FAQs

FAQs

Got a question? You’re not alone. Check out our FAQs for our most commonly sought-after race info. If what you need isn’t here, shoot us an email at community@clippedinforlife.org.

These are general questions that apply to the full Sacramento Cyclocross series. If you have questions about a specific venue, please visit that race page for additional FAQs.

• How do race credits work?

  Race Credits are back in 2023! Register for Sacramento Cyclocross by purchasing “race credits” that are good at any race of the season (no date transfer fees!). Race credits work like a virtual punch card: Decide how many races you want to do this season and purchase that many race credits. When you come out to a race, we’ll deduct a credit from your account. You do not need to tell us in advance which race(s) you will come to!

  You must register online before your first race of the season. You will be issued a reusable RFID chip for the entire season. A $20 deposit will be added to your first race, and is fully refundable when you return the chip at the end of the season.

  Race credits expire at the end of the 2023 season and cannot be transferred to another racer or event.

• What class should I race in?

  Sacramento Cyclocross is a grassroots race series, and as such you can walk-up on race day, signup for whichever category you feel best suits your ability and go race your heart out. There is no license required to participate in the Sacramento Cyclocross series.

  Generally, “C” = Beginner; “B” = Intermediate; “A” = Expert; and “Single Speed” = Crazy person. (Just kidding on the single speed. Kinda.) We leave it up to you to choose the category that best fits your ability. Please note that choosing a category based on a start time that is convenient to your schedule is not a valid reason to race outside of your level.

  Mandatory Upgrades: If you are crushing it in a certain category, we reserve the right to congratulate you on your success and require you to upgrade to the next logical category. We take into consideration your average lap times in comparison to your current field as well as the category above you. This policy ensures good, strong, fair competition in each category.

  ‘A’ Category Race Policy: For our ‘A’ level categories: We adopt the UCI’s policies on gender participation, as well as equipment requirements (with a few exceptions). Specifics can be viewed in the our Age & Gender Policy FAQ.

• Do I need any sort of license?

  Nope, no license required! Unfortunately, the structure USAC mandates for sanctioned races does not fit with the whole Sacramento Cyclocross series, as we outlined in our 2017 Open Letter to Cyclocross Racers.

  If you are seeking USAC points, check out the West Coast Cyclocross Points Prestige.

• Do I have to have a cyclocross bike to race?

  Cyclocross bikes are uniquely designed for the sport; a good cyclocross bike can definitely help improve your lap times, and make racing and riding that much more enjoyable.

  Having a cyclocross bike to race can be helpful, but it is not required to participate in the Sacramento Cyclocross series! Racing on a mountain bike is fine in most categories. Here’s the rundown: For Elite A, Master A, and Singlespeed A categories, bike tire width must be 40mm or less and bikes may not have suspension forks or rear shocks and linkage (suspension stems, headsets, seatposts, and flex stays are ok). For all categories, flat bars are allowed without bar ends. No forward facing bars. No spiked or studded tires. Fixed gear hubs are only allowed in the Tracklocross category. No power assist (no duh!).

  If you have any questions, please contact Race Director, Clint Claassen.

• What is your age and gender policy?

  Sacramento Cyclocross is a grassroots race series where each racer self-selects the category that represents their age, gender and ability level. Since there is no license required to participate in the Sacramento Cyclocross series, we trust you to sign up for the appropriate category.

  Your category age is based on your “Race Age,” which is how old you will be on December 31, 2023.

  For many of our categories, there is an opportunity to move up if you are crushing it, and we reserve the right to require you to upgrade if this is the case. These are referred to as upgradable categories and generally have a ‘C’ or ‘B’ designation. For these categories, our grassroots “self-select-the-category-that-represents-you” policy applies for all athletes. See our Mandatory Upgrade Policy under the “Which class should I race in?” FAQ for more details.

  For our ‘A’ level categories, we look to the Union Cycliste International (UCI) for guidance on participation to provide the fairest competitive environment at our highest level. Due to the UCI’s current (as of August 2023) gender policy, we have added a female transgender category to provide an opportunity for all to race at the highest level at Sacramento Cyclocross.

• How do I determine my race age?

  For the 2023 season, your age is how old you will be on December 31, 2023.

• Do I have to race a single speed bike if I'm in the single speed division?

  Racers are allowed to zip-tie the shifter of a geared bike and race in a single speed category. If a racer switches bikes, or changes a rear wheel during the race, the gear ratio of the new bike(s) must be the same as the original bike. If we find out that any single speed rider changed gear ratios during the race or changed to a geared bike… DQ.

• Do you send out any pre-race info?

  We send out detailed pre-race info emails on Thursday before each race. These emails are linked below and will become available once we’ve hit send.

  • Race 1: Lakeside Church
  • Race 2: Orangevale Park
  • Race 3: Sunset Whitney Recreation Area
  • Race 4: Rusch Park
  • Race 5: Lembi Park
  • Race 6: Johnson-Springview Park
  • Race 7: Johnson-Springview Park
  • Race 8: Granite Beach
• Can I warm up before my race?

  Not while another race is going on. If you would like to pre-ride the course, please be ready at least 5 minutes before the end of a race, and queue at the break in the course tape just past the finish line. The announcer will let you know when it is ok to enter the course, and you should make sure to never pass anyone who is still racing.

• How do the RFID chips work?

  We issue reusable RFID chips to each racer. There is a $20 chip deposit fee at your first race that is fully refundable when you return the chip at the end of your season. We will have Tyvek ankle straps available at registration each race.

• Um, I lost my race bib (or RFID chip). Now what?

  If you lose your bib number and/or RFID chip, it is a $5 replacement fee (plus the $20 chip deposit if applicable). Come to registration on race morning, fess up, and they’ll take care of you.

• How do I return my RFID Chip?

  Racers have until March 1, 2024 to return their blue RFID chip from the 2023 race season for a full refund of your chip deposit. Here are options for returning your chip:

  Option 1.) At a Race
  You can return your chip in person at any race this season or at our Series Awards Party on Sunday, December 17, 2023. You may also give it to a friend and (s)he can return it on your behalf.

  Option 2.) Mail it Back
  If you’re not in the area the rest of the season, you can mail it back to us following these steps:

  1. Securely wrap and tape your chip in newspaper, bubble wrap, or thick cardstock.*
  2. Place your wrapped chip in an envelope addressed to:
     Clipped In Races
     4818 Golden Foothill Pkwy #4
     El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
  3. Please include either (a) the email address tied to your PayPal account or (b) a self-addressed, stamped envelope so we can mail your refund.
  4. Add stamps (we’ve been advised that 5 should do the trick).
  5. Drop it in the mail!

  *We’ve had envelopes rip open and the chips never arrive when they’re not padded. You will not receive your deposit if the chip is missing or damaged due to incorrect packaging.

  Your chip was programmed specifically for each Sacramento Cyclocross season, and will not work at any other race or year until it is re-programmed.

• How do I sign up for a second race of the day? And how much does it cost?

  If you like to double your SacCX fun with a second race of the day in addition to your primary category, please visit the registration tent to register. A second race is $20 per race, plus an additional $20 RFID chip deposit. You will be issued a second bib number and RFID chip. Please make sure you wear the correct chip/bib for each race.

  Note: You must visit registration to sign up for a second race of the day – there is not a place to do it online.

  Please note that the West Coast Cyclocross Points Prestige is a separate series with a separate registration process, and does not qualify for a second SacCX race.

• Would you ever cancel a race?

  Not willingly! Cyclocross is held rain or shine, and some of the best racing has happened as it’s pouring. However, there are certain circumstances that are completely out of our control that may force us to cancel or reschedule if racer safety is in question (e.g. local/state COVID-19 restrictions, lightning strikes, extremely poor air quality, etc.).

  Our refund/cancellation policy is as follows: No refunds or deferrals to a future season will be offered for any reason, including but not limited to cancellation/postponement, injury, family/business emergency, medical emergency, or unexpected travel (see full Clipped In for Life Refund Policy).

  If we must cancel a race, we have a backup race date of Sunday, December 17, 2023. No refunds will be given due to race cancellation.

  If you are not comfortable with a no-refunds policy, we get it – but we request that you wait to register closer to race day.

• What is your refund policy?

  Race credits expire at the end of the 2023 season and cannot be transferred to another racer or event. No refunds or deferrals to a future season will be offered for any reason, including but not limited to cancellation/postponement, injury, family/business emergency, medical emergency, or unexpected travel (see full Clipped In for Life Refund Policy). Race credits cannot be used for the West Coast CX Points Prestige.

  Transfers: We do not offer transfers to another racer with the following exception: You may transfer your registration to an immediate family member (parent, son, daughter, sibling, or partner) ONLY. Any difference in price will apply. Family transfer requests must be made via email at least 48 hours in advance of desired race date.

  Race Cancellation/Postponement: Cyclocross is held rain or shine, and some of the best racing has happened as it’s pouring! However, there are certain circumstances that are completely out of our control and we reserve the right to cancel a race if we feel safety is in question (i.e. lightning strikes, extremely poor air quality, etc.). If we must cancel a race, we have a backup race date of Sunday, December 17, 2023. No refunds will be given due to race cancellation.

• How are series awards calculated?

  The series championship is calculated using your best six out of eight races, with awards given to the top 3 in each category. You must do at least 5 races to be eligible for the series championship.

  Podium awards are also given to the top 3 in each category at each race.

  Points are awarded as follows:
  1st Place = 1 point;
  2nd Place = 9 points;
  3rd Place = 13 points;
  4th Place = 17 points;
  5th Place = 19 points;
  6th Place = 21 points;
  7th Place = 23 points;
  8th Place = 25 points;
  9th Place = 26 points;
  10th Place+ = 27 points+;
  Did Not Start (DNS) = 55 points;
  Disqualified (DSQ) = 60 points

• What's the tiebreaker at the end of the series?

  In the event of a tie, the tiebreaker will go to the person who had the most number of 1st place finishes. If that’s equal, we’ll see who had the most number of 2nd place finishes. Then 3rd place, then 4th, etc. If it’s STILL a tie after all that, the final tiebreaker is whoever finishes higher at the final race of the season.

• If I switch classes, do my series points transfer too?

  Nope, sorry. If you switch classes you start the series points accumulations all over. If you want to be considered a total badass, you can always race more than one class in a day for just $20.

• Is alcohol allowed?

  We’ll have a beer garden with local, delicious craft beer from Bike Dog Brewing at most races! Please refer to each individual race page to see if a beer garden has been approved for that race.

  Please be respectful and adhere to the alcohol policy at each of our race venues this season.

• Are headphones allowed?

  NO! Please do not wear them… even if you’re not playing music. This is totally a safety issue, and we take it very seriously. Just having earbuds in is grounds for immediate disqualification. If you have sunglasses that have built-in earphones, please make sure they are not turned on, and we recommend advising the timing tent that you have them so there is no confusion.