Race Information

Are you looking for the 5k-ish Run information? Click here.

Black Friday 100 information is here.

Each Thursday includes one 5k-ish run and two cyclocross races. Registration opens at 5:00p. The 5k-ish is 2x laps starting at 5:45pm. The first bike race is 4x laps and starts at 6:30pm. We take a break between each race to check your lights or figure out why you came here in the first place. The second race is three laps in the opposite direction. We keep score, but as long as you start the race, you’re winning!

USA Cycling sanctions us as a “Fun Ride,” and we thank our governing body for its cheap insurance.  

We race after dark, so bring your lights. 

Race rules:

  1. Don’t be a dick.
  2. Abide by all USAC cyclocross rules.
  3. The promoter’s ruling is final.
  4. Call out your number every time you cross the finish line.
  5. We will make every reasonable attempt to provide accurate results.
  6. All results are final. 
  7. Mountain bikes are allowed without bar ends.
  8. Fat bikes are allowed, but only with tires wider than 3.8 inches. Narrower than that, and it’s just a mountain bike.
  9. Tubulars are discouraged. I mean, if you like burning money, buy us a beer.
  10. You may cut the course to access the pit.
  11. There is no pit.
  12. Please inform the finish line judges if you withdraw from the race. 
  13. Awards will be awarded based on style and merit and solely at the promoter’s discretion. We rarely have awards.
  14. Don’t break the tape. If you break it, you fix it.
  15. Please patronize our sponsors.
  16. If you get hurt, it’s your fault. 
  17. Sign a damn waiver 
  18. You must check in with the registration staff to be counted in the results.
  19. Rule 2 is crap; hand-ups are not a crime.
  20. Seriously, don’t be a dick.

Entry Fees

CASH entry fee is $15 per week and includes both races for adults. Thanks to Blink Optical Boutique, Juniors race for $10 per week. Thanks to an anonymous donor, runners only pay $5 per week.

Discounted season-long registration is available until the first week of the season. It’s the cash price of 9.5 races, even though you’re paying by credit card for 12 race entries. You also get a free number. Get on it!

A $5 number fee is assessed at your first race of the season. If you lose your number, you will be heckled, and you will have to buy another number for $5. No, there is no discount for you being forgetful and making us update the spreadsheet with your information. Thanks for asking.

No Racing License

You do not need an annual USA Cycling license to participate in our weekly series. You do have to sign a waiver, though.

Parking

Park in the lot at the intersection of Kline’s Lane and East Minor Street in Emmaus, then ride along the road into the recycling center. Driving directions can be found by clicking here.

Weather

The event is rain or shine. In fact, it’s double points on rainy nights! Please check in every week with event staff in the registration trailer.

Course Map

This map is approximate. We may change the course at our discretion because this is a Thursday night fun thing, not national championships. Though sometimes they change the course without notice, so maybe this is national championships and no one told us?!

History of Fifth Street Cross

Established in 2005, Fifth Street Cyclocross originally lived at the home and estates of Bill and Beth Strickland, on Fifth Street, in Emmaus. After a few years, the event outgrew the backyard and moved to the Emmaus Compost Center. The Stricklands passed on the event to Ray Ignosh, who then passed on the event to Andrew Bernstein. It is now a Long Tail Creative project by Gabe and Kacey Lloyd and has added a cross-country run before the two cyclocross races. Each Thursday from the first week in September to the week before Thanksgiving, we host races open to all experiences. We have national champions and riders who have raced at World Championships and riders from 5 to 10 years old trying to race for the first time. Sometimes it’s warm, and sometimes it snows — no matter the conditions, our course, which includes grassy fields, lots of turns, steps, barriers, and pavement — is the perfect venue to perfect your technique in a competitive training environment.