“A party with a bike race.” This is how Rob Mandle, the Deputy Executive Director for the National Landing BID, describes the Garage Racing National Championship.
The one-of-a-kind event takes place this Saturday, Feb. 21, at 201 12th St. S. in Arlington. To be exact, it’s on the 4th floor of the parking garage. And yes, you read that right.
The event began in 2012 and was known as the Crystal City Diamond Derby. Local bike enthusiasts created the race as an outlet during the cold months. The inspiration? A race someone saw in Berlin, Germany.
“One of our team members stumbled across a garage race in Berlin on a blog and thought it was really cool, and brought it to the team, and we were all like, we have to try and do this,” Mandle said.
Don’t miss the Anything Goes Race. | Photo via Garage Racing National Championship
Today, the event includes 10 different races. Peek at the full schedule here. I’m most intrigued by the Anything Goes Finale — the goofy race of the event.
“It’s more of a parade… that race is just a party. And we’ve had crazy bikes in there… all kinds of tricycles and tall bikes,” Bill Schieken, owner of CXHairs, said.
Outside of watching the races, spectators will be able to enjoy a variety of vendors like Good Company Doughnuts & Cafe and Port City Brewing Company. Here’s a full list of what you can sip and snack on while you watch people whip around on their bikes. There will also be stationary bike races for folks to try, and a table to create custom hats for the event.
The event is truly like no other in Northern Virginia, or even the country.
“It also showcases our creativity and innovation, and thinking about things a little bit differently,” Mandle said. “That’s a really special part of this event.”
