What sport combines mud, endurance, a lot of speed, a bit more mud, and a punk rock, DIY attitude?
That, my friends, is the great and glorious sport of cyclocross. This morning, I woke up and felt a distinct chill in the air. My first thought after finding my slippers and pouring my first cup of coffee was probably familiar to anyone even tangentially interested in bike racing: "cross is coming." Sure enough, I checked Instagram and saw that the dates for the Cross on the Rock series were announced. I immediately marked September 29 off on the calendar.
So what is cyclocross? Think of it as a chaotic off-road road bike race, with obstacles, a bit of running lots mud, audience participation, boozy handups (for riders over 19 of course), and a general good vibe. Racers line up at the start and take off on a set course for a set number of laps (a higher level of racing means more laps). The course will be full of obstacles, interesting features like a massive spiral, trail sections, sand traps, jumps, and anything else the organizers care to put in 鈥� one year the Cumberland race went through the Waverley Hotel lobby. The race is fast, insanely difficult, and a very, very good time.
The origins of the sport are shrouded in myth, but it all kind of started with European road bike racers who were looking for a way to keep fit in the off season. Fast forward about 100 years, it has become one of the biggest sports in some European countries, particularly those north of France.
However, while watching Flemish superheroes put up inhuman performances on TV is fun and all, the real draw of cyclocross is how accessible it is, especially at the local level. Cross races are on a small course, usually just a few kilometres per lap. That means that the audience can get as close to the riders as they want and have a repeat show. This proximity gives the whole event a party atmosphere. You get to feel the ground shake as the riders roll by, you get sprayed with mud, you can heckle your buddies, and just be part of the action.
And if you want to be even more involved, you can dust off your bike and race! The race day in Cumberland includes a beginner clinic and races for everyone from the kids to the Super Master category (55+). While cyclocross bikes would probably give any prospective racers the best chance to win, all bikes are welcome. For riders who want to compete for UCI points, there are certain rules that the bikes have to follow (tire width being the main one), but if you're just there for fun, nobody cares what bike you ride. Also, all of the registration fees go to supporting the local Trail Bicycles Junior Race Team.
I actually raced a few years ago. I signed up for the intermediate race and came dead last. But I also had a great time and have zero regrets. As one of my buddies said " 'dead last' is better than 'didn't finish', which is better than 'didn't start.' "
The best part for me is the local scene that comes out. The support, rowdiness and general fun vibe that comes with this crowd is infectious. Coming down to the race will without a doubt be a good time.
Myself, I'll be on the sidelines with a camera, heckling with the best of them.
More info is available on the website.
