Underground Bike Races Return to Crystal City With New Name

Registration is now open for Crosshairs Garage Races, formerly known as Wednesday Night Spins, in Crystal City.

The underground bike races will begin in March. The course will be set up on the G4 level of the parking garage at 201 12th Street S., Designed as a “dry criterium” course, it will feature plenty of turns and no dismounts.

In addition to the new name for the series, there’s also a new competition to see who can rack up the most points over the first four races.

“Crosshairs Garage Races challenges amateur and elite cyclists alike to compete weekly for prizes and points in pursuit of the ‘Petty Cup.’ Named in honor of Joseph Petty, the former Crystal City BID employee and Crosshairs racing team member who conceptualized the event, the Petty Cup is awarded to the racer in each category with the most points earned over the course of the first four weeks of the series (March 7th to 28th),” the Crystal City Business Improvement District said in a press release.

The event is free for spectators and $15 for most bicyclist race registrations. There will also be a pop-up bar.

Here’s the list of upcoming races:

• March 7
  • Beginners’ Race Series, 6:30 p.m.
  • Women’s Open Series, 7:25 p.m.
  • Open Race Series, 8:25 p.m.
• March 14
  • Beginners’ Race Series, 6:30 p.m.
  • Women’s Open Series, 7:25 p.m.
  • Open Race Series, 8:25 p.m.
• March 21
  • Beginners’ Race Series, 6:30 p.m.
  • Women’s Open Series, 7:25 p.m.
  • Open Race Series, 8:25 p.m.
• March 28
  • Beginners’ Race Series, 6:30 p.m.
  • Women’s Open Series, 7:25 p.m.
  • Open Race Series, 8:25 p.m.
• April 4
  • Beginner/Intermediate/Junior Open Race, 6:30 p.m.
  • Feds v. Contractors Race, 7:25 p.m.
  • Cargo Bike/Tandem/Bikeshare Showdown, 8 p.m.
  • Fixed Gear Finale, 8:25 p.m.

Crosshairs Garage Races is hosted by the Crystal City BID in partnership with JBG Smith and In The Crosshairs.

Photo courtesy Crystal City/Bruce Buckley Photography