Garage Racing National Championships

Welcome to the 2024 Garage Racing National Championships brought to you by National Landing Business Improvement District, JBG SMITH and CXHAIRS. On May 11, 2024, we will award championship jerseys to seven categories including junior, fixed-gear and open categories.

Please note the address: We are racing in the garage at 201 12th St in Crystal City. This is a different location than last year’s race, but one we have used many times in the past.

Garage Racing Nationals is not sanctioned by USA Cycling or any other governing body. First and foremost, this is for fun. But at the end of the day, you may also be a national champion.

The course is built for all abilities. The two-level underground track has tight turns, low ceilings and several elevation changes. As is the case with any bike racing, the course has a speed limit. To stay safe, you have to be smart and race within your abilities. 

The event will include a lounge area for racers and spectators to enjoy great viewing and food and beverage offerings, including Acme Pie and more. Check NationalLanding.org for more details on the spectator and race day experience.

"DAY-OF" REGISTRATION: There is no day-of or in-person registration. All registration for this event must be completed on BikeReg before the registration end date.

Course Details: a unique subterranean criterium held in the 201 12th St. underground parking garage. This is a crit-style race. There are no dismounts. It's worth checking out the course as racing inside with low ceilings takes a few minutes of riding to get used to. 

Equipment: No e-bikes allowed. Also, no tri-bars, clip-on bar extensions or MTB bar ends. Our recommendation is to run wider tires and lower tire pressure. Anywhere from 28mm and up will be ideal for conditions with PSI significantly lower than 100psi. If you run a tire that is narrower than 28mm, your chances of sliding out on the garage floors is much higher. Get there early and test out different tire pressures to dial in the turns. If you haven't put away your cyclocross bike, running file treads has been a race-winning strategy.

Fixed-Gear Championship Equipment: To participate in the fixed-gear championship, you must race on a fixed-gear bike. One gear only. No single-speed freewheels. If your bike can coast, this isn't the race for you. Also, no brakes are allowed. This will allow for a level-playing field and make sure everyone races to their skill level.

Anything Goes: 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. 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. You must register for the race through BikeReg because everyone must sign a waiver to participate.

Age Requirement: You must be at least 15 years old to participate. The only exception is the Anything Goes and Junior events. All youth participants must have a waiver from a parent or guardian and be in the company of an adult chaperone at the event.

Safety & Venue Guidelines: For everyone’s safety, race participants should refrain from the consumption of alcoholic beverages or other substances that may impair or alter your mental or physical abilities prior to a race. No outside alcoholic beverages or smoking is permitted in the garage.

EVENT DETAILS:

30 minute races:

10:30 Open Course 

11:00 Junior Men and Women Championship Races 10-14

11:30 Open Course

11:45 Novice Women Non-Championship Race

12:15 Open Course

12:30 Novice Men Non-Championship Race

13:00 Open Course

40 minute Races:

13:15 Women’s Fixed Gear

13:55 Open Course

14:10 Men’s Fixed Gear

14:50 Open Course

15:05 Non-Binary Championship Race

15:45 Open Course

16:00 Men’s Championship Race

16:40 Open Course

16:55 Women’s Championship Race

17:35 Open Course

17:45 Relay Race

18:20 Anything Goes

19:00 End of Show

201 12th St., Arlington, Virginia
Accessible from the Crystal City connection of Mount Vernon Trail
Blue and Yellow METRO Lines to Crystal City Station
Free parking in National Landing garage on weekends

Check out this great article on garage racing in Bicycling: https://www.bicycling.com/rides/events/crystal-citys-underground-garage-crit-is-the-most-fun-race-youve-never-seen

NOTICE OF FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHY: By attending a CXHAIRS LLC event, you are entering an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By agreeing to these terms, you consent to photography, audio recording, video recording and its release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for promotional purposes, advertising, inclusion on websites, social media, or any other purpose by CXHAIRS LLC, National Landing BID and its representatives. You release CXHAIRS LLC and National Landing BID, its employees, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication and use of interviews, photographs, computer images, video and/or or audio recordings, and you waive all rights to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any use of these materials. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by CXHAIRS LLC, National Landing BID or the person or entity designated to do so by CXHAIRS LLC or National Landing BID.