Cyclocross is fast, fun, offroad bicycle racing. It's easy to get into: all you need is a bike, a helmet, and a little bit of fitness. Races take place around the DC-region from September to December. (They also take place all over the world, but we're focused on the DC-area.)
Cyclocross (or "CX") races last anywhere from 30-60 minutes, depending on the race type. Races courses typically have multiple surfaces, including grass, gravel, dirt, and mud (and maybe a little bit of pavement). Courses are about 1.5 to 2 miles, and you will do as many laps as you can in the alotted time. Racers will get pretty spread out acround the course during the race, but there is almost always someone nearby to duke it out with.
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Most importantly, a bike! Cylocross bikes are great. So are gravel bikes. Mountain bikes will also work. Really, any bike that has knobby tires on it. You'll also need a helmet. And that's it! Most people race in cycling clothes, but that doesn't mean you have to - as long as you're comfortable, you'll be set.
Interested? Here's are some resources that will help get you on your way to trying cyclocross. These are focused on the Washington, DC region, but plenty of cities have CX scenes to help get you started. Questions? Let us know!
The Mid-Atlantic Bicycle Racing Association (MABRA) is the USA Cycling regional association for Maryland, DC, Delaware, and Northern Virginia. MABRA provides support and coordination for racing in the region.
We're hosting a beginner's CX clinic on August 8, 2026. There is a nominal registration fee to cover insurance and expenses. The clinic will cover skills, training, race preparation, and anything else you might need to know. Plus we'll provide ongoing support throughout the season!
There are currently 12 MABRA races on the calendar, plus some other local and semi-local races. Here's the schedule for 2026:
Schedule
We'll be hosting a weekly evening practice from August through October at a park in DC. Want to join in? Let us know below!
Race registration is usually handled through BikeReg.com. You can find registration pages for most local races here (more will be added as we get closer to the fall):
BikeReg
CX racing in the MABRA region is sanctioned by USA Cycling (USAC), so you'll need a USAC license to race. One day licenses are available (hit us up for free coupon codes) but if you're going to be racing a bunch, it's worth buying an annual license.
USAC
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You've probably still got questions. Feel free to reach out below and we'll be happy to help. But here are some answers to some questions we've seen.
Races are spread out across the day for
There are currently 12 MABRA races on the calendar, plus some other local and semi-local races. Here the
Some of our local races are also designated as "UCI" (Union Cycliste Internationaleraces). These races are sanctioned by the UCI, and provide international professional competition. These races all offer amateur and beginner fields; but unlike our local races, they also attract international-level professional racers. Definitely events worth checking out!
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Morbi dui turpis, cursus eget orci amet aliquam congue semper. Etiam eget ultrices risus nec tempor elit.
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