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AMERICA'S LONGEST CYCLOCROSS RACE
Held in Michaux State Forest, PA
62 miles - Single lap
6,500 ft Elevation Gain

Page last updated October 25, 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.

For 2005 we've added some new events to the weekend that will only bring more excitement and fun to one of the most
unique racing experiences you're gonna find.

NEW FOR 2005
Duo Category - two person relay team events for Iron Cross
15k and 30k Trail Running Races
IC Lite "short course" cross race on Sat.

Click below for more info on events

Flyers/Entry Forms -- Course Descriptions -- Duo Category -- Registration Info -- Prizes -- Directions
Equipment Suggestions -- Checkpoint Info -- Lodging
IC Press Release -- IC III Course Previews

2005 VOLKSWAGEN IRONCROSS RESULTS, REPORTS, & LINKS

IRONCROSS 2006

Flyers & Entry Forms

PDF 2005 Event Flyer and Mail-in Entry Form (includes information on Iron Cross III, IC Lite, and our XC running events)

A note on Backwoods Style Racin'

The courses are marked the whole way through with bright yellow squares with black arrows. Every single turn on the course is marked with one. Actually, before each turn, in each turn, and after each turn is marked. Places that aren't turns, but just so you know you're following the course, are marked. Over 250 arrows are out there pointing you in the right direction. In the weeks preceeding the event the course maps are up on this site. A big ol' map of the course is on display at the start venue. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR FOLLOWING THE DIRECTIONAL ARROWS. If you come off course you must return to the deviation and restart from there. This is a backwoods race and you need to keep your head up and pay attention to what's going on around you. Blowing through a turn with your head down does not entitle you to some imaginary place in the results (if that were the case I'd win a lot more races).

Iron Cross Course Description - Sunday, Oct. 16

Map of IC III Course (.pdf file)

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 has again changed slightly from our previous races as we continue to tweak it to make it more cross friendly while maintaining the adventure element you and we are looking for. It ain't just riding around on dirt roads, but it's not supposed to be a mountain bike course either. Just in case any last minute changes need to be made, we have to say this: Promoter reserves the right to make changes to the advertised course.

2005 Iron Cross Course Description and Updates

Sektor 1
--- The race begins with two laps of a traditional cyclocross course at the Carlisle Family YMCA's Camp Thompson. After leaving Camp Thompson, racers turn right on and follow the Cumberland County Hiker-Biker Path to Bendersville Road. Racers turn left and ascend to Slate Quarry Road, keep climbing, cross Piney Mountain Ridge Road, and descend Slate Quarry Road.
--- Racers descend Slate Quarry Road to Old Railroad Bed to Wenksville Road, turn right, and proceed to Shippensburg Road, turn right, and climb to Piney Mountain Ridge Road, where they turn left and proceed to Lippencote Trail.

*** Note that the Pole Steeple run-up and that rocky nastiness at the beginning of the course has been removed ***

Sektor 2
--- Turning left on Lippencote, racers descend to Rt. 234 and head west to Rt. 30, where they turn right and enjoy a fast downhill road section to Rt. 233 at Caledonia State Park. Riders turn right onto Rt. 233 and then left onto Milesburn Road.
--- The course climbs up Milesburn Rd to the reservoir and then to the daunting Yellow Hill powerline run-up (the same approach used in 2003).

*** Note that Quarry Gap Road and Locust Gap Trail and those rocky nasties have been removed.***

Sektor 3

--- At the top of the powerline, the course turns left on Stillhouse Hollow Rd and then turns right on Ridge Road to return to Milesburn Road (again, like 2003) and then halfway down Milesburn Road to Gilbert Road.
--- Under the powerline, riders then climb back up to Ridge Road, turn left, and roll to Shippensburg Road, where they turn left and then right onto Thompson Hollow Road. Riders descend Thompson Hollow to the paved roads (Whitmer Road, Walnut Dale Road, Sand Bank Road, Gutshall Road, and Big Pond Road) across the bottom of the ridge to Hogshead Road. Riders then climb Hogshead Road to Ridge Road and then to Woodrow Road.

Relay racers will make their transition in this Sektor.
*** Note added paved roads along base of ridge and their smooth sweetness have been added ***

Sektor 4

--- The trail sections off Woodrow have been simplified and reduced to include trails on the right and then a double track climb and short run-up from the snowmobile bridge up to the Rattlesnake Ridge logging road.
--- Racers follow Rattlesnake Ridge Trail to Michaux Road to Old Shippensburg Road to Old Carlisle Road to Ridge Road (as in 2003 and 2004).
--- Racers then turn right and descend Rt. 233 from Ridge Road, turn left on Pine Grove Road, and re-enter Camp Thompson via Ice House Road.

*** Note that all "Enduro" trails have been removed ***

This route is almost 62 miles long and features nearly 6,300 feet of elevation gain.

There will be one checkpoint/aid station in each Sektor.

This thing freakin' rocks.

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Iron Cross 15k and 30k Run Course Descriptions - Sunday, Oct. 16

Map of IC XC Run Course (.pdf file)

One 15k loop you'll do either once or twice depending on how tough and nuts you are. The course will take runners through and around scenic Pine Grove Furnace State Park and will feature the feared ascent of Pole Steeple Trail. Lots of tough trails to keep you and your ankles happy. Climbs. Descents. Everything you could possibly want.

Iron Cross Country Run (2005) Course Description

--- Like the bike course, the run course begins with laps of the cyclocross course at Camp Thompson. The course then leaves Camp Thompson via Ice House Road. Runners turn left on the Cumberland County Biker-Hiker Path to Pole Steeple Trail. Runners then run/hike up the trail to Piney Mountain Ridge Road.

--- Runners turn right and continue to the Pine Grove Furnace Snowmobile Trail turn right on Bendersville Road, turn right on Murphy Road, and turn right on the biker-hiker path. The route then goes left on Mountain Creek Trail and returns to Camp Thompson via Ice House Road.

Each lap is approximately 15 km (9.3 miles); runners will have the choice of doing one or two laps of the course.

Each loop will have two aid stations. One will be at the start/finish at Camp Thompson and the other will be located at the intersection of Piney Mountain Ridge Road and the Pine Grove Furnace Snowmobile Trail - which will be on the other side of Bendersville Road from the ATV Parking Lot.

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IC Lite Course Description - Saturday, Oct. 15

Laps of the Camp Thompson loop we've used for the start/finish of Iron Cross the past two years. This event will be part of the MABRA points series championship and a great opener for the sufferfest that is Iron Cross. IC Lite will be a standard length cyclocross race based on time and featuring the same categories as all other MABRA series races. (note: Iron Cross is not a MABRA points series event).

Categories for Men, Women, Jrs, and Masters

IC Lite Race Day Schedule
C Men 9:00 AM 30 minutes
B Women 9:01 AM 30 minutes
Juniors 10-16 9:02 AM 30 minutes
Masters 35+ 45+ 55+ 9:45 AM 40 minutes
MABRA Juniors 17-18 9:46 AM 40 minutes
B Men 10:45 AM 40 minutes
Lil Belgians (kids) 11:45 AM 1 lap
A Women /35+ women 12:15 PM 40 minutes
A men 1:15 PM 50 minutes

IC Lite Event Flyer - You'll find one for printing at Bikereg.com or you can get all weekend info here

Duo Category Info

This year's Iron Cross features a two person team relay category in which each member of the team completes approximately one half the event distance.
There are three classes of Duo teams - Male (two guys), Female (two gals), Coed (two crossdressers - kidding - one guy and one gal).

How's it work? The first rider on each team will complete Sektors 1 and 2, the second rider will take on Sektors 3 and 4.
The switching point for the Duo teams is at the second checkpoint located close to Caledonia State Park. The number two rider on each team will drive a vehicle to Caledonia and park it there and then meander on up to checkpoint #2 to await the other member of the team and check in with the race staff. The number one riders on each team will come into checkpoint #2 and "hand-off" for the second half. The number one rider will then be able to drive the team's vehicle back to the start/finish at Camp Thompson and chow down on some grub from Memphis Blues while awaiting number two's return.

Iron Cross Registration

Pre-register only www.bikereg.com or mail in (see below)

Entry fee for:
Iron Cross Solo - $60
Iron Cross Duo - $80

IC Lite Registration

Pre-reg or day of registration
IC Lite - $20 pre-reg or $25 day-of (Jrs pay $10 pre/$15 day of)

Run Registration

Register the day of race, or pre-register online at www.runreg.com.

Entry fee:
15K or 30K solo --- $40 pre-reg on runreg.com --- $50 day of race
15K or 30K duo --- $60 pre-reg on runreg.com --- $75 day of race

Snail Mail Registration

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

PRE-REG Closing Time
IC Lite 10/13 5:00pm
IC III 10/14 5:00pm
IC XC Run 10/14 5:00pm

Prizes

For Iron Cross - Mostly cash & some merchandise -- going deep! Up to $2,500* in cash awards!

New for 2005 - It's a cross race and you're rewarded for riding your cross bike --- You can win the first place award riding whatever pedal powered vehicle you like, but if you take the victory on a cross bike we're adding a sweet $100 bonus to your first place prize!!

IC Lite - Whatever Mark decides

XC Runs - Mostly cash & some merchandise. Up to $600* in cash awards!

*Final prize list and depth of awards depends on racer turnout

The Iron Cross III race weekend will be staged at the Carlisle Family 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.

On a pre-ride I ran a 42 single ring with a 12-27 and would 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 4-5 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. Eat lots and drink lots during this ride. It sure is pretty out here during fall, but don't get all distracted and make sure to keep sucking down that Accelerade.

NEW DEEP THOUGHTS ON EQUIPMENT -- 2005 UPDATE -- The last few years the winners have been on mtbs. We again changed the course for this fall and feel we're tipping it more toward cross bikes, especially with the addition of some late pavement. We've also eliminated some of the twisty enduro-type single track from last year. We'll see. Either way, you'll want to note what you ride if you're hoping to go home with some cash for your efforts as there are new prize rules in place.

Checkpoints / Aid Stations

There will be four 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

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

Also - more options available at www.visitccpa.com

For more information, contact Mark Laser at Woodcrest21@aol.com or call 717-245-2423.