Introduction

It’s Fall, which means that it’s time to warm-up that cowbell, because cyclocross season is here! The season in NY starts the first weekend in September and runs through November 27th, with races both locally and across the state. Nationally the season ends December 9 -13 with the USACycling CX nationals in Fayetteville Arkansas (see schedule below).

For those not familiar with the sport, imaging taking road cycling, mountain biking and a steeplechase and mixing them together…you’d have a cyclocross (CX) race.

Races are run on closed loops, typically 1/2 to 1 mile long, over a grass course which can include sections of mud, sand, off-camber hills and barriers where the racers have to get off and carry their bikes over the barrier. CX races are typically 40 minutes to 1 hour long, so multiple races are held throughout the day.

Unlike road racing, CX is great for spectators as there’s usually a few points from where they can watch long stretches of the course.

2026 OCC Syracuse Cyclocross GP

The Onondaga Cycling Club has been hosting CX races in Syracuse for over 50 years. Come out to Long Branch Park Saturday 17 October 2026 for a great day of fun for both spectators and racers

Registration opens at 7:30 am to check-in and pick-up your bib, and racing starts at 8:30 am.  NO day-of registration.

Bib number should be on your right side for officials and timers.  Please do not crumple or cut your number.

Pre-ride: The course will be open before each race for pre-ride.  Please listen for officials to make the announcement.

Parents/guardian must sign waiver for anyone under 18

Starting line call-ups based on date/time of registration.

Kids non-competitive fun race immediately after the conclusion of the last race of the day (approx 1:45 pm)

  • A current USAC license or a one-day license is required to race!
  • Additional races only $20 bucks! Please note that USAC requires a signed waiver for EVERY race you sign up for.
  • Juniors Race only $20
  • Parents/guardians must sign a waiver for anyone under 18
  • If a field minimum of 10 riders is not met, the race director reserves the right to combine fields.
  • New racers/One Day license holders MAY ONLY race in the following:
    • Novice – formerly Cat 5
    • Open
    • Single Speed
    • Fat Bike
  • Staging is based on cross-results ranking.
  • A portion of each entry fee is donated back to Clear Path!
  • Kids race 12 and under on Saturday!

Early Registration Coupon

Don’t wait until the last second, register OCC Cyclocross GP before October 1st to receive 20% off your registration: BikeReg Coupon code UPCXS26

Register on Bikereg

Volunteers

OCC events thrive on our exceptional membership volunteering their time to make our events great. The CX race has three main phases; Friday setup, Saturday race logistics, and Saturday tear-down:

  • Friday 16 October 2026: 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm-ish
    • Course setup: setting stakes, taping the course, raking leaves, acorns. If you have a leaf blower, that’s also a huge help.
  • Saturday 17 October 2026:
    • 8:00 am – course inspection (fixing tape), setting up officials tent, help with officials, etc.
    • 1:45 pm – course tear-down (pulling-up stakes, gathering course tape, etc).
    • done.

2026 Upstate CX Race Series

We’re very excited to announce that the Syracuse CX GP is now part of the Upstate CX Race Series.  Race in Syracuse Saturday October 17th and the Marbletown Madness CX race Sunday October 18th.

The Onondaga Cycling Club and the Marbletown Volunteer Fire Department have partnered for the weekend of October 17-18th to bring you a new cyclocross series which we have formally call the “Upstate CX Series” weekend. We hope this will be the beginning of larger series in years to come, similar to the CNY Cup series from year’s past.

To participate, racers will compete in the first day of racing on 10/17 at the 2026 Syracuse Cyclocross GP in Liverpool, NY and the second day of racing on 10/18 at Marbletown Madness CX in Newark, NY. Points will be awarded to every racer competing as follows:

  • 1st – 10 points
  • 2nd – 8 points
  • 3rd – 6 points
  • 4th – 4 points
  • 5th – 3 points
  • 6th – 2 points
  • All Others – 1 point for participation.1st – 10 points

Following the second day of racing, the top three finishers in each category with receive an official Upstate CX Series Award Medallion (as pictured above), along with additional swag and cross town bragging rights.

Register for the Marble Madness CX race via the following link https://www.bikereg.com/mmcx.

Race Series Sponsorship and Prizes

Pursuit Racing is excited to sponsor the Upstate CX Series, a collaboration between the OCC Syracuse Cyclocross GP & Marbletown Madness CX races taking place on October 17th and 18th in Upstate NY. If at least 30 riders compete on both race days for the Upstate CX Series, then we will pay out (3) cash prizes of $500, $300, and $200 to 3 participants based on a random drawing that will take place after the races at Marbletown on Sunday. All you need to do to qualify for the Upstate CX Series and be eligible for the cash prizes is to start at least (1) race at both events, maximum of (1) entry per person, and need not be present to win (checks will be mailed out to the winners the week of 10/19). 

Pursuit Racing is committed to supporting local bike races across Upstate NY and we’re looking forward to lining up at both courses later this month. If there are less than 30 riders eligible for the series, then we’ll still offer (2) cash prizes of $300 and $200. Help us get the word out to your friends to build up the prize pool! Sign up today for the OCC Syracuse Cyclocross GP (https://www.bikereg.com/77351) and Marbletown Madness (https://www.bikereg.com/76766) coming up soon on October 17th & 18th.

USACycling SafeSport

As you prepare for the upcoming event, we would like to remind you that athlete safety is of the utmost importance to USA Cycling.
To help create a safe environment that is free from misconduct and abuse at all USA Cycling events, please review USA Cycling’s Safe Sport Program Policies, including reporting requirements and the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP). All Participants at USA Cycling sanctioned events must abide by these policies.
PROHIBITED CONDUCT
All participants at this event are expected to refrain from engaging in Prohibited Conduct as defined by the US Center for SafeSport Code. Prohibited Conduct includes but is not limited to the following: sexual misconduct, emotional misconduct, physical misconduct, bullying, harassment, hazing, and violations of the MAAPP.
MAAPP
These policies have been adopted by USA Cycling to establish clear boundaries between participants in cycling and to reduce isolated one-on-one interactions between minors and adults in cycling and apply during all USA Cycling events, including before, during and returning from the event. Review the full MAAPP here.
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Adult Participants are required to report violations of USA Cycling’s Safe Sport Program, including violations of the MAAPP. The mandatory reporting requirements apply to Adult Participants, but USA Cycling encourages anyone who becomes aware of, or experiences misconduct or abuse, to report those allegations. While USA Cycling is committed to providing a safe environment for all participants, the organization can’t address behaviors or problems it is unaware of, so your engagement in reporting is instrumental in ensuring safety for all.

Local CX Racing:

Here in central New York, we have a very long tradition of CX racing going back over 50 years. While various locations have been used to hold CX races, Onondaga Lake Park has been our mainstay for decades. This year we’re especially excited because the Salt City CX Spectacular is also the nysbra New York State CX Championship (see information below).

Check BikeReg for a CX race near you.

 

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