Louisville Short Track 2026 - Week 3

Louisville Short Track is back and it's radder than ever!

Presented by the nonprofit Louisville Cyclocross Collective and Rocket Power Brand Co.

Here is everything you need to know for the Louisville Short Track.

RULE #1: KEEP IT LOW-KEY, HIGH-FUN

When in doubt, refer back to rule #1. Don't make us tap the sign.

CHOOSING YOUR RACE CATEGORY

You get to choose your category! (keeping in mind Rule #1) Don't know which to race? Ask at registration and they'll size you up.

You can race more than once a night, but you can't be in two races at the same time (e.g. Newbs and Singlespeed. Choose one!)

Pursuant to Rule #1, race directors reserve the right to:

• Consolidate or create categories according to registration numbers.
• Promote you up a category if you crush everyone

Race Category Guidance

KIDS: U11 means "Under 11", so 10 and under. Free! Registration (and helmets) required!

JUNIORS: U15 means under 15, so 14 and under. U19 means 18 and under.

NEWBIES + SINGLESPEED:

• This is for the beginners! Or the single speed weirdos!
• The NEWBIE and SINGLESPEED wave starts ALL GENDERS together, but...
• ... there WILL be separate podiums for NEWBIE Men and NEWBIE Women, because we love you.
• SINGLESPEED podium will be all genders (unless by some miracle we have more than 5 singlespeeder of both genders).
• NEWBIE riders ONLY may ride non-MTB non-flat-bar bicycles. You'll probably want an MTB.

MIDS: This is for intermediates. In racer speak, these are fast Cat 4 or Cat 3 cyclocross / road riders.

MIDS 40+: Are you a "mature" yet middling racers, race age 40 or older? This is for you, should you wish to accept this fact.

FASTIES: The fastest of fastie racers. Not for the faint of heart!

E-BIKES: EBikes are limited to Class 1 (20 MPH, pedal assist only) please - let’s keep it fair for all ebikes. 

PARTY LAP: Free and unfettered by race stress, but registration is required.

DAY OF DETAILS

LOCATION: Eva Bandman Park at 1701 River Rd, Louisville Kentucky.

PARKING:

• Main Parking area is in the field just past the main gate. Enter the main gate of Eva Bandman Park, follow PARKING signs. Park anywhere in the mowed area of the grass field. Just don’t get stuck.
• Overflow: along access road (do NOT block traffic), lower parking lot (very muddy!)
• Paved, but further away: Marina's Edge Way / Waterfront Park Yellow Lot
• Parking is LIMITED, so please park efficiently.

WEATHER

• It's summer time in Kentucky, so the weather is VARIABLE
• If weather is iffy, we will make a call by NOON on RACE DAY via EMAIL, WEBSITE and INSTAGRAM @louisvilleshorttrack
• Steady rain or dangerous (lightning, high winds) will cancel. Spotty rain might not.
  
• Racers don't like racing in the rain, and we don't like losing money on races, so we may cancel if we believe registrations will be very low.
• We have ONE rain-out date, June 24th. Registrations will be transferred to that rainout date.
   

AMENITIES:

• YES: portable toilets on site.
• NO permanent shelters on site, but plenty of shady trees.
• PROBABLY has hose water.
• Waterfront Park playgrounds have proper restrooms.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE:

• Street's Gyros will be serving gyros, burgers, fries and more nightly. Vegan and halal options, too!
• The  Louisville Cyclocross Collective will be selling West Sixth BEER and Ale-8-One SODA nightly. All proceeds go directly to supporting Short Track and the mission of the LCC

REGISTRATION / CHECK-IN:

• ALL registration is online, including day-of registration. Do NOT bring cash.
• Register up to 30 minutes prior to start of your race
• Follow REGISTRATION signs to Check in and pick up your plate as soon as you can. We will NOT wait for you.

RACE STAGING AND STARTS: 

• "Staging" is where racers line up and wait for the start. You'll see it just before the start line (wow!)
• "Start" times as listed are the start of the race, not for you to "start moseying to the start line".
• We will make TWO (2) calls to staging over the PA. It's up to you to listen!
• Note: we endeavor to stick to schedule, but reserve the right to make adjustments or be behind.

ABOUT CHIP TIMING

The fanciest thing about Short Track is that it's a digitally chip timed race. Here's how to ensure you get tracked:

• Have your plate on your bike.
• Don’t cut your plate
• Do not obscure your plate with a large device (Garmin, phone, etc)

ABOUT THE COURSE

A lil of everything and perfect for most everyone. About 50/50 grass/dirt. Any "advanced" features like jumps or drops will have a "NOPE" line, but it's probably slower. If it rains, it'll be slippery. If it's dry it's dusty.

PODIUMS + PRIZES

• KIDS get POPSICLES. First 60 kids get Short Track slap bracelets! All kids get a shot at podiums.
• JUNIORS and ADULT categories have 1st 2nd 3rd podiums.
• NIGHTLY PRIZES: All categories will have  Prizes are a trip to the PRIZE CLOSET for swag!
• OVERALL PRIZES: N+1 is providing generous gift cards for NEWB, MID and FASTIE categories. See website for details
• All races count towards points. You must do all THREE to be counted towards the OVERALL.

POST-RACE TEAR DOWN HELP

Help is welcome before and after the event. Teardown will be in the dark-ish. So having folks stay to help pull poles, tape, etc. is a massive help!

FAQs

WHAT BIKES ARE ALLOWED?

Only the NEWBIE category is allowed to race any type of non-powered bike. All other adult categories must race flat-bar, MTB style bikes.

RACE AGE, OR HOW OLD AM I?

"Race age" means the age you will be Dec 31st of this year.

I'M A JUNIOR BUT I'M REAL FAST WHAT DO I DO?

Not sure why you made a statement a question, but: Junior riders who are fast or silly enough (looking at you, NICA kids!) are encouraged to race in the MID or FASTIE races AS WELL AS the junior races. Race again for the cost of 7Brew, and support our mission!

WHY ARE THERE NO MASTERS WOMEN CATEGORIES?

Unfortunately, recent registration numbers don’t support a full podium for a women’s 40+ masters. However, if registration blossoms, we may make a call on race day or the following day to create a category. We'll ask the crowd first.