A cycling competition set to take place in a Crystal City parking garage next weekend has been postponed, likely until 2025.
“Unfortunately, the 2024 Garage Racing National Championships has been postponed for this year,” participants were told today, after ARLnow’s article about the races published. “Please stay connected with CXHAIRS for future bike events in the DMV, and follow National Landing for more events throughout the year.”
“You should be receiving an email from BikeReg in the next five to seven days confirming a full refund for the event,” the email from race organizers continued. “Please let me know if you have any questions and we hope to see back in the underground in 2025.”
No further explanation was given. A PR rep for event sponsor National Landing BID confirmed the postponement.
The original article about the event is below.
A national indoor cycling competition is returning to Crystal City next weekend.
A full day of competitive and just-for-fun races is planned for Saturday, May 11 at the 2024 Garage Racing National Championships. Taking place in a parking garage at 201 12th Street S., the race kicks off with junior championships at 11 a.m. and closes with the always-wacky “anything goes” race at 6:20 p.m.
Racers will be competing for championship jerseys in seven categories. Organizers recommend having at look at the course before racing, since the tight turns and low ceilings of the two-level underground track can take some getting used to.
Notably, no accolades are offered for the “anything goes” race.
“This will be a 20-minute event with unicycles, tandems, cargo bikes, penny-farthing bikes, and really anything you want to ride that isn’t motorized. Please, no e-bikes,” the event’s website says. “No prizes, and really no bragging rights are on the line. It’s a fun opportunity to dress up and ride the national championship course with no pressure on results.”
Spectators can watch the races — sponsored by the National Landing BID, JBG Smith and CXHairs — from a lounge area with food and drinks. All contestants must register for their event in advance.
“First and foremost, this is for fun,” organizers said. “But at the end of the day, you may also be a national champion.”
A complete race schedule is as follows.
30 minute races:
- Open Course at 10:30 a.m.
- Junior Men and Women Championship Races (10-14) at 11 a.m.
- Open Course at 11:30 a.m.
- Novice Women Non-Championship Race at 11:45 a.m.
- Open Course at 12:15 p.m.
- Novice Men Non-Championship at 12:30 p.m.
- Open Course at 1 p.m.
40 minute races:
- Women’s Fixed Gear at 1:15 p.m.
- Open Course at 1:55 p.m.
- Men’s Fixed Gear at 2:10 p.m.
- Open Course at 2:50 p.m.
- Non-Binary Championship Race at 3:05 p.m.
- Open Course at 3:45 p.m.
- Men’s Championship Race at 4 p.m.
- Open Course at 4:40 p.m.
- Women’s Championship Race at 4:55 p.m.
- Open Course at 5:35 p.m.
- Relay Race at 5:45 p.m.
- Anything Goes at 6:20 p.m.
- End of show at 7 p.m.