Second Annual Hyattsville Cyclocross Set For Magruder Park

Having raised $3,500 for Special Olympics and attracted over 200 participants in their inaugural event a year ago, the organizers of Hyattsville Cyclocross are pleased to be putting on their second annual event this October.

Hyattsville Cyclocross – known as Hyattsville CX – was not just a local success, but also caught the eye of MABRACross, the organization that coordinates CX events in the entire mid-Atlantic region. Starting this year, Hyattsville CX will have its own place on the official MABRACross schedule.   

"Our success last fall has only led to more," said Bill Schieken, one of three organizers of the event, which this year will be held on Oct. 10 at Magruder Park. "We are expecting the participants to double now that it is part of the series."

Although it is still highly unknown to the general public, cyclocross is not at all a new sport. With origins than can be traced to the early 1900s, cyclocross is a form of bike racing.

What gives cyclocross its flavor though is the structure of the race. Unlike a standard distance bike race, cyclocross races take place on courses that are nearly 1.5 to 2 miles long, and are constructed to include portions that are made of wood, dirt and grass. Some cyclocross courses, including last year's at Magruder Park, include obstacles where the racer is forced to get off the bike and run with it in hand, or physically hurdle over wooden structures while carrying the bicycle. 

Schieken, along with co-organizers Ryan Douglas and Scott Cernich, are part of the Route 1 Velo cycling club. Through the sponsorship of their club, as well as Arrow Bicycle, they were able to put on last year's event.

"We had been traveling around doing these events on weekends and thought it would be fun to have an event like this in our area," Schieken said. "We got the City of Hyattsville and charities on board really quickly thereafter."

Attendance may double this year due to the success of the 2009 event, Schieken said. It will also be boosted by traveling members of MABRACross, who will be participating as part of the tour's 11-event schedule. While those competitive riders will certainly make up a large portion of the participants, the event is also open to anyone who wants to give cyclocross a try.

"We are expecting more competitive riders this year, but that doesn't mean anyone can't race," Schieken said. "We're telling people, 'Hey, come try it out. You might get lapped by the field, but it doesn't matter because you'll have a great time.'"

Although they will be in charge of organizational work, Schieken and his teammates plan on participating in the race as well.

"A lot of people were amazed that there hadn't been an event here like this before," he said.

Registration for this year's Hyattsville CX will open to the public at 9 p.m. on Aug. 29 on Hyattsvillecx.blogspot.com, the event's official website.

Food and beverages will be for sale at the event, with all proceeds benefiting the Special Olympics.

"Because it's a closed course you can see the whole thing from anywhere in Magruder Park," said Arrow Bicycle co-owner Chris Militello. "So, if you want to come down, sit in the grandstand with a couple of brews and have a good time, it's well worth it."

With the expectation of increased participation, Schieken said he hopes to raise another hefty sum for the Special Olympics.

"We loved writing them that check last year," he said. "I can only imagine this time it will be much larger."

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