Events: The Upcoming Fifth Street ‘Cross

(2023) To prove cross is here, competitive riders all around the area are hooking the asphalt bike into the bike rack and pulling down the cyclocross rig. What was the Thursday Night Crit Series is now Fifth Street Cross. For the next twelve weeks - starting August 31st - ‘cross is boss in the town of Emmaus, PA, at the Emmaus Compost Center.

With humble roots that actually go back to Fifth Street in Emmaus, Fifth Street Cross has passed hands a few times. Don’t let that be off-putting. Fifth Street is welcoming, snappy, and current. If you don’t believe us, check out Fifth Street Cross’s beautiful website that explains everything to expect on any given race night. The course is loaded with fields, turns, steps, barriers, and pavement, just like any ‘cross event strives to provide. But after that, the formalities are dropped.

First off, expect a varied starting line up. Mountain bikes are acceptable. Fat bikes are allowed as long as they actually serve as a fat bike. Cyclocross rules are somewhat there, so accept that hand up on the course. Participants do not need a USAC license. The Fifth Street is a great way to polish the technique for the weekend seriousness. The races are held rain or shine and double points are awarded on nights when it rains. (No word if it’s triple points if it snows.) Fifth Street’s formats involves a four lap opening race, a brief pause for lights or general encouragement to remain in the field, then switches directions and races three laps in the opposite direction. As all cyclists do, the time spent after the race is supporting sponsor New Trail Brewing and digesting Strava information.

Current race organizers Gabe and Kacey Loyd, who run Long Tail Creative project, have added a 5k (ish) trail running race to the docket. Where else can one prep for a cyclocross race while runners are on course?

Then there is the community aspect of the event. One of our closest friends donated the course tape for this year’s Fifth Street. Recently the social media page put out a plea looking for twelve hay bales to line the course. Participants can donate money on the registration page to include stakes, wood, gas, and general lawn maintenance. This event is held with passion and the participants reflect that in their experiences. But it’s not all about winning. The most celebrated position of the points standings is - you guessed it - fifth place. Fifth place holds a special spot in the Fifth Street standings. And be prepared for the engagement for the Halloween race and Black Friday special event.

In order for the event to succeed, sponsors are necessary. Fifth Street posted a photo of New Trail Brewing cases chilling in a walk-in fridge. An anonymous donor on the running side dropped cash so the 5k entry fee is only $6. Other sponsors like Blink Optical Boutique, Action Wheels Bike Shop, Keystone Running Store, Vie13 Kustom Apparel, and Giant Bicycles help make the events run smoothly. Then there’s also Ritchey, Kempton Excavating, Montgomery Cycle Center, and Action Rental to put the experience above and beyond.  

Now that the road season has come to a close, with the men’s road world champion being the men’s cyclocross world champion, it’s time to return to tradition where pros used to overland their bike in the offseason. Fifth Street has everything to make a ‘cross event enjoyable. Sponsors, eager participants, dedicated volunteers, and a general good time. The best part is, if you watch the old cyclocross videos from decades ago, riders would toss their bikes into waterways and go after them to ford streams and rivers. Luckily, of all the things Fifth Street has thought of, racers won’t have to worry about tossing the rig into the water. But then again, those double points.