Women Ride Free at GO Cross

Want to try cyclocross? East Coasters is sponsoring all women riders in GO Cross this year with a free entry.

GO Cross Presented by Deschutes Brewery in Virginia’s Blue Ridge is Sept. 30-Oct. 1.

Cyclocross can be described as a bike race in a steeplechase format with riders that hop on and off bicycles while leaping over barriers and sloshing through mud, navigating gravel pits, stairs, and barriers. GO Cross is an official USA Cycling race, which will draw professionals from all over the country. The Roanoke Outside Foundation and East Coasters Bike Shop are organizing GO Cross.

If you’ve never raced cyclocross before … that’s ok. GO Cross is perfect for first-timers, but also has a $10,000 prize purse for elite riders thanks to Virginia’s Blue Ridge. So even if you are new, you’ll get to ride the same course as the pros.

Here’s how the categories break down:

• Category 4/5: Beginner with Category 5 being an ultimate beginner and Category 4 having some experience
• Category 3/4: Intermediate and can also compete in the various age group categories
• Category 1/2: Elite (leave it to the pros, but make sure hang around and watch)

One note about that free women’s entry — you must register before Sept. 30. Free entries will not be available the day of the race.

Learn more and register for GO Cross online

GO Cross will be a lot of fun for spectators as well. Bring a cowbell and cheer on riders. Plus, Deschutes Brewery will be providing beer for sale on-site and a there will be a food truck on hand. There will be plenty of fun with games in the beer garden, other prizes for spectators, a beer mile, and RunCross (where runners tackle the cyclocross course).