Training for Cyclocross

[tulip]

I'm not a cyclocross rider, although it's something I want to try. I used to race mountain bikes, and because I couldn't just power over alot of the obstacles, I ended up getting off and climbing/running with my bike (a HEAVY 80s mtb!)

The best advice that I can give you, which may not be very good advice, is to ride, ride, ride. And run. And ride-and-run. Ride in the mud, ride in the cold. Upper body strength is essential, so you'll probably want to incorporate some weights and definitely core work.

There are some cyclocross clubs in some places (Baltimore has a big one). Ride with them or mountain bikers. Enter a race if you want, and see what your strengths and weaknesses are.

Perhaps next year will by my Cyclocross year!

[Voodoo Sally]

I found out what cyclocross was about 7 years ago when my friend invited me to watch him race. It looked pretty crazy. And fun! I had a mountain bike racing background, so felt somewhat confident to try it. In fact I couldn't wait to try it. The following fall, I jumped in with both feet, and just up and bought a cross bike, before I had even tried doing a race. I took that bike to the next local race, raced it with success, and the rest as they say. . . My story is probably not typical. Most people try a race on a mt. bike or borrow a bike before getting their own 'cross bike.

As for training, again I think I'm atypical. I just don't really train for 'cross. After I learned the techniques, and I did spend my first few seasons woodshedding the techniques, I will literally do my first race of the season now as my first 'cross "practice" of the season. The past 2 seasons I hadn't practiced the dismount and mount a single time until I was going over the barriers at the first race of the season! By the fall I'm fresh off a season of steady mountain biking, road biking and BMX racing, so I don't build up miles for 'cross. And then people hem and haw about the running part. The running question is so over-hyped. In reality there is NOT THAT MUCH running in 'cross. If you learned to walk and run by age 2, you can handle the few steps here and there of running in 'cross. You don't need to practice running as if you're a runner training for a running event. I don't practice any running.

I'm heartened to hear that you'd like to try 'cross. Just remember it doesn't really get cookin' until September. Till then, rock on!

[obie]

I say go for it, don't be shy, try a race! It's so much fun and I can tell you, it's just as fun if you're way in the back - it's not like road racing where the fun stops once you get dropped!

Like voodoo sally (hey Acadia neighbor!), I was pretty sure I'd find it fun (and did a few club practices on my commuting bike!) so when a friend announced her cross bike was for sale, I swooped in and got a great deal.

Our club held some great practice sessions, and they did a great job of teaching us mounts/dismounts/carrying/barriers - in the races, these were my favorite part! But to be honest, the key to success in races is the other stuff - being fast throughout the course and keeping your speed up through the hills and the deep grass. So I wasn't good in the results column, but in the "fun" column, I had a blast!

I'm originally from the running world, where people enter races all the time, for social reasons, or to challenge themselves, even if they are "slow" with no chance of winning. I don't see that as much in the women's bike world and I think that's a shame - but I think cyclocross has more of a chance than road racing to be more of a participatory sport.

[trinena]

I recently bought a used cross bike but since I injured myself I haven't even tried it out. I do have hopes to do cross one day even tho' I'm pretty new to riding at all. So my advice comes vicariously/observations. I do know that my husband badly tearing his calf muscle during his second cross race did have something to do with the fact that he was not running or stretching enough. I did notice that those who did pretty well tended to have a running background which makes sense but I don't think it has to be hardcore running. I'm sure it helps with endurance and fitness. I think doing shorter intense rides w/ stair running can help.

I've gone to several cross races and I fell in love with the scene - the friendliness, the grilled sausages and belgium beer, the dirtiness of it.and it seemed like it is more welcoming of newbies. If you want to read up, a book I had recommended to me was "Cyclocross: training & technique" by Simon Burney (3rd edition). More than anything like others have already said just go for it cuz you'll be in good company of others doing the same and having lots of fun.

[obie]

Trinena brings up a good point - in the initial club practices, I got really sore. Now I make sure to warm up the muscles a bit, and then stretch, before I do any mounts and dismounts. I did pull a calf muscle on a run-up (didn't need a doctor visit but bothered me for a month or two), so in addition to stretching the "mount" muscles (groin, hips), I'm going to make sure to focus on my calves too!~

[Ticia]

I say go for it, don't be shy, try a race! It's so much fun and I can tell you, it's just as fun if you're way in the back - it's not like road racing where the fun stops once you get dropped!

Like voodoo sally (hey Acadia neighbor!), I was pretty sure I'd find it fun (and did a few club practices on my commuting bike!) so when a friend announced her cross bike was for sale, I swooped in and got a great deal.

Our club held some great practice sessions, and they did a great job of teaching us mounts/dismounts/carrying/barriers - in the races, these were my favorite part! But to be honest, the key to success in races is the other stuff - being fast throughout the course and keeping your speed up through the hills and the deep grass. So I wasn't good in the results column, but in the "fun" column, I had a blast!

I'm originally from the running world, where people enter races all the time, for social reasons, or to challenge themselves, even if they are "slow" with no chance of winning. I don't see that as much in the women's bike world and I think that's a shame - but I think cyclocross has more of a chance than road racing to be more of a participatory sport.

Your post brought a big to my face. It just looks like a blast. Hard and challenging, but fun. I will have to look into it some more around our area. I should turn my back yard into a little training ground. I rode/ ran my mountain bike around the yard chasing my chickens and children yesterday. That was fun When the blackberry bushes start to come back to life it won't be so fun

[Ticia]

Voodoo Sally. Thanks for the encouraging words and words of experience. I'm more worried about all the mounting/ dismounting than anything else. Maybe if I can get in enough miles throughout the spring/summer on both my road & mtn. bike I'll have some legs to try on I love how you just signed up for a race and went for it. Sometimes it's best to dive right in.