Field Trips: Cyclocross

Do you like action photography?  Have you wanted to try outdoor sports photography?  Would you like to have fun in the process?  In December we’re going to a free local cyclocross event known as the Capital ‘Cross Classic where you’ll have the opportunity to photograph cyclists up close and personal as they race on pavement, on grass, up and down hills and even carry their bikes over hurdles!  While this is a sporting event, it is high-energy and very spirited: some riders wear costumes, food and drink is handed out to the riders and some years there is live music. There is also a lot of cheering. It takes place in Lake Fairfax Park in Reston.  This is an all-day event (usually 8:15 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) but we will go to the afternoon races, which culminate in the exciting elite men’s race at 3:00 p.m. The event is held rain or shine (or snow) and if it rains or has recently rained the course and riders get muddy, making for dramatic photos.   

When:

Sunday, Dec. 3 from 12:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.  

There is no rain date for this event since it will take place in the event of inclement weather.  

Equipment and Notes:

• Both short and long lenses have a place when shooting cyclocross, so a walk-around lens with good range (e.g. 24-120 or 28-300) is the easiest lens to take.  However, since the action is fast, better glass will make for better images, so a combination 24-70 2.8 and 70-200 2.8 would also work well.  Flash is often used to freeze the action and does not disturb the riders.  We suggest leaving tripods and monopods at home since there is a lot of walking the course, some walking in tight spaces and moving around to get the right angle.

• For those who can’t or don’t want to walk up hills or on uneven surfaces, there is a flat area of the course that will also have good photo ops

• There is free parking in the lot for the park and there is good turnover in spaces since some riders leave after their early races and others come in the afternoon for their later races. 

• There are restrooms at the park and there are usually one or two food trucks there for this event

• Feel free to go earlier and meet us at 12:15 p.m.  Races usually start at 8:00 a.m. and there is usually a race for kids under 9 years old at noon

• The race schedule for this year has not yet come out but is expected to be the same as in years past.  If there are any changes in the schedule and therefore a change in the field trip time we will notify you well before the field trip

Where:

Lake Fairfax Park

1400 Lake Fairfax Drive

Reston, VA

We will meet at 12:15 p.m. in front of the park office (which will be closed), which is the larger of the two structures in the park and located between the parking lot and the grassy part of the course. 

We hope you can join us!

Rena Schild and Steven Glintz
Field Trip Coordinators 2023-2024