Anyone tried Cyclocross??

[Jenc]

I am thinking about doing a series, if you have done cyclocross, please...give details. How did you like it? What kind of bike, tires, shoes did you use?
Thanks!!

[pedalfaster]

Yup. Most painful hour ever spent on (and off) a bike. Good muddy fun.

Mostly I just use my mtb stripped down (no bar ends or bottle cages) or a friend's 'cross bike if i can beg/borrow one.

I use my mtb shoes (sidi dominators) and spd pedals. Give it a shot; it's a hoot and a great way to keep some fitness over the winter.

[CorsairMac]

how did you get into it pedal?...I'm SOO looking at 'cross and would love to try it but the group here is competitive and since I've never done it - something about racing seems a little over-the-top for a starter!

[pedalfaster]

I'm not sure if I really "got into it", I've only done a handful of races spread over ~5 years.

I started off racing mountain bikes. Racing mtb gives you most of the skills you'll need for 'cross. Practice your mounts and dismounts and carrying the bike while running. You can practice these skills anywhere, but a nice soft grassy area is best when first learning the dismount. It helps if you increase your running-training in 'cross season too.

Check out local 'cross fliers. Most races have an A, B and C race. The C races will usually have beginners of all ability levels and you'll see more mountain bikes (since most of these folks haven't sprung for a full on 'cross bike yet).

[Jenc]

I live in Tampa, Florida...not many places to mountain bike around here. I own a mountain bike, however, I don't use it really. I am a road bike gal, but would like to try this just for something fun and different. If I were to use my mountain bike just to try it for the first time, other than stripping it down some, do you have any suggestions?
What about shoes and pedals? I use clipless on my RB, but what would you suggest for a beginner to the cyclocross?
All of your help is so appreciated.
Thanks!

[CorsairMac]

I do run - about 15 miles a week in addition to my bike commute to work so that isn't an issue. The mounts/dismounts and barriers look the most intimidating. Also, I don't have a mountain bike - I have a commuter bike which I have no idea if it would work or not. I'm wondering if a cheapie Wal-Mart special mountain bike would work just to see if its something I could really get into! (which I'm very afraid the answer would be yes!!!) Open to any suggestions! I did talk to one of my LBS guys who races 'cross and he said the same thing you did about the C class races. Our season starts up again about March - so this is something I'm thinking on very heavy! Appreciate your insight
PS: I have never ridden MTB either and I have never raced. Always a roadie/commuter rider but I love to hike, run and ride so 'cross looked like the perfect combo.

[Tek]

Just do it!

Really, cross is a hoot and more laid back than a lot of the other disiplines. I do it and I suck!

[pedalfaster]

Shoes/pedals: You'll need some sort of mtb shoe/cleat set up. Slick-bottomed road shoes and one sided pedals won't work.
If you are thinking of using toe-strap style pedals with running shoes..errr don't. In that case you'd probably be better off with just plain old flat pedals. Clipless are still your safest, best bet.

Bikes: a simple, not-too-heavy mtb works best. If you have a suspension fork with a lock-out, lock out the fork. I think the Wal-Mart types bikes would be just too darn heavy. If your commuter has the clearance for them, consider some knobby tires. Same as with the mtb, you'll want to strip it down (no racks, lights etc).


Skills: you need to become confident riding and especially turning, on soft, loose surfaces (gravel, sand, mud).
The best way to learn the dismount (IMHO) is to watch the pros (see if the bike geek guys at your shop will lend you a 'cross race video) and then go out and practice practice practice. You WILL fall a few times doing this, so pick a nice soft spot.
Bike carry tip: if you are short (like me) you may not be able to do the tradition through-the-triangle carry. You can tuck the top tube under your arm-pit (like carrying a surfboard?) and grasp the bike under the downtube. The nose of your saddle will rest on your shoulder.Grab the handle bar with the other hand.

Like Tek said, the 'cross vibe tends to be pretty laid back. Just go and be prepared to mess up and fall down and laugh at yourself.

[Tek]

The other thing I would suggest in order to help you carry the bike is to tak off all bottle cages. It makes it easier to put your arm through the bike!

And the clipping in and clipping off in the grass is a very good skill to aquire. I can't do it yet because I get nervous about taking my next step and my left foot not unclipping.

Then again, we had a chick this year who did cross on an old bike with regular peddals, no cage and she kicked all of our behinds!