Cyclocross: A race like no other

For reasons unfathomable to me, cycling has never really caught on in this country. Television ratings for cycling events barely top a late-night screening of Ernest Goes to Camp.

Granted, thanks to the recent success of American riders (one in particular), there has been more interest recently. But the fact remains that Americans view cycling as a "slow" sport, opting for the quick clash of football helmets or high-scoring basketball action or even the cheek-clinching drama of ... golf?

There is one brand of cycling, though, that should silence all but the rowdiest of armchair quarterbacks. It's a fast-paced half-breed known as cyclocross. Cyclists in this all-out sport explode from the sound of the gun. Dirtier than late-autumn football, with more hops than playoff basketball, cyclocross has all the elements, including the drama, to keep any sports fan on the edge of their sofa. But the coverage is still limited, so the best way to truly experience the action is to head out and see -- or better yet compete in -- a cyclocross race.

Cyclocross basics

The races in cyclocross start with an every-man-woman-and-child-for-themselves sprint before the course narrows, forcing the field of competitors to jockey for position. Then come the obstacles. Racers have to dismount, shoulder-sling their bikes and hop, skip and jump over a series of low barriers set up throughout the route. What's more exciting than that? Golf? Please. Yet this microculture remains on the fringe of the already tiny American cycling subculture.

Combining elements of road cycling, mountain biking and even cross-country running, cyclocross creates a race like no other. United States Cycling Federation rules dictate that the race be held over varying terrain, which means that courses include roads, country paths, open fields and even stairs sometimes. Add in the obstacles, sometimes six per lap in a race lasting under an hour, and you have an intense and ever-changing sport.

'Cross bikes and racing

Because the sport is a mix of different kinds of cycling, so is the bike. At first glance it seems to be just like a road bike with drop handlebars and relatively skinny tires. But those tires have knobs on them. The frame is different too: higher off the ground for more clearance and with more room between the wheels and the frame, again for increased clearance from debris. Light like a road bike, but beefier like a mountain bike, this Frankenstein of two-wheeled fun is in a class all by itself.

The mud slinging of cyclocross starts in the fall, just about the time the ground gets good and saturated, ensuring a high slop factor. Also, races are often turned into brew-soaked, music and camping weekend festivals that can be as much fun for the fans as it is for the competitors. Maybe more so. Because the course often winds around like a snake, 'cross races make for some of the best viewing of any cycling events.

'Cross training

The next step is training. Preparing for cyclocross isn't just logging a bunch of miles in the saddle. You obviously do need to be in good cycling shape, but the races are short and the training should reflect that. There are also those pesky barriers to deal with. That means running. Not long distances, but you can't loaf in cyclocross, so adding some quick, intense, possibly hill-running, can be beneficial to anyone wanting to compete. Twenty- to 30-minute runs should suffice.

So here you are in first-rate cycling shape, you've got a few miles in your running sneakers, but you still have to know how to quickly and constantly hop off and on your bike. Practice the dis/remount. Adroit bike handling is of great value considering the terrain: mud, wet grass, dirt paths, etc. And don't worry about looking silly hopping to and fro and up and down in public while practicing. People are already looking at you. You're wearing tights, remember?

Cyclocross may never have legions of screaming fans, but for racers, it's a short, intense way to end a long mountain- or road-cycling season. For spectators, the sport offers constant action and friendly atmosphere and a great way to spend a crisp, autumn day. Here's the best part -- you're still home in time to catch that Ernest movie on cable.