   AND
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IRON CROSS - 2004
Sponsored By:
To
Benefit 
AMERICA'S LONGEST CYCLOCROSS RACE!
Held in Michaux State Forest, PA
62 miles - Single lap
6,500 ft Elevation Gain
 2004 Men's Podium: 1st place Jeremiah Bishop, Trek VW; 2nd place Chris Eatough, Trek VW East Coast; 3rd place Gary Pflug, SciFit/Dirty Harry's/GoRocket. |
 Women's Podium: Deidre Winfield Charlottesville Racing Club; 2nd place Mandy lozano, Easton/Kona/CCA; 3rd place Erin Garvin. |
<RESULTS 2004 >
Pictures & Race Report at KeystoneBiking.com
Page last updated September 19, 2005
Iron
Cross was hatched because of, and is based on, the Three Peaks Cyclocross
race in England.
Iron Cross offers a style of 'cross racing much different than burning
short laps around the local municipal park.
It is an "ultra" style event with a much bigger adventure element
than most 'cross contests and should attract all
sorts of riders, not just 'cross racers. The Michaux forest hosts one
of the East coast's most popular mountain bike
races each spring and we hope to create an event as well-liked and as
tough.
Flyers & Entry Forms
Course Description
This isn't a dirt road race nor a mountain bike race - it is designed as a course that should favor a 'cross rider on a 'cross bike. The race will start and end with a lap or two with barriers at Camp Thompson and you might run into some barriers at spots along the course to remind you that it's a 'cross race. Bring your climbing legs. The course is mostly fire-roads with some trails interspersed. The trails may contain sections where you will want to get off your 'cross bike and run, but for the most part will be 'cross bikeable. There are three run-ups. "Run-up" is a term used loosely and very open to interpretation.
There will be a cut-off time at the last checkpoint / aid station so we are sure everyone is off the course by dark. You should plan to be self-sufficient (carry tubes, water, tools, etc.) as we will have very light support at the checkpoints and they will not function as full-on service stations. Checkpoints / aid stations will have some food and water and also some tools and tubes.
The course is changed slightly from the 2003 race. Just in case any more last minute changes need to be made, we have to say this: Promoter reserves the right to make changes to the advertised course.
Sektor
1: Start to Piney Mtn Ridge Road/Shippensburg Road Intersection approx.
11.5 miles
Est. race time: 1.25 - 1.75 hr
Characteristics: 'Cross course at Camp Thompson to Pole Steeple Trail
run-up** (ouch!) to Piney Mountain Ridge Road (doubletrack to fireroad)
to Slate Quarry Trail (fireroad) to Wenksville Road (paved…part of
the Nutcracker Road Race course only in the opposite direction) to Shippensburg
Road (paved) to KOM/QOM at Shippensburg Road/Piney Mountain Ridge Road
intersection (checkpoint 1).
**At the top of Pole Steeple, follow not the sign pointing the way to
the Appalachian Trail for if you do, Death awaits you all with big, nasty,
pointy teeth! Instead, bear left and take the next, unblazed right turn
(about 20 more feet) and head that way. At the next junction turn right
up the rocky ascent and continue upon your merry way!
Sektor
2: PMR/SR intersection to Rt. 233/Quarry Gap Road intersection approx.
10.7 miles
Est. race time: 0.75 hr - 1.25 hr
Characteristics: Fireroad to Lippencote Trail (gnarly but 'cross bike
rideable descent) to Rt. 234 (paved) to Rt. 30 (paved and FAST!) to Rt.
233 (paved) to Quarry Gap Road (fireroad).
Sektor 3: Caledonia
State Park to Ridge Road/Shippensburg Road intersection. approx. 13 miles
Est. race time: 1-1.5 hours
Characteristics: Oh, boy...nice, smooth fireroad climbing and descending,
with a stretch of rocky doubletrack climbing thrown in too (Locust Gap
Trail). The terrifying run-up of Wigwam Hill and a looooong road climb
to the top o' Big Flat await you in this sektor.
Sektor 4: Ridge Road/Shippensburg
Road intersection to Finish approx. 25 miles
Est. race time: 1-2 hours
Characteristics: More fireroad descending and climbing, a screaming fast
descent on Woodrow Road, sweet, sweet singletrack near the valley floor,
one more run-up, a bit more fireroad, and then to the descent (be careful)
of Cold Springs Road, and finally, onto the finishing 'cross loop, where
salvation in the form of Memphis Blues BBQ awaits...
Bike Registration
Register the day of the race, or pre-register on www.bikereg.com
Racers
can also register by mail. Send entry form
and check made payable to "Carlisle Family YMCA - YBR" to Mark
Laser at 21 Woodcrest Drive, Carlisle, PA 17013
Entry fee $40 if pre-registered on bikereg.com on or before July
31st
$60 if pre-registered on bikereg.com after July 31st
$70 day-of event
10K Run Registration
Register the day of race, or pre-register online at www.runreg.com.
Racers can also register by mail. Send entry form and check made payable to "Carlisle Family YMCA - YBR" to Mark Laser at 21 Woodcrest Drive, Carlisle, PA 17013
Entry
fee $15 if pre-registered by October 14, 2004
$20 day of race
Prizes
For 'cross: Mostly cash & some merchandise -- going deep! Up to $2,500* in cash awards
For run: Mostly cash & some merchandise. Up to $300* in cash awards
*Final prize list and depth of awards depends on racer turnout
How to Get There
The Iron Cross race is exactly at Carlisle YMCA's Camp Thompson in the heart o' Pine Grove Furnace State Park and Michaux State Forest (1100 Pine Grove Road, Gardners, PA 17324)...25 minutes from Carlisle, 35 minutes from Gettysburg.
Camp
Thompson is easily reached from I-81. Racers should take Exit 37 to PA
233 south then travel for eight miles. Turn left at the stop sign onto
Pine Grove Road, go 1.5 miles and park in the Laurel Lake parking lot.
Camp Thompson and the race start is 1/4 mile to the east, on the south
side of Pine Grove Road...look for the signs and our friendly race volunteers!
Equipment Suggestions
Choose your tires wisely. The course has some pretty rough (for a typical cross race) sections.
if
you're on a cross bike, run tires as big as will fit.
if you're on a mountain bike, run tires as small as won't pinch flat.
I ran a 42 single ring with a 12-27 and might have liked something lower later in the course. However, we're probably changing that section so it might be a moot point. It's probably not necessary to go lower in order to ride the climbs, but figure with a time of at least 3.5-4 hours to finish its going to be a long day. Lower gears may save your legs for later in the race.
The
course is probably okay on a cross bike or a mtb set-up rigid with a quick
rolling tire. It does contain a lot of road, but some of it isn't all
that fast. Certainly the "run-ups" are better on a cross bike
since you can shoulder 'em more easily.
There are no pits so there are no bike changes. You start on and finish on the same bike you ride on the rest of the course.
You're
going to need either some bottle cages and bottles or a camelback, don't
rely on the aid stations for water as they're too far apart to keep you
hydrated if you only drink there.
Checkpoints / Aid Stations
There will be three aid stations for the cyclocross race at spots on the course. These aid stations will have some basic tools and some tubes for emergencies, but do not rely on these stations for all your repairs. Everyone should at least carry a tube or spare tire and probably a decent tool and knowledge to use it.
Food and drink at the aid stations will consist of H20, Accelerade, fig bars, granola bars, fruit, and maybe some PB&J.
You
will have the ability to put supplies and food in a plastic bag for us
to drop at a middle aid station.
Lodging Information
If you don't like the options below, hotels in Carlisle, Gettysburg, or Shippensburg are all about 30 minutes from the venue.
Bunkhouse
at Camp Thompson - 5 seconds from the start line
$15 per person, contact Mark to book
a bed Woodcrest21@aol.com
Camping
at Pine Grove Furnace State Park - 1 mile from venue
Call 717-486-7174
Ironmasters
Mansion Hostel - 1 mile from venue
Contact the hostel at 717-486-7575 to book a bed
Days
Inn Carlisle - 25 minutes from start line
Tel 717-258-4147
Comfort
Suites Carlisle - 25 minutes from start line
Easy walk to Carlisle's fine eating & drinking establishments, tel
717-960-1000
For more information, contact Mark Laser at Woodcrest21@aol.com or call 717-245-2423.