BiCi Co. Welcomes Cyclocross Nationals to Hartford #CXNATS

Stay tuned to the BiCi Blog and Facebook Page for the latest updates on post race fun and Hartford happenings during #CXNATS!

Here are some reasons to get excited about cycling and active transportation in Hartford right now.  Yes, in the winter.  In addition to just receiving Bicycle Friendly Community recognition, Hartford has DIY programs and workshops at BiCi Co. continuing all through the winter.  Just as we start to enter that depressing winter cave, along comes the Cyclocross National Championships!  Racers, visitors, spectators, and volunteers will be lighting up Riverside Park and establishments throughout the city.  BiCi Co. is opening our front door that week (first time!) to offer DIY bicycle repair, parts, and rental bicycles to a national flood of bicycle mounted visitors.  There will be evening events all week for friends of bicycling, including CX Happy Hour at BiCi Co. on Saturday, January 7th.

Wednesday Night – Hanging Hills Gold Sprints Party

• Age 21+ Shenanigans:  Following collegiate races on Wednesday.   Presented by Pedal Power and Bici Co.
• Gold Sprints:  Hand-ups encouraged
• Heckle-Off: Who’s got the strongest heckle-game by audience vote?
• Location: Hanging Hills Brewery (150 Ledyard St, Hartford, CT 06114) South Hartford, Map from CXNATS
• Time: 5pm – 10pm
• Donation requested, optional:  $5 to $10 to raise funds for BiCi Co. teen programs

Friday Night – Builders and Beer, An Evening with Seven Cycles

• Who:  Racers, shop owners, builders, teams, fans, and bike/beer lovers
• What:  Craft Beer + Craft Bikes = WIN.  Answering questions about technique, style, philosophy, etc.  True Cyclery from New Haven is sponsoring.  Frame builders from Seven Cycles.
• Location: Hog River Brewery (429 Park St, Hartford, CT 06106)
• Time: 6:00-9:00pm
• After Party – Bicycle Mechanics National Championships at Black Bear Saloon

Saturday Night – BiCi Co. Happy Hour and CXHairs Live Podcast

• What: Live Podcast with CXHairs and CX movies.  Hosted by Bill Schieken, CXHairs Radio.  Pro Riders – Adam Myerson, Spencer Haugh, and Emily Kachorek.  Improve your technique and skills for going CX fast. Live Q&A.
• Bonus: Bike art on display in the 1st floor in the BiCi Co. Workshop.
• Location: Bici Co. 3rd floor community room (95 Park St, Hartford, CT 06106)
• Time: 5:00-8:00pm, Followed immediately by the Shimano Party at Black Bear Saloon
• Donation requested, optional:  $5 to $10 for adult attendees to raise funds for BiCi Co. teen programs.  Under 18 free.  Family friendly and great for teen racers.
• Great dinner options right next door to BiCi Co.  All three do takeout if you want to grab food to bring up to the CXHairs Happy Hour.  BYO beverages.
  • Donde Julio, 83 Park Street – Hearty Columbian.  Tony C’s personal favorite.
  • Comerio, 158 Park Street – Well loved Puerto Rican restaurant
  • Thai Farms, 104 Jefferson Street – Healthy Thai cuisine just around the corner at the intersection of Jefferson and Seymour.

Sunday, January 8th – Bundle Up and Ride Out & Winter Gear Share

• What: Meeting up at 95/97 Park Street and riding over to the 2017 Hartford Cyclocross National Championships at Riverside Park on Sunday, January 8th. Join us, and invite others. We’re going to cheer and heckle the racers that will be ripping around the riverfront Riverside Park.  Bundle up. Bring a thermos. Cow bells encouraged.
• Time:  10am rollout.  Meeting between 9:30-10:00am.
• BiCi Co. Winter Gear Share – Some riders (and community members) do not have, and can’t afford, all the winter gear they need. Bring clean, lightly used or new gear, and we’ll find a home with another winter rider or Center for Latino Progress program.  Gloves, hats, jackets, scarves, base layers, cold weather jerseys, and outerwear.  Sharing for the win!
• Winter Gear Share Donations – Donations can be dropped off at BiCi Co. (97 Park Street) between 11am-7pm on January 2nd through the 7th.
• Are you in need of winter gear? – Come to the Rideout. Pick up needed items. Lost your gloves? Need to upgrade your jacket?  We’ve got you covered!

Sign up to Volunteer for CXNATS – LINK

Hartford Calendar of Shows and Events – LINK

48 Things to Do in Hartford – LINK

And Even More CXNATS Events – LINK