Cyclo Cross, what?
Cyclo-Cross is held in the Autumn and Winter months, some see it as a way to keep fit during the winter whilst others look forward to the season with real relish. It also a great 'way into' cycle sport.
Cross attracts all abilities to local races, which are often less tense than road or mountain bike races. That's not to say that the racing isn't full on, because it is, it's just that the cross season is more low key, relaxed or riders just seem less self important (you decide). Men, women and youth riders are very welcome at any race meeting and there are plenty of race categories catering for most age groups.
Local events
Local races are open to all abilities and have race categories for senior men & women, veterans (plus 50+), juniors, youth and Under 12s. The London League also has an Under 10 race.
Entry fees can vary but in a far sighted move, cross associations have not charged for under 12s/under 10s for many years and this might explain the large number of young riders to be found at a cross race. But for the 2009/10 season a charge of £1 will be made.
In recent times leagues have become stronger and they offer the chance not just to gain points over the season, but also get the opportunity to get to know people who regularly attend. You will need to affiliate to get your points with the relevant and you will have to pay a surcharge if you are not a member of British Cycling.
Often races are held in city parks or at least close enough for you to be home for a late lunch, races are for an hour for seniors and lesser distances for youth riders. Because of the terrain the courses tend not be crazy roller coaster rides and in fact cyclo-cross has been encouraged to prepare fast and wide courses. Some events will be held completely on grass, others on mud or tarmac and sometimes a mix of all.
New riders
Cross is an ideal place to begin cycle sport and although we love road racing it can nonetheless be a nightmare for the race virgin to stay with the more experienced riders. In cross the riders are more spaced out because an event will attract many abilities and you may find someone to race or at least to test your skills against.
Bike handling skills are honed by taking part in cross races and plenty of road racers would benefit from improving this skill.
Events are generally organised by cycle clubs and this is a good way to get to know what clubs are around and an opportunity to join them.
Bikes
At a local level entry is mostly on the day and mountain bikes are very welcome, it is a feature of cross that riders can choose to ride a MTB or a pukka cross bike (We have seen road bikes used).
If you have the legs and heart you can do well on either but a cross bike does offer advantages on the flatter and less technical cross courses.
A cross bike is lighter and easier to put over your shoulder when you have to get off on the short sharp climbs found on cross circuits, and over the occasional obstacle that you may find. Some cross courses encourage you to get off your bike and run (so a little running practice can pay dividends).
With few long grinding hills to climb you will find that most of your gears on your MTB bike are of no use and cross bikes will have just two (often one) chainrings, the ethos being that the climb might be quicker to run up than twiddly up on an easy gear (fitting a triple to your cross bike can make it a very practical machine for non cross racing action). We have noticed that cross riders sometimes over gear their bikes and push huge gears - when choosing gears remember that you will get tired and the terrain may be better to spin over rather than grind across on a big gear.
A MTB bike is still a competitive beast - riders often take off their front suspension and fit narrow tyres, and hey presto a fast reliable steed that can cope with everything thrown at it. There are courses out there that suit MTB's, but were not telling.
Weather
Cyclo-cross is not a summer sport and winter weather can play its part.
Rain during a race isn't so bad and is in fact rather rare, but heavy rainfall prior to an event can turn some courses into a muddy mes. But honestly, and we say it again, that most races are held under sunny Autumn/Winter skies.
The hardest aspect of the cross season is that it can get cold even when the sun is shining so take plenty of clothes to wear and keep a top on until the very last moment.
Summary
Cyclo-cross is an hour of heart thumping action held in a less self important atmosphere.
Leagues
The London League sponsored by Mosquito Cycles. The League covers London and reaches down to the south coast - www.londonxleague.co.uk
The Eastern League covers an area that reaches from the north of London to Ipswich and is run over a multitude of round - www.easterncross.org.uk
Wessex League can be found to the West of London with races in Oxford and near Southampton - www.wessexcx.org.uk/
The London, Wessex and Eastern Leagues are open to all abilities and ages, and novices will find a friendly atmosphere.
You are doing well at a local level, what next?
At National and International level there is no entry on the line, you cannot use a mountain bike and you will need a race license from British Cycling.
Chief on the cross calendar is the National Trophy, a series of events across the UK (but not Scotland) and is a series that draws the best seniors, juniors, women, youth and veterans from the leagues.
If you do well in Trophy races you may get selected on the International squad that will contest the UCI World Cup and World Champs.
Races designated by being called Cat A or Premier, most local races are Cat C and some possibly B (you get more prize money at a Cat A etc.).
