Best Buddies Challenge: New York Kick-Off Celebration

overall prizes awarded to the winners of the Category 2-3 and Master 40+ events. There are also separate Sprint and KOM competitions in the Category 2-3 and Masters races. The Women Open will compete in the Women's PP Series Presented by Verge for Overall, Sprint and QOM series standings. Cat 4 Women will be scored in a separate series sponsored by Lucarelli & Castaldi. There are no overall competitions in the Category 4/5 event.

Click here for detailed information on how points are scored for each competition, prizes, and Frequently Asked Questions.

NEW FOR 2026: PLEASE READ!!!- UPDATED

For 2026 all Prospect Park and Floyd Bennett Field races will be timed using active timing chips(Except for Cat 5 races). The chips will allow us to provide faster, live results along with lap time reports, KOM and Sprint results, updated series standings and other features to be added at later dates. You must have a timing chip to be scored in the KOM or Sprint competitions.

All riders in the Cat 2-3, Women Open and Masters 40+ will need to have a timing chip to race. Riders in the Cat 4/5 race will NOT need a chip. Timing chips are available to purchase along with your registration as a merchandise item. If you are a CRCA member and already have a chip you DO NOT need to buy a chip. If you have a chip for the NJ TT or CX series, you DO NOT need to buy a chip. If you purchased a chip for the Lucarelli & Castaldi Prospect Series you DO NOT need to buy a chip. Basically, if you already own a red, Race Result chip you are good to go. If you are here on vacation and only plan on racing one race, please contact me and we will sort you out so you don't have to purchase a chip.

The chips are guaranteed to work for a minimum of 5 years and can be used in multiple different series. Currently, the chips will work for CRCA races, both Prospect Series, FBF Tues nights, NJ TT Series and NJ CX series. More races and series will be added shortly.

The chip cost is $75 and you will own and be responsible for your chip. If you decide at any time that you do not want to participate in either of the Prospect series you can return the chip for a pro-rated refund. You will receive a refund equal to your original purchase price minus a rental fee of $5 per race you have entered. For example, if you have entered 4 races you would receive a $55 refund($75-$20). Only riders who purchased a chip for the FBF or PP series are eligible for this refund program.

Registration

• Online registration ONLY. No exceptions.

• Register early! The field limits are strictly enforced and most fields have filled up in the past.

• NEW FOR 2026: You will receive one set of fabric bibs to use at ALL Prospect Park and FBF races. PLEASE just remember to always bring your bibs. I'm making it easy, one set of numbers for the whole year. Don't lose them or forget them. If you do, there will be a $15 replacement fee. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!

• This is what your number will look like this year. Please do not use numbers from 2 years ago or last. Use the ones you are given this year.

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• Masters, Women, and Juniors race with their category. Junior entry fee is $10. Juniors: please use code PPJunior26 to receive your discount. Please do not abuse the coupon. If you don't qualify for it, DON'T use it.

Start/Finish Location

The Start/Finish and registration area is located at the 3rd Street entrance at Prospect Park West. This is the same location we use every year, about a 1/4 mile past the main hill and Grand Army Plaza.

Daily Prizes

• Cat 2-3 = $215 all cash prize list. 4 places.

• Masters 40+ = $215 all cash prize list. 4 places.

• Cat 4/5/Novice = Medals. 5 places.

• Women Open = $340, 4 places

Overall Competitions (Cat 2-3, Women Open and Masters 40+)

• General Classification (GC). The first 10 riders at the finish of the race receive points. The leader of the series wears the Verge Series yellow leader kit (jersey & bibs) provided by Verge. Women will wear the (tbd) leader kit.

• AXIS King of the Mountain (KOM). There are 2 sprints at the top of the hill in each race. The first 3 riders score points. The leader of the series wears the AXIS polka-dot leader kit (jersey & bibs) provided by Verge. Women Open will have 1 or 2 QOM sprints(alternating with Green Jersey sprints each week).

• Stifel Sprint Competition. There are 2 sprints at the Start/Finish line in each race. The first 3 riders score points. The leader of the series wears the Rogue Cycles green leader kit (jersey & bibs) provided by Verge. Women will have 1 or 2 Green Jersey Sprints(alternating with QOM each week).

• There will be a separate overall Cat 4 Woman standing published for the Women's Open field.

• NEW FOR 2026: We will award the MAINSPORT Silver jersey to the top 55+ master rider in the Masters series. This will be an overall jersey. No sprint or KOM. Both leaders jerseys can be won by the same person. If that happens, the second place 55+ rider would wear the jersey until it changes hands.

Overall Competitions Prizes (Cat 2-3 and Masters 40+)

$1,800 in cash prizes. Here's the breakdown:

• General Classification (GC). $450 cash prizes per category. 3 places.

• King of the Mountain (KOM). $225 cash prizes per category. 3 places.

• Sprint. $225 cash prizes per category. 3 places.

Disclaimer

• Promoter reserves the right to shorten race distances due to weather conditions and/or time constraints.

• Promoter reserves the right to cancel, combine fields and/or reduce prize money if minimum fields are not met.

Course Description

3.4 mile loop along the park roadway in Prospect Park. The course features one moderate (big ring) hill and sweeping turns. Although the course is closed to traffic, you will frequently encounter other park users (pedestrians, cyclist etc.), on the park roadway. For this reason all competitors are advised to stay alert and be polite to other park users.

VERY IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ!

Riders must not enter the "recreation" lane (aka jogger's lane) on the left side of the roadway on the west side of the park for any reason. Riders must not enter either "recreation" lane (aka jogger's lane) on the left and right side of the roadway on the east side of the park for any reason. Any rider entering this lane, even momentarily, will be disqualified and suspended by USA Cycling and will not be permitted to race in NY Parks for three months and will not be permitted to race in any Kissena Cycling Club event in Prospect Park for one year. NO EXCEPTIONS, NO EXCUSES!

Met Finish

Attn new racers: Pick up a paper race number at boat house parking lot at least 15 minutes before start. You will be given a paper race number, once you've taken your first skills session you'll receive a cloth number that will be your number for the season.

CRCA Club membership is included with all Development Registration.

If you are new to bike racing or picking the bike up for the first time after a long winter, we offer skills sessions and coaching FREE to our members. Skills and Coaching Calendar can be found here

We encourage new racers to take a skills session prior to racing, though not required.

There are several tiers of membership options allowing you to choose what best suits your availability and budget making an inclusive entry into CRCA park racing.

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Basic Rules of CRCA

• *Do not ride in the recreational/runner's lane

• *Do not ride backwards on the drive

• *Do not ride on footpaths

• *Do not urinate publicly

• *Treat club members, racers, officials, park users

and the public with respect

Upcoming Races:

May 30, 2026

June 14, 2026

July 12, 2026

July 25, 2026

Check out the Full Season Calendar here