What is Cyclocross?

'Cross was born in Europe in the early 1900's as a way for road racers to remain fit during fall and winter. The short yet intense races helped racers maintain their form through the fall and early winter months. And cross's short and technical courses gave them a chance to improve their bike handling skills and stay sharp at the road season's end. As the sport grew, some riders abandoned the road-racing scene to become cyclocross specialists. Today, there are cyclists who focus only on cross and many professional road and mountain bikers use cross as means to stay on form through the end of the fall and establish a sound foundation for the next year's season.

"Cross" courses are typically 1.5- to 2-mile loops on a mix of paved and off-road surfaces over flat-to-rolling terrain. Most cross races last an hour plus one lap. Although races are short, they are intense affairs as racers are compelled to tackle tough terrain and frequently dismount and remount their bikes in order to get over a variety of obstacles placed about the course. Most courses feature at least one savage run-up-a short, steep (often muddy) section, which is nearly impossible to ride. To get up and over a run-up, racers must fluidly dismount their bikes as they roll towards the run-up, shoulder (carry) the bike up the run-up, remount the bike and then tear off again down the course. Courses also include a series of man-made barriers scattered around the course that racers must either "bunny hop" or get over by dismounting and carrying their bikes over. Being forced to dismount, run, remount and then accelerate again over a course race is incredibly challenging mentally and physically-but, it's also a lot of fun.

You need a bike, a willingness to suffer, and an ability to laugh at yourself when you find yourself face down in the mud!

Go to a cyclocross race and chances are you will see people competing on dedicated cyclocross bikes, modified mountain bikes, and converted road bikes. A cyclocross bike is essentially a road bike with some slight frame and component modifications for cross racing. It features the drop bars and 700c wheels of traditional road bikes, but it employs cantilever brakes for better stopping power and additional clearance for wide, knobby tires and any mud the tires pick up. The frame will feature widely spaced stays so that mud-covered tires can spin freely without jamming. And the bottom bracket is set higher to give the bike additional clearance to get over obstacles and pedal around tight corners. Cross bikes are typically geared lower than traditional road bikes and selected according to personal preference. Most racers opt for outer rings of 44 to 55 teeth and an inner ring of 38 or 39 teeth. Rear cassettes are typically 12-27s or 13-27s. Cross tires boast tread patterns that dig into the mud while maintaining relatively low rolling resistance on the pavement. Most racers use dual sided mountain-bike clipless pedals for cross racing because of ease of entry and exit and their ability to shed mud. Plus, it's a lot easier to run in off-road shoes than road shoes!

Many newbies will use their mountain bikes modified for cyclocross racing. If you use a mountain bike, get rid of your bottle cages and swap out your off-road tires. Put on some 1.25- or 1.5-inch-wide tires, which will roll faster. You can also save some weight by swapping out your suspension fork and installing a rigid one. Because cross courses are smooth compared to most single track, you really don't need a suspension fork. If you're a newbie on a tight budget and you've got a good off-road bike, converting it makes sense for your first year of racing.

You can also use a road bike for cyclocross, but only if you live in a dry climate. On muddy courses, the brakes and stays of a conventional road bike will usually get clogged with mud jamming the wheels and forcing you to run the entire course or drop out-neither of which is fun. So, if you live in a predictably dry climate and your road bike has enough space for knobby tires, modify the gearing, remove your water-bottle cages, swap on some mountain bike pedals and let it rip.

And, You Have to Run
Put simply, running is a big part of cyclocross. Indeed, cross is the one cycling discipline where runners can occasionally excel. The running sections on a cross course are usually short-but they are steep and often difficult, so strong runners can make up ground on their fellow racers over those sections.

Technique, Technique, Technique
To be a successful crosser, you need to learn how to effectively navigate a course without losing speed, nail your dismounts and remounts, and fly up and over the barriers and run-ups. Before you head out to your first race, link up with a local club. Most local cycling clubs and teams count at least a few cross racers among their members and those members are usually willing to share their knowledge and offer tips on their beloved sport. Many local clubs and teams even put on cross clinics or training races early season-check out some local clubs and find some cross racers here.

Putting it All Together
Cyclocross is not easy. Indeed, cobbling together a cross bike, learning how to dismount and remount efficiently, stumbling up run-ups and gasping for air as you try to complete your first race, will no doubt prove equal parts frustrating, painful, and exhilarating. But, give cross a go-you won't be sorry that you tried this unique sport. The races offer a great atmosphere-tan Oktoberfest beer hall blast combined with a bike race-and the sport's challenges offer a fun way to maintain your cycling form through the fall and early winter and establish a solid foundation for next spring.