Here are some sentences I would love never to hear uttered at a race again:

• “Oh, I’m not racing today because I’m not in shape.”
• “I’m so out of shape, this race is going to suck!!”
• “I’m taking the season off because I need to train more/lose weight/get in shape.”

First and foremost, guess what? This race is going to suck no matter how “in shape” you are. That’s the secret of cross (and racing in general)- it always hurts.

Second, the phrase “in shape” is total nonsense. What does “in shape” even mean? Every body has a shape. There are literally no bodies that have no shape.

When we use the phrase “in shape”, it implies that there’s a certain shape a body should be in before it can participate in a sport- and if one does not achieve that desired shape, they cannot be in the sport. And for those who have a body shape that is no one’s “ideal” shape for participating in sports, that phrase can feel alienating.

Why do we feel like we have to be a certain way, look a certain way, be at a certain level, have certain clothes/bikes/shoes/etc, before we feel worthy to line up on that starting line? Why are we so hard on ourselves? The beauty of cross is that it’s very accessible for anyone at any level- any fitness level, any skill level. I don’t do any other sports, so I can’t say what other sports exists like cross, but I think it’s one of the things that make cross so special and why I love it so much.

Let’s accept our bodies for how they are NOW, not how we want them to be. Many of us are finding cross in our “later” years and aren’t the athletes we used to be- or maybe never were! The truth of aging is things change and bodies change and life happens. We’ll probably never have the same body or energy or fitness we did when we were younger, but that doesn’t mean our bodies aren’t still amazing!! Don’t let the idea that you need to look/feel/bike a certain way keep you away from the starting line.

If you want to skip a weekend of racing because you’re not feeling it- go for it! Sometimes you’re just not in the right headspace to enjoy racing and that’s okay. But be kind to yourself in the process – say “I’m not into racing today, but I’ll see how I feel next week and give it a try.” Let’s avoid writing off an entire season because you aren’t quite where you want to be physically right now.

Cross has taught me the value of being kind to myself. That’s what this whole post is really about. A plea for all of us to show compassion to ourselves, to be kind to ourselves. I don’t like hearing those phrases mentioned above because hearing those phrases make me SAD. They are an indication that the person saying them doesn’t practice kindness towards their own body and self. Through cross I’ve learned how to celebrate the small personal successes and accept what my body can do, rather than what it can’t. And I just want everyone to do the same. It’s a journey, but it has to start somewhere and why not here, in the starting grid of a cross race?

For ease of access, I wanted to collate all those articles in one place. So, for your reading pleasure, here all the articles I wrote about getting into ‘cross!

Cyclocross and You: The Bike

In which I sum up the different kinds of bikes which can be used to race cross and offer suggestions on how to find the right bike for you.

Cyclocross and You: The Skillz

In which I review the different ‘cross specific skills most used in races and offer suggestions on how, where, and what to practice.

Cyclocross and  You: Signing Up

In which I explain how to sign up for a race, to finding races, to figuring out your category, and if you need a license.

Cyclocross and You: Race Day

In which I present curated lists of things to pack the night before and walk you through what to do when you arrive at the course.

In my 4 years of racing cross, my eyes have really been opened to how often the folx I race with lower the bar for themselves while getting ready for a race (myself included!).

“Oh, I’m going to line up in the back because that’s where I’ll be the whole race.”

While this behavior is most prevalent at the start line and in the hours before a race, I hear it all the time in practices, clinics, at any bike related activity. I didn’t even realize I was doing it myself until I heard it over and over again from the women I raced with – and it started to annoy me!

“Okay everyone! I’ll try to stay out of your way when you’re passing me, because I’m really slow!”

It first annoyed me because as someone who is statistically most likely to be in the bottom 2 spots, I was irritated by these women talking about being last and then smoking me in the race.

“What’s the prize for DFL, because that’s the only prize I’m winning!”

But then I was bothered by it once I probed a little deeper into why women might be making these statements.

“Oh, I’m just using the race for training so you all are going to beat me.”

Once I started examining my own emotions at the start of a race and analyzing the rationale behind why we might make these kinds of statements, I came up with two theories:

1. A need to lower expectations so we don’t disappoint anyone/ourselves;
2. Basic race jitters and a true fear of coming in last and being embarrassed.

“Don’t worry about being slow, because I’ll definitely be slower than you.”

I’m finding this kind of talk more and more damaging. And while I can forgive folx for this kind of talk, as I understand they are speaking from a place of insecurity and nervousness, I can’t excuse it or let it go unchecked anymore. When you talk like that, you are only hurting yourselves – if you go into a race with a negative mindset, how are you going to have the best race possible?? How does saying things like that make you a stronger person? It doesn’t help you OR anyone around you to talk like that.

All of this is to say, let’s make a pledge this season to cut that negative self talk crap out!

It has been empowering and eye opening and exciting to watch so many folx beat their fears and try ‘cross racing. I know you are so much stronger and capable than many of you think you are and it kills me to hear you talk down about yourself before a race. If we’re always being negative about ourselves, how expect others to be positive for us? Own who you are and what you’re capable of. Own your nervousness and the goals you’ve set for yourself! Instead of negative self talk, let’s try saying these things instead before a race:

“I’m racing for myself and I’m excited to see if I can accomplish my goals!”

“I’m feeling anxious about how much racing is going to hurt!”

“I feel slow today, but I’m going to give it my best shot.”

“I’m so nervous about the technical parts of this course! It’s so challenging and I wonder how often I’m going to have to get off my bike.”

“Racing makes me so tense I either want to throw up or poop. Maybe both.”

Pick a goal, like trying to do a proper remount every time, trying out the scary feature at least once, or catching one person ahead of you and focus on THAT instead of worrying about letting others or yourself down. If you give it your best shot, you won’t let anyone down and you’ll feel awesome about your effort, no matter where you finish!

(While this post might seem obscenely long, it has everything you could want: a thrilling race report, beautiful views, an objective review of the race organization, AND personal introspection!)

It’s been a long time since I’ve ridden 50 miles, let alone raced 50 miles. Not to mention I’ve done exactly 2 gravel rides in my life. But a few weekends ago I raced 50 gravel miles at the Croatan Buck Fifty race. It had been awhile since I’d had a real bike challenge to train for (outside of cross) and as the new year started, I felt motivated to find something to aim for. My friend Casey suggested the Croatan Buck Fifty, which is a new race down in North Carolina put on by Ridge Supply. It’s a gravel race in the Croatan National Forest, and consisted of a 50 mile out and back lap, which you could ride 1, 2 or 3 times – 50, 100, or 150 miles respectively. I was initially too intimidated to try 50 miles as my first race “back” after years away from endurance riding. But, flat course + the presence of friends + lap race = enough bravery to sign up.

In the months and weeks leading up the race, I vacillated between excitement at the challenge and serious anxiety and self-doubt. Shockingly, I’ve come to enjoy the thought of a bike challenge, as I get perverse pleasure out of wondering how much it will hurt and if/when I’ll break down. But every bike challenge – especially races were the expectation is to go fast and compete for a podium – comes with a lot of self-doubt. I do not fit in the typical demographic for races, as I’m fat and slow. I worry most about judgement and pity – *I* don’t care much that I’m fat and slow, but I can’t help but wonder what others think. Then we got some emails that mentioned “peloton” and “motor pacing” and I got even MORE anxious, as I worried my slow pace would mean I would be dropped like a hot potato and constantly passed by faster riders. To help calm my fears, I reminded myself that I have just as much right to be out there as anyone and that if someone judges me for how I look, that’s THEIR problem, not mine.

However, in spite of my anxiety, I was looking forward to a long weekend to enjoy my friends, bikes, and beaches. My friend Samantha and I drove down Thursday afternoon and about halfway there a car passed us with Dirty Kanza 200 car sticker and a bike that had handlebar tape that looked suspiciously like Casey’s bar tape that actually was Casey. So the three of us rode down in tandem and once arrived, had some delicious homemade pizza and some leftover cider we found in the fridge.

Friday’s weather was perfect, and became sweeter once we realized there was snow in the DC area! There was a pre-ride Friday afternoon, which we had planned to do, but first we had to drink some cider/beer we found in the fridge, go to the grocery store, drink some wine,  find some oysters, get a crab cake sandwich, eat ice cream cake, sit in the sun, and go to the beach and then there was no time for a pre-ride. #priorities

Friday evening, after going to the pre-race briefing at the Carteret Speedway (the start/finish line of the race), there was a mad rush at our house to get our pasta dinner assembled and get all our gear together for the next day. After a semi-chaotic dinner, and last minute prep, we all had an early bedtime.

When we arrived at the Speedway Saturday morning, I realized I had grossly underestimated the still-winter weather of North Carolina. Up in DC, it was still straight winter, but I had been lulled by the sun and warmer weather of the previous day. I assumed it would quickly warm up that morning and only brought my arm warmers with me to the track – even though I had all the winter gear back at the house. I knew I would warm up eventually, between the sun and my exertions, but it was damn cold at the start line with bare legs! Until about 9:30, it was a very cold ride, with frozen toes.

Leading up the race, my training mostly consisted of riding longer and longer distances over a series of weekends. I knew the only person I’d really be racing is myself, as there was no question I’d struggle at 50 miles in the saddle. The longest distance I rode during training was 40 miles on the C&O Canal the weekend before, which is a flat gravel trail that runs next to the C&O Canal in Maryland, and seemed like the best approximation of race conditions that I could get in the area. That was a shockingly tough ride – it was hard on the body to stay in the same position on the bike for so long, both my arms and undercarriage suffered from the flat and bumpy terrain, and mentally it was tough to keep going. Based on that last training ride, my goal was to keep at 13-14 mph pace as much as could and finish hopefully in the 4 to 5 hour range.

The “neutral roll out” went well and it was fun to ride with so many people. Once the race started in earnest, I was pretty quickly on my own. I would get passed periodically by people who would be with me for 5 or 10 minutes and I could usually see a person or two up ahead, but I was basically on my own for the first 10 miles. I didn’t mind – it was beautiful and I like going at my own pace. By mile 16, I was riding generally with a group of women who all seemed to be going about the same pace. We would usually chat for a bit, say hi, someone would ride faster for a bit, I’d catch up, etc, and it was nice to have some casual company. But about 75% of the time I was by myself and enjoying it. I was doing so well maintaining my 13-14 mph pace and feeling very proud of myself! At mile 18, the lead group finally caught us going the opposite direction so we knew we’d have to be aware of traffic coming towards us. Once I had been “lapped” it was actually kind of fun, as my friends who are faster than me (all of them!) were now periodically passing me going the other direction! Every time a Bikenetic team member would pass (even if I didn’t know them personally!) I would shout “HI!”. It was energizing to see my friends and helped keep it from being too boring (it also made me seem very popular with whoever I was riding with at the time!).

I had been feeling pretty good up to this point, but 18 miles of non-stop riding at an aggressive pace was starting to wear on me and I was really looking forward to the turnaround rest stop at mile 23. At mile 20, I rounded a slight bend in the road and saw before me the whitest, flattest, straightest section of road so far and knew these last 3 miles to the turnaround were going to be brutal. This would be the first of three really (mentally and physically) tough sections.

I decided the best way to tackle this section was to put my head down and power through. Instead of a 13-14 mph goal, I was now aiming for a 15-16 mph goal. Based on Strava I met that goal, and based on what I remember of the suffering, I’m glad to know it wasn’t wasted.

At the turnaround point, I didn’t stop long. I stretched, used the bathroom (which was the most vile bathroom I’ve ever been in my LIFE), ate some GORMP, got some electrolytes for my water, and pressed on. I left with the same group of women I had been riding with at the beginning of the long-straight-flat section and stuck with them for a little while, but needed to ride my own pace and left them.

I soon hit the “infamous” Savage Road, the 2nd tough section. This is a stretch of un-maintained roads, full of huge craters full of water – nasty looking water. The water could be 3 inches deep or 3 feet and I was not interested in finding out! There was a line ridden in by previous riders, tracing a path around the craters. But some of those lines were very narrow and/or right on the edge of giant crater. It was here I was so thankful for that 1 and a half seasons of cross I had under my belt. I never would have felt confident enough to navigate some of the trickier lines without the bike handling skills I’d picked up in cross. Another unexpected challenge of this road was the uneven surface between the crater sections. It was hard packed, uneven dirt and because I had slightly too much air in my tires, I was being thrown around, bouncing all over. This was hell on my undercarriage and it made the section miserable. Between the rough road and the craters, I couldn’t keep any speed which made this 3 mile section feel like an eternity!

It was a relief to leave that section behind for the “smoother” gravel roads! Once I exited Savage Road, I immediately stopped and took a break – I really just needed to unclench my body from the bike and give my lady-bits a reprieve from the saddle!

At around mile 35, the course was on pavement for a bit. Once back on pavement, I realized how mental exhausting it is to ride on gravel. You can’t let your mind wander, you always need to be paying attention to road conditions, on the look out for potholes, patches of loose gravel, other obstacles. It was a relief to let my mind go blank for a bit while riding on the pavement.

I could feel myself starting to fade and when I turned back onto the gravel around mile 37, I was able to keep up a good 13-14 mph pace for only a mile or two. After that, I struggled to keep above 10 mph! I was losing energy and power. Just in time for the last truly rough section, yay. On the way out, I had noticed a sandy-ish section, but didn’t take much notice of it. On the way back, I marveled at how I managed to forget this section because it was now torture. It had become a packed sandy road, bumpy and unforgiving. The road was either packed, bumpy sand or loose, shifty sand. I couldn’t relax for a minute and my undercarriage was taking a beating.

In hindsight, I should have stopped and let out a little air, but I was too addled at the time to think straight. This sandy section was only 2 miles long but those 2 miles almost broke me. I had only stopped twice the previous 40 miles, but in this 2 mile stretch, I had to stop twice, plus once after I finished the section. I’m sure part of the problem was I hadn’t eaten or drank enough, but, it was also 40 miles into the longest, hardest ride I’d done in years.

One coping strategy I came up with to help get through the miles was to count the route in 10 mile sections. Ten miles seemed reasonable and I bike 10 miles all the time. So I hoped I could trick myself into riding 50 miles with less pain. And it had worked pretty well so far! But I had never seen the mileage tick over so slowly as those last 10 miles. I was counting down every hundredth of a mile. Even after I left the sandy section (which was only 2 miles!), it felt like I was moving through molasses and every pedal turn was a challenge. I had planned to finish without stopping again, but I had to stop at mile 45, to cry a little, eat a snack, and convince myself to finish!

Thankfully, about 1 mile later, the course switched back to pavement, which helped a bit as I knew I was so close and I could turn off my brain a bit for awhile. The last few miles went without incident and I finished with much rejoicing 3 hours and 39 minutes after I started!

On every level, the race didn’t disappoint. It was a great course, tough and challenging, and best of all, pancake flat! You could feel the excitement and enthusiasm of the organizers and the volunteers. And the FOOD! Entry included lunch/dinner and I was worried it would consist of tired looking spaghetti and congealed potatoes, that had been sitting out too long, with crumbs left for those who finished later in the day. I’ve never been happier to be wrong! The food was delicious and thoughtful – there were potatoes, veggies, and marinara sauce for the vegetarians, plus chicken and meat sauce for those who eat meat. Plus THE COOKIES! I engaged in an unofficial eat-off with Robin to see who could eat more of their amazing chocolate caramel and apple pie/spice cookies. And the best part was that they spaced the food out enough so there was fresh trays and cookies throughout the day – everyone had a chance to eat hot, fresh food.

Ridge Supply is a pretty hip company and I was worried the race and organizers would be full of “bros”, unlikely to welcome someone who looks like me or other newbies to racing/riding. But I following along on the Facebook event page, I was pleasantly surprised at how thoughtful and thorough the organizers answered questions that were both obvious and technical. I asked a question that I realized was obvious/stupid once I did about 5 minutes of research, but they answered it politely and without snark! It’s surprising how something as little as that can act as reassurance. I would not hesitate to recommend this race to someone who felt unsure about their racing abilities.

This race ended up meaning more to me than I could have expected. I felt so much pride after finishing so far under my goal time, so grateful for the confidence bike handling skills from cross gave me, so soul-happy to be experiencing this with so many good friends.

After I became disenchanted with bike commuting, discouraged by saddle pain, bored with the social rides, grudgingly accepting of my love/hate relationship with cross racing,

I was worried cycling didn’t have any more highs for me. While I still love racing cross, it’s a very different experience because, honestly, I don’t enjoy the racing – being slow is often discouraging, and it hurts a lot. I do feel pride after finishing a race, mostly because I didn’t quit even when I really, really wanted to – but I don’t really enjoy it. Cycling hadn’t given me any real highs for awhile and I fully expected this race to feel like a cross race – a mostly miserable experience I slogged through, mostly proud I didn’t quit. But…it wasn’t! Not at all. I even, dare I say, enjoyed myself on the race! It was truly gorgeous out there and I enjoyed both the scenery and pushing myself. I think the very flat course was mostly responsible for my enjoyment. I was able to “wrap” myself in the pain and focus on my rhythm. When it’s a consistent pain, I’m able to move it to the background a bit. I suspect this is why I struggle with cross – the pain is always shifting because the course is changing and it’s harder to ignore the pain.

It was also deeply satisfying to set a goal and hit it. I rarely race with goals in mind, partly because I’ve never had a way to measure how I was during while racing, and partly because setting goals means potentially failing and who likes that?? This was the first race where I used a computer to track distance and speed, which allowed me to set some goals to track while racing. I sort-of-not-really-on-purpose overestimated my

finishing time as, even for me, 5 hours to finish 50 miles is pretty attainable, as I had done my last 40 ride on terrain that was close to the race terrain in about 4 hours. And honestly, I secretly thought I could finish 50 miles in 4 hours in a race situation where I was pushing myself with minimal stopping. And had I actually done any math, I would have realized that at a 13-14 mph pace, I would definitely hit a 4 hour goal, and even be under that goal (math is clearly not a #priority for me). But I didn’t want to jinx myself! But I didn’t want to publicly state I could do it in 4 and miss that by a mile – that felt like a disappoint I couldn’t bear. So, I gave myself a laughably attainable goal and having a computer was a shockingly good motivator! Seeing my speed was an especially good motivator. I loved hitting that goal MPH and found myself digging deep when I wasn’t hitting it.

This “win” affected me in ways I didn’t expect. Going to work Monday, I had this happy secret inside of me – all my fellow commuters didn’t know I was capable of riding 50 miles and beating my goal time! It made me feel special! Then, when I went to the Crosshairs Garage Races on Wednesday (a race series that takes place in a parking garage!), I guess the magic of Croatan 150 was still inside of me and I crushed the race. I was corning like a master and even lapping people – which I’ve NEVER done! I ended up with 16th place (out of 24!) and felt on top of the world. I know I won’t always have bike successes like I had in March, but now that I have a taste of what success (for me) is like, I think I’ll be chasing more personal wins in the future!

I still worry about how I’m perceived and if people are judging me by how I look. But I’m starting to realize it doesn’t matter what people, it just matters how I feel. And if I feel fast, or like a badass, or a racer, then that’s what I am!

[Updated 9/2021]

You’ve done the prep: got the bike, practiced the skills, and actually signed up for a race! But, how do you get ready for race day? And what do you need to do once you get to the course? Race day does take some prep, and navigating the registration table can be a bit daunting if you’ve never done it before, but it quickly becomes routine.

To make the day before easier/faster, I suggest creating a pre-race checklist, which has all the essential gear and bike readiness laid out. If you can have a dedicated ‘cross bag, even better! If you don’t even have to think about what to pack/prepare, then you’ll be ready in record time and be able to sleep soundly knowing you didn’t forget anything!

Pack your bags

Essentials:

• your cycling shoes and helmet.
• photo ID and your license (if you have a year long license, either paper copy or on the app, more below on this).
• a change of clothes for when you’re done riding (include a towel or maxi skirt to aid in changing, just in case there isn’t a proper bathroom) .
  • don’t forget extra socks for tennis shoes and underwear!
• your kit, if you aren’t wearing it to the course (including gloves, if you wear them).
  • Make sure your jersey has sleeves, as sleeveless jerseys aren’t allowed and you will not be allowed to race if you show up in a sleeveless jersey
  • any layers needed, including arm/leg warmers, tights, full fingered gloves, neck gaiter, etc.
• multi tool, to make any last minute adjustments on your bike.
• snacks and/or breakfast.
  • You will probably be racing before any food trucks set up, so bring something to eat before the race. I hate eating a lot of food early in the morning, but it’s still important to get food in your stomach before you race. I like oatmeal I can eat right when I get to the course.
• Water bottles (plus drink mix if that’s your thing).
• a pump, as you’ll probably want to play around with tire pressure once you get to the course and see what sort of condition it’s in.
  • If you don’t have a floor pump, there are always lots of people with pumps around, plus, there will always be a neutral bike service tent with a pump you can borrow.
• cash or checkbook.
  • If you’re buying a 1 day license at the venue (or registering for a race day of), they might not take cards. Also, I know most food trucks appreciate cash! And some might not even take card, so best to be prepared.

Optional items that make your life easier:

• baby wipes for quick cleanup.
• a 2nd set of deodorant, hairbrush, snacks, etc, that live in the bag so you don’t worry about forgetting them.
• waterproof pouch for your cash, phone, keys, etc (a ziplock bag works well for this purpose).
• Plastic bags for dirty/muddy clothes (I always keep a couple of plastic bags in my race day bag, for those unexpectedly muddy days).
• sunglasses/cycling hat.
  • I think cycling hats are the most underrated piece of cycling kit. They keep out the sun and rain, plus help soak up the sweat so your helmet pads don’t get funky.
• trainer/rollers.
  • If you have them and can bring them, trainers/rollers are great for warming up and down. But, they are not required!
• tube changing gear (spare tube, tire levers, etc).

Prepare your bike

Remove extra gear from your bike, including:

• bar ends (if you have them on your mountain bike).
  • They are illegal to race with, so these are essential to remove!
• water bottle cages.
  • Cages give you fewer options for picking up your bike, not to mention you can’t shoulder your bike at all if you leave them on!
• racks and fenders.
  • You *can* race with these on, but they make the bike heavier and more cumbersome.

My Race Day prep

Everyone’s race day prep looks different, but to give you one example, here’s what I do to get ready for race day! To ensure I don’t forget anything, I have a list to review as I pack, to ensure I don’t forget anything.

In a dedicated race bag I keep:

• spare deodorant
• baby wipes
• flat repair kit
• plastic bags (for unexpected mud!)
• rags/towels (for unexpected cleanup)
• snacks/gels (for emergencies)
• inhaler
• gloves
• cycling hat.
• sunglasses.
• cold weather gear (arm/leg warmers, hat, etc. These are mostly for warm up/those days were it’s cold in the morning but warms up throughout the day)
• pressure gauge

The night before a race, I’ll add the finishing touches to my race bag with:

• breakfast (rolled oats oatmeal in an insulated mug, ready for boiling water to be added right before I leave in the morning!)
• a spoon for breakfast.
• Water (I prefer to have an insulated bottle that I’ll throw by the finish line so I have something cool to drink right when I finish).
• a change of clothes (including underwear and spare set of socks).
• a changing skirt.
• cycling shoes.
• helmet.
• my wallet with ID, cash, and debit card.

Lastly, I lay out my kit and any cold weather gear I’ll need! Unless it’s the first race of the year, my bike is usually ready without too much work, so once I get my clothes for the next day ready, I’m now ready to go!

Time your arrival

How early should I arrive?

If you’re racing in the first race of the day, I suggest at least an hour and 15 minutes minimum before your race starts. You’ll start lining up about 10-15 minutes before the race starts, so you’ll want a solid hour to get registered, get your gear ready, and do some pre-riding. If you’re riding a later race, get there as early as you can, but at least 2 hours before your race! You can only pre-ride in between races, so make sure you time your arrival to allow you to do at least one pre-ride in the time before the race before yours starts. So, if your race starts at 1:00 and the race before that starts at noon, arrive by 11:00 to allow time to get your gear set up to be ready to pre ride by the time the 11:00 race finishes!

Get Ready to Race!

Once I get to the course, how do I register?

Your first task is to locate the registration table. If you can’t spot it right away, ask around.

If you need to buy a 1 day license and/or day of race registration: There will likely be two lines. If the lines aren’t clearly labeled, look for the line with the cash box! When you reach the front, you’ll ask for a 1 day license. You’ll have to fill out a form/waiver which will ask you for your “race age”. Your race age is the age you will be as of December 31st the current year. If you need a day of registration but already have a license, you’ll also choose this line, and just show them your license when registering.

If you already have a license and are pre-registered: If the lines aren’t labeled, find the line without the cash box/where people are coming away with numbers! Once you get to the front, you’ll need to show them your license, either a paper copy or on the USAC cycling app (Android, Apple. TBH, it’s not a great app, but as long as I have access to my license, I can’t complain), and your photo ID. You’ll get your numbers and some safety pins and you’re set!

How do I pin my number on?

If they don’t tell you where to pin the number on your jersey when you get your numbers, you can ask at the registration table or, see how everyone else is putting their numbers on! It generally has to go on a specific side (left or right) to facilitate the race officials monitoring who’s coming through the finish line. To pin your number on, if you’re already wearing your jersey, you can ask a friend! If you’re not wearing your jersey, you can not wearing your jersey, it’s easier to get the numbers on. Just make sure not to pin too tight, as you’ll stretch the jersey a bit when you wear it and while racing.

Should I pre-ride the course?

Yes! Not only does it warm you up, but will help you prepare for tricky sections on the course.

Warming up is really important, as you do NOT want to start the race with cold legs. ‘Cross is full gas from the starting gun, so there’s not time to ease into racing. Warm up through pre-riding the course or riding on a trainer.

If you ride the first race of the day, the course will be open until probably 15 minutes before your race starts, so the earlier you get there, the more time you’ll have on the course. Otherwise, the course is only open for pre-riding in between races. Do NOT just hop on the course wherever you want, as there might still be racers on the course. Usually race officials will direct you to enter near the start/finish, but only enter course where/when a race official directs.

If you’re there early enough to do multiple pre-rides, you’ll have the chance to practice tricky sections multiple times, so you can tackle them with confidence during the race!

However, if you don’t have time to ride the whole course, don’t fret! I can rarely make it around the whole course in the allotted pre-riding time (as I’m slow!) and sometimes I like the “surprise” of what the course has to throw at me! As long as you’ve had time to get your heart rate up and your legs warm, you’ll be fine.

And that’s it! You’re now totally prepared to tackle your first cyclocross race! As always, questions/comments/suggestions welcome. Keep the rubber side down, and have fun!!

Check out the other posts in this series: The Bike, The Skillz, The Sign Up

If you’re a female-identifying person in the DC area, join the Women and Bikelocross Facebook page!

[Updated 9/2021]

Cyclocross can seem intimidating, what with all the jumping on and off the bike, navigating uneven terrain, etc. But with practice and some on-course experience, you can become comfortable tackling any course. There are a lot of ‘cross-specific skills to learn that you will continue to work on and refine as you keep racing. 

This post will give you an overview of some of the core cyclocross skills and which of those skills you may want to work on first as you’re getting into racing.

Cross Skillz

What skills do I need to learn?

There are a number of skills that are unique to cyclocross racing:

• Dismounting (getting off your bike at speed).
• Remounting (getting back on your bike at speed).
• Running over barriers (planks mounted in pairs).
• Riding off-camber (riding perpendicular on a steep hill or slope).
• Riding in sand.
• Carrying/shouldering your bike.

There are also a number of skills that you might not think of as being unique to cyclocross, but in fact they are among some of the most fundamental to the sport:

• Cornering.
• Climbing and descending (on particularly loose or steep terrain).
• Race Starts.

Do I have to master ALL of those skills before my first race?

No!

It is intimidating to think about learning all of these skills at one time. However, for a first race, I suggest prioritizing (1) cornering, (2) getting on and off your bike at speed (dismounting and remounting) and (3) getting over the barriers.

Cornering is important because you’ll have to turn many, many times on a course, so the more comfortable you are with cornering, the faster you’ll be. Knowing that you can readily dismount your bike and get back on smoothly is helpful both for efficiency when encountering obstacles on course, and for confidence. Barriers, although they only typically appear once per lap, are often the most intimidating obstacle (at least they were to me!), so knowing how to get over them improves confidence, which improves speed.

And always keep in mind, though the list of ‘cross skills may seem long, many of these skills are refined through experience. As one coach said during a clinic, “practice makes permanent.” The more you practice the skills, the more confidence you will gain in your own abilities on the bike, the less energy you will expend while navigating the course, the more efficient you will become, and the faster you’ll get through the course!

In the end, you shouldn’t focus on “mastering” these skills, as skills can continually be improved and worked on – everyone from beginners to pros are always work on finessing their technical abilities.

Where/How do I practice these skills?

The best place to learn ‘cross skills for the first time is at a clinic. Generally, starting around the end of August and through September, many bike shops and cycling teams with a ‘cross contingent will offer clinics. Following teams and shops on Facebook is a good way to stay up to date on classes/clinics they might offer. In addition, you could contact teams/stores directly to ask if they are planning to offer any clinics!

Once you’re armed with the basic skills, you can practice those skills anywhere. If you live in a city, you’ve probably already built up some good bike handling skills, just by riding in traffic! Now, while riding in the city, you can consciously think of how you’re using your  cornering and bike handling skills to avoid obstacles. Parks are GREAT place to practice. All you need is a stretch of grass and you’ve got a place to practice dismounts and remounts. If you find a little hill, you can use that to practice run ups or navigating steep descents. You can practice cornering around trees. The roots and uneven ground provide experience riding on uneven and bumpy surfaces. Be sure NOT to ride on any sports fields (soccer, baseball, etc) because that makes people VERY grumpy!

If you are interested in attending a multi-day clinic, which are often hosted by cyclocross coaching groups, you can search by date and within a radius of your zip code on BikeReg.com, a site which will often manage registration for these events.

What if I can’t attend a clinic?

If you can’t find a clinic, or prefer to practice on your own, there are lots of resources on the web to help. Googling any of the skills will give you a plethora of articles and videos on how to master these skills. Below are a selection of articles/videos to help you get started! In general, it is best to practice all these skills at a slow pace first. Once you have mastered the technique, you’ll be able to execute at speed and when you’re exhausted, as muscle memory will take over!

Dismounting

Dismounting is getting off your bike at speed, which is an incredibly useful skill. In cyclocross, racers may dismount a number of times during a race: there may be obstacles on course, extremely steep grades, or deep mud that make a section unrideable. It may also be faster to run than to ride a section if there is considerable traffic on course or if they lose momentum (around a turn or through mud or sand).

• Video: How to dismount (lots of great slow-mo video of the dismounting steps) [Global Cycling Network]
• Video: How to dismount in cyclocross (demonstrates the step through technique, a slightly more advanced dismounting style) [Global Cycling Network]

Remounting

Remounting is getting back on your bike after you have cleared an obstacle or section of the course in order to get back up to speed. Remounting as soon as possible after a section has been cleared is a fundamental skill in cyclocross, and also among the more difficult for people to wrap their heads (and bodies) around.

• Article: How to remount in cyclocross [Bike Radar]
• Video: Remount like a Pro (great slo-mo) [Global Cycling Network]

Barriers

Barriers are among the standard obstacles found on the cyclocross course: a set of two planks that span the course, are approximately 16 inches high each and are spaced approximately 7 feet apart. Most courses will have one set of barriers, though some courses may include a second set. In addition to dismounting before the barriers and remounting after the barriers, navigating these successfully means timing your dismount and remount appropriately while carrying as much speed as you are able, and running efficiently over the barriers with your bike.  

• Article: Cyclocross Skills: Overcome Any Barrier [Bicycling Magazine]
• Video: Cyclocross Barrier Tutorial [YouTube]
• How to make [CX Magazine] or buy [Cross Propz] your own barriers

Cornering

Cornering is exactly what it sounds like: learning to turn your bike while carrying as much speed as you are able. There may be 20+ turns in a single lap on a cyclocross course, so learning to maintain your forward momentum through a turn will pay dividends. Corners might be wide and sweeping, they may be located on a hill requiring you to balance on an off-camber surface, they may be tight and twisty, there might be gravel, mud, dust, sand, or tall grass inside the turn. Most courses will have at least one 180 degree (hairpin) turn, which is a favorite challenge of course designers.

• Article: Cyclocross Cornering Tips [TrainingPeaks]
• Video: How to Corner on a Cyclocross Bike [Global Cycling Network]
• Video: Corner Progression – JM Coaching Coaching Cyclocross Skills Videos [Joseph Maloney]
• Buy some cones to use for practice, like these. You can also use cones to work on your bike handling skills, by doing cone pick-up drills.

Riding off camber

An off camber is when you have to ride along the side of a hill or bank, often riding against the direction of the slope, instead of simply going up or down. As mentioned above, cyclocross courses will often feature turns on an off-camber surface, requiring racers to work on balance, speed, and bike handling.

• Video: Cyclocross Skill | Riding Off Camber [Specialized Bicycles]
• Video: Fluidride MTB Driveway Drills #6 – Side-Hilling & Off Camber [Fluidride Mountain Bike Instruction]

Sand

Sometimes course designers will route the course through volleyball courts or over sandy beaches, requiring riders to navigate sand. Although not as common a feature in the Mid-Atlantic as in other areas, learning to ride sand is a very useful skill.

• Article: Slaying the Sandpit [Bicycling Magazine]
• Video:  Cyclocross Technique Lesson 3: Sand riding [Kris Westwood]

Shouldering your bike

There are many different ways to carry your bike. When you’re not riding your bike, it’s preferable to carry your bike than to run along beside it. Carrying your bike ensures that your drivetrain and tires stay cleaner (avoiding the mud or sand you may be running through) and carrying the bike is more efficient and offers greater maneuverability. Any time you are running with your bike up a steep incline, stairs, and sometimes also through mud or sand, it is often preferable to run with your bike on your shoulder to be maximally efficient and faster over the course.

• Video: Cyclocross Skills | Shouldering the Bike [Specialized]
• Video: How To Should Your Bike Like a Pro [Global Cycling Network]

Race Starts

Cyclocross racing is unique in part because of the format and speed of its starts. Good positioning and a solid sprint can help you get better placement in the field going into the technical sections of the course, which allows you greater control of your race and less traffic to work through and around.

• Article: Technical Tuesday [Cyclocross Magazine]
• Video: How To Get a Fast Start [Global Cycling Network]

Steep banks/run ups

Often, a course will incorporate a very steep hill that is not rideable, and these are known as “run-ups.” The hill might be short or long; the hill might be grassy or it could be dirt and loose gravel. Navigating this section of the course requires dismounting, shouldering, running, and remounting (likely while very fatigued). Take small steps and shoulder your bike for the best results.

• Article: Come Out On Top: The Cyclocross Run-Up [Bicycling Magazine]

Conclusion

Hopefully this article was helpful in understanding what skills are part of cyclocross and how to practice them on your own. Again, try not to get overwhelmed with the number of skills involved in cyclocross. Start with the basics and build from there. Every race will present new challenges and obstacles, but with practice you will become adept at tackling all of them! (Thanks for your help with this article, Shauna!)

Check out the other posts in this series: The Bike, The Race Day, The Sign Up

If you’re a female-identifying person in the DC area, join the Women and Bikelocross Facebook page!

Whatever it was that possessed me to sign up for Charm City, I felt sick to my stomach as soon as I did it. It has a long sand section and I knew that would suck (and I’ve never ridden in sand). It was a LONG course – over 2 miles! That’s a long lap. There was no beginner category, so I’d have to race with women who were faster and more experienced than me. Plus, it had a flyover, which terrified me – mainly I was terrified that it would be too steep and I wouldn’t be able to make it over without falling down.

The race was harder than I ever imagined. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say I spent 50% of the race off my bike, walking my bike. I can’t even say I was jogging or running with my bike – I was straight up walking! Not to mention the times I just stopped moving altogether, and tried to get a bit of breath back, tried to recover a bit of strength back in my legs. I felt like I was always climbing. And the stairs were….oh those stairs! The way the pros bound up them, I never would have guessed they were actually stairs for GIANTS! The rise came up to the middle of my shin and I felt like I needed a boost up each “stair”.

There were points, especially when I was stopped, where I thought of walking off the course. It would be so easy to duck under the tape and be done with it all. But.. for some reason I didn’t. I don’t know if it was because I don’t like quitting (because I’ve been known to quit things before). Maybe it was because I don’t like leaving things half finished. Or maybe I knew suffering to the end makes a better story. The only thing I can clearly remember thinking in those moments was how much I wanted to cross the finish line as the lap counter read “0”. So, after a moment, I got moving again.

But that flyover. The older I get, the more fear I have. I can only imagine the worst case scenario in any risky situation. The loop of the worst that could happen plays in my head and I can only think of that. It happened when I spent a Christmas in Colorado with my family – I wasn’t able to master skiing because I could only think of all the ways I could crash. It happened when I hiked in Iceland – I was barely able to get over a log placed over a river because I could only imagine falling into the cold, fast river.

And it happened when I went canyoneering in Moab – I was hysterical mess as I rapelled down, unable to think of anything but they ways I could fall.

The same thing happened as I thought of this flyover. I could only think of all the ways I could crash trying to get up or down the thing. Then I started thinking about how an ill-timed wipe out from me could take out other racers who had the misfortune of being around me.

For some reason, I became determined to master this fear more than any fear before it. My race wasn’t until 10, and I was only planning on pre-riding after the first race of the day at 8:30. But when I got there at 6:30am, I realized the only way I was going to conquer this fear was to ride the damn thing as many times as I could. As I got to the top of the little rise before the flyover, I pedaled my bike as hard and fast as I could. And I got over the top!! What elation. First try! What was I so scared about? I went over a 2nd time – success again! But…as I went down the descent, I discovered I hadn’t tightened my stem enough, so my handlebars went one way as my tire went another and down I crashed into the ramp. I was feeling awful and anxious and scared as I went to fix and tighten my stem.

Still feeling anxious and emotional, I went back to the flyover. And I made it! Feeling good! So I went back to try again. However, the worst was still to come. This time, I wasn’t able to make it to the top before I lost my momentum and I tipped over. I slammed hard down onto my knee, impaled the side of my boob on my handlebar, then slide down the astroturf covered ramp on my knee. I wasn’t able to get any purchase to stand up, as everything was slick with rain, and I just kept sliding on my knee (which, because of the astroturf, was giving me rug burn). It was awful. When I finally clawed my way to the top, I sat there, looking at the descent, felt terrified and wondered how the HELL was I going to be able to do this during the race?? I wanted to quit so bad. Say I was done to avoid having to face this fear. But then I realized I couldn’t stay at the top of flyover forever, and, shockingly, I was feeling a burning desire to not let this stupid obstacle best me. Plus, those $35 I had paid to enter the race are apparently a really good cheering squad, because I thought, “I won’t let you down, $35! I’m going to get this!!” And I got down off the flyover.

Normally this would be where I’d give up, where the fear loop would go on overdrive and I’d say “forget it!!” The two falls I had taken really shook me up. My worst fears were coming true. But something weird was happening in my brain. Instead of latching onto worst case scenarios, my brain focused on the things I needed to do to make my attempt successful. I was thinking of the skills I needed to do well, instead of the bad things that *might* happen. Maybe because the worst had already happened. Plus I realized if something bad was going to happen, it would happen so fast I’d barely realize it, so there was no point in fixating on it. Or perhaps because I had already accepted dropping out wasn’t an option.

During the race, I had one successful flyover and one flyover where I lost my momentum right as my front wheel got on the top platform, but was able to catch myself on the railing. That trick got my calf gouged with my front chain ring teeth.

In the end, I was dead last on the course (the person who finished in front of me in my race was a full 10 minutes faster to the line!) and the pre-ride for the next races had already started before I finished. This meant I had a gaggle of men caught up behind me as I trudged through the rest of the course, as the rules state you can’t pass anyone still racing.  I was a little embarrassed and wanted to apologize for holding them up, but then thought “Fuck it! I refuse to apologize – I have just as much right to finish this damn race as those who finished first.”

Will I do this race again? Probably not. It’s tremendously hard, I don’t have the power or gearing to avoid getting off my bike, and I don’t like walking my bike. I hated every minute of racing, and I never say I enjoyed myself while racing. However, whenever I finish a race, I feel pride for not giving up. And I felt extra proud after this race, as this was the first time I’ve stared a fear in the face and conquered it. I don’t race because racing is fun – the second the whistle blows I can’t wait for the race to finish. I race because I love being part of the community, because I feel pride after every race for not giving up, because each race is a different challenge.

By the end of the race, I realized this new way of thinking could help me with overcoming other fears – focusing on what I needed to do to make something a success instead of latching onto the worst case scenarios. And what a major brain shift! As I got older, I lost that fearlessness I had when I was younger, that pushed me to try new things which seemed dangerous. Now I feel like I have a way to get that back, a way to trick my brain into acting fearless, even when I’m not.

*A UCI race is a race sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internationale, the international cycling ruling body. Because pros who race on UCI courses can get points, they are typically harder than a non-UCI course.

If you’re interested, pictures from the race are up on Flickr!

When you’re ready to sign up for a race, the first challenge is finding races in your areas and the second challenge is figuring out which race to sign up for! While the way race categories are organized and set up is can seem complicated and convoluted, you do not need to understand all the nuances of race categories to sign up for your first race. Below, I discuss both the basics of signing up for races and the specifics of how race categories work.

Signing up for races

How do I find races in my area to sign up for?

The best place to find cyclocross races in your area is at BikeReg.com. This is the website (almost) all races in the mid-Atlantic use to facilitate registration. You can search for races near your zip code, by type (“Cyclocross”), or region, and all the cyclocross races that are using BikeReg for registration will show up in the search results, sorted by date by default, with the earliest race appearing first in the list.

If I’m not looking for a specific race, I usually look under “Event Calendars”–>”Cyclocross”–>”Mid Atlantic” to see races in my area, which is DC.

How do I sign up for a race?

As mentioned above, most races use BikeReg.com as their registration site, so looking for races to do and signing up for them in advance of race day is a bit like one-stop-shopping:

• Search for events near you.
• When you find an event that you are interested in doing, click on the event page, and you will have the option to register for that race.
• Select the category or categories for which you would like to register (either by cycling category, age-group, or both), and follow the instructions.
• You’re on your way!

It’s also worth noting that promoters/organizers connect with racers through BikeReg. If you sign up for a race, you will receive emails from the race promoter before race day that contain important information (directions to the site, parking details, etc.) as well as fun facts about what might be available at the race venue (beer, coffee, food trucks, etc.). BikeReg is probably the best way to find up-to-date information about race day and directions to the venue.

For my first (or first few) races, which category should I sign up for?

Race categories, and who can race in them, are complicated. I tackle race categories in depth later, but basic instructions are below.

For your first race, look on the registration page for the Cat 5/Novice Women category races. You are eligible to race in any race you qualify for (either by category or age). So, if there are 2 races for Cat 5, you could sign up for either/both! The Cat 5 races might also be called “True Beginner,” “Beginner,” or “Novice” race. Some races will have a Beginners race just for men, others for men and women. But bottom line is, for your first race, find the Cat 5/beginner/Novice women’s race and sign up for that one!

A note for transgender athletes, you can participate in the gender category they feel is most appropriate to them, as described in USA Cycling policies here: https://usacycling.org/about-us/governance/transgender-athletes-policy

How do race categories work?

To answer this question, it’s important to know something about who is eligible to participate in each category AND know that if you’re unsure you can also speak with registration on race day!

Cyclocross race categories are either “Open”, meaning anyone of any skill level can participate, or they are restricted to participation by riders of a particular skill level (designated by Racing Category). Depending on your age and your skill level, you may be eligible to race in multiple categories on race day.

Skill-based Racing Categories range from Category 5 (Beginner) to Category 1 (Pro/Elite).  It is important to note that these categories are not self-determined, but rather they are designations that are officially made by USAC (USA Cycling), and your category will appear on your racing license. When you first sign up, you will be a Category 5 racer.

Age-graded races are also sometimes available, and you may race in 35+, 45+, or 55+ races as available. These are collectively referred to as “Master’s Races,” and they are open to anyone whose racing age is at or above 35, 45, or 55 respectively (more on racing age below). It is worth noting that even if you are eligible to race in these races, unless otherwise noted these master’s races are frequently age-graded but “Open” in terms of skill. This means you’re going to be toeing the line with racers with a wide range of skill and experience.

Another option is to race with the men. The men’s fields are typically much bigger than women’s fields in cyclocross races, but if there is space, a woman can sign up. Women can sign up for men’s races that are one skill-level category below their racing category (so a Category 4 woman can sign up for a Category 5 men’s race) OR age-graded up 10 years higher than the woman’s racing age (a woman eligible to race in the 35+ category can sign up for the men’s 45+ race).

What is my racing age?

Your racing age is not just the age you are when you sign up for a race. Your racing age is based on the cyclocross season and how old you will be at the end of the season, which are measure in calendar years. Therefore, even if your birthday is in November and you’re racing in October, your racing age would be however old you’ll be at the end of December.

How do I move up to the next Racing Category?

The more races you ride, you can “cat up” to the next category. You are are eligible to “cat up” to Cat 4 whenever you feel ready to. However, once you reach Cat 4, you can only cat up through earning points, which are earned through placing towards the top of your current category. Additionally, there is no obligation to cat up, which is good news of those who will always be slow (like me!). Just be sure not to stay too long in a category that you’re clearly to fast for. This can hurt the chances of those in the lower categories of earning points towards their advancement and is called sandbagging.

What is a race series?

In cyclocross, races within a region are often organized into race series. A series is a set of races that are organized by the same group and, on race day, follow the same schedule all season long. Each series also has “Points Jerseys,” which are awarded to the racers who perform the best within their racing category in that series. This can be really fun, and watching from week to week each series has its share of rivalries that can sometimes go right down to the wire!

Within the mid-Atlantic region where I am, we have the Super Series (MD/DC/VA), the Sportif Cup (MD/DC/VA), VACX (Virginia), MAC (Pennsylvania and Delaware, the larger series for that area), and PACX (Pennsylvania, the smaller series for the area).

There is no obligation or requirement to race ONLY races in a certain series, or to race ALL the races in a particular series. You can race in any race that fits your schedule, regardless of the series it might be a part of. Of course, focusing on the races in a particular series might be important to you if you hope to earn points in your category and win the series overall, taking home the series jersey.

Do I need a license to race?

If you race that is sanctioned by USA Cycling (USAC), then yes. If it is a non-USAC race, no. In the mid-Atlantic, all of the races that are part of the series mentioned above are USAC races. Races which are not part of a series may or may not be a USAC race. The registration page on BikeReg will clarify if you need a license.

If you are a beginner racer, don’t have a license, and don’t want to spring for a license for the whole year OR an experienced racer who also doesn’t want to buy a license for the whole season, you can buy a 1-day license for $10 either when you sign up for the race on BikeReg or on the day of the race.

It is important to note, however, that with a 1-day license you may be limited in which categories you are eligible to race. Definitely look on the BikeReg registration page to check this out. 

Of course, if you do want to purchase a cycling license, licenses for the year can be bought on USA Cycling here. The licenses are good for a calendar year, and they are good for all types of bike racing – cyclocross, mountain, road, BMX, and track.

That wraps up all the particulars of signing up for races, the different race categories, and licenses! Thanks to Shauna for her edits and reviews, to ensure I didn’t miss any important information!

Check out the other posts in this series: The Bike, The Skillz, The Race Day

If you’re a female-identifying person in the DC area, join the Women and Bikelocross Facebook page!

You’ve heard about cross, learned about cross, been to some cross races and have decided you want to join in the madness! But… where to start? It’s all so overwhelming! How do you know what kind of bike to get? How do you learn the skills needed? What are even the skills you need to learn?? Not to mention, how do you even find races in your area to sign up for?? Never fear, Anna is here! There is a lot to learn, but I’ve broken it down to make it easy to digest. The first step is The Bike. In subsequent articles, I’ll address cyclocross skills are needed (and how/where to practice them!), how to sign up for races, and what you should do on race day.

The Bike

Do I *need* to buy a new bike?

A cyclocross bike is designed to perform best in cyclocross races, but if you’re just starting out and you want to jump into some practices and into some races to try cyclocross, the answer is: No! There are lots of advantages to cyclocross bikes, but there is no need to buy one when you’re just testing the waters. Mountain bikes fit the bill, and some hybrids. BUT knobby tires are essential, because you’ll never get the traction you need off road to ride well/safely without them.

Mountain bikes: Mountain bikes are often HEAVY, which is their main drawback in a  race where you may need to get off your bike and run, or pick up your bike over barriers or other obstacles on course. That said, they are made to go off road! The only potential modification you may need to make before jumping into a race or practice is to remove the bar-ends from your handlebars.

Gravel bikes: Gravel bikes look a lot like cross bikes, but there are some key differences. The main differences are geometry, tire clearance, and gearing. While it might look like a cross bike, a gravel bike geometry is similar more to a touring bike than a cross bike. It has a more upright, less racey geometry than cross bike. In addition, it’s set up with a wider tire clearance, with the ability to take at least up to 40mm, rather than the 38mm limit most cross bikes have. It will also have wider gearing and a longer wheelbase which has more stability at the cost of maneuverability.

Hybrids: Hybrid bikes can be used on a cyclocross course. Most can accommodate cyclocross tires, and the brakes have enough clearance for wider, potentially mud-caked rims. Just head down to your local bike shop and ask them to set you up with some all/mixed condition ‘cross tires! The disadvantage of a hybrid bike is that it isn’t made to go off-road, and you might feel a bit less steady in some corners because the bike is meant to be stable on the road, not turn quickly off-road!

Road bikes: Road bikes do not have fork clearance necessary for cyclocross tires, which are wider than road bike tires (32-35 mm versus 23-28 mm) and often get packed with mud. The brake set-up on road bikes also do not have sufficient clearance for the wider rims that would support cyclocross tires. I found, however, that you can practice some basic ‘cross skills on a road bike. This is what I did initially, and I was able to practice the basic ‘cross skills (dismounting/remounting and barriers) enough to realize I wanted to invest in a proper ‘cross bike!  If you do practice on your road bike, you should make sure that you have appropriate pedals on your bike (SPD or Crank Brothers clipless pedals, or flat pedals) and the right shoes on your feet before attempting dismounts or remounts. Road pedals and cleats are likely to get ruined quickly if you’re hopping on and off your bike! Your LBS can help you with this as well.

If you decide to invest in a new bike, the nice thing about a ‘cross bike is that it isn’t a “one trick pony.” Cyclocross bikes are excellent for all kinds of riding beyond just racing! They make excellent bikes for gravel adventures, and because they are setup to withstand the weather typically encountered in a cyclocross season, they make for excellent all weather commuting bikes (with proper maintenance). From being able to accept wider tires, to being equipped with disc brakes, to sealed bottom brackets, and more – they can make excellent commuter bikes!

How do I choose a new ‘cross bike?

Through lots of legwork and research! You must be willing to spend some time researching what you might want in a bike, so you can make an informed decision. If you want to buy a brand new bike, be prepared to spend around $1,200 for a entry level ‘cross bike or between $1,500 and $1,600 for mid-level ‘cross bike (at least at the time of writing!). You can find used ‘cross bike for less, depending on the year/model. Try Craigslist, eBay, or any local used bike Facebook groups.

I personally find bike buying to be overwhelming and intimidating! There are SO many great bikes out there, plus shops can be intimidating if you feel like a newbie. If this describes you, below are my suggestions for overcoming choice paralysis.

Make a list

Make a list of of what YOU want in a bike: be complete, be honest, and understand that there are trade-offs.

What do you want your bike to do? Does your ideal bike live in your house until race day, or do you need/want to use it for commuting? Bikes are like people: they can’t do everything equally well. A bike that’s ideal for commuting is going to have rivets to accommodate brackets and may have a “less aggressive” geometry than a bike specifically designed for racing, but a pure racing bike might not accommodate racks or be comfortable for city riding. Trade-offs between a race bike and a more all-around bike may include geometry, weight, and components. There’s no right answer, just know before you go what you want your bike to be for you.

How much maintenance are you willing to do? In general, while higher-end components are really nice, they also require a higher level of maintenance in order to continue to perform as designed. If you’re going to to take your bike out in wet or muddy conditions on the ‘cross course or on your commute, be honest in your assessment of the time and energy you can devote to taking care of your equipment, as it may impact your decision and also what your LBS recommends.

Find your local bike shops

Make a list of all the local shops within your accessible radius. Call or visit those shops with your “ideal” bike features list you made. Say you’re looking into getting a ‘cross bike, give them a quick synopsis of what you’re looking for your bike to do, and ask what they have offer.

Note models they have in your price range, their price and sizing. Shops will usually write down what you looked and the price, if you ask. Don’t be discouraged if a shop doesn’t seem to carry any bikes that fit what you’re looking for. Keep calling. And don’t be afraid to call a shop back, if what you are looking for changes.

It is important to know what you want, but as you are looking, it is also important to have honest conversations with folks at bike shops to make sure that your “ideal bike” is out there, or if you may need to reconsider some of features on your list to find a bike in your price range that does what you need it to do.

Capture the data!

When you get home, make a chart where you can compare the different bikes, based on criteria important to you.

It could be price, size, geometry, looks…! I was looking for an upgrade from my entry level road bike, so components (derailleurs and shifters) were important to me. If that is also important to you, this article by BikeRadar was invaluable in helping me learn about the different components and groupsets!

Test Ride

Test ride the bikes that you are most interested in purchasing, if possible.

An LBS may not have a bike in your size in the store, but they can sometimes transfer bikes from other locations. Be sure to ask about this option if you are seriously considering a bike purchase.

Because ‘cross bikes are a bit of a niche bike and they may not have your size available a test ride. You can work with your LBS to either find a comparable bike to test ride for the purpose of determining your size, or they can work with you off the bike to determine the size you should order.

Once you’ve decided on The Bike for you, schedule with your LBS to pick up the bike and ride on! If the bike you want is not in stock in the store, and the shop needs to order the bike, your LBS might require a deposit before placing the order, and this deposit may or may not be refundable. That said, it’s part of the benefit of working with an LBS, that if the bike doesn’t fit or you don’t like it, you can likely transfer the deposit to a new bike from that shop, which was my experience.

The Accessories

Accessories are anything you might want to purchase in addition to your bike, just to get started. What you have on-hand is likely to change as you develop, change, learn as a rider. For the purpose of getting into cyclocross, the basic the accessories I would suggest purchasing (if you don’t have them already) are:

Chain Lube

This may be something you have on hand, but if not, be sure to talk to your LBS about a good chain lube that you can use, particularly in wet or muddy conditions. You’re going to want to make a habit of wiping down your bike and re-lubing the chain after ever race. Talk to your LBS about this also – it’s a good habit, and it will keep your drive train happy. Even though it took time, I cleaned my bike after every race and an unexpected side effect was I was a lot more confident in my bike on race day. If you don’t have time to clean the whole bike, be sure to at least clean and lube the chain/gears.

Tire Levers

You’re going to want a set of your own so that you can change out tires in case you puncture a tube or because you love cyclocross so much you want to change tires depending on conditions! There are a lot of good tire lever brands, check out what your LBS has in stock.

Extra Tubes

There are a whole lot of different types of tubes out there, but standard tubes are just fine. Make sure that if you have any questions about valve stem length or sizing of the tubes you talk to your LBS folks to ensure your tubes are compatible with your cyclocross tires.

A Good Floor Pump

You may have one, but these are always important to bring to a race, so you can adjust tire pressure any time.

Mountain bike cycling shoes and pedals

You’ll be doing a lot of hopping on and off your bike, as well as running through a variety of conditions, so you’ll need shoes and pedals that make it easy to run off bike, plus they need to be able to withstand the mud/dust/dirt! That being said, clipless SPD pedals/shoes are not required to race cyclocross. While I strongly recommend racing while clipped in, as it gives you more control over the bike, you can start on flat pedals and sneakers.

And that’s it! Once you’ve figured out what bike you’re going to use/buy, the next step is The Skillz, which I will cover in a subsequent post.

Check out the other posts in this series: The Race Day, The Skillz, The Sign Up

If you’re a female-identifying person in the DC area, join the Women and Bikelocross Facebook page!

It is a two day race and I was only planning to race on Sunday, but still went and spectated most of the afternoon on Saturday, despite the sadness of the bike theft. While Saturday was bone dry, with dust choking everything, it rained overnight and made everything a little soft. So, it turns out, if you want a muddy course, just invite me because I seem to bring the rain!

It wasn’t soupy like it was at Hyattsville, just a slick and slippery. And wow, what a course it was! I had been terrified to learn earlier that week that they had brought the flyover from Charm City to use at DCCX, but when I got there on Saturday, I heard that because 3 people had been taken to the hospital because of the flyover, they took it out for the early races with the less experienced riders. And I was thankful for that! However, it was still a wicked course. There were a LOT of sharp little inclines, all very short and very steep, which was made it a LOT harder than Hyattsville! Hyattsville was a slog, with the mud just sapping all the strength. DCCX was a lot more technical, requiring not only the legs to get up the inclines, but also the skill needed to keep up the speed around all the turns (although, “speed” is a relative term when talking about my racing). I normally would have been able to make it up those inclines, but I wasn’t able to keep up any speed on the downhill because I didn’t trust my wheels to keep enough grip on the slippery grass. Plus, the lack of tread made it impossible to stand up on the hills, as my back wheel would wash out every time on the soft ground and I’d had to do an awkward dismount to “run” up the hill.

I was learning how to be a little more fearless on the bike, to try and be a little more technical in my racing, but riding with my friend’s bike didn’t help that. I know I have the skill to be a really good technical racer, gaining and keeping speed through tricky bits, but I was so paranoid of my wheels washing out, I slowed down way more than I wanted to. I fear this is a habit that will be hard to break! The most treacherous part of the course was a “M” configuration, where you went up a steep hill, immediately went down a steep hill that turned right into another steep hill which turned right down until a longer downhill with a nice tight turn at the bottom (okay, not that tight, but it felt tight with the speed from the downhill). PLUS there were the rocks and roots on the downhill to avoid AND the sand/dirt at bottom, which not only made it very hard to keep up any speed to get back up the steep incline, but also added the risk of washing out! So, you know, basically turned me into a scaredy-cat. I’d dismount at the top of the “M” and cautiously pick my way down the hill. Chris gave me a lot of grief about that when he saw me stop and get off my bike. But in my defense, it was a new bike with crap tires, so I think I was justified in my caution.

This race has another first – my first handup. Honestly, this was the part of cross that I most looked forward to! The first lap I took a bacon handup, which was a mistake. It was a whole piece, which was hard to chew quickly and it was so salty! The second lap I took a beer handup, which was better, but honestly, when you’re going as hard as you are in a race, any food does not sit well in the stomach. I spent the rest of the lap regretting that beer. But I don’t think that will stop me from taking another handup….

Advantage to doing early races: your race doesn’t have to eat up your whole day. Disadvantage to riding early: limited opportunities to pre-ride. In the Super 8 series, my race is generally at 10am, which means I can only pre-ride before the 9am race, unless I want to get to the course before the 8:15 race (HA). Another disadvantage: I rarely get to cheer on Chris/@cycleboredom because I’m always either standing in line to pick my number up or getting ready to pre-ride.

Overall, it was a great race. My dad visited me for the weekend to watch me race and it was so, so great to have him there – it was great to have his calming presence during the bike debacle and it was great to have him there to cheer and take pictures during the race. I regret that I forgot to take a picture together! It was a hard, HARD course. I felt like throwing up multiple times and definitely cried a little, both during and after the race. But the support and the atmosphere of the race make it all worth it and I can’t wait to do it again!