Everyone has had experiences that turned out totally different to how you imagined it. Cross is not one of those things – it is exactly as fun as everyone says it is. Don’t be me – don’t say “I’ll do it next season”. Get a bike, any bike, and get thee to the park. You will NOT regret it. If you want proof, look at the numbers, they get 60, 70 even 100+ riders in each grade at times, all ages, abilities and genders. It’s bonkers, and it’s awesome.
I’ve raced MTB, Road, Track and Time Trial for over 30 years, but in 2021 I popped my CX Cherry at Huttcross.
Here’s what I learnt, in no order as a newbie.
1. You shall need to dismount and run a lot – Get good at it
It gets really muddy. Sometimes there’s no traction. So figure out the fastest way for YOU to dismount, run, and remount. Practice it many, many times at the park. Watch how pros do it and copy them.
2. Gear – CX Bikes are WAY better
Plenty of people race cross on MTB. I did my first CX races on an MTB. It sucked. They get clogged with mud and super heavy. You have NO IDEA how insanely heavy a mud clogged MTB is when you have to hoist it on your shoulder and run up a stop bank. Cross bikes are designed for mud, with better clearance, 33mm tyres that bike through mud and remain lighter. Be my guest and try on an MTB if you like, but remember if you get a proper bike, your experience will be 100% more fun.
My bike. It’s a vintage Yeti with cantilever brakes and I love her. Her name is ‘Jenna’.
3. Family – It really is fun for everyone
I don’t know why, but cycling disciplines have different vibes. Road: Angst. Nerves. Shouty – MTB: Fake Relaxed, secretly competitive – Time Trial & Track: All Focus. No Discussion – Triathletes: Still Angry at their parents. Cross is like that party you threw in 7th form when the all the cool kids showed up, it got wild and you and Linda Davidson made out in the broom closet. There’s fun and a place for everyone. I coach disabled riders, kids, fast guys and they all have giant fun.
4. Bike Handling
Handling is to Cross as tactics are to road racing. Fitness is necessary, but not sufficient for success. Find a muddy park and set up some obstacles. Scope out some off cambers, run ups and steep ride ups. Practice many, many times. If I wrote an ‘Art of War’ type book for cycling it would begin with a simple statement. “IF YOU WANT TO GET GOOD AT SOMETHING, PRACTICE IT OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER…”
5. Rules
CX Has its own rules and lots of fun made up stuff like hand ups. For reasons I don’t fully understand, spectators will occasionally offer cash money or beer on certain sections. You grab it. Spectator heckling is loud and encouraged. You are on your final lap when the front runner is on theirs. That’s about all I’ve got.
-Steve.
