Hidden Valley CX 2026 - PMCX Series #2

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ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE IS FOR THE 2025 RACE

‘CROSS IS BACK IN NEW HAVEN!! For the second year running, New Haven Bicycling Club and True Cyclery are bringing back the barnstorming good time that is HIDDEN VALLEY CX! We learned a ton last year and listened to your valuable feedback. So this year we've made some changes: we’ve expanded the course, we've moved the starting line, added a beginners' race, and perhaps most importantly, secured an extra portapotty. And we got a sink. (Well, we booked those things, hopefully they get delivered). What are we keeping? The same good vibes, clean racing, and downright fun of our inaugural event!

This year's 'cross is happening at Forbes Bluff, a secret meadow (a Hidden Valley, perhaps??), in between Fort Hale Park and the Pardee Seawall. It seems like the Big G just dropped this purpose built cyclocross course out of the heavens and right into the easternmost slice of New Haven. We can't wait to throw some tape up, carve it up, and rut it out! We're got lots of grass, a minimal amount of trails, loads of elevation changes, and a choose-your-own-adventure ride/run-up!

BIB PICKUP/REGISTRATION!

Registration will be in the big pavilion and will open at 7:30 am. For anyone not already registered, day of registration will be available for $60, unless you're jumping in a second race for the day, then that is $20. Let us know at the table and we'll give you the discount code.

PARKING!

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There is very limited parking available at the venue on Woodward Ave. Most of this will be coned off for volunteers and officials, but we will also have a drop off spot marked. THIS IS A RESIDENTIAL AREA AND IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO READ ALL PARKING SIGNS AND TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU DO NOT BLOCK ANY DRIVEWAYS OR HYDRANTS! There are a few designated handicap parking spots on Woodward, do not park in them if you're not legally entitled to.

• Yellow lines on the map indicate street parking and parking lots: PLEASE CHECK SIGNAGE AND DO NOT BLOCK DRIVEWAYS, HANDICAP SPACES, OR HYDRANTS! The south side of Woodward is available next to the venue and both the east and west sides open as you go further north. Pope St and Morse Pl have available parking on both sides of the street but Fort Hale Rd only allows parking on the north side. Available lots include Fort Hale Park just north of us (with a small playground for kiddos) and further out East Shore Park has 3 lots, all about 0.5-0.8 miles away. Kinda far, but hey! Free warmup! There is also a large playground there for kiddos. East Shore Park is also a great place to get a grassy warmup in if you're not able to get on the course. PLEASE DO NOT RIDE ON ANY OF THE ATHLETIC FIELDS!

• Red boxes indicate Absolutely No Parking! The race takes place next to an active military/Coast Guard station. Don't even think about it. The other red boxes are privately owned property that we do not have access to. Don't risk getting towed!

• Blue lines outline the course and the thicker part show where the volunteer parking/drop off zone will be. The blue R indicates registration at the pavilion.

THE COURSE!

THIS YEAR'S LAP IS A BIT LONGER THAN LAST YEAR'S, but you can still expect lots of sharp turns, hairpin cornering, and a few bellowing straightaways. There's one long stair set that can be ridden along the side or you can run it (we're calling it “THE ASCENT” but we forgot to mark it on the map, it's right after the pits through the trees until it opens up again). There's one short run-up in THE BATTLESWAMP. Don't get distracted by the stunning “ocean” views of the Long Island Sound while you're down there, or for that matter as you traverse THE BOARDWALK. WE'VE ADDED A WHOLE NEW SECTION THIS YEAR! It's a fast descent with a lead up of two sets of wide stairs that can either be ridden or ridden alongside. This leads down to THE GAUNTLET before heading back up via what is quite easily the shortest, straightest stretch of single track on the PMCX calendar. Get back on the three-way straight and then get ready for some uphill chicaning following THE SPEEDWAY. Finally, you'll hit THE NAMELESS

DESCENT (also forgot to mark), which drops you back into THE PARTY ZONE. Hit some barriers, swoop past the pits and then cross the finish line with your arms raised whether you've won or not! I mean, well, don't do that if there are more laps left.

Below is the map, which is mostly accurate, but expect some fine tuning and possible corner-swaps while we're taping up on Saturday, but the general character will remain the same. Here's a preview video OF LAST YEAR'S LAP: https://youtu.be/lIqYon9aazI

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We are optimistic that the course will be open by 7:30 AM. We have buffered what we hope is an adequate of time in between races for pre-ride. DO NOT GET ON THE COURSE DURING AN ACTIVE RACE! The officials will open up the course, most likely during the final lap of each given race, but IT IS WILDLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU DO NOT PASS AN ACTIVE RACER DURING YOUR PRERIDE OR YOU WILL BE SUBJECT TO DISQUALIFICATION! The course will be modified during the kiddo race, but 90% of it will be available for pre-ride while they're out there.

That's it! If you have any questions, reach out to us at [email protected]

Thanks to all our partners!

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Like all the best races in the world, William Kurtz will be here what he does best: Getting pictures of you giving this course the beans! After the race, head to this page to download web-sized pics of you, caught in the act of destroying the souls of your opponents. Full sized images available for purchase.

Food!

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@hachiroku_newhaven is popping up at Hidden Valley CX! Serving up burgers, okonomiyaki, and onigiri, this special menu highlights the best handhelds and street food from their fantastic restaurants around town (see below!). Okonomiyaki are savory, Japanese pancakes, grilled to order. In other words: The perfect post-ride meal! Onigiri are grab-and-go rice triangles stuffed with a savory filling (tuna mayo, spicy chicken, veg mushroom, and more!). Perfectly sized to keep you going between warmup and race! Meat and veggie options available!

MENU

Wagyu Teriyaki Burger, 15.00

Okonomiyaki Pork 12.00

Veggie Okonomiyaki 12.00

Fries 6.00

Onigiri, assorted fillings

And don’t forget to check out their FOUR (!!!) restaurants all across New Haven, each with their own menu and vibe: 1) @hachiroku_newhaven 2) @hachirokustate966 3) @theloopbyhachiroku 4) @116_cocktailbar_hachiroku

Coffee!

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Minnow is a considered specialty coffee experience in a small, mobile footprint. We deal primarily in seasonal, vibrant, single origin beans, and offer a menu of classic espresso drinks and rotating brewed coffees, available perennially at our pop-ups and events. Find us at Deep River Home every Saturday, and popping up all around the Connecticut River Valley.

Prizes!

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We know what you're racing for: THE MAJESTIC AND COVETED BOTTLE OF RANCH! Come in first and you'll be heading home with a bottle of our secret recipe of America's favorite condiment (definitely not store bought and label-swapped). We're also bringing back last year's pizza-themed podium prizes! More stuff announced soon.

Cash Prizes for Pro 1/2/3 races:

5 or fewer racers | $85 — $65 — $45

6 racers | $85 — $65 — $45

7 racers | $85 — $65 — $45 — $30

8 racers | $85 — $65 — $45 — $30

9 racers | $85 — $65 — $45 — $30 — $25

10 or more racers | $85 — $65 — $45 — $30 — $25

DISCOUNTS AND REFUND INFO

$20 flat for each additional entry if racing multiple categories! IMPORTANT: If you are not registering for both races at the same time, the discount will not kick in. In this case please contact us at the email address below for a discount code or register and we will process the appropriate refund.

First 20 total entries in the Women's or Nonbinary 5 and Women's or Nonbinary 4/5 ARE FREE! Courtesy of RICHARD SACHS.

50% off entry for all New Haven Bicycling Club members in any of the women's or nonbinary categories! Reach out to [email protected] for the discount code.

Full refunds (minus bikereg fees) up to 9/20/25!

This will be Race #2 in the Project Mayhem CX Series! Check out our sponsors below.

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