Training for Cyclocross

[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