NYC Cyclocross Practice Is Back For 2022
It’s my favorite time of year. It’s August and it seems like the really unbearable part of the summer heat is behind us. There’s still road racing to be had, but for those of us who gravitate off the road see the best season yet to come: cyclocross.
Starting two weeks ago and weekly until the dark nights of November, a big group gathers on Wednesdays after work in the shadow of the Triboro Bridge at the Randall’s Island soccer fields. Cross practice has been a mainstay of my late summer and fall training calendar for as long as I remember. I’ve been there through various leaders and almost a complete turnover in regular participants. Throughout the years, it’s become my favorite way of connecting with the NYC cycling community.
In August, the focus is on basic skills and welcoming any newcomers who are eager to try cyclocross for the first time. It’s about getting comfortable getting on and off your bike, running with your bike, learning what an off camber is, talking about the cyclocross start. As the weather cools, the laps get hotter, and skills will start to become more specific to the upcoming races.
For those who have never been but are interested, here are the main things you need to know about NYC cyclocross practice:
Practice starts at 7pm, and usually lasts until about 9pm. It’s free, but in return you should be nice and help pick up cones afterward. Practice is run by Keith Garrison, and you should thank him for his considerable effort!
It’s a mix of training and skills practice. You should come expecting to spend at least an hour doing tempo or race pace laps on your bike, and the other time listening, learning, and practicing skills at a slow speed. There’s no minimum skill level to come out. If you are new, you can look for/ask around for Keith or me (Shane) and introduce yourself and we’ll make sure to get you started with some basics.
Rain will cancel, because we want the Parks Dept to keep allowing us back. Check NYC Cyclocross on Facebook or keep an eye on @kingkogbrooklyn on Instagram if the weather is looking iffy. There will be an announcement by Wednesday afternoon.
It takes place on the southeastern end of Randall’s Island. If you’re coming from Brooklyn/Queens, take the Triboro and hang a hard right off the ramp. Follow the road until you see the grass/soccer fields on your right (you’ll have to cut across a small section of grass and one road to get to the correct field). You should see people gathered in the grass area that is sort of cradled by the soccer field fences. If you’re coming from Manhattan, take the pedestrian bridge at 102nd, slight right onto the road, follow the road until you see people doing silly things on bikes in the grass. From the Bronx, take the bike path across the Bronx Kill from 132nd St as far south as you can, pop out onto the road and continue south past the Triboro ramp, then follow what I said above. It’s here.
Make sure you bring food, water, and lights. Even in August it’s dark by halfway through the practice. Some of the course is covered by the soccer field flood lights, but enough of it is in the dark that you really need to have a good front light to ride safely.
If you’re coming from Brooklyn, a large crew rides home together and usually stops for pizza in Greenpoint. Remember to tip well so the pizza guys keep letting two dozen customers overrun them near closing time.
Cross practice is best done on a cyclocross bike. However, if you don’t have one but are curious anyway, bring what you have! A gravel bike is fine. Mountain bike no problem. A road bike is exceedingly hard, bumpy, and flat-prone but I’ve seen it done.
Enjoy our photos from the most recent week, and see you next Wednesday!
