The Wilkesboro Cyclocross Festival has been nominated by Cyclocross Magazine for the best new race in their 2013 Reader Awards Survey!

Please vote for the race, and while you are at it, be sure to support our generous sponsors, including Hammer Gels for best Snack, the Uvex Supersonic from MaguraDirect for Best Helmet, Panaracer for Best Mud Clincher, and Capo for Best Clothing. You can take the survey by clicking on the following link:

http://www.cxmagazine.com/2013-reader-award-survey

Plan an awesome weekend in Wilkesboro November 10-11 for Two Days of Bikes, Cowbells, and Beer at the Third Annual Wilkesboro Cyclocross Festival. Named by Cyclocross Magazine one the “Top Races You Do Not Want to Miss,” the best race venue in the Southeast offers full-on Euro-style awesometude featuring a challenging mix of surfaces, high speed serpentine descending, a tough climb, and a killer run up. The start, finish, run up, barriers, and wheel pit are in close proximity to the free Blowing Rock Ale, and there are clean bathrooms with HOT showers right on the course. Day Two is part of the North Carolina Cyclocross Series, and both days are offering generous payouts and prizes from Panaracer tires. Many hotels in Wilkesboro are offering specially discounted rates for racers – the event would not be possible without their generous support, and there are a ton of other fun events going on that weekend, so bring the whole family to Wonderful Wilkes County! Check out the 2011 Highlight Video, then book your hotel room, and sign up on Pre-Reg.com.

We’ve changed up the plans for the Abby Construction Cyclocross Series – it will now be seven consecutive Tuesday nights, September 4 to October 16.

On WEDNESDAY October 24 will the Abby Construction Cyclocross Spectacular! Same schedule, but the races will “count” for Upgrade Points, there will be CASH PRIZES in the Men’s and Women’s A Race, free Blowing Rock Ale for all, a DJ, food vendors, and more!

Still only $15 to race, $20 for two, or $5 for kids, although one-day licenses will cost $10 instead of $5.

Get excited: cyclocross season is right around the corner, and Pirate Race Productions has ton of awesome events lined up!

Thanks to the generous support of Abby Construction, weeknight racing returns to the High Country for its fourth year. The Abby Construction Cyclocross Series kicks off Tuesday, September 4 for eight weeks of Tuesday Nights, Under the Lights at the Boone Fairgrounds.

Three Peaks USA: America’s Hardest Cyclocross Race, the fourth race in the American UltraCross Championship Series and the final stop in the Capo Cycling Apparel King of Pain Series returns to the Banner Elk Winery and Villa September 23.

The Third Annual Wilkesboro Cyclocross Festival this year will feature two consecutive days of Euro-style racing on Saturday and Sunday, November 10-11, 2012. The “SewerFest” campground in Wilkesboro is the best venue in the Southeast, featuring an awesome mix of terrain, extreme vertical, and a huge party courtesy of Blowing Rock Ale.

Pirate Race Productions and the Wilkesboro Tourism Development Authority are excited to announce the Second Annual Wilkesboro Cyclocross Festival, a full day of bicycle racing on Sunday, December 11, 2011 at the “SewerFest” campground in Wilkesboro.

Part of the North Carolina Cyclocross Series, the race is only a two hour drive from the UCI Kingsport Cup professional race the prior day. The event will offer racing categories for every age and ability, including a free kiddie race and a special mountain bike category for only $10.

This exciting event is FREE for spectators.

Over 200 people are expected to participate in eight separate races, including some of the nation’s top pros fighting to qualify for the national championships in January.

“SewerFest” as it is often referred to, is the most popular campground for Wilkesboro’s annual MerleFest music festival. Traditional music fans from around the world return to the campground year after year because of its pastoral beauty along a high ridge above the Yadkin River.

The campground will offer racer and spectators a fun course featuring gravel roads, terraced grassy campsites, and steep slopes that will offer screaming descents, tough climbs, and loads of off-camber twisty challenges.

While cyclocross racers are notorious for embracing the most miserable racing conditions, the venue features hot showers in a heated bath house just steps from the finish line.

Wilkes County offers numerous quality and affordable hotels and inns, and loads of great cycling and other activities you and your family can enjoy. There is great shopping and restaurants in downtown Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro, both situated right around the corner from the race. Located just off US-421 only a few miles from I-77, getting to the race is a safe and easy drive regardless of the weather.

The Wilkesboro Cyclocross Festival is one of many events that make Wilkes County the premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The area is home to the Kerr Scott IMBA Epic mountain bike trails, and an extensive network of bicycle routes where cyclists can enjoy the incomparable scenery of the Foothills on quiet country roads. Wilkes County: we’ll take your breath away… or let you catch it.

For more information about participating in or attending the event, contact race director Andrew Stackhouse at info@pirateraceproductions.com

Lots of space left in the CX clinic tomorrow, so I’m waiving the late registration fee – only $50 for 6 hours of coaching and lunch from Black Cat Burrito! Highcountrycx.com/clinic

Tuesday Nights, Under the Lights returns to the Boone Fairgrounds on August 23 for 14 fun filled weeks of cyclocross action! At the last race each month we will be raffling tons of great schwag including Cane Creek 40-series headsets, Panaracer Cinder-X tires, and seasonal Blowing Rock brews from Boone Brewing Company. One entry per race: race often, go slow, win big!  The 30 minutes “B” Race will start at 6:15, and the 45 minutes “A” Race is at 6:55. Its still only $15 one race, $20 for two; college students and juniors are $10/$15. Want to save big? Buy a season pass for unlimited racing for only $175

High Country Cyclocross Clinics Sunday, September 11, Two clinics at one location: our second annual Women’s’ Only CX Clinic featuring National Champion Ashley James and MSG champ Kim Bishop, and a cyclocross skills clinic for the boys led byJacob Florence. The Boone Fairgrounds has a good mix of easy and challenging terrain, covered pavilions for lunch and lecture sessions, as well as ample parking. Clinics will be held at separate parts of the Fairgrounds so each group can independently practice skills including starts, cornering, barriers, run ups, and more. Early Bird Registration is only $40 until the end of August, and lunch is included courtesy of Black Cat Burrito. Sign Up Now – clinics are capped at 30 participants each.

Our second annual Women’s Cyclocross Clinic will be held at the Boone Fairgrounds on Sunday, September 11. Coach Kim Bishop is returning and is joined by National Champion Ashley James for a fun day where raw novices and seasoned vets can hone their skills and get pointers on how to get the most out of their ‘cross season.

Due to popular demand, we will also be offering a Skills Clinic for the boys (or ladies who prefer a coed environment). Led by App State Ph.D. student and almost-pro Jacob Florence, the clinic will take place on the opposite end of the Boone Fairgrounds the same day.

Early Bird Registration is only $40 until the end of August, Pre-Registration is $50 until September 10 at Noon, and day-of registration is $65. Lunch is included. Each clinic is capped at 30 participants, so sign up now to avoid missing this great opportunity to start your season on the right foot.

Permit is filed. Racing starts Tuesday, August 23 and will run 14 weeks at the new and improved Boone Fairgrounds. More lights, bigger course, more stakes and course tape, and (weather permitting) Roubaix-style velodrome action. We are going to start the B race at 6:20 this year to allow a breather before the A race kicks off at 7:00. There will be monthly awards three deep for men and women in both and A and B field, with shwag from Boone Brewing Company (over 21 only), Cane Creek, and Panaracer, as well as Capo Leaders’ Jerseys. First mini-series is the last two weeks of August, with four week monthly series for September, October, and November. Season passes will be available online for $155 with NO PROCESSING FEE.

Look for an announcement soon for clinics we will be holding again this year, as well as a race the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend.