Really Rad Festival of Cross: A New NECX Favorite
Words: Lucia D
Photographs: Darcey Moore
Really Rad Festival of Cyclocross is a new-ish* UCI cyclocross race in Falmouth, MA. Nobody from NYC or parts south had ever been it seemed, but it was rumored to be a really fun and well run event. This year, I decided to put it on my calendar, and I’m so glad I made the trip. Here’s why you should too.
The Location
For those not from New England, it’s in the South West corner of Cape Cod - closest to the mainland. About 4 hours from the George Washington Bridge under normal traffic conditions. Sure, it’s a schlep, but closer than you think. Being the first weekend in November, the surrounding area is pretty quiet and serves up scenic off-season beach town vibes: sandy shores, lakes, woods, roundabouts - very quaint.
The Really Rad CX Venue
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 (though not needed this year), and indoor bathrooms (hurrah!). The race village near the finish straight is comprised of a bunch of tents which houses registration, several food options (including a really excellent wood fired pizza & BBQ), and the announcers/judges/results stage. There is a huge canopy for IndieFerm beer & kombucha area (thanks for a non-alcoholic option!), which is adjacent to the barriers/sandpit - ideal for witnessing first lap traffic shenanigans. There was even a bouncy castle, and plenty of sand to entertain the kiddos.
International Cycling and Events Services really amps up the event’s production look and feel with miles of orange fencing, flags, and race infrastructure. Results are not taped to the side of a van or flapping in the wind as you’d see at most events. They have purpose built structures that serve as a results wall, a race schedule wall and course map wall. Even the acoustics were great (how did they do that?). You could hear the announcers calling the race from anywhere on the grounds.
RRFCx has the look of a world cup event, yet still manages to maintain that grassroots vibe.
The Really Rad CX Course
One of the biggest factors for me in choosing which races to go to is the course, and Really Rad is now among my favorites. While there’s not a ton of elevation change on the property, the topography is really interesting and what I can only describe as “wavy”. There are lots of undulations, some rolling and gradual, and some steep and punchy. The race course designers are geniuses as far as I’m concerned, in terms of incorporating all of the best bits of the property.
Being on the Cape, the course features lots of sandy sections, though there is only one primary sand pit, which is next to the set of plank barriers. There is a steep, loose & tight set of turns on the back side of the course that becomes a favorite spot for spectators, especially given the set of bleachers perfectly placed for a cheering section. There are some fun/tricky off-cambers, a really awesomely fast berm, long swoopy turns, tight twisty turns through trees, roots & rocks, a few pedally sections, a set of wooden rideable steps, and on day two, an additional set of high stairs. Basically, a little bit of everything. This year, the course was dry - surely a wholly different course feel if wet or muddy. Probably closest to a DCCX type course if I had to make a comparison (another one of my favorites) - a bike driver’s course.
The Really Rad CX Racing
Perhaps the cancellation of Gloucester played a role, but this year’s event saw a >25% increase in participants from last year, and the event has been steadily growing since the move to its current venue in 2016. UCI Elite fields saw good turnout, with NECX favorites making for exciting racing on both days. The amateur ranks, while competitive, still have room to grow, especially with respect to racers from outside of NECX — NYC & MAC region athletes, I’m looking at you! Day 1 also included a fat tire race and Day 2 featured a kids race.
Check out our Instagram story highlights for some video coverage of Day 1 of RRFCx, which had an especially exciting Women’s Pro Race.
In conclusion, I hope everyone puts this event on their cyclocross calendar for 2020. With the great venue, amazing course, super high production value, and already growing numbers of racers in attendance from both the Elite and Amateur ranks, I have little doubt Really Rad will become your new favorite New England cross race.
I am a New Yorker who rides bikes of all kinds, sometimes runs, loves cats, and nerds out on transit justice issues. I am an advocate at heart and a member of the All Powerful Bicycle Lobby, though opinions here are my own.
Instagram: @luciadlite
Twitter: @luciadlite
E-mail: lucia@tobedetermined.cc
