Cyclocross question

[SheFly]

I describe cyclorcross to people as steeple chase on a bicycle. New UCI rules are changing courses so that less time is spent off the bike, but there are still some old school courses with giant run-ups and obstacles - man-made or naturally occuring.

To me, cyclocross is the most fun you can possibly have on a bike, but it also takes some pretty good fitness! I've also been known to compare the effort to a TT - all on for 30 or 40 mins.

Go watch a race - you'll want to try it, and then you too will become addicted .

And Zoom-Zoom - good call on the ankle. Last year I badly sprained mine in May. Unfortunately, in a cross race in Early October, I ended up avulsively fracturing that ankle when I didn't quite make a sharp incline with a turn at the top. I finished that race (not sure how - adrenaline maybe), but was then forced not to race for 4 weeks.

SheFly

[zoom-zoom]

And Zoom-Zoom - good call on the ankle. Last year I badly sprained mine in May. Unfortunately, in a cross race in Early October, I ended up avulsively fracturing that ankle when I didn't quite make a sharp incline with a turn at the top. I finished that race (not sure how - adrenaline maybe), but was then forced not to race for 4 weeks.

SheFly

Oh, that stinks! I gave myself a 2nd degree sprain early on in a trail relay. I still had 9.9 miles to go AFTER the sprain...and I did it. After my first leg my teammates were sort of horrified and impressed that I was still able to get around, but I kept my shoe on. Had I taken it off there is no way that I would have been able to get it back on. But all that running on it after the fact probably about doubled my healing time. In hindsight I wouldn't have kept going had I known how miserably long it would take to heal.

At this point I can run pretty well on flat pavement, but grass and the gravel shoulder are uncomfortable and make me nervous, so I would definitely not be ready for 'cross this year, even with a bike. I just hope I will be up for that trail race again, next June. If I were to sprain it again during a trail race I would be calling it quits on running off-road for the foreseeable future.

[Catrin]

Great videos and descriptions - thanks! Someday I would like to give both cross and mountain biking a try - but since I've only been riding on actual roads for 5 months now with only 1,500 miles behind me - focusing on long distance riding and endurance is the best for me.

Both cross and mountain biking look like just a blast and am looking forward to eventually being able to check them out I will keep my eyes out this fall for a local cyclocross event to watch

Zoom-Zoom - I hope the ankle finishes healing so you can do your trail race next year! I have had major foot reconstructive surgery and it just takes a long time for our ankles and feet to heal properly.

[zoom-zoom]

Zoom-Zoom - I hope the ankle finishes healing so you can do your trail race next year! I have had major foot reconstructive surgery and it just takes a long time for our ankles and feet to heal properly.

Yeah, I always cringe when I hear the phrase "just a sprain." Minimizing the severity of sprains is what makes people like me do dumb things like run nearly 10 miles on them. I think I would have rather suffered a break--6-8 weeks to heal in a cast or boot, then more-or-less good as new.

[Catrin]

Oooo, I found a local Cyclocross race in two weeks that I will go spectate at

[zoom-zoom]

Oooo, I found a local Cyclocross race in two weeks that I will go spectate at

Bring a cowbell!

[Catrin]

Bring a cowbell!

It is next weekend - and if I have time to find a cowbell I certainly will!