Today I attempted my very first cyclocross race! What is Cyclocross you ask? Courtesy of Wikipedia:
Cyclo-cross (Cyclocross, CX, cyclo-X or 'cross) is a form of bicycle racing. Races take place in the autumn and winter, and consists of many laps of a short (1.5–2 mile) course featuring pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills and obstacles requiring the rider to quickly dismount, carry the bike whilst navigating the obstruction and remount in one graceful motion. Races are generally between 40 minutes to an hour long, with the distance varying depending on the ground conditions. The sport is strongest in the traditional road cycling countries such as Belgium (and Flanders in particular), The Netherlands and the Czech Republic .
Cyclo-cross bicycles are similar to racing bicycles: lightweight, with narrow tires and drop handlebars. However, they also share characteristics with mountain bicycles in that they utilize knobby tread tires for traction, and cantilever style brakes for clearance needed due to muddy conditions. They have to be lightweight because competitors need to carry their bicycle to overcome barriers or slopes too steep to climb in the saddle. The sight of competitors struggling up a muddy slope with bicycles on their shoulders is the classic image of the sport, although unridable sections are generally a very small fraction of the race distance.
Compared with other forms of cycle racing, tactics are fairly straightforward, and the emphasis is on the rider's aerobic endurance and bike-handling skills.
A cyclo-cross rider is allowed to change bicycles and receive mechanical assistance during a race. While the rider is on the course gumming up one bicycle with mud, his or her pit crew can work quickly to clean, repair and oil the spares. Having a mechanic in the "pits" is more common for professional cyclo-cross racers. The average cyclo-cross racer might have a family member or friend holding their spare bike.
One final cross-unique aspect is cowbells. Cowbells are used to cheer on the racers as they race up the hills, over barriers, and around the turns. So, if you've ever seen the SNL skit with Will Ferrell and Christopher Walken, you understand the sentiment for "More Cowbell!"
Okay, now onto my race report. It was awesome to sleep in until 8am and simply get on my bike to ride to a race! What a different concept! It was about 3 miles across town to get to the Armed Forces Retirement Center in NE DC, where the first ever cross race in the District took place. It was hosted by the DC City Bikes Mountain Bike team, and a review of the course is on their DCMTB blog.
I arrived really early, met up with Marisa Peacock and Kimberlee Wendell, fellow Bellas, and we headed off to pre-ride the course. Oh, perhaps I get ahead of myself. First let me tell you that prior to riding the bike around the 2-mile loop, I'd been on the bike for a total of 40 minutes since picking it up at Conte's after they built it. Yup, have never raced this bike, have never even taken it for a group ride! It has completely different tires, pedal clips, shoes, shifters, brakes than any of my other bikes! So much for "nothing new on race day!"
But, I seemed to be doing okay on the 3 practice loops, except getting clipped back into the pedals was slowing me down a bit. Anyway, the three Bella's started the race together, all middle of the pack, dueling it out as to who was leading, but after two laps it became pretty clear that Kimberlee was going to be strongest, followed by me, with Marisa shortly behind. It was a great cris-crossy course, so we could pass and encourage each other often. I had a total blast! I was dying, my average heartrate was at 176, and I felt like puking at the end of the race, but you could not get the grin off my face! What fun!
So, Kimberlee finished in 9th, me 10th, and Marisa 11th place. Here are the rest of the race results. It was great to have so many Bellas together racing!
Anyway, after the race, I decided to take my new bike for a proper ride, and went downtown to the finish of the Marine Corps Marathon, but unfortunately just missed my boss (the Admiral) finish his first marathon in about 5:20! Way to go!
Time to go start practicing.....
