Ever wish the vibes at a road race were better, but maybe your remount is too miserable to have fun at a cyclocross race? Want to experience the spirit of gravel without committing your entire weekend and a small fortune in registration fees for custom socks and a burrito? Oak City Cycling Race Team is here for you.

OCCRT presents GRIT - a gravel criterium, 30 to 45 minutes of racing on the Wake Med Cross Country course just outside downtown Cary. The course is a blast. It is a 1.6 mile loop of surprisingly punchy, twisty, gravel road around the Soccer Park. This won't be your average crit. The technicality of the terrain and limited line choice in several spots will make for what we expect to be a selective finish.

Race it or just come out to give crits the good ol' college try. This is a low-stakes chance for you to experience road racing with the comfort of that gravel and cyclocross spirit. Our mission is to make this thing fun.

Whatever you do, ponder a time to get out there and do some test laps, because you've got a serious question ahead of you:

What bike will you run? Got a modern road bike with tire clearance in the 30s? Or, is your steed of choice one of those new-fangled gravel bikes? Perhaps you're more of the plain old cyclocross bike persuasion. Race a mountain bike or single speed if that's your vibe.

This is a USA Cycling sanctioned road race. That means you'll need a valid USA Cycling race license to register. One-day licenses are fine. It's a bit of a hassle, but you know what you get? You get the chance to rack up some of those coveted road license upgrade points at a race in the Triangle.

And if all this sounds like too much pressure and seriousness, grab your unicycle or a friend and your tandem and get out on the course at the end of the day for the Anything Goes race. Registration is a mere $5 with all proceeds going to Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC.

Lower preregistration pricing ends at 8 pm May 16, 2024. Be kind preregister! Second race is only $15.

Day-of registration will be online, but prices increase to $40 for first race and $20 for second race.

Come early and hang all day. We've got a huge field next to the start/finish for team tents and good vibes.

**If it rains, this one is off, so send those good weather vibes. We'll work out a reschedule or refund in the event of a rainout.

Course map: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/243376865

A portion of all proceeds will go to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC.