Sun and Cycles: SoCal Cyclocross Goes Sustainable

Large sporting events, even if they are for fairly environmentally low impact sports like cycling and running, take their toll on the environment. A well run cyclocross race is a conglomerate of various energy sucking systems: computers to log race times, sound systems and PA’s to alert spectators what’s going on and food booths to keep both athletes and enthusiasts well fed. The carbon footprint of such an event quickly gets bigger and bigger. In southern California however, SoCalCross is doing something to combat just that problem.

The concept of a greener cyclocross series was the brainchild of Dorothy Wong, organizer of the SoCalCross Prestige Race Series’ Eco-Sportfest ’08. A combination event, with a 5k run and cyclocross races, Wong drew inspiration for the series from her own eco-friendly cycling exploits on the TV show “Big Ideas for a Small Planet.” There she raced on a bamboo cyclocross bike, and learned “how a visible sport can also make an impact on making this world a better place.” Taking that inspiration she put together the Eco-Sportfest, a five event series that strives to educate racers and spectators by promoting reduction of car use and the increase of transportation cycling.

A main part of greening the series is employing a solar array to power all of the races’ various energy needs instead of the traditional gas or diesel generators. Mike Miller of Energy Efficiency Solar has been instrumental in bringing solar power to the race series. A solar business man during the week and stoked on powering up various events with said solar power on weekends, Miller sets up an off grid solar array at all of the races. “I would say if we were going to use some technical terms, we use about 5kWh per day… We set up these races to be remote anyhow, but the point is we don’t use any [electricity].” And setting up a powerful solar array is only the beginning. “Sometimes I pull the equipment out there in an electric vehicle or compressed natural gas so I’ve got really low emissions.”

Beyond running the race on solar power, competitors are encouraged to commit to a greener lifestyle by taking part in the Go Green Racer Program. Competitors fill out an online questionnaire regarding the sustainability of their lifestyles off the course, and instead of the iconic yellow jersey, every week the winner is awarded a green jersey to show off their sustainability success. If that weren’t enough, the series is also sponsored by Clif Bar and takes part in the Cool Tag carbon offsetting program, encouraging people to buy a Cool Tag when signing up for the race. And when all the races are over, awards have been announced and everyone is on their way home, the combined green efforts of the organizers and participants means that there isn’t even a whole lot of leftover waste. “[The] best part is we take and recycle as much as we can rather than leaving tons of “trash” at each event… sometimes we can make it down to just 1-2 small “trash” bags after a full day,” says Wong.

Talking with Miller, sustainably powering an event sounds simple. But if it really is that easy, why aren’t more people doing it? “It’s just education, people don’t know what’s available to them,” says Miller. “Even though the technology is old it’s a new concept.” Miller points out that in order to get more people to understand that solar power is actually an effective way to power events, some common myths have to first be disbanded. “[People assume] ‘It’s cloudy, we’re not going to have power.’ It doesn’t work like that.”

In fact Miller has powered even larger scale events and is convinced that other organizers can follow in his footsteps pointing out that “it just takes a little bit of work and planning.” Wong agrees, “All sporting events should take the lead as a visible event in each community – lots can be done to help motivate, educate racers and spectators in all facets of sports. It is a win, win situation for everyone involved!”

There’s still time to experience Eco-Sportfest ’08! The last event –- seasonally named Santa Cross — is taking place on December 21, 2008 at Pierce College in Woodland Hills. Click here for more info.

[Photos: Mike Miller]