To many of us, fall means raking leaves, Trader Joe's selling pumpkin-flavored everything...and our Facebook feeds being absolutely, completely overrun with pictures of our friends carrying their mud-splattered bikes over wooden things randomly placed in a municipal park. In other words, fall means cyclocross season. And yes, I can promise this year's barrage of "riding awkwardly through sand" photos will look an awful lot like last year's. But, I can also promise that participating in 'cross is a ton of fun, regardless of your fitness, ability level, or competitive inclinations. In fact, I believe cyclocross is something practically any cyclist should try, even those who don't remotely see themselves as "racers." Here's why:
Most cyclocross courses feature barriers which force riders to dismount and briefly carry their bike. So what is cyclocross anyway? For the uninitiated, it's a form of bike racing that takes place in the fall. Races are generally held in locations like parks and golf courses. You race on closed courses marked with tape. The courses are designed to use features of the park that challenge your bike handling abilities and endurance. And typically, there are obstacles placed on the courses which require you to dismount and run with your bike. Here are some examples of what you might encounter during a race:
A "flyover" is another popular cyclocross obstacle. It's basically a small bridge with stairs on one side and a ramp on the other. To properly navigate a 'cross course, you'll need to develop some specific skills. These include:
Naturally, a "cyclocross bike" is the best tool for the job. While a true cyclocross bike offers frame geometry, brakes and gearing optimized for cyclocross conditions, it's essentially a road bike with room for slightly larger, knobby tires. However, if you don't own a cyclocross bike and want to give 'cross a try, you can also race on a mountain bike (provided it doesn't have bar ends) or even a commuter bike (like a hybrid) with some slightly knobby tires. One time, a guy even did a race on a Divvy. Mountain-bike style clipless pedals mated to mountain bike shoes are ideal. But platform pedals and gym shoes will work well too. The races themselves are divided up by ability. All beginners are grouped in "category 5," so you can put any fears to rest that you'll be lining up next to a pro. Also, beginners race for a shorter amount of time than the higher categories. Thirty minutes might not seem like a long race, but trust me, you'll feel like it's plenty. As you gain experience and your skills improve, you can "upgrade" to higher categories (where you're rewarded for your hard work by an extra 15-30 minutes of suffering). So, if you're wanting to give it a try, what's the best place to start? Glad you asked. The Chicago Cuttin' Crew's Maria Larkin navigating a tight turn. The Chainlink put together a cyclocross starter kit. Here you'll find everything you need to dip your toe in the muddy water that is 'cross. Highlights of the kit include the following:
The decision whether it's faster to ride or run a section can change depending on course conditions and traffic. Before you get started, here are some helpful tips:
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Nice piece. Thanks for the info.
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