A Layman’s Cyclocross Description
Posted By Flatland Series on October 4, 2009
Photo by Stevie Fry at Fry Guy Images
I know I’ve been harping on all of you to give cyclocross a try. I say it’s fun. I promise you’ll experience something you’ve never experienced. But alas, it’s still a mystery for many of you.
So I decided to jot some things down so you could better understand why you should give Spooky Cross Cyclocross a try. So here goes:
Contrary to popular belief, Cyclocross (Cross) racing is fun. It’s also technically challenging and physically demanding. Last year when I did my first Cross race I was fairly mortified at the sorts of terrain I was riding and running across. It wasn’t easy – but it was a lot of fun!
What you can expect in a Cross race:
- Cross courses usually feature a 1.5- to 2-mile loops that are repeated over and over and over.
- A Cross races last between 30 and 60 minutes – plus – one bell lap.
- Surfaces include a mix of paved and off-road surfaces over flat-to-rolling terrain (and everything in between – if you’ve ever raced Living History Farms cross country run – you know the sorts I am talking about – YEE HAW!)
- Courses are marked with landscaping flags or plastic “crime scene” tape so you won’t get lost
- Usually racers are allowed a short time to “preview” the course before their race begins
- Races begin with a mass start
What makes Cross such a unique and challenging sport is that courses always include obstacles that force riders to dismount and run while carrying their bikes, effectively making the race part duathlon/part mountain bike race.
A course may feature:
- Muddy, rutty sections
- Steep inclines that you can either ride or run up – depending on your skill level
- Wooden “gates” or other man-made objects where you have to dismount and carry your bike over them.
- Winding, maze like sections marked by stakes and “crime scene” tape
- A heart high heart rate
- Beer and cowbells. And lots of it!
How do practice:
Weekly practice sessions are hosted by Renegade Cyclocross team at various parks around Des Moines. These practice session are hosted at 5:30 pm on Tuesday nights. Visit Bike Iowa to find out where and when. It’s free – and fairly noncombative – so do it.
What do gear do I need:
- Traditional cycling apparel is worn – but don’t over dress – you’ll get warm fast
- Cross shoes are like cycling shoes with “off road” treads – and typically use SPD clips
- A true Cross bike is a lot like a road bike but has cantilever brakes for better stopping power and additional clearance for knobby tires (not road tires/not mountain bike tires – a “cross”). A Cross bike features a frame with higher clearance at the bottom bracket to clear obstacles and for sharp corners.
- A modified mountain bike would also work – but remove the bar ends and any unnecessary gear to lighten the bike up.
- Of course you’ll need a helmet
- Sunglasses are great to keep stuff out of your eyes.
- Of course – if it’s cold – the usual gloves, tights, knee warmers, knickers, jackets, vests are good to have on hand.
Take a look at what it’s like on the link to a video below. Notice things like where the race bib is attached, how many surfaces riders race on, the way the course is marked, how to mount and dismount etc. Video 1
This link shows a lot of the worst you’d ever experience – (and a lot of what you’ll never experience) – but its fun to watch nevertheless Video 2
Put your training into action:
There are lots of cyclocross racing experiences in Central Iowa. One of them – the Flatland Series Spooky Cross. The race will be hosted at Living History Farms October 31 and November 1. Racing starts at Noon on Saturday and earlier on Sunday.
So – fellow trigeeks – I challenge you to expand your proverbial swim/bike/run world and give Cyclocross a whirl. You won’t be disappointed!
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