Pre-race prep – Wisconsin CX Series

Here are some brief notes to get you on the right track to a successful race day. If you have any questions, please refer to the official Racer Guidelines linked here.

Note: Rules in our official participant and promoter guidelines supercede any information on this page. In cases of conflicting information, only rules in the Official Racer guidelines will be used.

Check in

Show up about an hour before your race so you can check in at registration, get your race number, and find the start line. If you did not pre-register, you are still welcome to race. You can either sign up via the race’s BikeReg page, or bring cash ($38 for registration + $15 for a requisite one-day USAC race license).

Race numbers

After you pick up your race number at registration, you will need to pin it on the correct side and correctly oriented, facing the officials so they can properly count your laps as you pass by them. The side you pin your number on changes with each race day. Make sure the number is not blocked by long hair, clothing, etc. so race officials can properly count your laps. Do not cut or modify your number.

You will keep the same number for your whole season.

Bike requirements

We have a run-what-you-brung policy, which means you can participate on nearly any bike. At this time, fixed gears, e-bikes and unicycles are not allowed.*

Excessive decorations or accessories that stick out beyond the bounds of your bike (e.g. irregular computer mounts, mirrors, flags, bar-ends, etc.) must be removed.

*While disallowed in regular competition, exceptions have been made for special, end-of-day novelty races (such as fixed gear-only races and unicycle-only races) as dictated by race organizers and officials.

Tires

There are no tire-width requirements, though most participants will run between 33 and 35mm.

In order to get the most traction on the diverse terrain, you will want to run as low a tire pressure as you can get without bottoming-out the tire on the rim. The bigger the tire, the lower the PSI you can run. If you are used to riding on the road, these numbers may seem absurdly low.

For cross bikes, adventure bikes, road bikes and commuter bike sized tires you will want to shoot for something between 20 and 30psi. For mountain bikes, you can probably go 15-20psi. But in the end it’s your choice.

Clothing requirements

You must wear a helmet at all times while astride a bicycle, whether or not that bike is currently in the active race.

Please wear whatever you find most comfortable, provided your tops have sleeves and your clothing does not flap in a way that can get caught in your bike or inhibit other riders (jackets are acceptable, but sorry Superman, no capes). Lycra is common, but don’t let that scare you off; any style of clothes are welcome.

Be aware that your body temperature will increase drastically during a race, so it may be wise to start with fewer layers so that you can finish without overheating.

You may also want to bring a change of clothing as mud is a regular feature throughout the series.

Pre-riding

You may wish to pre-ride the course before your race so you can be aware of any twists, turns and other surprises on the course.

Pre-riding is allowed between races only AFTER the winner of the current race has crossed the finish line. Always enter the course AFTER the finish line so as not to confuse the officials or tamper with race finishes. DO NOT obstruct current participants of the current race.

Start line

Show up to the start line 10 minutes before your start time. If you pre-registered, race officials will call your name. If you registered day-of, you can fill in the back slots once all pre-registered names are called. The fun is about to begin!