The most recent addition to my stable is a Ritchey Swiss Cross; my first cyclocross bike. After missing out on weekday trail-rides with some of my teammates during the off-season last year, I decided it was finally time to get in on the fun. And fun I have had. I'm just getting started in the world of CX, but I want to encourage everyone to give this niche (but rapidly growing in popularity) form of cycling a try. At this point, I've been riding the trails around Vancouver, but next season I plan on giving racing a shot. Even with my limited experience I'm fully convinced cyclocross is a worthy pursuit. Here are my five reasons why you should go out right now and buy a 'cross bike:
1. You can Mix it Up
I primarily train for road and track racing. The results in a lot of kilometers, riding the same roads, doing intervals at the same points in my rides, and when I'm at the velodrome, turning left. A lot. On a cyclocross bike, you can get out onto the local trails, with highly variable terrain, that can change day to day depending on the impact of the weather. You can ride hard, focus on bike handling and improve your anaerobic capacity on the short, steep climbs that you'll often find out in this terrain (at least in Vancouver and the surrounding area). It's the kind of riding that feels very different from what you are doing on the road, but will still benefit you as a road racer.
2. Your Bike Handling will Improve
I mentioned this above and its worth repeating. You know what happens when you are tearing through forest trails, skidding on gravel, losing traction in mud, bouncing off roots and fallen branches, reacting to obstacles out of blind corners, all while (respectfully) avoiding hikers and other trail users? You get good at staying upright and maintaining control of your bike. I find it's often the sub-genres of road riding and racing, like CX and track, the do the most to improve your bike handling skills when you are back on your road bike.
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| Not our Usual Training; a Racing Reds Weekday CX Ride |
3. You'll Stay Interested in Cycling During the Off-Season
After a long season of constant training and racing, I sometimes find it hard to even look at my road bike by late September/early October. Leaving the weary roads behind to ride though the beautiful forest trails in Vancouver is invigorating, doesn't feel like training, and keeps me riding while refreshing my interest in the bike during the short down-time between the end of road-season and the start of track-season.
4. It's Safer-ish
Hey, you're off the roads, out of traffic; no chance of getting hit by a car, right? Very true, and a big positive. Night riding trails full-out, over-riding your front-light and nearly flying off a cliff? Yeah, that sometimes happens too.
5. You'll Discover New Parts of your City
I've ridden the roads around Stanley Park and UBC so many times and I had absolutely no idea about the extensive trail networks both areas offer to CX riders. When you are riding those trails, you don't even feel like you are in the city anymore; you're in the wilderness, just you and your bike. I haven't even begun to explore the extensive trails on the North Shore, I can't wait!
Bonus Reason: Oh Yeah, the Brutal, Brutal Racing!
At this point, I've mainly focused riding and training in forest trails. And, really, that largely due to the fact that I got my bike just as our local CX race season was wrapping-up for the yearn. Though trail-riding, in itself, is enough to recommend trying out a cyclocross bike (who wouldn't want to do what is essentially some really fast cross-country mountain biking!), there is all that racing still to do too. As I said, I haven't raced yet. But I will. And it will hurt. It will hurt really badly. I can't wait.
