Cyclocross and You: Signing Up

[Updated 9/2021]

When you’re ready to sign up for a race, the first challenge is finding races in your areas and the second challenge is figuring out which race to sign up for! While the way race categories are organized and set up is can seem complicated and convoluted, you do not need to understand all the nuances of race categories to sign up for your first race. Below, I discuss both the basics of signing up for races and the specifics of how race categories work.

Signing up for races

How do I find races in my area to sign up for?

The best place to find cyclocross races in your area is at BikeReg.com. This is the website (almost) all races in the mid-Atlantic use to facilitate registration. You can search for races near your zip code, by type (“Cyclocross”), or region, and all the cyclocross races that are using BikeReg for registration will show up in the search results, sorted by date by default, with the earliest race appearing first in the list.

If I’m not looking for a specific race, I usually look under “Event Calendars”–>”Cyclocross”–>”Mid Atlantic” to see races in my area, which is DC.

How do I sign up for a race?

As mentioned above, most races use BikeReg.com as their registration site, so looking for races to do and signing up for them in advance of race day is a bit like one-stop-shopping:

• Search for events near you.
• When you find an event that you are interested in doing, click on the event page, and you will have the option to register for that race.
• Select the category or categories for which you would like to register (either by cycling category, age-group, or both), and follow the instructions.
• You’re on your way!

It’s also worth noting that promoters/organizers connect with racers through BikeReg. If you sign up for a race, you will receive emails from the race promoter before race day that contain important information (directions to the site, parking details, etc.) as well as fun facts about what might be available at the race venue (beer, coffee, food trucks, etc.). BikeReg is probably the best way to find up-to-date information about race day and directions to the venue.

For my first (or first few) races, which category should I sign up for?

Race categories, and who can race in them, are complicated. I tackle race categories in depth later, but basic instructions are below.

For your first race, look on the registration page for the Cat 5/Novice Women category races. You are eligible to race in any race you qualify for (either by category or age). So, if there are 2 races for Cat 5, you could sign up for either/both! The Cat 5 races might also be called “True Beginner,” “Beginner,” or “Novice” race. Some races will have a Beginners race just for men, others for men and women. But bottom line is, for your first race, find the Cat 5/beginner/Novice women’s race and sign up for that one!

A note for transgender athletes, you can participate in the gender category they feel is most appropriate to them, as described in USA Cycling policies here: https://usacycling.org/about-us/governance/transgender-athletes-policy

How do race categories work?

To answer this question, it’s important to know something about who is eligible to participate in each category AND know that if you’re unsure you can also speak with registration on race day!

Cyclocross race categories are either “Open”, meaning anyone of any skill level can participate, or they are restricted to participation by riders of a particular skill level (designated by Racing Category). Depending on your age and your skill level, you may be eligible to race in multiple categories on race day.

Skill-based Racing Categories range from Category 5 (Beginner) to Category 1 (Pro/Elite).  It is important to note that these categories are not self-determined, but rather they are designations that are officially made by USAC (USA Cycling), and your category will appear on your racing license. When you first sign up, you will be a Category 5 racer.

Age-graded races are also sometimes available, and you may race in 35+, 45+, or 55+ races as available. These are collectively referred to as “Master’s Races,” and they are open to anyone whose racing age is at or above 35, 45, or 55 respectively (more on racing age below). It is worth noting that even if you are eligible to race in these races, unless otherwise noted these master’s races are frequently age-graded but “Open” in terms of skill. This means you’re going to be toeing the line with racers with a wide range of skill and experience.

Another option is to race with the men. The men’s fields are typically much bigger than women’s fields in cyclocross races, but if there is space, a woman can sign up. Women can sign up for men’s races that are one skill-level category below their racing category (so a Category 4 woman can sign up for a Category 5 men’s race) OR age-graded up 10 years higher than the woman’s racing age (a woman eligible to race in the 35+ category can sign up for the men’s 45+ race).

What is my racing age?

Your racing age is not just the age you are when you sign up for a race. Your racing age is based on the cyclocross season and how old you will be at the end of the season, which are measure in calendar years. Therefore, even if your birthday is in November and you’re racing in October, your racing age would be however old you’ll be at the end of December.

How do I move up to the next Racing Category?

The more races you ride, you can “cat up” to the next category. You are are eligible to “cat up” to Cat 4 whenever you feel ready to. However, once you reach Cat 4, you can only cat up through earning points, which are earned through placing towards the top of your current category. Additionally, there is no obligation to cat up, which is good news of those who will always be slow (like me!). Just be sure not to stay too long in a category that you’re clearly to fast for. This can hurt the chances of those in the lower categories of earning points towards their advancement and is called sandbagging.

What is a race series?

In cyclocross, races within a region are often organized into race series. A series is a set of races that are organized by the same group and, on race day, follow the same schedule all season long. Each series also has “Points Jerseys,” which are awarded to the racers who perform the best within their racing category in that series. This can be really fun, and watching from week to week each series has its share of rivalries that can sometimes go right down to the wire!

Within the mid-Atlantic region where I am, we have the Super Series (MD/DC/VA), the Sportif Cup (MD/DC/VA), VACX (Virginia), MAC (Pennsylvania and Delaware, the larger series for that area), and PACX (Pennsylvania, the smaller series for the area).

There is no obligation or requirement to race ONLY races in a certain series, or to race ALL the races in a particular series. You can race in any race that fits your schedule, regardless of the series it might be a part of. Of course, focusing on the races in a particular series might be important to you if you hope to earn points in your category and win the series overall, taking home the series jersey.

Do I need a license to race?

If you race that is sanctioned by USA Cycling (USAC), then yes. If it is a non-USAC race, no. In the mid-Atlantic, all of the races that are part of the series mentioned above are USAC races. Races which are not part of a series may or may not be a USAC race. The registration page on BikeReg will clarify if you need a license.

If you are a beginner racer, don’t have a license, and don’t want to spring for a license for the whole year OR an experienced racer who also doesn’t want to buy a license for the whole season, you can buy a 1-day license for $10 either when you sign up for the race on BikeReg or on the day of the race.

Buy a 1-day license on BikeReg when you register

It is important to note, however, that with a 1-day license you may be limited in which categories you are eligible to race. Definitely look on the BikeReg registration page to check this out. 

Of course, if you do want to purchase a cycling license, licenses for the year can be bought on USA Cycling here. The licenses are good for a calendar year, and they are good for all types of bike racing – cyclocross, mountain, road, BMX, and track.

That wraps up all the particulars of signing up for races, the different race categories, and licenses! Thanks to Shauna for her edits and reviews, to ensure I didn’t miss any important information!

Check out the other posts in this series: The Bike, The Skillz, The Race Day

If you’re a female-identifying person in the DC area, join the Women and Bikelocross Facebook page!