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Cyclocross Season Tips and Upcoming Schedule
By Haven Livingston
Itโs already that time of year, when cyclocross (or CX) racers turn their heads to the sky and get ready for the rain to fall. When it does, their wheels will be turning and the mud will be ๏ฌ ying. Though the tracks were dry for the ๏ฌ rst few events that kicked off the season, racers know there is still plenty of time to get muddy.
If the world of CX racing is foreign to you, it may look like a combination of mud wrestling and bike racing. But for those in the know, itโs a special breed of hardcore competitive fun and a good excuse to play outside, no matter what the weather.
โThere are times weโve had courses ๏ฌ ooded in many inches of water, but we just keep going,โ said Gene Redmon, race producer for Sacramento Cyclocross Series. Thatโs pretty much the M.O. of the sportโโjust keep goingโ. Whether itโs sand, mud, or obstacles, if you canโt ride it, you get off and carry your bike over it.
If youโve admired the ๏ฌlthy fun of this cardio-intensive sport, itโs time you joined the ranks, but before you go there are a few critical things you should know.
Elite cyclist Kathy Pruitt took up cyclocross a couple years ago when an injury prevented her from racing downhill. She learned things the hard way during her ๏ฌ rst races, and encourages others to do a little research before they take the plunge into CX.
Pruitt, who works at the Family Cycling Center in Santa Cruz, suggests checking out your local bike shops if youโre a newbie to the sport. There you can ask for advice, meet people who race, and start to learn the ropes. In the early season (September/ October) shops often hold clinics or can direct you to coaches for technical training, of which youโll need a lot! CX has its share of tricks and skills to learn, most of which have to do with mounting and dismounting your steed while continuing to make forward progress.
This is where Pruitt offers some personal advice. โWear a skin suit, not a jersey and shorts,โ she says. A jersey and shorts can get tangled in your bike as you carry it across obstacles. โYour jersey will end up at your nipples,โ Pruitt warns, โbut a skin suit is one piece and wonโt cause problems.โ
She also advises new racers to wear tall socks (so shoes wonโt ๏ฌ ll with mud or sand so easily). Clear glasses are also crucial for keeping the mud and debris out of your eyes.
Pruitt coaches for the Dirt Series, which is based out of Whistler, BC, but offers camps throughout the west. Participants are taught technical riding skills, and women-only camps are growing in popularity. โDonโt do things that make you scared on the bike,โ Pruitt says. โWait until you have the right set of skills and tricks to feel more con๏ฌ dent.โ
UPCOMING CYCLOCROSS RACES & SERIES
Here are some upcoming Cyclocross Races going on in different parts of the state. Keep your ear out for new races and check the websites for any updates or changes.
Bay Area Super Prestige Series
BayAreaCX.com
โข Oct. 21, Candlestick Repechage
โข Nov. 10, Sierra Point Night Race
โข Nov. 25, Golden Gate Park
โข Dec. 09, CCCP Coyote Point
Surf City Cyclocross Series
Cyclo-X.com
โข Oct. 28, Santa Cruz Halloween Classic (Race #1)
โข Nov. 18, Santa Cruz (Race #2)
โข Dec. 16, Santa Cruz (Race #3)
CCCX Central Coast Cyclocross Series
CCCXcycling.com
โข Oct. 7, Prunedale (Race #4)
โข Oct. 14, Prunedale (Race #5)
โข Dec. 2, Seaside (Race #6)
โข Dec. 30, Monterey (Race #7)
โข Jan. 6, Monterey (Series Final)
Sacramento Cyclocross Series
BicyclingEvents.com/SacCx
โข Oct. 7, Grass Valley (Race #2)
โข Oct. 21, Clarksburg (Race #3)
โข Nov. 3, Folsom (Race #4)
โข Nov. 4, Folsom (Race #5)
โข Nov. 18, Folsom (Race #6)
โข Dec. 9, Lone (Race #7)
โข Dec. 16, Wilton (Race #8)
Folsom Rodeo Cross
BicyclingEvents.com/FolsomRodeoCross
The only weekday nighttime race around! Race on a groovy lighted single track.
โข Wednesday evenings from Oct. 24-Dec. 12, 2012 At the Folsom Historic Rodeo Arena
Sagebrush Cyclocross Series
RenoRenoCX.com
โข Oct. 13, (Race #2)
โข Oct. 27, (Race #3)
โข Oct. 28, (Race #4)
Santa Rosa Cup Series
BikeMonkey.net
โข Oct. 27, Santa Rosa
โข Nov. 17, Sonoma County Fairgrounds
โข Dec. 15, TBD, but most likely Windsor Oaks Winery
El Dorado Hills 1st Annual Cyclocross
FolsomBike.com
โข Oct. 13, El Dorado Hills
Lion of Fairfax
NCNA.org
โข Oct. 20, FairfaxNCNCA /USA Cycling District
SoCal Cross Prestige Series
SoCalCross.org
โข Oct. 7, DTLA historic CYCLO-VIA!, Los Angeles
โข Oct. 13, Paci๏ฌ ca Crossfest, Camarillo
โข Oct. 20-21, UCI Spooky-Kross Weekend, Pomona
โข Oct. 27-28, San Diego CX Weekend, San Diego
โข Nov. 3, Redlands CX, Redlands
โข Nov. 4, Velocity Cross, Corona
โข Nov. 10, Storm the Beach, Oceanside
โข Nov. 11, SPY Cyclocross, Escondido
โข Nov. 25, Turkey Trot Cross, Glendale
โข Dec. 1-2, UCI CXLA Weekend: Cross After Dark Finale, Los Angeles
โข Dec. 8, Dirt Club CX, Los Olivos
โข Dec. 9, SLO Cross, San Luis Obispo
โข Dec. 15-16, Santa Cross Weekend, Los Angeles
โข Dec. 30, CX into 2013, Irvine
โข Jan. 6, Prestige Series Finale, Los Angeles
Sea Otter Classic Cyclocross
SeaOtterClassic.com
โข Apr. 19, Laguna Seca Recreation Area