Tacchino: Fair Weather, Fast Course - 2 Hours Left of Pre-Reg!

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James McNeely

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Nov 6, 2009, 9:58:55 AM11/6/09

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The current weather forecast for Sunday's Tacchino Ciclocross is sunny, with a high of 68 degrees; partly cloudy with a 98% chance of total awesomeness.

The course is taking shape; it's got something for everybody - some technical sections for great bike handlers, some dirt for the MTB'ers (including two double track sections), some long grinds and fast grass / road sections for the fitness phreak roadies, and a chance to strut your transition stuff on the barriers in front of a crowded pavilion.

The Elite prize list is $700 whether you're racing in the Men's or Women's 1-2-3. We're showin' you the money! There will also be BikeReg $50 cash primes in four other fields, and tons of merchandise and services available as prizes.

The Suitcase of Sausage has cleared customs, and is rumored to be in high level negotiations with Mayor Fenty and Gam Jams to bring the Giro d'Italia's prologue - long famous among Italians as "The Sausage Stage" - to Washington D.C. in 2011. Local web impressario Mike May - the Howard Hughes of local cycling reporting and commentary websites - recently dispelled rumors that the Suitcase would be hired as the Meat and Meat By-Products Editor for Gam Jams, though the Suitcase has not ruled out the possibility of providing training table support ("if the price is right") for that web site's new roadracing team. Meanwhile, the Suitcase will be disgorging Sausage Primes for all classes.

There will be some unique prizes and recognition for some of the unheralded heroes in the "C" races, M4 and W4, so along with the cool scene, this would be a good race to bring a friend to and introduce them to cross racing. If you're a first time 'crosser, make sure you tell the registration crew it's your first cross race - then you'll be eligible to win the Unicorn of Awesomeness, along with a unique medal that will go to the best first time cross racer in the M4 and W4 races. Want to ride your mountain bike but worried that the 41 pound downhill rig with 10" suspension and platform pedals will hold you back? Don't sweat it, top mountain bike in the M4 and W4 races also wins a prize. The Men's 4 will also have an award for Top Single Speed / Fixed rider. If a first time cross racer manages the grand slam - wins the Cat 4 M on a fixed or single speed mountain bike - he will get to be the Official Race Starter for the Men's Elite Masters Race at 12:15!

Masters racers will be eligible for the coveted Ommegang jerseys for the winners, proper Belgian beer glasses and swag for podium finishers and Ommegang Beer Primes.

Plus there's a funk band, and Pineapple Alley Catering will be on hand in the pavilion selling Belgian sausages on proper hard rolls with Ommegang Hennepin Ale, accompanied by sodas, water, and some tasty deserts.

But you only have two hours to pre-register. Save $5, beat the day-of registration crowd, and register now.