Cyclocross is typically shortened up to either 'cross or cx. It can best be described as a high school cross country race, except replace people running with bike riding. Let's break that down a bit more. Cyclocross originated as a way for road cyclists to train in the off season, which is considered fall and winter. Races are held on a closed course, typically at a local park, that is usually 1.5-2.5 miles in length. Racers do repeated laps for a set amount of time (usually 45 minutes), much like a criterium. These courses are typically a mixture of grass, pavement, and sometimes dirt, gravel, or sand. The courses are taped off and usually have lots of turns and tight spots to ensure there is no monotony. Additionally, courses typically have a couple of places where one has to dismount and shoulder the bike. These spots can be the toughest part of the course, ranging from a muddy steep slope that is unrideable to two wooden barriers that one must jump over. The bikes look pretty much like your typical road bike, but they have different brakes that allow fatter all terrain tires. A road bike usually has tires that are 23-25 millimeters wide, whereas a 'cross bike will have knobby tires that are 34 millimeters wide. Races are unlike road racing in that one must usually go all out the entire race to win. The tactics are pretty simple, get to the front and stay there. The final piece to a good 'cross race is the weather; imagine a cold, ugly, rainy fall day and you have the perfect weather racing. Oh, and lots of mud. Cyclocross races are very spectator friendly since the racers are doing lap after lap in the same area. Also, heckling of the racers is mandatory along with good beer and good beards. Now that I have you hooked on this 'cross stuff, let me keep going and tell you about the race I just did.
Asheville is a pretty damn fine town. (#avl > #everywhereelse) This weekend is the Mountain Sports Festival, which celebrates all that is good and true in Asheville. Over the weekend there is live music, craft brews, and racing (be it on foot or by bike). Asheville Cyclocross puts on a night 'cross race every year with the festival. It's a great event since it kind of serves as a break from road racing and it gets everyone excited for the fall 'cross season. I participated in the B race. There were three categories: C (beginners), B (decent), A (really fast). I knew going into the race I'd have a good shot at being competitive with all my road racing this spring.
The race. We all lined up and I believe there were around thirty guys. Yet another detail about a 'cross race is the start. It's called holeshot and it means you start as fast as you can go to try to get to the front of the pack and not get bogged down in the first turns with everyone else. So off we went and I was able to position myself in the top three. We flew through a couple of grassy turns and I was able to keep my position. Then, we hit a straightaway with a tight turn into the woods and I swooped past the second place rider to get a better spot into the turn. The only problem was that he sprinted in an attempt to defend his position, so all three of us flew into that turn quite fast and barely avoided a pile up. A couple of turns later I sprinted into first to get through a 180 degree turn before everyone else and started forming a gap on my chasers. Unfortunately, a super strong racer caught up to me, passed me, and proceeded to pull away. What followed was a couple of laps of yo-yoing where his speed would increase and then I would get closer. I got to the point where I thought I couldn't catch him, but some rowdy fans cheered me on and I closed the gap down to 30ish feet. Quick side note, this course involved riding through a sand volleyball court, which is very difficult for racers and quite fun for spectators. I was able to gain ground on him every time we went through the sand. We approached a barrier where you had to dismount, carry your bike, and hop over the obstacle. Fortunately for me, he bobbled over the barrier and I was able to catch him. For the next few laps we jostled back and forth between him leading or trailing me. Finally, the last lap started and, in anticipation of the final sprint to win, the pace picked up. As we approached the last few turns we had one final push through the sand and I managed to get a few feet ahead of him. We rounded the final turn, sprinted for the line, and this time I had a bit more left to eek out a win.
So there you have it: cyclocross! Now live up to your end of the deal and get to a race this fall.
