2009 Homegrown Cyclocross Series

Hell, I’m not sure. But back in the day, like the 30s the road racers wanted something to do in the winter when the roads were too icy. They rode their bikes through the woods and jumped over fallen trees and rode through mud and snow. It didn’t take long for someone to want to prove they were faster and a race must have broke out. I made most of this up from memory and it might have been a Brady Bunch episode. I think Jan raced for the Silver Platters and Marsha broke her nose. But much of it is most likely true.

Why do you ride those road bikes with knobbies?

Why not? I ask. yes the mountain bike seems a natural fit, but this sport is way older than the mountain bike and there are advantages to riding a light and fast bike (not in the corners). First they are faster on grass and fireroads  They are easier to carry, yes carry. Forced dismounts are part of the game and that super sweet mountain bike gets pretty heavy about 30 minutes into the race lifting it over the barriers.

Can I race on my Mountain Bike?

Yes you can, most of the beginners do. And the top three C cat racers last season were on Mountain bikes. As you move up the ranks, the number of cross bikes increase. Just get out there. Tke off anything that you dont need. Racks, fenders, lights, waterbottles and bar ends. No forward facing bars (bar ends). We had a girl on a beach cruiser last year.

Who races this thing?

So you ride a bicycle, but have never tried racing. Cross is prefect for you. Grab the old mountain bike in the garage, make sure the brakes work and there is air in the tires, by the last lap the gears wont work anymore so, don’t worry if they don’t now. Or better yet borrow one from a friend. They may even have a cross bike. Most serious cross racers build up a couple. yes some people take it serious. But you don’t have to. Its one of the few races you can show up in a too-too, or cape and not freak people out on the line up. Try that in a crit.

Its an absurd race.

And so your worried that you wont be any good at it. Don’t. No one should be. The skills important to cross are not the same as any other bike race.

1. Being good at getting off and back on your bike.

2. Running  with bike.

3. jumping in the air while carrying your bike.

I think fitness and some handling skill is in there too, but not nearly as important as the other skills. You may be great at these but never knew it. You might not be, which is a great excuse as to why you are not winning.

A Gateway Drug.

The whole thing lasts about 40 minutes, and I’m not going to lie, if you do it right it will hurt. But when its over, you may find yourself thinking about the next one. You might even find yourself practicing dismounts and barrier jumping during the week. Reading all the blogs and hunting down some used equipment. Or in my case putting on the damn race, just so you can suffer all winter with 100 of your closest friends.