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.

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.

 

Tags: , , , ,