Frequently Asked Questions
In addition to the answers below, please consult the Rider Guidelines.
What type of license do I need?
For all categories you require at a minimum a UCI Cycling For All license. Get yours at cyclingbc.net. Day licenses will be available for purchase on race day.
What is cyclocross?
European road cyclists in the early 1900s used to race each other to the next town over through farmers' fields, over dirt roads, ditches, hedges, probably livestock... Forced portage sections helped exercise other muscle groups and improved circulation in the cold off-season months.
Cyclocross is now the second most popular road cycling discipline, sweeping across Europe and now North America. Modern cyclocross races consist of many laps of a several-kilometer course featuring everything from pavement to trails to ankle-deep (and sometimes deeper) mud, with steep hills, staircases and barriers requiring riders to dismount, carry the bike over, around or through the obstacle, and remount to continue riding.
I've never raced cross before, can I join in the fun?
Absolutely you can! Our open category is open to all genders and has very few equipment restrictions (basically you need a bike with two wheels and brakes). See the category listing further below for more info.
Can kids race?
Heck yeah! We have a FREE kids race that runs between the morning and afternoon races for kids under 12. Mountain bikes, little cross bikes and even push bikes are all A-OK!
Can I ride a mountain bike?
In the Novice categories you can! See the Rider Guidelines for further equipment rules.
What's so special about a cyclocross bike, anyway?
Roughly, a cyclocross bike is a road bike with clearance for wider tires and brakes more suited to off-road use (cantis, clasically, or disc brakes). There are geometry differences as well but many "gravel" or "adventure" road bikes can also be raced in the Intermediate or higher categories.
What are the different race categories?
Elite/U19 (Junior Elite): You've done this before. You're racing a cyclocross bike with <33mm wide CX tires. You race A group (cat 1-3) road or expert/elite MTB.
Masters: You've done this before. You're racing a cyclocross bike with <33mm wide CX tires. You're 40+ years old.
Intermediate: You've done this before. You're racing a cyclocross bike. You race B group (cat 1/2) road or sport/intermediate MTB.
U13/U15/U17: You're a young little gaffer. You're racing on a cyclocross bike or mountain bike.
Open: You are new to cyclocross or you wish to race on a mountain bike.
Single-Speed: You think that multiple gears are cheating and only need one to kick ass.
