Events: The 2024 Autumn Event Calendar
It’s been quite the cycling season and many events are still to come. Autumn is the season of cyclocross. Road riders are winding down their calendars. Some are finding out new teams for next year already. The UCI cycling world championship is currently in progress in Zurich, Switzerland. We have gathered a list of events that we’ve completed or have wanted to complete. There are cross races as well as gravel. There are touring rides alongside fondos.
As of 8:44am today, the autumnal equinox has officially occurred. The calendar year is winding down. Backyard fires fill the air with fall feels. Pumpkin fills everything third sentence spoken. Flannels become standard attire. Meanwhile in the cycling word, sleeves and vests have been rotated to the closet for ease of access. Before we know it, darker days, hopefully snow, and trainer rides will punctuate the schedule. So here’s to adding a few more outdoor miles and a couple thousand extra feet of climbing.
Through November 21 - Fifth Street Cross
We’ve talked about Fifth Street Cross and even managed to jump into a race at this incredible event. Continuing through until late November, Fifth Street Cross adapts by running their races with headlights and helmet lights. Even the second race in week two was in complete darkness.
Each week the goal isn’t to win; it’s to finish fifth. Meanwhile extra points are handed out for week five (October 3) and double points issued if it rains. The area is in a proper drought; the rain would be welcomed on any given day at this point. In the meantime riders navigate the dusty fields in Emmaus, PA, by doing four laps and halting the race. Then the direction is changed for the final three laps. All this is contained in a light atmosphere of encouragement and the celebration of getting together. Meanwhile finishing fifth is winning the whole thing.
September 29 - Maple City Century
With 8,000 feet of climbing and roughly 70% of gravel surface, the Maple City Century in Honesdale, PA, is a behemoth of an experience. With numerous climbs - including ones along the Delaware River - the day will certainly be set aside for hardy few. Though accessible by road and mountain bikes, organizers state the Maple City Century is best experienced on cross or gravel bikes.
Situated in Honesdale, PA, the event is supported by Scarfalloto’s Towne House restaurant as well as Wallenpaupack Brewing Company out of Hawley, PA. But the focus is on the 100 miles of riding that lays ahead for those looking to coast into autumnal riding with a challenging century full of climbing and gravel.
October 3 - 6 - Tour de Pines
Our first event by Kermesse for the autumn season, the Tour de Pines is a unique multi-day cycling experience through one of the most under visited places in New Jersey: the Pinelands. Each day is hosted by a new venue with ties to the Pinelands region. The routes explore the quintessential Pineland experience while taking in the beautiful views. This is for the all-day rider as each route features minimal climbing.
The Pinelands are known for many things such as blueberries, cranberry bogs, but it’s mostly known for the Jersey Devil. It also has the freshest natural water in the United States on account of it being filtered by the sandy region. These self-guided rides feature at least two distances per day. The first two days depart - and return to - a winery within the Pinelands. The final day is hosted by the Pinelands Preservation Alliance, the benefactor of the event.
October 5 - Crossasaurus Awesome
Crossasaurus Awesome returned to the calendar last year, and happily it has stayed on the docket for 2024. Held in Salford Station, PA, Crossasaurus Awesome is uniquely named as well as uniquely hosted. Presented by the Philadelphia Ciclismo, Crossasaurus Awesome features a lovely tour of Salford Park.
The course is perfect for the powerhouse rider. There are wideopen grass sections as well as a romantic bridge to cross in the wooded area. The scenery adds to the aura as the course winds in and out of woodlands and open fields while the leaves begin turning for the ultimate autumnal outing. Then again it could rain this year, making the course slightly sloppy. Practice those tail whips. With a jump or two on the course, the sideshow might be necessary to explain away the next-to-last result.
October 5 - Cross Mountain Crusher
At first glance the name Cross Mountain Crusher is easy to overlook. Perhaps it’s a cross race. Maybe it’s a mountain bike race. But the truth lies in the fact that the event, hosted in Arkville, NY, deep in the Catskill Mountains of New York, means the name is a crusher.
At further glance, the distances are hardly noticeable. There is the 55-mile Crusher, the 61-mile Super Crusher, and the 37-mile Crusher Lite. It is when the elevation is considered that the easy-day-out ride vibes are crushed. Featuring essentially 100 feet of elevation per mile on all three distances, Cross Mountain Crusher’s secret is hiding in plain sight - the route goes up Cross Mountain. This gravel event hosts steep climbs, often exceeding 20%, and shrugs at the notion that several climbs are sustained. Limited to 350 participants, the Cross Mountain Crusher is a fundraiser for the Catskill Recreation Center.
October 13 - Covered Bridges Ride
In its 43rd year, the Covered Bridges Ride presented by Central Bucks Bicycling Club draws participants from all over the country. Based at the sprawling Tinicum Park in the hamlet of Erwinna, PA, the Covered Bridges Ride explores the unique feature of the Bucks County landscape - the prodigious covered bridges.
Featuring five distances, the longest three have the standard Bucks County elevation. The metric century features 4,200 feet of climbing on the day. Meanwhile the twenty- and thirty- mile options explore the Delaware canal path and omit elevation for its distance. All routes return for the post-ride food and picnic that offers beautiful views. Proceeds of the event go to several charities.
October 27 - Oktoberfest Ride
Oktoberfest Ride hosted by Kermesse Sport has tried its hardest to follow the old Univest Grand Prix route last used by pros in 2011. After a one-year hiatus, the Oktoberfest Ride has brought the nostalgia even closer to the accompanying cyclosportif event to the Univest Grand Prix. Hundreds of cyclists would turn out for the Univest cyclosportif that was hosted in Souderton, PA, prior to the pro’s race.
Kermesse Sport has announced the Oktoberfest Ride will return to Souderton as a home base for 2024 after securing a new brewery, Brass Collar Brewing, as its base. As is always the case for Oktoberfest Ride, Kermesse Sport has contracted a caterer to provide the German-themed food. Menagerie Foods will provide the post-ride celebration. Meanwhile the Univest Grand Prix route will remain close to its original, complete with a visit to the infamous Eichele Road, the first climb we ever walked. Kermesse’s attention to detail for their events creates a cycling spectacle and is the best way to experience autumn in Montgomery County.
November 2 - Guy Fawkes Ride
One of the youngest additions to the autumnal calendar, the third Kermesse Sport event is a change of gears for those wrapping up a competitive season. Based at Bucks County Brewery in Pipersville, PA, the Guy Fawkes Ride deviates from the standard event experience with a later start time and manageable courses. But just because they are manageable doesn’t mean they can’t be ridden hard.
Both long (50 miles) and short (27 miles) courses take advantage of the riding outside our very own office. What is captured in those [shorter] miles are quintessential Bucks County farmland and Pennsylvania Game Lands. It is always hoped the foliage holds off until just after the Guy Fawkes Ride. Designed to be welcoming to all riders of abilities, the ride goes in search of Bucks beauty while returning to Bucks County Brewery for the post ride Guy Fawkes celebration with music, food, and libations.
November 10 - Sly Fox Cross
After a one-year hiatus, Sly Fox Cross has returned to the calendar refreshed and ready to serve. Unique for its location at the Sly Fox brewery, this course often takes on the appearance of a European cross atmosphere. All that is needed are frites, a cold day, and a couple hundred riders looking to impress an audience.
Located in Pottstown, PA, Sly Fox Brewing is a staunch supporter of the cyclocross event around their facility. The course itself is meticulously laid out for maximum heckling exposure for all participants. With the cheering section funneled to the top of the brutal climb known as the Fox Hole, it is debatable as to who will have more fun: the racers or spectators. The course features sharp turns and elevation changes; paved sections and wooded lines.
November 29 - Fifth Street Black Friday 100
Just like autumn events started, we end with Fifth Street’s unique format. This time, though, we focus on the day after Thanksgiving. Hosted in Emmaus, site of the Fifth Street ‘Cross Thursday Night Series, the Fifth Street Black Friday 100 features a mix of endurance riding and running events. Or, for competitive individuals, one could try to do both the running and riding events.
Registrants are given from midnight on Black Friday until 4pm to cover the distance registered for. There are the 100-mile, 100 kilometer, 50-mile, and 50 kilometer distances. Participants can commence their ride whenever and present their time. If it’s extra cold this year, expect to see riders hit the course early to take advantage of frozen ground. Timing is elapsed, so pausing the Garmin won’t do any good. This unique event amidst the ever-popular Fifth Street Cross series is a fun way to end the cycling season.
