Being There: Sly Fox Cross 2025

(2025) Cyclocross handups are not a crime. It’s more of a feedzone category for a race lasting less than one hour. At least that is our policy, especially when we crested the hill leading into the Fox Hole, the monolith challenger of the Sly Fox Cross course in Pottstown, PA. If you’ve never been to the event, even as someone who doesn’t follow bike racing, you’re missing out.

Hosted by Sly Fox Brewing, the Sly Fox Cross (SFCX) is a major event on the US Cycling cyclocross calendar (where hand ups are a crime). The event hosts every ‘cross category including single speed and kids’ races. Promoted by Topher Valenti, SFCX is a transcendent event with a proper course adding to the experience. Take, for instance, two families who were unaware that SFCX was happening that day but planned an afternoon at the Sly Fox brewery. After seeing the atmosphere, they stuck around to check it out. Hours later they were still present, moving to and from the brewery; they moved back and forth to the race course to spectate.

Unfortunately for me, my Sly Fox did not go as planned. Shortly after arriving, my back went into full spasm mode, requiring medical attention. My race was over hours before I had the chance to warm up. Since the EMT told me I was not allowed to drive home, I waddled back and forth around the event, to report on such a feel-good race. 

After last year’s dust bowl, rain was in the forecast. Rain had wetted the course overnight, making the steep Fox Hole look absolutely primed for riders to manage summiting without unclipping. The grassy areas were full of traction and the wooded areas promoted speed. The fast western portion of the course, which threads amongst buildings, featured a sippy-hole mud puddle before wiggling amongst peaceful pine trees and a lovely grass path. But we all know where people gather to cheer, to heckle, and to entice riders into handups. 

The Fox Hole is conveniently located next to the brewery. It's a massive crater on the Sly Fox property. The course allows riders to preview their approach after passing tantalizingly close to the summit. Ringing the outside of the crater, the route eventually plunges downhill and into a choice of left or right approaches. The sound of the crowd echoing off the trees, buildings, and hillsides enhances proper cross vibes. To the left are small bands of fans. To the right - some in a solitary tree stand - are the screamers. Crest the steep part and one more hill is necessary to summit. More fans are on that hill encouraging and heckling at the same time. Follow the smoke from the massive bonfire as a guideline up the Fox Hole. 

Early spectators wait for riders to attempt the Fox Hole at Sly Fox Cross. This is the false summit as riders still have the second hillock to navigate before being considered out of the Fox Hole.

There appeared to be more riders summiting this year without unclipping than last year. Rooster tails of mud shot up after racers fired off one last kick to get up-and-over the top and claim to have bested the Fox Hole. Riders went on to tackle the two planks next to the Twisted Cog tent which was located next to the DJ tent and Sly Fox beer truck. Standing in this centralized location as a spectator takes no time at all to conclude why this is such a popular race. 

The kids’ race was the highlight of the day. Topher whooped up the crowd stating, “Now is not the time to get a beer or to get food. Get up against the course and cheer the kids on.” With that he led the kids around the course. Kids of all ages attacked the upper grassy section, some with serious desires to be up front while a couple toddlers on glider bikes took in the attention from the deep crowd. As the laps built up, kids came around clutching dollar bills. Luckily they didn’t fall under US Cycling mandates. 

I had to cut my day short. I was collected by the Missus to be taken off to medical before my race started. Though I was upset to miss out on racing, I was thankful I got to completely immerse myself in the Sly Fox atmosphere. I got to see Glenn who puts so much time in course construction each year. It was great to see him sit back, even for just a few moments, and soak up an event that cannot happen without him. Brian from Kermesse Sport was there, commenting on how great the event is as a whole. Dave from UnPAved was quick to hand out Stan’s samples and help with course repair. Olympian Bobby Lea spectated his son in the kids’ race. The Instigators and a couple other teams were present with tents and racks of bikes. So many great people came out to support a race that does so much for the local cyclocross scene.

It wouldn’t be a proper SFCX narrative without mentioning the support from Sly Fox Brewing Company. Each year they host headline events, and SFCX is encouraged by the brewery itself. After talking to Glenn, he stated Sly Fox has a group of people who will show up to these events, regardless of their interest. That is, even if they don’t know what cyclocross is, they are out at the Fox Hole cheering racers up the hill. SFCX’s branches go in every direction.

Once the course was clear, a Fifth Street Cross regular Dan posted he had been DQ’d for receiving a hand up along the Fox Hole. His strongly-worded post asked how the DQ made ‘cross better. If we were officials at the Fox Hole, we would suddenly become distracted by potential birds of prey flying over each time riders came through. Or maybe the distractions are put on course as a test. 

For me, all was not lost. I did manage to grab a t-shirt before leaving, something I missed out on collecting last year. The race predictor would be correct this time: last indeed. Next year I’ll be ready to race, because everything has been thrown at me these previous two years. Mathematically speaking, I should float to the top of the Fox Hole, collect from the blizzard of dollars, gulp off a Sly Fox IPA, and ride to victory. You should come out and watch it happen next year. It will be glorious.

Special thanks to the Uwchlan Township EMT who administered First Aid to me on site. Also thanks to the passerby who helped me through the episode. I never got his name but an Instigator said it might have been Devon. I never got to thank him.