300 Cyclocross Racers Navigate Formidable Course

To the extent that Cyclo-cross racers live to race in challenging conditions, Sunday’s 2015 Elm City CX Finale race at Edgewood Park, could not have been more different from last year’s inaugural race, when snow squalls covered trails and riders reveled in the extra challenging conditions.

While Sunday’s spring-like temperatures were well-suited for casual strolls in the park….

… racers had their skills challenged with an improved course that Martin Torresquintero, New Haven’s outdoor adventure coordinator, has described as ​“formidable.”

With the help of park rangers and event sponsors D’Aniello’s Amity Bike and the Laurel Bicycle Club, Elm City CX hosted some 300 racers from many parts of Connecticut and a range of states, part of The CT Series of Cross that included eight statewide cyclo-cross races this year. Proceeds from Sunday’s race which included seven race categories, benefitted The Friends of Edgewood Park and New Haven Department of Parks, Recreation, & Trees.

The race course included barriers which riders negotiated by dismounting and carrying their bikes …

… grassy fields …

… woodland trails, a fast single track, short climbs….

… steep descents ….

… and some riding action through the skate park at Coogan Pavilion.

Westville videographer Travis Carbonella was on the scene with his own challenge in capturing mini-interviews with racers and spectators for a 15-second story-telling video series.

In an interview with the Independent, Torresquintero described specifics of this year’s CX racing program and the future of bike racing in New Haven.

Torresquintero said that New Haven has been building capacity to host national cycling race events such as the CX National event in Hartford that he feels is better suited to New Haven. According to Torresquintero, national race officials have recently visited New Haven and are impressed with the city’s initiatives to create a more bike-friendly, if not world-class, cycling city.

Earlier this year, New Haven hosted the first-ever Grand Prix Race in downtown New Haven, drawing thousands of spectators. The next major racing event, according to Torresquintero, will be a mountain bike, short track race. It will take place next spring on the grounds of West Rock Nature Center.

With improved cycling infrastructure throughout the city, biking education programs in some city high and middle schools, Rock-to-Rock (Earth Day Ride) and the high- caliber racing events the city has been attracting, the next medal presented to New Haven by the League of American Bicyclists may change from bronze, to a bright gold Star.

For Elm City CX Race results visit the BikeREG Cross Results website.