Once again WCC is running the two cyclo-cross races in Woodstock this September. We’re the season openers and in recent years have been the second most attended O-Cup behind Christie Pits Cross in downtown Toronto.
I believe we’re currently the only Ontario double-header with a regional event on Saturday and Ontario Cup on Sunday. We usually also have the lowest entry fees trying to keep racing affordable. The full price for Mad Cross (regional) is only $40 and Dam Cross (O-Cup) is $60, each are $10 less if people register early. Oh and of course most importantly, all youth (16 and younger) race for free.
This year we’re having one-day permits available so people, kids!, without an Ontario Cycling membership can join in the fun. One-day permits cost $5 for youth and $10 for adults so tell your friends.
The Races
Everything happens at Pittock Conservation area over grass, dirt, a bit of gravel and of course a stretch of nice sandy beach. The course has a lot of corners but between twisty sections there are good places to pass. The terrain if flat except for a couple very short rises and makes for a perfect entry into cyclo-cross. Come give one of the races a try if you’re curious. Mad Cross has been many club members first cross race. It’s a fun time, just you vs the course really. Lots of people/teams hang around all day, set up tents and cheer/heckle. It’s the best atmosphere of all the racing disciplines.
Volunteering
As always these races don’t happen without bunch of help from the WCC and Woodstock community. If you can spare some time we’d really appreciate it. The volunteer spots list the full time that position needs someone, but you can volunteer for a portion of it, whatever you can help with will be a huge help. Just leave a comment in the sign-up or here.
Pizza lunch is our usual go to from a local pizza place. If you have any food restrictions let us know well before the races so we can accommodate you.
P.S. We have a good number of volunteers now for Sunday but really need a few people for Saturday (Mad Cross). If you have some spare time we could use your help!
So not a fan of the race numbers for every race. In a sport that’s dying due to high costs and lack of prizes/awards etc etc, they choose to blow money on wasted paper numbers? I guess some will keep them as said “prize” but most of these will just be thrown out.
Yeah, I don’t know how much extra it cost Ontario Cycling. As long as I can remember they’ve been giving out one set of numbers for the O-Cup series, so I guess they wanted to do try something different this year. Kind of neat to have green on them for WCC.
Is it worth the cost? Not sure. It will save a bit of administration at every race. Someone always forgets their assigned numbers at each O-Cup, so now at least that’s impossible.
Speaking from the officials side of things… having new numbers every race is far simpler for us. That way the categories are all within the same number ranges and we know where each rider belongs. As Mark has already noted, EVERY race people forget their numbers and we have to reassign a numbers. Lots of people don’t race every race, so we end up with numbers all over the place and it’s quite difficult to track the races.
I don’t know where the costs are allocated for each race, but number plates I think are a very small portion of the total cost. The one time use numbers are probably far cheaper then purchasing a number plate that will last throughout a whole year of racing…especially with the way riders crumble them up to possibly gain an aero advantage?? (Every wrinkle actually adds drag - but hey - what do I know).
@MarkW i should find out this week if I’m officiating at the race, so will let you know if I can help out as a volunteer or not.
Once again, this race is taking place on the same weekend as my last triathlon of the year so can’t make it and that makes me sad!!! I hope the event goes well!!!
Aww. Our new race date isn’t as nice as the old one in late October. Bummer, we’ll miss you but hope to see you out at another event in your off season.
I just saw the new category system. It doesn’t really effect m1 since we raced with the 1/2s anyway but interesting decision I think for the m2 to decide to race b or c. I’m interested to see how this plays out because I’m sure there are some people that like having a masters podium and masters series points.
I’m not sure the category changes affect anyone but the E3 guys who weren’t allowed to race with anyone but the two others who showed up. They can at least race the masters this year.
We could self-select last year, a few of us were debating showing up for the M1/E1 race just to make the point that it is a little silly. I miss the part of actually having to show and earn the upgrade points, it gave the lower categories more of a purpose.
Like Alex said, I’m not sure as an M2 myself if I should go B or C. I agree it takes some fun out of it by being able to self-seed. Having to start in C (or D) and work up would definitely add some interest to the season. I’m guessing B will have a super wide spectrum of riders. We’ll just have to see.
We have a huge M2 group in the club, and I’m like the rest of you, just not sure. I don’t want to sand bag but I was lucky to hunt for top 5 or the odd podium in M2 and now I don’t have any delusions of that. Maybe B? Hmmm.
The link for mlMad Cross in the event webpage still points to the 2024 CCN registration page. Not sure if that’s under your control but may need updating. Dam Cross seemed to point to the right page.
I only signed up for single speed at Mad Cross but CCN assumed it was my second race and only charged me $20. If that’s wrong, let me know and I can adjust in person at the race!
I’m going to try C for the first weekend. I never have any legs anyway after running around for the race. Andrew is racing B so that helped me decide. We’ll see how it settles out.
Apparently I can’t edit the main post anymore, so I’ll post here.
Mad Cross registration is live, early bird ends Sunday Sept 7 at 11:30 pm, get in now for $30. Mad is a bit more relaxed than an Ontario-Cup and the perfect intro to cross. It’s been many of our members first race.
