Cyclo-cross season takes center stage

By Karen Kefauver

 Keith DeFiebre founder and race director of CCCX race series. Photo: contributed

Keith DeFiebre founder and race director of CCCX race series. Photo: contributed

If you like stomping through puddles, racing up short, steep hills, running through deep sandpits and leaping over knee-high hurdles—all while riding or carrying your bike—then cyclo-cross may be the sport for you.

Part mountain biking, part road cycling, cyclo-cross races last one hour, maximum, but deliver a lung-busting, leg-churning workout. Plus, during cyclo-cross races, the more rain, snow, ice and mud, the better.

“I love the intensity of the sport,” said professional racer Christine Vardaros, 45, who has  raced over 25 world cups and three world championships for the U.S.

“I especially love the feeling when I nail all the technical sections, whether it be nailing that perfect line through ankle-deep mud or sand, or executing perfect dismounts and remounts while on the rivet,” said Vardaros, a former Bay Area resident now living in Belgium.

 Christine Vardaros racing in Europe. Photo: Lesley Staes.

Christine Vardaros racing in Europe. Photo: Lesley Staes.

Cyclo-cross differs from other cycling races primarily because riders jump off their bikes and leap over various obstacles, both natural (logs, treacherous sections) and manmade (wooden barriers). Typically, a ‘cross racer will dismount and remount multiple times during each lap around a 1.5-mile course that combines paved sections with off-road portions. The cyclist who completes the most laps in a preset time wins the race.

“It’s a fast race,” said Keith DeFiebre, 48, who has been racing cyclo-cross for 23 years and is the founder and race director of the popular Central Coast Cyclo-cross (CCCX) race series based in Monterey County.

“I love that ‘cross covers all kinds of bike racing and condenses it into a short time span. I like the technicality of it,” said DeFiebre, a former pro downhill racer who says executing turns on tight corners is his specialty.

Cyclo-cross, commonly called “’cross,” originated in Europe as a way for road racers to stay in shape during the harsh winters. It attracts an NFL-size following, especially in Belgium and Denmark.
The sport continues to grow in the United States and has established strongholds in Northern California, the Pacific Northwest and the Northeast.

“I’ve definitely noticed the growth of the sport,” said race director DeFiebre. “It’s great that ‘cross legends still race, and at the same time, more women and kids are signing up.”

Although cyclo-cross races range from 30 minutes (beginners) to an hour (elite racers), it’s an all-out anaerobic endurance event that puts bike-handling skills to the test.

Kackie Cohen, of Santa Cruz , 46, first tried cyclo-cross last year. “I had a blast,” she said, of racing in the women’s masters division. “It’s fun and more like a circus than a bike race. Cyclo-cross is such a hoot. It’s so different than other bike races. There are lots of jokes, cowbells and beer.”

Another bonus for Cohen: “There are a ton of world champions that live in this
area. I can say I share a course with  them.”

Kackie Cohen, of Santa Cruz, racing through a sand pit. Photo: Contributed

Kackie Cohen, of Santa Cruz, racing through a sand pit. Photo: Contributed

Thanks to spectator-friendly courses, the spirited crowds that bellow like crazy just inches away from the racers, and the athletes who take the plunge, cyclo-cross races often attract crowds that end up feeling like one big crazy family.

Tips for beginners ready to tackle cyclo-cross? These tips will help!

Run. Include running in your training routine, especially speed and hill work. This will build your aerobic endurance and help you charge up steep hills, called “run-ups” in ‘cross-speak.
Pace yourself. While the races take less time than other endurance events, the intensity is high due to getting on and off the bike, clearing obstacles, running in bursts and pedaling fast. While seasoned racers literally sprint from the start line, instead, practice riding smoothly along the course, maintaining momentum.

Practice mount/dismount. To avoid having to come to a full stop every time you get off your bike, practice a “rolling dismount.” Coasting slowly on a flat surface, stand up on your pedals, swing your right leg back over the frame and bring it to the other side between the bike and your left foot. Unclip your left foot from the pedal and start running, right foot first. To remount, push the bike forward, grasping the handlebars with both hands, and in one motion, throw your right leg back over, hop onto the seat, and place both feet on the pedals simultaneously. Always dismount/remount on the left side to avoid contact with the chain ring.

Have a hydration plan. Cyclo-cross racers don’t have bottle holders on their bikes or wear hydration packs. These things can get in the way of hoisting the bike and add weight to the ride. ‘Cross races usually have “feed zones” where racers ride by and grab bottles from friends or teammates. They take a quick gulp, then toss them to the ground for someone to retrieve and refill for the next lap. Recruit a buddy to help you stay hydrated.

Watch, learn. Take a clinic. In ‘cross races you usually get a warm-up lap or two. Scope out a pro or more experienced racer and try to follow her or him. As you ride around the lap, notice what line the rider takes (choosing the most direct route is part of the strategy of ‘cross racing) and observe the dismounts/remounts. Many race series now offer clinics prior to the race to help beginners get the hang of it.

Walk the hills. Short but steep hills are standard features on ‘cross courses. Experienced cyclists will run up these inclines carrying their bikes, or even ride up them. If necessary, beginners should push the bike up the hills rather than carry it and walk rather than run.
Be considerate. In cyclo-cross you’re allowed to pass on the right and the left, unlike road races in which you have to keep left. So, call out “On your left!” or “On your right!” to signal that you’re about to pass. And if you’re being passed, try to yield by slowing down slightly and moving off to one side of the path.

Stay focused. With cyclists surrounding you and cheering crowds so close, it’s easy to get distracted. Keep your eye on the course to scan ahead for obstacles and riders who might stop abruptly in your path.

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For more information about cyclo-cross, visit usacycling.org.

See our calendar for upcoming cyclo-cross races here.

Or scroll down below image to see calendar list and links.

Tim Cannard digging deep on a muddy course.

Tim Cannard digging deep on a muddy course.

 

2014/2015 Race Schedule

Bay Area Super Prestige
BayAreaCX.com
Sept. 21 – Grand Prix Clark Natwick, CandleStick, #1
Nov. 8 – Sierra Point Night Cross, #2
Nov. 9 – Sierra Point Repechage, #3
Nov. 22 & 23 – CandleStick Point CX, #4 & 5
Dec. 7 – CCCP CycloCross, Coyote Point, #6
Dec. 13 – Season End & Raffle

Surf City Cyclocross
Cyclo-X.com
Oct. 26 – #1
Nov. 16 – #2
Nov. 30 – #3
Locations TBD

CCCX Central Coast
CCCXcycling.com
Oct. 11 – Toro Park, #1
Oct.  18 – Manzanita, #2
Dec. 21 – CSUMB, #3
Jan. 3 – Toro Park, #4
Jan. 18 – Fort Ord, Series Finale

Sacramento Cyclocross
SacCycloCross.com

Oct. 12 – Orangevale Park, #1
Oct. 19 – Maidu Park, #2
Nov. 2 – Lembi Park, #3
Nov. 15 – Gibson Ranch Park, #4
Dec. 7 – Miller Park, #5
Dec. 14 – Lange Twins Winery, #6
Jan. 4 – Mill View Ranch, #7
Jan. 17 – Historic Old Sacramento, #8
Jan. 18 – Yolo Brewing, Series Awards

Sagebrush Cyclocross
RenoCX.com
Oct.  4 –  Free CX Clinic
Oct. 4 – Hidden Valley
Oct. 5 – Truckee Bike Park
Oct. 25 – Mayors Park
Nov. 8 – Davis Creek
Nov. 22 – Clayton Middle School

NCCX – Lion of Fairfax
NCNCA.org
Oct. 12 – Fairfax

Santa Rosa Cup Series
BikeMonkey.net
Oct. 11 – First Baptist of Windsor
Oct. 19 – Place to Play
Nov. 1 – Maxwell Park, Sonoma

Sea Otter Classic Cyclocross
SeaOtterClassic.com
Apr. 16-19 – Laguna Seca

SoCal Cross Prestige
SoCalCross.org
Oct. 4 – Cross at the Beach, Long Beach
Oct. 18-19 – Legacy Cross & Angeles Forest Fondo, Pasadena
Oct. 25-26 – Spooky Kross Weekend, Orange County
Nov. 1-2 – Peloton Cross MOB Grinder Weekend, Ojai
Nov. 8 – Anza Crossing PB Jenson USA, Riverside
Nov. 15-16 – SLO Cross Weekend, SLO
Nov. 22-23 – CXLA Weekend at the Greek, Los Angeles
Nov. 30 – Turkey Trot Cross, Glendale
Dec. 13-14 – Series Finale, Santa Cross Weekend, Los Angeles
Dec. 28 – Cross Fever, Cross Into 2015, Woodland Hills
Jan. 4 – Cross Fever, Dam Cross, LA
Jan. 18 – Cross Fever Finale, Brea