Racing

You'll find a lot of reverence for the history of organized cyclocross racing on this site. Everything about owning a well-built bicycle and riding it without regard to conditions--from snow to gravel, rain to sand--has a special place in our hearts, and we've been known to build our own mitralliettes out of more traditional American fast food. There's something very special about even the idea of a cyclocross course, where the most difficult sections all seem to be strung together with hardly any room in between, and to which we actually add obstacles. A cyclocross course might be a metaphor for a life well lived, filled with challenges and rewards. But mostly challenges.

If you're one of the many people just starting to consider racing, you're not alone. Cyclocross is one of the fastest growing segments of cycling, continuing to become more popular as a means of staying fit during cycling's off-season and improve bike handling skills--the same things that likely led to its creation in Europe at the turn of the 20th century.

Cyclocross races are intense, shorter events (often an hour or less), that usually include paved and unpaved sections of course and man-made barriers specifically designed to force a rider to dismount the bike and run, jump, or climb stairs. The act of dismounting, running, and remounting your bicycle has become an revered art form in the world of 'cross racing, and to watch a well-executed dismount is to see a truly beautiful thing. Still more beautiful is watching someone ride a professional 'cross racer's bike, not realizing that the front and rear brakes have been routed opposite a conventional road bike to help speed up dismounts. Just squeezing a big handful of front brake unexpectedly can do wonders to teach bike handling skills.

The most universal aspect of 'cross racing is mud, and the October through January season typically brings out the worst weather, and the worst weather brings out the best in cyclocross racers.

Cyclocross is a great way to introduce newcomers to bike racing. Races often have a festival-like atmosphere, and there's no getting dropped or finishing alone in cyclocross, as courses are usually surrounded by spectators and fellow racers. 'Cross courses throw the same challenges at the both the first place rider as they do at the last, offering a skills and fitness workout for both, and just participating in an event grants each rider much deserved respect by fellow cyclists and spectators alike.

Bikes

Many racers enter their first 'cross race on a mountain bike, or even a road bike with as wide a tire as the frame and fork will allow, and for almost all local events this is perfectly fine with race organizers (our local Portland series here even has a unicycle category). The fun and open spirit of most 'cross races is a big part of their appeal.

There are certainly bikes made just for 'cross, though. Though they tend to share drop bars and 700c wheels, cyclocross bikes feature more relaxed geometry than traditional road bikes, clearance for wider tires (usually between 28mm and 35mm), and disc brakes or wider rim brakes for added tire clearance. Many professional racers prefer the lower pressures of tubular tires for 'cross racing, and from there, schools of thought branch out everywhere. Some racers swear by deep section rims, which tend to be stiffer and keep ice from collecting around the brakes. The unique conditions of 'cross racing tend to inspire as many theories and strategies as there are bicycles on the market.

According to the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), pro cycling's governing body, professional sanctioned racing bikes have some specific restrictions:

• Handlebars must be no wider than 50cm (effectively eliminating mountain bike bars)
• Tires can be no wider than 33mm
• Bikes must weigh at least 6.8kg

Disc brakes, banned in 2003, have since been allowed, and it's become pretty common to find 'cross bikes with disc brakes not just in races, but everywhere. The rise of 29er mountain bikes has even led to the creation of "Supercross" or "Monstercross" bikes, which are essentially mountain bikes with drop bars and slightly steeper angles. These bikes continue to become wildly popular with anyone interested in disappearing into the wilderness for extended periods of time, or tackling a huge array of riding conditions. Cyclocross bikes also have much in common with Touring bikes, which also feature more relaxed angles and room for wider tires. The overall versatility of a 'cross bike makes it an ideal choice for anyone just becoming interested in riding. Though not as quick as a dedicated road bike, they function well on the pavement, and plenty of us have even taken our 'cross bikes onto trails normally better suited to mountain bikes. When it comes to versatility, there is nothing better than a cyclocross bike.

Modern 'cross bikes continue to evolve in step with road bikes, and carbon fiber has become the frame material of choice for a number of competitive racers. Unlike road racing, though, classic frame materials like steel and titanium still play a major role in the world of cyclocross, and some of the most revered--and competitive--'cross frames are still manufactured one at a time, by hand.

More than anything, it's that unique mix of independence, purpose, technology, and tradition that defines the culture of the cyclocross bike, and that's exactly what we hope to honor here at Cyclocross.com.

Copyright 2011-2012, Cyclocross.com