Photo by Jonathan Maus/BikePortland.org

When the Daily Grind Isn’t Enough
Give cyclocross racing a spin

   There is a definitive moment every year when one notices something – the tips of green leaves turning yellow or darker skies in the morning – and realizes that summer has ceded to autumn.

   For most, autumn signifies the loss of their favorite outdoor activities; however, there is a small contingency that will dance for joy when the rain starts pouring. Their secret? Cyclocross: a sport that only improves with the addition of mud.

    Cyclocross is a hybrid sport that combines road and mountain biking on a short course dotted with various obstacles that require dismounting and carrying their bicycle. Muddy slop equals challenge and fun. It’s a sport of endurance and suffering, speed and momentum, mud and spandex – and it’s growing in popularity every year. Check out the cyclocross series in your area (see Schedule below) – and you just might learn to love foul weather.

Cross Crusade Series (Portland area)

Every Crusade Series race begins with a cross-country footrace at 8:15 a.m.; cyclocross races begin at 9 a.m. with Beginners and Masters 50+ and end at 2 p.m. with Category A Men and Masters Category A 35+. All fields are limited to 100 racers.

Cost is $12-$22 per race. Pre-registration is available online through

www.athleteslounge.com.

Oct. 1: Crusade Series Race #1, Alpenrose Dairy, Portland
Oct. 15: Crusade Series Race #2 & U.S. Grand Prix Crank Bros.Finale, Hillsboro Stadium, Hillsboro
Oct. 22: Crusade Series Race #3, Horning’s Hideout, North Plains
Oct. 28: Cyclocross Crusade Halloween Bash, Flying M Ranch, Yamhill
Oct. 29: Crusade Series Race #4, Flying M Ranch, Yamhill
Nov. 12: Crusade Series Race #5, Estacada Timber Park, Estacada
Nov. 19: District Cyclocross Championships, Hillsboro Stadium, Hillsboro
Nov. 19: USGP & Cross Crusade Awards Party, Location TBA

www.crosscrusade.com

Seattle Cyclocross Series

Every SCS race begins at 9:15 a.m. with Cross 4 Masters and ends at 2:30 p.m. with Cross Half and Master Half (see Web site for details).

The cost per race is $20, except kids are free and Women 4 and Juniors are $5.

Sept. 24: SCC Series Race #1, Fort Steilacoom Park, Tacoma
Oct. 1: SCC Series Race #2, South SeaTac, Seattle
Oct. 15: SCC Series Race #3, Kelly Creek, Buckley
Oct. 22: SCC Series Race #4, Donida Farms, Auburn
Oct. 29: SCC Series Race #5, Snohomish
Nov. 12: SCC Series Race #6, Evergreen High School, Seattle
Dec 2: SCC Series Race #7, Fort Flagler State Park (near Port Ludlow)
Dec 3: SCC Series Race #8, Fort Flagler State Park
Dec 10: SCC Series Final, Kelly Creek

See www.seattlecyclocross.com for more local races (not part of the series).

Cyclocross Racing Tips

   If slogging through mud on bike and foot, hopping over obstacles and riding hard in rain or shine sounds like a fun way to spend 30-60 minutes on a Sunday morning, then cyclocross racing might be in your future.

   On the next page you will find some pointers for getting into cross. Beginners are strongly welcomed.

Tip #1: Tune Up Your Bike
To get started, use a mountain bike, old road bike or – ideally – a cyclocross bike. Clean every part of your bike, ensuring that it’s in good working order and buy lightweight components (because you lift and run with the bike) that will stand up to hard riding over rough terrain. You don’t want to spend your first race fixing a broken chain.

Tip #2: Sharpen Your Skills
If this is your first season of racing cross, consider taking a class or clinic (See “Resources” at the end of article for some suggestions). You’ll be with other beginners while you learn basic cyclocross racing skills, such as the proper way to mount and dismount your bicycle, how to “shoulder” your bicycle when you run up and over barriers and several other aspects of cyclocross. These classes are great not only for beginners but also for seasoned cross racers who want to sharpen their skills.

Tip #3: Practice
Once you’ve taken a class or experienced a season of cross racing, you’ll have a better idea of what to expect. Go out after work and practice the skills that you’ll need in a cyclocross race, such as:
• Smooth remounts without hopping,
• Stepping with inside leg into a run on faster dismounts
• Gently putting the bike down after running sections – no rear wheel bounces
• Grabbing the bike and shouldering it for a run-up

Tip #4: Be Prepared
Once you have started to master the skills of cyclocross, the only thing left to do is get out and race. Get used to preparing for all kinds of weather. Some things to remember:
• Pack a race bag with everything you might need, from booties to a rain jacket. Be sure to pack dry clothes to put on after the race.
• Always keep that bag stocked so that you can just grab it and go come race day. Consider bringing a thermos with hot tea or soup.
• Pack warming crème or lubricant for your legs. These lubricants are great to rub on your skin before your race in wet and cold conditions to protect your skin from the moisture and cold temperatures.

Tip #5: Don’t Forget to Eat
Try to eat two or three hours before your race so that you have adequate time to digest your food. Take in some form of simple sugar approximately 15 minutes before your race starts to ensure proper energy during the race. (You’ll be sprinting pretty hard!)
Be sure to hydrate very well the day before and the morning of your race. In cyclocross racing, water bottle cages are a hindrance (they get in the way when you shoulder your bike); therefore, you will not be able to drink fluids during your race. Drink as soon as you finish to avoid dehydration.

Tip #6: Have Fun
Remember that cyclocross racing is a fun way to stay in shape during the rainy season. The races are social events which often include food, beverages and – sometimes – costume contests. Don’t take it too seriously your first time out and you’ll have a great time!

— Kristi Berg of Seattle is the 4-time Emerald City Cyclocross women’s division
overall champion, and Head of Women’s Cycling at Seattle’s Cycle University.

Resources/Clinics/Classes:
Cycle University, Seattle; (206) 938-1091, www.CycleU.com
Oregon Bicycle Racing Association, Portland, (503) 667-6220, www.obra.org
Seattle Cyclocross, www.SeattleCyclocross.com