Neighborhood Spotlight: Crosshairs Garage Races

This content was written and sponsored by The Keri Shull Team, Arlington’s top producing residential real estate team.

For most people, parking garages symbolize the dreary daily commute, annoyingly high rates and a metallic monotony that you can’t wait to get out of.

But four stories underground in one parking garage in Crystal City, Virginia, the garage is transformed for one weekend into a frenzied arena for intense, fast-paced and wacky bicycle races.

The Crosshairs Garage Races, now taking place throughout March and April on Saturdays (instead of Wednesdays as previously), 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 Business Improvement District employee and Crosshairs team member who conceived of 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.

The races span all sorts of styles, from Cargo Bikes to Tandem Bikes, Feds vs. Contractors team challenges and Fixed Gear to Open races, just to name a few.

All levels of athletes are welcome at the Crosshairs Garage Races, which features separate races for weekend warriors, women-only and elite cyclists. Elite veterans of the races know that it’s about much more than raw power — in fact, there are no open straightaways, so the real challenge is how nimbly racers can navigate sharp turns, zig-zags and obstacles.

Described by longtime attendees as “fight club with bicycles,” the Races, with their large, screaming crowds, funky outfits and brightly-decorated bikes, are a truly unique flavor for the Washington D.C. area, and they come at the perfect time of year when outdoor activities are just starting to ramp up.

Friends, family and those too timid to go that fast on two wheels can catch the excitement from the comfort of the sidelines while enjoying a drink from the event’s pop-up bar. And of course there’s an official after party at Highline RxR — where contestants and spectators can show their race bib or their #CrystalCity hand stamp for exclusive specials including $2 off burgers and sliders!

Click here to get more information about the races and to register.

If you’re looking to buy or sell your home, contact The Keri Shull Team, for amazing results. Let us know in the comments what other spots we should cover in our next episode!