CycloCross Debuts With Snow, Mud & Smiles

For 73-year-old Julie Lockhart, Sunday’s Cyclocross race held at Edgewood Park was just another ride in the park.

Sporting her star-bedecked red, white and blue cycling jersey, Lockhart, who lives in of Dunstable, Mass., is the current 70-plus national champion and former world champion in a sport that may soon be on the growing list of reasons to make New Haven a destination. 

Sunday’s race, sanctioned by the USA Cycling Committee, the governing body of bicycle racing under the Olympic committee, required that all racing registrants hold a US Cycling license. It was an all-day affair as various age categories of both genders took turns navigating a challenging two-mile racecourse of barriers…

… slippery pavement …

… mud …

… wooded trails …

… hills …

… and sharp, twisting turns. 

There was snow too. But unlike other sports in which seasonal weather can cancel events, Cyclocross embraces the elements as part of the challenge.

Near the starting line, race officials recorded and tabulated each racer’s time; a system that is more complicated than a single, linear race based solely on distance. ​“The races, according to Cyclocross Magazine, ​“are based on a set time (measured by numbers of laps), not distance. Depending on your category, a race can be as quick as 30 minutes (for beginners), or as long as 60 minutes (for pros). In most cases, race officials wait to see how quickly riders complete the first lap before deciding how many total laps will be completed.”

The inaugural Cyclocross race at Edgewood Park was promoted and sponsored by Laurel Bicycle Club of Amity Bikes, facilitated by manager Kurt D’Aniello. The New Haven Department of Parks, Recreation & Trees and Cheshire Cycle Racing were cosponsors in the event, which was a benefit for The Friends of Edgewood Park.

Cyclocross has become one of the largest disciplines of cycling in the Northeast according to D’Aniello. He credited Parks and Recreation Outdoor Adventure Events Coordinator Martin Torresquintero with convincing him to hold the event in a New Haven park.

Torresquintero, a longtime advocate for cycling in New Haven, has a number of programs in the city including cycling clubs in New Haven high schools, a mountain bike camp, and a bike-to-work program that encourages employees to leave cars home. He also promotes major cycling events like the popular Rock to Rock event. ​“My goal,” he said, ​“is to turn New Haven into a destination for cycling events.”

Part of that vision involves working with groups and cycling advocates like the Everybody Rides Foundation headed by Sue D’Aniello, to bring a world class Veledrome (arena for track cycling with an oval, banked track) to New Haven. If realized, the CT Cycling Complex (CTCC) will feature ​“weekly racing during the track season, regular track riding instruction for riders of all ages, and community outreach programs to provide the opportunity for all to ride the track.”

The positive feedback about Sunday’s race from the 150 racers and organizers bodes well for more races in the future. Triathlete Chris Mahoney (pictured left) of Westville, who works for NBC Sports Group, said he was ​“super happy to have something like this in New Haven — in my backyard.” Another Triathelete, Spencer Ralston of Newington, said he had ​“an absolutely beautiful day,” adding, ​“I rode really hard and fell a couple of times.”

Showing recent scrapes from previous cycling mishaps was Alecia Faustini of Derby, who earlier in the year broke a collar bone in a mountain biking accident. She was all smiles after the race, her first cyclocross event, which she said was ​“So fun!” Within earshot was Torresquintero, a friend, who noted that the sport, despite occasional light accidents, is quite safe.

Most spectators at Sunday’s race dressed warmly. They came prepared to cheer on friends and loved ones. Leah McManus of New Haven rooted for her boyfriend, racer Lars Edeen.

Cycling enthusiast Monte Burgess of Woodbridge brought his two sons Rowyn, 8, and Rayce, 5. Burgess encouraged riders with the clanging of cowbells, a Cyclocross tradition, while his kids, armed with stadium horns, sounded their encouragement to riders cresting a steep uphill trail.

Check here for Elm City CycloCross results.