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Cyclocross

One of the world’s fastest growing sports, Cyclocross  started in the 1800’s in Europe. Read on and find out why even Lance does cross and why I think this is the best sport there is for people of all ages and ability.

Cyclocross is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. It all started in the 1800’s when racers in Europe who trained in winter found their feet went numb from the cold. They started mixing in some running with their riding, and found that it kept them warmer…especially their feet! Presto! A new sport was born. In Europe the races attract huge fields of racers and even more spectators. In the US the sport is still on the fringe, but growing steadily.

Cyclocross offers competitors a unique challenge for off-season racing as it is a combination of steeple chase, obstacle course, road bike race, and cross country running race. A typical course is at least 1.5 miles around. It has one or more man-made dismounts (14” barriers where you have to get off your bike and jump over), and they are usually in a pair or triple. In addition, there are other natural dismounts which are typically steep, loose hill runs or muddy, slippery sections that you can’t ride. The races are calculated by time rather than distance, and a typical women’s race is 45 minutes in length.

The races are held rain or shine! In fact, the more rain, mud and slush the better! The 2004 California/Nevada State Championships were an absolute mud-fest…quite unbelievable, but REALLY fun! I won the Women’s 40+ division. Nationals were even muddier (if that were possible)! There was an immense amount of running as many sections of the course were so muddy you had no choice but to dismount, put your bike on your shoulder, and run!

I started racing cyclocross four years ago when my boyfriend talked me into trying it. Well, I jumped in, raced on my mountain bike, and placed first! That first season I won every race I entered, and fell in love with the sport. Already a competitive cyclist, I found that I preferred the challenges that cyclocross gave me. It suits my athletic abilities and my “attention deficit disorder”!

At the last race of the 2004 season, Lance Armstrong showed up, and raced! It was so exciting to watch him race so close up! It was also a very fun race being just before Christmas. Everyone was dressed up as Santa or reindeer! In fact, Mark Noble, who won Nationals Masters 40+, was in front of Lance for half the race, and he was wearing a long white beard and fluffy white trimmings on his uniform. Lance won, of course, with Mark coming in a close second. After the race, Mark was amazed that he had had Lance Armstrong on his wheel!

The 2005 season was the best ever! On a new fancy bike and a new team, South Bay Wheelmen, I prepared to train compete in the National Championship in Rhode Island. I came in feeling confident after winning the 2005 California Nevada State Championships, Masters 40+. My confidence was destroyed when I saw the course! Unbelievably technical! When I woke up the morning of my race it was snowing heavily! I race in the snow!!! It was excellent! I had the best race of my life! I finished 7th in the women’s 45+ division. The second race on Sunday, the Women’s B’s, was early in the morning, it was really cold, the whole course was ice. Unbelievable! I race on the ice and came 16th , upper mid pack. I achieved both my goals for the season, I wanted to win the State Championships and I did, I wanted to finish top 10 in the 45+, I did and I wanted to finish upper mid pack in the B’s and I did! There’s nothing better than achieving your goals!

To check out more about the sport and the racing series, go to www.socalcross.org.