Ridgeland hosting annual cycling event

Ridgeland residents of all ages will participate in the third annual Ridgeland Cyclocross Festival at Freedom Ridge Park this Saturday and Sunday.

Rolando Roman is the event coordinator and producer for the event. The event is hosted by two local organizations headed by Roman, the Mississippi Cyclocross Project, a free youth-based program designed to teach kids the joys of cycling and other life skills on and off the bike, and the Ridgeland Mississippi Cyclocross Cup Series.

"Cyclocross is a modality of cycling," Roman said. "It is one of multiple aspects of cycling competition."

Roman has roughly 12 years of experience producing events like this starting when he and his wife lived in Austin, Texas. They moved to Ridgeland three years ago and brought the riding organization to the Ridgeland Area.

He has been at the park multiple nights this week working on the course.

Roman said that the sport originated in Belgium as a way for cyclists to train and stay in shape in the winter months. Every event features a specially designed track. This one is about a mile and a half long. Different waves of riders based on age and skill level are sent around the track on a timer and judges set target lap goals after the first round is completed.

"It is a winter sport," Roman said with a laugh. "We don't get much of that around here."

He hosts similar events from September to December.

Graham and Mary Rooks of Ridgeland have found that the events are a great way to get the whole family outside. The multiple age brackets and skill levels means their young can participate as well as the adults.

‘I have never experienced a community quite like this," Mary said. "It is interesting. there are few opportunities like this regardless of age where everyone can participate. Everyone has a good time, enjoys the spirit of the sport and cheering on the other competitors."

Even their son, Gabriel, who is three and a half years old, can participate.

Graham said he met Roman last year when he participated in the race. This will be his second year competing.

"Rolando is great," Graham said. "He really pours himself out into these events. He has created something where adults and kids can out and have fun and push their limits. It is hard to find something like that."

This is their final event of the year. The event is made possible by such partners as the city of Ridgeland, Pirouline, Mississippi Sports Medicine and Statewide Federal Credit union.

"They make it happen," Roman said. "This even lets kids get away from the TV on their bicycles which gives them a sense of freedom."

The action runs November 23 and Nov. 24, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Online registration is available at www.ridgelandcyclocrossfestival.com until Thursday at midnight. On-site registration for each event will be available day-of and closes 30 minutes before the event.

Kids under the age of 18 race free.

Food trucks, coffee and face painting will be on-site for the event.