Falmouth, MA, 2022

 

The Really Rad Festival of Cyclocross (RRFCX) is back for a 6th year at the Cape Cod Fairgrounds in Falmouth MA on Friday, November 4th, Saturday, November 5th and Sunday, November 6th, 2022.  Typically scheduled as a two-day event, RRFCX is kicking off race weekend a day early to host the 2022 Pan-American Cyclocross Championships on Friday, November 4th. RRFCX Race Director, Adam Sykes, said, “Cyclocross in New England has a long and storied history and we are honored to continue that tradition. In addition to being the final race of the USCX series, we are excited to add the 2022 Pan American Cyclo-cross Championships to our block of races.”

On Saturday, November 5th and Sunday, November 6th, RRFCX will feature its usual lineup of professional and amateur cyclocross races with international ranking points on the line for Elite Junior, Elite under-23, and Elite Women/Men’s races with an upgraded UCI C1 ranking. Equal prize money for women and men will be offered for all elite races on Saturday and Sunday.

Started by Bill Sykes in 1975 as the Plymouth Cyclocross, the event began as an off-season training race for the Mass Bay Road Club and Corner Cycle. The race quickly grew, and went on to host the USCF National Cyclocross Championships in 1984 and 1986. Needless to say, cyclocross was here to stay in New England. Plymouth Cyclocross continued without interruption until a two season lapse during the 1998-99 racing seasons. Bill restarted the race in 2000, and worked closely with his son, Adam Sykes, to rebrand and move the race to the Cape Cod Fairgrounds in 2016 after years of change in Plymouth made the traditional courses no longer available.

Cyclocross is a family affair for the Sykes family. While Bill is still very much involved in the event operations, his son Adam has succeeded him as race director, continuing the family tradition. Bill’s daughter Rebecca and Adam’s wife Bree now manage race day registration along with Bill’s wife Marcia who has been behind the registration table since the very first race in 1975.

RRFCX is more than just a bike race. It is a community event with food, music, and activities for the whole family. The event is also an opportunity for the Sykes’ to promote and support the great work of the National MS Society and the BikeMS riding club, Team Spinal Tap. Supporting MS research and awareness is important for the family, as Bill’s daughter, sister, and niece are all afflicted.

This is the first year RRFCX has joined the USCX series, and will proudly be the fourth and final USCX race for the 2022 season. This is also the first year of partnership with New Belgium Brewing, who has joined RRFCX as the official beer sponsor. The team from New Belgium will be on-site all three event days, so 21+ racers and spectators can purchase their Fat Tire Amber Ale and other delicious brews in the RRFCX beer garden, which offers prime viewing of the course.

FALMOUTH, MA– The Really Rad Festival of Cyclocross, a top weekend of bike racing and festival fun, featuring two days of UCI Category 2 racing. On November 2nd and 3rd,  the Cape Cod Fairgrounds in Falmouth, Mass. will host the fourth annual event presented by International Cycling and Corner Cycle Cape Cod.

 The event is a continuation of the Plymouth Festival of Cyclocross which was started as the Plymouth Cyclo Cross in 1977 at the Plymouth-Carver High School. One of the first cyclocross races in the northeast the race was host to the 1984 and 1986 USCF Cyclocross National Championships. Bill Sykes of International Cycling and Event Services, took over as sole race director for the Plymouth Cyclo Cross in 1999 and rebranded the race as the Plymouth Festival of Cyclocross. In 2015, the race was forced to find a new location and after an intensive venue search, the Cape Cod Fairgrounds were chosen. No longer in Plymouth and with Bill’s son, Adam, now co-race director, the event was rebranded as the Really Rad Festival of Cyclocross and set off on a new trajectory of building a world class event which would appeal to beginners and seasoned professionals alike.

For 2019, Really Rad will again partner with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as the charitable beneficiary of the event. Their programs provide invaluable support to those diagnosed with MS. The NMSS will be set up on site to provide information and registration opportunities for their BikeMS events. Proceeds from the RRFCX will go directly to the BikeMS cycling group, “Team Spinal Tap”, which is captained by Rebecca Hamel.

With two distinct race courses, racers will grind through fast, technical and physically demanding routes throughout the fairgrounds. Special attention to the course design ensures an excellent flow for riders of all abilities whether they are themselves or riders who are locked in a head to head battle for the top prize.

 The Cape Cod Fairgrounds provide a spectator friendly atmosphere for friends and family to take in the weekend’s activities. With free parking and free spectator entry, fans can enjoy the fast paced race course surrounded by food trucks, beer tents, bounce houses and more as part of the fun filled festival.

For more information visit www.reallyradcx.com.