FAQs

The Weekend

Do I have to participate in the whole weekend, or can I just show up and race on Sunday?

You can absolutely register for SSCXWC25 and only show up on Sunday. That said, this is a world championship event geared towards out-of-towners. People are traveling to Minneapolis from all over the country and beyond. We highly encourage you to treat the weekend like a stay-cation: get your shifts covered, send your kids to grandma and grandpa's, and maximize the good times!

Why does this cost $120?

Think of SSCXWC25 as an all-inclusive package at the world's weirdest resort. While $120 is a lot of money, it includes three parties, lots of free/cheap beer, two free meals, insurance, a killer race course, and swag. In the words of Nikki “it's like honestly a banging fucking deal” when you think about it.

The $120 price tag is significantly lower than what the last few years have cost, and is actually a financial risk for us (the disorganizers) because we are not 100% sure we will make enough money to cover our expenses! But we wanted to take that risk to lower the barrier for participation.

Also, if you have never done a bike weekend before, they are SO fun, and you will likely leave Minneapolis with lots of new memories and friends. And yes, maybe a butt tattoo.

I don’t have a single speed bike. Can I still participate?

Riding a single speed bike is highly encouraged, but geared bikes are allowed as long as your shifters are zip-tied from before Feats of Strength until after the Sunday race.

Ask around! Maybe a friend will loan you their single speed. It’s also a great excuse to build one up before the event.

Can I race my fixed gear bike?

Yes! Make it a tracklocross weekend if you want.

When will the full weekend agenda (with specific times) be released?

Likely in Mid-September.

Is this a beginner-friendly event?

If you are brand new to biking, this event may not be the right fit for you. The race course will be challenging and is not beginner friendly. If you're a brand new cyclocross racer, please participate in the day by volunteering (email us at sscxwc25@gmail.com) and/or spectating. If you are a beginner but really want to race, please spend the summer getting comfortable riding off-road, on uneven terrain, with other people. Saturday’s feats of strength ride will likely be around 30 miles at a 12-15 MPH pace. Know your abilities and your limits before signing up. We want to make sure everyone has a good experience!

What will the race course be like?

It’ll include punchy uphills, gravely downhill, singletrack, ramps, tabletops, barriers, and riding in close proximity to others.

Any advice about gear ratios?

The course is at a ski hill and the race itself takes place primarily on the tubing hill so there is PLENTY of climbing. Plan to make up more time on the uphills vs. the downhills. Choose a spinnable gear ratio unless you enjoy running.

I’m sober. Can I still have fun at SSCXWC25?

Yes! We welcome sober people and encourage everyone to know their boundaries going into the weekend. That said—there will be alcohol at pretty much every event during the weekend, so if being around alcohol or others drinking (possibly drinking a lot) bothers you, this may not be the right event for you.

To our non-sober party people: respect others' wishes, don't ask why people aren't drinking, and don't pressure others to drink.

Minneapolis/Getting Around

Where should I stay?

If you’re visiting from out of town and want to stay in an airbnb or something similar, we would recommend either Northeast Minneapolis, Seward, or Downtown/the North Loop. All three of those neighborhoods will be relatively central to the weekend’s events.

If you want to crash with some locals, please fill out the housing form – same goes to locals who want to host out-of-towners!

How do I get around Minneapolis?

We have top-notch bike infrastructure and recommend biking everywhere. Minneapolis has tons of bike lanes, paths, bandit trails and bike parks. If your legs get tired, hop on the Green Line or Blue Line light rail! Remember lights!

How do I get from the airport to where I’m staying?

If you’re staying in Seward, Northeast, or Downtown/North Loop, the airport will be a 15 to 30 minute Uber/Lyft ride to your place. Follow signs for “app based ride services” — you will have to go down some stairs and then up some more stairs.

How do I get to the race venue (Buck Hill)?

Option 1: Hop on the Blue Line light rail ($2.00) and take it all the way down to the Mall of America. From there, it’s a flat, 13.5-mile bike ride to Buck Hill.

Option 2: Rent a car and drive there/back. Plan for a sober driver. Also plan how you’ll get your bikes there.

Option 3: Bike all the way there! Some of the roads south of the cities aren’t super ideal, but also not terrible compared to plenty of other places. If you want to make it into a big adventure, you could take the MN River Bottoms part of the way.

Option 4: Carpool with a local. Plenty of us have cars and bike racks. Reach out to anyone from handup racing and/or the volunteers and we’ll help you ask around!

Do I need to wear a helmet?

YES! You must wear a helmet any time you are riding a bicycle from Friday to Sunday.

How can I make sure my bike doesn’t get stolen?

You should 100% plan to lock up your bike with a sturdy U-lock (or better!) anywhere in the Twin Cities. Don’t leave your bike in a garage overnight unless it has a robust security system. The odds of getting your bike snatched at the race venue itself (Buck Hill) is very low since we’ll have the whole place to ourselves.

Is weed legal in Minnesota?

Minnesota accidentally legalized weed in 2022. Gummies, edibles, and THC drinks run rampant in our town. You will not find dispensaries, however.

What will the weather be like?

Minnesota typically has beautiful weather in September and early October (think sunny and 70s), but we are also very far north and have been known to have a freak snowstorm in the fall. Bring gear for warm weather, chilly weather, and rainy weather.

Why isn’t your race at Theo Wirth? It’S tHe ClOsEsT cRoSs CoUrSe!

We immediately looked into Theo as our race venue and found they would cancel our race with 24 hours’ notice if the ground was wet. That’s a nonstarter, so we had to look elsewhere.

Do I have to stop at stop signs?

Bikes are allowed to roll through stop signs as long as they don’t impede anyone else’s right of way. So if there aren’t any cars or pedestrians in the intersection, you’re good to keep riding!

Can I bring my dog to race day?

Yes. As long as your dog is leashed, well-behaved, and supervised, they are welcome at Buck Hill on Sunday. BYO poop bags. Spectating only — no dogs on the race course.