VSRTCX - Bay Area Cyclocross Race

VSRTCX: Jim Lund Cyclocross - 2024

Rancho Los Mochos, Livermore, CA

Saturday, November 30, 2024

Introducton

Join us for an exhilarating showdown at VSRTCX, brought to you by Valley Spokesmen Racing Team (VSRT) and Bicycle Club (VSBC). Get ready to sweat, grit your teeth, and push your limits in this one-of-a-kind cyclocross race held in the rugged Altamont Hills, south of Livermore, CA, at Rancho Los Mochos.

Embrace the Dusty Hellscape

wait... it is November and raining the week before the race...

Embrace the HERO DIRT

Prepare to leave it all on the course and tackle conditions that will push you to your limits. VSRTCX is back, and while it is indeed usually a dusty hellscape in September (with temperatures pushing 90-100+ degrees), this year we’ve shifted to November—and trust us, it's a whole new ballgame! With temperatures in the 50-60 degree range, the cooler weather will keep you charging through the tacky hero dirt, but watch out—there may still be a few muddy sections to make things interesting. This isn’t just a race; it’s an adventure.

Master the Manzanita Mayhem

Get ready to be engulfed by this mysterious manzanita forest. This thrilling section of the race course will test your skills and instincts as you zig-zag through the dense foliage. Lose yourself in the heart of this forest, but beware—don't get lost in the chaos! Great changes for 2023 include better passing opportunities with wider lanes and choices of A vs. B lines (pre-riding on Friday afternoon is ok!!)

Race for a Cause

By participating in VSRTCX, you're supporting two vital initiatives. First, your race entry fee goes towards youth cycling development, empowering the next generation of riders of VSRT and Varsity Youth Cycling Club. Additionally, the proceeds contribute to ongoing trail building efforts at the venue, strongly supported by our club and team members. Feel the satisfaction of giving back to the cycling community- and also creating new community space.

Unleash Your Competitive Spirit

Experience the adrenaline rush of going handlebar-to-handlebar with fellow riders. VSRTCX attracts youth riders and beginner adults all the way to passionate enthusiasts and seasoned pros. This creates a thrilling atmosphere of intense competition- but also strong camaraderie. Your biggest competition may be the course itself- do you have what it takes to win that contest?

Celebrate Life

This race also celebrates the life of our long-time teammate and friend, and your long-time competitor, Jim Lund, who recently passed away in 2023. Through illnesses, he rode- and raced- harder than most of us could ever dream of. Come join us Friday evening (sept 27) to ride the course and mountain bike trails, and join us at social hour Friday night to celebrate Jim.

Vibrant Community and Family Fun:

Beyond the fierce racing action, VSRTCX is a celebration for all. Enjoy a vibrant ambiance. Camp with us Friday night, listen to music all day, watch the kids ride/race at noon, preview the mountain bike trails on Friday and all day Saturday. Bring your family and friends along to cheer you on as you conquer the course!

Registration is now open!

Secure your spot early! Visit our website at vsacingteam.org/vsrtcx for more information, registration details, and the latest updates. A Link to sign up as a volunteer can be found at registration page.

Don't miss your chance

…to conquer the dusty hellscape, master the manzanita mayhem, and leave your mark on VSRTCX. Join Valley Spokesmen Racing Team for this unforgettable cyclocross adventure supporting youth cycling and trail building efforts. See you at the starting line!

Venue

Rancho Los Mochos (RLM) is a historic Boy Scout camp in the greater East-bay San Francisco Area.

RLM is located approximately the 14.9 miles south of Livermore along Mines road. The road is quite narrow in spots, twisty-turny, and is frequented by both cyclists and ranch trucks/trailers. PLEASE DRIVE SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY to and from the site. Allow enough time for slow travel to the site.

There is no cell phone service on-site. Plan accordingly.

Printable Map

Camping available Friday AND Saturday.

Camping is FREE (donation?) - select the option on registration page.

You may camp in the parking area with camper van/overlander/tuck topper, but must remain in a single parking spot (limited parking!).
Camping check-in starts at 3pm Friday, September 22.
There are some options for \camping on site along the course. Inquire if interested.
**Campfires in rings are OK** NO SMOKING. NO 'other' SMOKING. NO PETS.

Course Description

The 2024 course will share most of the same elements from 2022 and 2023 (shown in video below). The 2022 course was REALLY FUN but some changes will be made this year that further improve safety - and quality of- the RACING.

For example-

We will bypass the Archery area completely to mitigate a bunch-up- and to avoid the wasp issue from 2023 in that area...
Manzanita Mayhem will not be as tight throughout the length, to allow for better passing opportunities (and less torn jerseys)
Downhill section of course will take advantage of more natural terrain (more fun!) with less off-camber/high speed fire-road gravel turns.
In honor of our recently passed teammate, Jim Lund, we will have a section of the course designated as "The Lund Line". This will be a "A-Line" optional line, with all the fun Jim would expect from a cross course.
As in 2023, the course will feature a few "YARDI" mountain bike obstacles, as optional lines (pro tip- these lines might be hella fun but they are not the fast lines. Choose your fun-to-speed ratio wisely.)

Course video below is 2022. We will update it to reflect the course changes... maybe...

Event Schedule

Friday 11/29:

12-6pm - Final course setup
1 pm - Check-in for camping opens
1 pm - 8 pm - CX course open for pre-ride AND MTB trails open (bring your MTB ! Bring lights!)
6 pm - 7 pm - Social hour - at picnic area near pool. Join us for an ice cream social celebrating our recently fallen long-time friend, teammate, and pillar of the Bay Area Cyclocross community: Jim Lund.
11:00pm - Lights out... You're going to need the rest...

Saturday 11/30:

7:30 am - Registration & number pick-up opens.
7 - 9 am - Course open for pre-ride without restrictions.
9 am - 3 pm - Races! see race day schedule.
11:30 am - Kids ride on modified race loop near the main parking area. Strider-bikeable(-ish).
all-day - Youth bike skills course open all day, located near parking area.
all-day - MTB trails open for preview (bring your MTB!) *MUST* be off trail/off-site by 6 pm.
all-day - MTB obstacle play area open all day- (bring your MTB).
3:30-6 - Race cleanup.

Registration & Costs

NEW!!!

In honor of our cyclocross advocate, Jim Lund,

VSRT is offering sponsored registration for ALL Juniors-aged racers.

Pre-registration: (Before 11/28 at 5 p.m.)

Juniors Categories - $25
All others - $50
Second Race (all) - $20.
- (2nd race discount should auto-apply in cart if registering for both in same transaction.)
FREE REG if volunteering for 4 hour shift. see volunteer link HERE.

'Day-of' registration:

.will be available. Credit cards accepted.

note: Please help us out on race day by PRE-REGISTERING

Full refunds offered if you cannot attend due to illness (e.g. COVID, pneumonia, ...or even malinger).

--DO NOT come to event with COVID symptoms, or other illness.

If you are sick, PLEASE stay home and heal up for the next race!

For Age-based categories, use your age on Dec 31, 2024

-i.e .like road-racing USAC method, not like USAC cyclocross method...

.....this is not a 'USAC' CX race

GO TO REG

BASP Series!

BASP series

VSRTCX is part of an amazing SIX-race series:

Bay Area Super Prestige cyclocross series (BASP)

To participate and earn awards in the BASP series:

Register individually for each race.
To be also considered for BASP series points, thats all you need to do. Registering for one of the races will automatically apply your results into the BASP race series.
Out of the 6 races, your *TOP 4* finishes will count towards BASP points.
Make sure you register for your same BASP category in each individual race!
For Age-based categories, use your age on Dec 31, 2024.
- (all the series races are non-USAC, and all end before Dec 31).