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Date: 7/25/2023
LUDLOW — Competitive Edge Racing is hosting a weeknight series of bike races at Vanished Valley, 782 Center St., Ludlow, to benefit their organization.
Competitive Edge Racing’s mission is to provide an opportunity to support and build up riders in the community.
Competitive Edge Racing Team Director Tyler Samson added, “All the proceeds from the event go towards Competitive Edge Racing. We are a nonprofit and our focus and our goal is to provide opportunities to athletes for racing bikes.”
By joining the club, you get access to group rides, custom kits, support at races and more.
Competitive Edge Racing is located at 612 North Main St., East Longmeadow.
Samson said the past five races have been a mountain bike style race which means it is a 20 minute race plus three laps for short track.
He added, “The first five races have so far been pretty good. The turnout has been around 50 riders that show up.”
Vanished Valley also donates a portion of their food and drink sales on the night of races to Competitive Edge Racing so even if you don’t participate in the race, Samson said everyone is welcome to watch.
The last three races will take place on Wednesday Aug. 9, 16 and 23 and will be a cyclocross which is a mix of off road bikes and will be a 30 or 40 minute race.
According to USA Cycling, cyclocross is a unique, non-Olympic discipline of cycling that can best be described as a cross between road cycling, mountain biking and steeplechase.
Races are $5 for riders under 18 years old or $25 for everyone else.
There are three different races each night with the first one taking place at 5 p.m. for those under 18 years old and will be a 30 minute race.
The B Race starts at 5:45 p.m. for a 30 minute race and the A Race starts at 6:30 p.m. and will be a 40 minute race.
For those looking to sign up you can visit www.bikereg.com/60064.
Samson said, “We have done a lot of bike racing and we decided to do some promoting ourselves with the brewery that way it gives us some money and also increases some brand awareness for the brewery as well. It works out since it is a weeknight race, and they have a full kitchen there.”
You can also check out www.compedgeracing.com for more information on the nonprofit.