race!)- look for a black LeMond and a “Thunderbird” kit.

Also riding in starting at about 06:15 from Clarendon (any takers?), may stop and join Dirt et al in Vienna but having to register on-site will complicate timing a bit. If my captive non CX spectator decides to sleep in I may leave even earlier and do the DR trails into the park (if anyone wants to flail in the dark, let me know)

Have a great time! Congratulations on entering this event!

[crysb]

@GuyContinental 36833 wrote:

Alright, I’m in (missed pre-reg though). CAT4 here I come (my first CX race!)- look for a black LeMond and a “Thunderbird” kit.

Also riding in starting at about 06:15 from Clarendon (any takers?), may stop and join Dirt et al in Vienna but having to register on-site will complicate timing a bit. If my captive non CX spectator decides to sleep in I may leave even earlier and do the DR trails into the park (if anyone wants to flail in the dark, let me know)

Glad to see another newbie! I’ll be in the “GLAD” jersey and will hopefully be there early enough to pre-ride the course before the 8:15am race. Then I’ll be cheering on everyone in the 8:15 Men’s beginner race!

[vvill]

@Dirt 36747 wrote:

Sean and I are riding out from Falls Church. We’ll be rolling through the intersection of the W&OD and Virginia Avenue (Just west of Falls Church) at about 0655. We’ll likely stop for coffee in Vienna at Caffe Amouri. He’s racing the Cat4 race.

After the ride we’re going to head West to White’s Ferry, then come home via the C&O. Mileage for the day will be in the low to mid 90s.

Let me know if anyone wants to join in.

By west you mean east, right? What’s the route from Lake Fairfax to White’s Ferry?

I might join for a part of the post-race ride depending on how I feel afterwards and beer consumption. I’ll bring my “gravel grinder” tires and floor pump with me so I have that option. Gravel is supposedly unfriendly with at least one of the CX tires I recently mounted.

[jabberwocky]

@vvill 36843 wrote:

By west you mean east, right? What’s the route from Lake Fairfax to White’s Ferry?

Back to the W&OD, head west out to Leesburg, then hop off on King Street (business 15) and ride north out to Whites Ferry.

[vvill]

@jabberwocky 36845 wrote:

Back to the W&OD, head west out to Leesburg, then hop off on King Street (business 15) and ride north out to Whites Ferry.

Thanks! Just looked it up on Google Maps, and realized how poor my geographical sense is for anything NW of Vienna. (Reminds me of the first time I rode to Ashburn when I thought it was just a couple miles past Vienna and Reston.)

[Dirt]

@vvill 36849 wrote:

Thanks! Just looked it up on Google Maps, and realized how poor my geographical sense is for anything NW of Vienna. (Reminds me of the first time I rode to Ashburn when I thought it was just a couple miles past Vienna and Reston.)

Yup. What Wabberjockey said. Sean is going to do the same thing with changing tires. Since I’m not racing, I’ll just leave the gravel grinder meats on the bike for fun.

[dcv]

Thanks to Tim & Zanna of BikeArlington, I picked up some cowbells and vuvuzelas to hand out on race day. I might ask my wife & son to pass these out. I’ll be cheering for Crysb (looking for a robin egg blue cross-check). I definitely won’t be cheering for VVill or GuyContinental anyone else racing in the cat 4 mens.

If I don’t regonize you I’ll be looking for your bikes (silver r3, black poprad, disc trucker, CAADX, cypress, bedazzled mtb…), hope to see you there.

[Author]

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