Northampton CX Weekend is Upon Us — See You There
Are you coming to NoHo? You’re coming to NoHo right?
The best weekend in cyclocross is upon us, and you should be coming. If you weren’t planning on it, it’s time to change your plans.
The Cyclo-Smart Northampton Cyclocross race—now in its 34th year—is back on the UCI calendar this year, meaning it will be two days of high production value events. The final two races of the day will feature some of the nation’s top cyclocross talent taking on the now-iconic pro lines up and down the steep hill separating the woodsy top section from the flat, grassy bottom section of the course.
Last year’s addition was exceptionally dusty, and the drought in the Northeast unfortunately continues. However, there looks to be some rain in the forecast on both Thursday and Friday this week, which will hopefully give the dirt a more tacky feel. Fingers crossed we will get the usual two corners full of mud in the very back of the woods section.
Other highlights of the NoHo weekend include:
An excellent Tent Row with a great view of most of the course, which makes for really good hangs
Two small railroad crossings that, when hit right, will launch you in the air
Sand that the organizers very rudely rake between races as rideable lines develop (sometimes with a turn, but this is maybe not UCI legal, so maybe not this year)
A very good coffee truck
Sausages made by JAM Fund races and volunteers
A Friday pre-ride clinic with former National Champion Stephen Hyde (make sure to register)
Some of the best fall colors all year
A sketchy descent (or two or three depending on the year and the field) on which to heckle your friends as they inevitably find the wrong line
Incredible swoopy flow in the woods, with plenty of long straights on the grass to put down power, if that’s your thing
If you time it right, only a 3 hour drive from NYC
Goats (if you know where to look)
