Cyclo-cross

Cyclo-cross is a form of bicycle racing. Races take place typically in the autumn and winter (the international or "World Cup" season is September-January), and consists of many laps of a short (2–3 km) course featuring pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills, and obstacles requiring the rider to quickly dismount, jump the barrier and remount in one graceful motion. Races for senior categories are generally between 50 minutes and an hour long, with the distance varying depending on the ground conditions. Like many international cycle sports, CX- as it is sometimes abbreviated- is administered by the Union Cycliste Internationale; it began in the 1940s and the first world championship was held in Paris in 1950. The sport is strongest in the traditional road cycling countries (and particularly so in Flanders).

A cyclo-cross racer carrying his bicycle up a steep slope after overcoming a barrier at the bottom (not shown). The race was held in Gloucester, Massachusetts, in the 2004 race season.

Cyclo-cross has some obvious parallels with cross-country mountain bicycle racing and many of the best cyclo-cross riders are also stars of mountain biking. But cyclo-cross bicycles are similar to racing bicycles: lightweight, with narrow tires. They have to be lightweight because competitors need to carry their bicycle to overcome barriers or slopes too steep to climb in the saddle. The sight of competitors struggling up a muddy slope with bicycles on their shoulders is the classic image of the sport, although unridable sections are generally a very small fraction of the race distance.

Compared with other forms of cycle racing, tactics are fairly straightforward, and the emphasis is on the rider's aerobic endurance and bike-handling skills.

A cyclo-cross rider is allowed to change bicycles and receive mechanical assistance during a race. While the rider is on the course gumming up one bicycle with mud, his or her pit crew can work quickly to clean, repair and oil the spares.

Origins

Cyclo-cross began in the early 1900s as a way for European road cyclists to train during the winter months. Having to run whilst carrying their bike helped keep their feet and hands warm during the coldest part of the year. In addition riding off road in much more difficult conditions than smooth pavement increased the intensity at which the cyclists were riding. According to Konrad (1996) Daniel Gousseau of France is credited as having inspired the first cyclo-cross races and organizing the first French National Championship in 1902.

Cyclo-cross Championships

Equipment

Bicycles

Cyclo-cross bicycles roughly resemble the racing bicycles used in road racing. The major differences between the two are that cyclo-cross frames have wider clearances, often eschewing bridges between the rear stays and often route the gear cables on top of the top tube rather than under the bottom bracket; lightness is prized for ease of carrying while running, and aluminium frames were popular long before they became commonplace on the road. Cantilever brake bosses are mounted with the traditional design of brake preferred to V-brakes, again to prevent clogging with mud. Wheels are of the normal road racing type fitted with knobbie tires (a variety of tread designs in both tubular and clincher types are available), and gearing is a little lower. There are also slight geometry differences between the two; cyclo-cross bikes tend to have slightly higher handlebars for a more upright position. A second set of brake levers on the tops, called top mount brake levers, are favored by some competitors. In general, with a change of tires and gearing a cyclo-cross bike can double as a perfectly adequate road racing machine for riders in the lower ranks. Choices of equipment tend more towards the idiosyncratic than in road racing; for example singlespeed bikes also have some popularity due to the advantage of mechanical simplicity in the, often very, muddy conditions and the fringe nature of the sport. In some countries riders are also permitted to use mountain bikes, at least in low-level competition, but this is not currently allowed in events on the international calendar.

Clothing

Clothing is similar to that of road racing, however since cyclo-cross is a cold weather sport there is an emphasis toward warmer clothing such as long sleeves, tights, knickers and arm and leg warmers. In the warmer races there is a very strong preference for skinsuits for maximizing freedom of movement. Mountain bike shoes are adopted as they allow the competitors to run unlike their road racing counterparts.

Courses

Races almost universally consist of many laps over a short course, ending when a time limit is reached rather than after a specific number of laps or certain distance; the canonical length for senior events is one hour. Generally each lap is around 2.5-3.5 km and is 90% rideable. Courses consist of a variety of terrain ranging from roads to paths with short steep climbs as well as sections where the rider may need to or be best advised to dismount and run whilst carrying the bike. Obstacles range from banks too steep to ride up to man-made objects like steps and plank barriers that force a dismount or a bunny-hop.

References

Konrad, Gabe (1996). "Cyclocross: History & What You Should Know". Bicycle Trader Magazine. Retrieved August 19, 2005.

External links

One of the most popular American sites for racing information and equipment. Napa Valley Velo Team (2005). "Cyclocross Circuit". Retrieved August 20, 2005. Tarik Saleh (2000). "Singlespeed Cyclocross". Retrieved August 20, 2005. Union Cycliste Internationale cyclocross page (2005) "[1]". Retrieved September 24, 2005.

Helmet camera videos of Cyclocross racing "Cyclocross Videos".