I know many folks are tired or on the edge of burnout after an abbreviated, but packed post-COVID season of bike racing. But, with the cancellation of TBD favorite NBX (crying face emoji), Really Rad Festival of Cyclocross will be the last big UCI event here on the East Coast and one that should not be missed. TBD will be out in force and we are looking forward to another stellar NECX weekend.

WEATHER

As of this writing, the forecast for Falmouth, MA is predicted to be sunny and relatively mild this weekend with a high nearing 60°F on Saturday, but turning cooler and breezier on Sunday with a high around 50°F. It does look like it will rain some on Friday afternoon/evening, but if the forecast holds true and only an inch or less falls, then the mostly sandy fairgrounds will likely drain well and we’ll see fairly dry/tacky conditions all weekend. There could be some slick or boggy/spongy sections on the grassier/lower lying areas of the course. In 2019, when most of the course was dry, there was an inexplicably boggy section in the very southern tip just before the start/finish. It certainly won’t be the sloppy mud fest a la 2018 (see video below) when it rained two inches on Saturday alone. That said, one of my sources who grew up on the South Shore tells me, “I predict greasy cohnahs khed!” So, be prepared to get sendy.

COURSE

The #RRFCX course is a really fun one, with a decent amount of pedaling, a large sandpit that you have to zig-zag through, and lots of undulations where carrying your momentum and punching at the right time can help save energy. I’m the only one on the team who’s raced #RRFCX, and only in 2019, so I suggest taking everything I say with a heaping teaspoon of salt, and watch some of the great DirtwireTV videos below to get a sense for what you might expect.

The start finish is basically the only paved portion of the course and it’s very straight and fast, but you don’t get to carry your speed for too long before having to turn back to uphill pedaling in the grass. There are a few brief woodsy turny sections with roots & rocks, as well as a couple of very tricky steep off-cambers, including a rowdy switchback section next to a set of bleachers (prime heckling/cheer section). The barriers are situated right before several tight turns and the sand pit, so that whole section causes first lap chaos and could be where folks can get separation. The #RRFCX does not reverse direction on day two, but rather there are some small changes throughout. On day two there is also a set of very tall railroad tie steps up a short hill that forces a dismount before the rowdy switchback section.

HANGS

RRFCx takes place on the Cape Cod Fairgrounds. There is ample parking on the grounds, barn-like structures, a baseball diamond complete with bleachers, and patches of pine needle & cone littered woodsy areas. While the grounds cover a fairly large area, the course designers somehow made spectating, and running from one feature area to another, super accessible via strategically placed course crossings, and with the flow & order of turns. A fan could follow a racer’s progress at several places each lap without missing much action.

There is a huge double-sided pit, ample bike wash stations, and indoor bathrooms (hurrah!). The race village near the finish straight is comprised of a bunch of tents which houses registration, several food options (which included a really excellent wood fired pizza & BBQ truck previously), and the announcers/judges/results stage. The beer/kombucha canopy looks to be returning (yay!), and it is adjacent to the barriers/sandpit - ideal for witnessing first lap traffic shenanigans. We’ll see if the bouncy castle make another appearance this year.

GEAR

I think I know better than to try to advise any of you on which tires or clothes to bring. Y’all know the drill by now. BRING IT ALL.

For more on the 2019 edition of the race, check out my race report. We hope to see you out there. Stop by the TBD/MDC tent and say hi!

All photos by Darcey Moore.