Claremont Cycle Depot Bike Club

Races sponsored by the Club

Claremont Cycle Depot Bike Club is proud to present a full slate of bicycle races of all types. This year, we will sponsor or co-sponsor a road race, a criterium, an endurance mountain-bike race, a downhill mountain-bike race and two cross-country mountain-bike races plus a "double duathlon." We also sponsor a popular series of weekly points races at the local auto speedway.

Lake Sunapee Road Race

Held every year since 1974 (canceled only in 2002 because of a freak late snowstorm), the Lake Sunapee Road Race is the longest continuously running bicycle race in New England. Considered for many years to be the New England Championship Road Race, the race starts at the Mount Sunapee Ski Area and loops around scenic Lake Sunapee. There's a race for most USCF categories (citizens' races, too), with higher categories completing more of the hilly, challenging laps. The current brochure is here. Results are posted at www.bikereg.com, where you can also register for the race.

Claremont Criterium

Held in downtown Claremont, NH, this year's event will be its seventh edition. Taking place in July, this race is great to watch, with racing in men's, women's and master's categories. 2008 brochure.

The Pinnacle

Claremont Cycle Depot Bike Club isn't just a bunch of roadies: The Pinnacle (NECS#4), an EFTA-sanctioned race, is held annually in Newport, NH, on a nine-mile cross-country loop with tons of singletrack and an unforgetabel technical downhill. There are classes for novice, sport and expert riders. Come join the fun! Check out the 2008 brochure for more information. Co-sponsored by the Newport (NH) Recreation Department. Proceeds benefit the Newport Lions Club.

All Out Mountain Bike Race Weekend

Another full weekend of bicycle racing in the area takes place in July in Claremont, NH. Saturday's racing consists of a downhill race on Arrowhead Skiway. The next day, there's a spectator-friendly cross-country race in Moody Park. Racing for everyone, along with food and entertainment, make this an all-out fun weekend. Co-sponsored by the Claremont (NH) Department of Parks and Recreation. Proceeds benefit the Claremont Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Arrowhead Recreation Department.

The Pinnacle Challenge

By the time foliage season rolls around, you may have enough miles on your legs to try this one. The Pinnacle Challenge, held in October, is double duathlon: a five-mile road run, followed by a six-mile mountain-bike race, followed by a 13.5-mile road-bike ride, topped off by (if you make it!) a three-mile trail run> But don't worry, there're five age categories plus 2- 3- or 4-person teams, male, female or coed. Wow! Details. Co-sponsored by the Newport (NH) Rotary Club.

Claremont Points Series

Each Tuesday, May through September, weather permitting, points races are held by the Club at Twin State Speedway in Claremont, NH. The "B" race, 30 laps of the ¼-mile oval, starts at 6:00 pm, with registration starting at 5:30 pm. The "A" race follows.

Points are scored for the top five places every five laps, with double points the halfway through the race and at the finish. Rules. Scoring. Primes are called throughout each race. Competition can be fierce, with former NCAA and master national champions competing in the "A" race, and everyone from up-and-coming Juniors to Master 65+ racers in the "B" race.

Again, for 2008, newcomers and juniors race free. Otherwise competition is $5.00 for Club members, $8.00 for nonmembers.

Note: Starting with the 2008 series, the USCF now requires a new event release form for every race. (No more once a year.) To make things run a little smoother and start on time, please bring a signed release with you. You can download and print the release at this link.

The Claremont Points Series is a USCF-sanctioned training series, and a valid racing licence is required to compete. (One-day licences are available at the event.) For additional information, contact John Lambert at (603) 543-0188 or