The picturesque, historic Mare Island in Northern California first hosted cyclocross racing in 2019, thanks to Rebecca Kotch’s creative, fan-favorite Mare Island Pedalfest. After a pandemic pause, the event returned in 2021, 2022, and 2023, featuring inventive obstacles, family activities, kids’ courses, shipyard tours, and even a swap meet.
Urban cyclocross racing returns to Norcal with the 2025 Mare Island UCX. photo: 2021 Mare Island Pedalfest. © Cyclocross Magazine
There was fun for all ages at the Mare Island Pedalfest 2022. Urban Cyclocross. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
Kotch and her team stepped back in 2024, and it seemed the venue would again disappear from the cyclocross calendar. But Nathan Powell and Bear Race Events—the promoters behind the inaugural Shoreline Shredder in Berkeley—revived racing at Mare Island for Sunday, November 2.
Urban cyclocross racing returns to Norcal with the 2025 Mare Island UCX. photo: 2021 Mare Island Pedalfest. © Cyclocross Magazine
While Powell’s version can’t use the Pedalfest branding, it keeps the urban cyclocross spirit alive. The shorter course loops racers back to fans and the brewery more often, promising more spectacle, hand-ups, and less risk of shortened races for lapped riders.
Urban cyclocross racing returns to Norcal with the 2025 Mare Island UCX. photo: 2021 Mare Island Pedalfest. © Cyclocross Magazine
Urban cyclocross racing returns to Norcal with the 2025 Mare Island UCX. photo: 2021 Mare Island Pedalfest. © Cyclocross Magazine
The bike swap and shipyard tours are gone, but the brewery returns—along with the four-person, one-bike relay. This year, it’s free for anyone already racing that day. Grab three friends, debate pedal choices, and dream up a team name to challenge legacy squads like two-time winner “Old and Slow” and the young and adorable but flat-proned Capybara Devo. Not racing earlier in the day but want to join the fun with the relay? It’s just $10 per rider. Teams can sign up here.
Urban cyclocross racing returns to Norcal with the 2025 Mare Island UCX. photo: 2021 Mare Island Pedalfest. © Cyclocross Magazine
The race is the fourth stop of the (now just five-race) Bay Area Super Prestige cyclocross series in NorCal. Powell took a leap of faith to bring cyclocross back to Mare Island and hopes the community will rally. With the VSRTCX race in Livermore canceled less than three weeks before its date, the local scene remains fragile despite strong turnout at last weekend’s Surf City CX doubleheader.
Register for the race here (pre-reg helps everyone), pitch in and sign up to volunteer here, and see the Bear Race Events press release below.
Mare Island UCX is coming up fast—and we’ve got big news!
Not only are we bringing bike racing through the shipyard back, but we’re also reviving the infamous Lonesome Louis 4-Person Relay!
Once the last race wraps up, teams will hit the course for a four-person, four-lap relay showdown. The catch? Each team can only ride one bike. Choose wisely—the bike has to work for all four riders.
When your fourth rider crosses the line, your team’s total time is set.
Urban cyclocross racing returns to Norcal with the 2025 Mare Island UCX. photo: 2021 Mare Island Pedalfest. © Cyclocross Magazine
The stakes are high: the top three teams earn podium spots, and the winners get their names etched into the legendary Lonesome Louis trophy, proudly displayed at Mare Island Brewing Co. for all to see.
Urban cyclocross racing returns to Norcal with the 2025 Mare Island UCX. photo: 2021 Mare Island Pedalfest. © Cyclocross Magazine
This Sunday, the Bay Area Super Prestige returns to historic Mare Island! The world’s best urban CX course winds along the waterfront outside Mare Island Brewery, serving up fast racing, epic views, and post-race pints on the beautiful Napa River.
More info and registration: bearraceevents.com
