Our best tips for riding your bike through mud, whether its your road bike, cyclocross bike or mountain bike. Sarah vargas is an 11yearold triple threat, racing cyclocross, mountain bikes and track. On top of all this, here in europe cx is pretty much a niche market. Cyclocross races may be short, but they still require a rider to pin it for. Making those tiny changes and improvements can make your race that much better, so take these twelve tips to keep improving. About cyclo cross first things first, what exactly is cyclo cross. Horse riding trails after rain are not the offroad riders friend. Starts unlike a criterium or road race where the sprint is at the finish, in cyclocross, the race starts with the sprint. Yes, you should train for the run in cyclocross, but we recommend that you do it in a cyclocross specific way. The only thing that need be done is probably road tires. Up to about 3 inches of watery mud on top of a more solid surface a cx bike will be faster than wide mtb tires. Racing is as hard as you make it everyone carries on riding short laps until the bell goes, so if you find yourself on the slower end of the field, youll just ride fewer laps. Last week, adam myerson demystified interval training and looked at which blocks were ideal for cyclocross athletes but if cyclocross was only about the work thats put into a trainer, we would never get to enjoy getting our bikes dirty. For those conditions, a mudspecific tire is crucial to be able to even finish the race, much less have a chance at a podium spot.
Although the course was not taped, riding at the limit of the course is a very good technique in this situation. Its fast, frantic, spectator friendly and damn good fun. Eye protection riding with bare eyeballs is a gamble. I checked out cross tutorials on how to dismount effectively, while searching through the twc archives for other helpful hints and tips.
The idea that mountain biking on a cross bike helps your cx tech skills is vastly overrated imo. Can i use a cyclocross bike for regular roadbiking purposes. If cyclocross, mud and art sound like a perfect combination of elements to you then you should have be in providence with me last weekend for the divine providence cyclocross fest i spent the first day sitting in my borrowed sales booth located on the infield across from the beer garden with the rain and wind generated from hurricane joaquin pounding the tent. Cyclocross and mud go together like peanut butter and jellyand as it happens, its not uncommon to feel like youre riding through peanut butter on many cross courses. Its riding offroad on a modified road bike with knobbly tyres, lower gear ratios and mud clearance for tackling a variety of. This week, myerson looks at the challenge of mud during cyclocross, and the approach riders should have when approaching the mud pits before and during a. Workouts and drills to prepare yourself for the cyclocross season.
A cyclocross bike is essentially a road bike with a bit more clearance for wider tires and mud. Sandy sections are acceptable, but too much can ruin a race. Around this time last year, i borrowed a cyclocross bike from work and enjoyed a few rides offroad. Despite the mud, weather and other such nasties, it still is a game of percentages. Generally speaking, cyclocross bikes generally have slightly different geometry, usually burlier parts, and will always have knobby tires.
Be in the gear you need to use all the way through the sand before you enter it. I was so excited to hear her story and get her best advice. When youre riding mud, your priorities should be keeping your grip and conserving momentum. Mar 29, 2019 mud creates a slippery riding surface.
A common road cycling technique is readily applied to highspeed turns in cyclocross. Your eyes are precious, and it does not take much to injure one. How to adapt a mountain bike for cyclocross racing hubpages. If youre riding or racing your cyclocross bike, the chances are that youll. Tips for wet and muddy xc mountain bike races coach levi. A beginners guide to prepping for a cyclocross race. Instead of letting a muddy course discourage you, learn how to master this basic cyclocross skill so you can have fun and stay ahead of the pack. Simon has four sessions that will soon have you riding l. Night riding can be a great alternative to staring at basement walls, but the idea of being on the road in the dark is intimidating to the uninitiated. Lets go thru these cyclocross skills in detail one by one. In deep mud, the thinner cx tires cut through the mud and ride on the solid surface beneath the mud, where the mtbs float and lose traction.
Before that i had a kids bike that i rode around my. For information on offhighway rider training courses, go online at or call the nationwide tollfree. Here are some video break downs of some trail fails and some tips on how to. I first learnt about cyclocross at the start of the year when i saw manon carpenter race in her offseason. Barriers, mounts and dismounts shouldering the bike cornering racing in mud offcamber riding bike handling tips group starts nutrition, maintenance and training tips.
Rock up with a picnic, soak up the atmosphere, get covered in mud and enjoy. I would just leave a crankset on each and itll only be like an hours worth of work to move it over unless you have internal routed everything. Ideally i would just get two bikes, but im wondering if i could get just a cross bike and use it for trail riding. Road biking, mountain biking and cyclocross are ideal cross training sports for spinning enthusiasts, drawing on the existing cycling experience and fitness base developed in spinning. Committing to trying to ride or riding into the sand is not good enough. Practice skills when riding easy or in a separate training session so that you can learn good technique. The more soaked the ground, the more the bike is likely to sink in to the ground as you ride through the mud. A windshield on a motorcycle is not eye protection. Wide wooded paths, gravel and dirt roads, grass fields, pavement, mud and plain old allamerican dirt are all good for cyclocross racing. Nov 17, 2015 if youre riding cross, youre going to ride or run through mud. You never want your bike to slide sideways down a hill on an offcamber section, but watch any cyclocross race, and youll know thats easier said than. Run training for cyclocross is not a 30 minute or longer jog especially if you are not a runner. Most races are held on a 1km to 3km course mixing tarmac, sand, dirt, mud, and run ups.
One of the best techniques when riding through mud is braking and pedalling at the. Nov 08, 2012 after all its a cyclocross race and there is no shame in getting off your bike, especially when youre running past all those others trying and failing to ride through the corner. Theres no reason to let a mud puddle on your route sink your spirits, if you. Cyclocross running includes short, explosive deliberate sprinting, just like what happens in a race. It combines fitness, bike handling, cornering, pack riding, running and, of course, dismounting and remounting. Try this 7day cyclocross training plan for the busy cross racer. The more practice you can get of getting a bike to the rider and the rider. The difference is that you will ride on grass, mud. There was a short section of mud bog on the course as well. Cyclocross magazine is a print and digital magazine and website for the cyclocross community by cyclocross racers. On most courses, riding in the mud while staying upright is one of the challenges youll be forced to deal with. With winter fast approaching, get some tips on how to ride the. If youre looking for a great example of this, go and watch a muddy cyclocross race, those guys have those smooth and powerful.
Crosscountry riding is perfect for all those who love action and adventure. Aug 29, 2019 ian field and louise mahe provide their tips for roadies looking to dip a toe into cyclocross michelle arthursbrennan august 29, 2019 9. Build the road bike up for spring, move all over to the cx bike in fall. See and be seen tips and tricks for cyclocross training at night. The last time i was so excited about seeing a sporting event, i think it was duke playing kentucky in the east regional final with that lastsecond buzzerbeater by christian laettner that lifted duke into the final four and ultimately a national championship. After all, what could be more flahute than slogging through mud with your bike on your shoulder when the. So if you like the idea of riding really hard for a short time, getting muddy, having fun and learning some new skills, cross could be for you. How to convert a cyclocross bike to a road bike quora. Apr 4, 2012 action photography of redline cyclocross team. Workouts and drills to prepare yourself for the cyclocross. The motor your leg strength and power is very important in winning the race, but you can lose the race by not cornering well. Some tips to help you prep for your first cyclocross race.
Fall is one of my favorite times of year i get time at home here in utah, a little break from my training regime, and, cyclocross to me, cross is cyclings most fascinating and technically challenging discipline. One of the best techniques when riding through mud is braking and pedalling at the same time which no one thinks to do unless youre a cross rider. Cyclocross bike adventures for crosscountry riders simplon. Basically, riding in mud is going to have your bike making all sorts of weird and wonderful movements it wouldnt make in the dry its your job to stay cool and let it happen. The one thing that binds us cyclocross riders together is that we want to get better and better. When i asked what cross was, this is the description i got. Included in this comprehensive guide starting out buying a bike and tackling your first race technique all the key elements of cyclocross examined and explained. Were based on communitycontributed content, which means we welcome content submissions from anyone and prioritize representing all aspects of the sport of cyclocross, from the most grassroots scene to the highest professional level of the sport. Intentionally wetting the course to create mud is poor form, and not advised. Jul 28, 2016 sam, peter, chris and john have the right of it. Sep 25, 2016 if youre riding a 26 inch wheel mountain bike and looking for a great mtb tire for cyclocross racing youd be hard pressure to find a more suitable tire than the all round racing schwalbe cx pro. This style of racing requires a special set of skills that stem from racing mountain bikes. Presents cross at the park chinook cycling club tricities. See more ideas about action photography, redline and photography.
The cyclocross bible is a complete guide to all aspects of cyclocross, from selecting a childs first bike, through to training, technique, bike maintenance, and international racing. Cyclocross or cross, cyclox and cx is a sport that takes modified road bikes off road in races that typically last for 60 minutes and includes obstacles where you need to dismount and run with the bike over your shoulder. Ive recently started trail riding on my mountain bike and i love it, but my bike is really old circa 1992 steel trek with deore lx. Surviving my first cyclocross race and tips for you. Nov 02, 2014 the bike are funny looking road bikes with knobbly tyres, and theres usually a lot of mud, and some man made obstacles to tease riders into leaping off the bike and running. Its when you ride a road bike, offroad, doing as many laps of a course within a time frame alright, lets try that then.
Entering a cyclocross race is a bit like jumping into a time machine that will transport you back to childhood again for one quick, raspy, highenergy hour. I really want to get a new one, but im also really attracted to cyclocross. Cyclocross course design and construction a ken hart. Sep, 2012 there was a short section of mud bog on the course as well. Did you change what you liked riding once you got going. These differences amount to cyclocross bikes being heavier than road bikes. Cyclocross bikes use a more upright riding position with a longer wheelbase than road bikes. When cyclocross racing turns muddy, having a pit crew can make the difference. Another booklet, parents, youngsters and offhighway motorcycles gives detailed riding procedures for young riders. Riding the tape means riding right along the very edge of the course where the ground hasnt been disturbed and there may be firmer ground and more traction. I dont know where youre racing, but around here, the technical features on cross courses are either mud, highspeed corners, or offcambers. Your guide to cyclocross racing the bikes, races and skills.
Presents cross at the park what is cyclocross like triathlon, cyclocross mixes multiple athletic endeavors, namely riding and running, with a strong emphasis on skillful bike handling. If youre riding or racing your cyclocross bike, the chances are that youll hit some mud sooner or later. A motorcycle helmet is designed to absorb the impact of a blow, and a helmet should only do that once. Mud will slow down your riding, regardless of your skill with the bike. Its one of the most basic functions of riding a bike whatever kind of bike you favour but many of us dont give. Once youve dialled in the fit so youre totally comfortable while riding and with it on your shoulder, and read our favorite cross riding tips, its time to dial in the bike to the specific terrain. One of the many great things about bikes is that theres always a way to make them faster. Certain things will work anywhere, however, and lay the groundwork for a truly efficient. World champion manon carpenter getting muddy in cyclocross photo. How to ride mud like a pro cyclocross skills youtube.
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