What is cyclocross?

[Mike S]

What is this crazy bike racing in the fall that people call cyclocross?

Cyclocross has been called a hybrid of mountain biking racing, road criterium racing, and track racing. The true origin of the sport is in Europe, where 'cross first evolved during the early days of bike racing. Racers looked for a way to stay in shape for the off season. They raced in farmers fields and farm roads in the rain, snow, and cold. 100 years later the sport is going strong and is as popular as ever in Europe and now the US.

The racing takes place on a 1 - 2 mile circuit course that can consists of any combination of grass, gravel, pavement, mud, and dirt. 'Cross courses also have sections that are not ridable! Racers must dismount and run with their bikes over the course obstacles.

Cyclocross season is generally from September to January, with some preseason stuff starting in September and the main racing season in October, November, and December. Then cyclocross "Wolds" are in Europe in January. '

In the Northwest the 'cross season kicks off with StarCrossed in Redmond in late September. In Spokane the race season starts in early October.

Cyclocross racing involves a unique set of skills that you don't use for any other sport. New racers should consider attending a pre-season clinic or hooking up with some experienced racers to practice. For the 2009 season, Vertical Earth in CDA is hosting a pre-season practice series during September. Call their shop for more details.

SRV wont be hosting a clinic this year, but watch the forum for unannounced after work practice sessions.

[Wrench Goode]

The sport of cyclocross began at the ends of the 19th century in France. Its creator was a French soldier named Daniel Gousseau , who frequently rode his bicycle over the rough trails and difficult obstacles to maintain cycling fitness during the winter months. Generals on horseback observed this strange discipline and moved quickly to train the French Army troops on bikes.

The first National Championships were run in France in 1902. Belgium organized their first championship 8 years later in 1910. Then others followed: Switzerland (1912), Luxembourg (1923), Spain (1929) and Italy (1930). The first competitions were more what a mountain bike rally is today. They would consist of leaving one point and arriving at another, after crossing fields, forests, hills and rivers. This was also called steeple chasing because the only thing that lead a rider to the next town was the sight of the church steeple in the distance. The first rider to pick-up the bike, carry it on the shoulder and run with greater agility was the winner of the 1910 Tour of France, Octave Lapize (Fra). Tragically this great French champion died during an air battle during World War 1. But Lapize's style was adopted by another rider, the original “eternal second” Eugene Christophe. The practice of carrying the bike on the shoulder served him well when in the 1913 Tour de France he had to run down most of the Col du Tourmalet with his broken bike in search of a forge. Cyclo-cross helped start a great Tour de France legend in 1915
Good stuff.
It's only the best type of racing like ever!!!! and stuff.
There are some good pictures on the web of the soldiers "training" on bikes, looks like a race if you ask me!!