Monday, September 14, 2009

9 Reasons Why You Should Try Cyclocross

By Gale Bernhardt


The sport of cyclocross, also known as 'cross, cyclo-x and CX, is a sport that is a combination of criterium-style bike racing and steeplechase-style running.


It is usually a multi-lap format race lasting 30 to 60 minutes, which includes obstacles where riders must dismount and carry their bicycles uphill, over or under barriers and through mud bogs. Adoring fans are happiest when riders attempt to ride through the mud rather than dismounting.


Because 'cross is held in the fall and early winter months, southern latitude courses enjoy wet conditions, while northern courses can be covered with snow. The best riders seek messy and challenging courses.


Most of the time, there is more riding than running on any given course. This minimizes the time and potential for injury for cyclists looking to go from primarily cycling to including some running in their training regimen.


Still not convinced you should try cyclocross racing? Maybe I can help. Below are nine reasons you should take up 'cross:


1. A mental break from road or mountain bike racing. Many riders begin racing their “normal” cycling season in March or April, with a few beginning in January and February. By the time September rolls around, some riders are tired of their normal training and racing routine. A new training routine and race challenge can keep riders motivated and fit right up to the holiday season.


2. A physical change. Yes, I know that 'cross includes cycling, but it is a different type of cycling than road racing, time trialing, criteriums or mountain bike racing. If you have been primarily doing cycling-only workouts, a change of activity can be the adjustment you need to take your body to a new level of fitness.


3. Ease into running. Because cyclocross includes short segments of running, an athlete that is primarily cycling can begin limited run-training and do well in the sport. Additionally, if the cyclist wants to continue more running after the season, 'cross is a nice start to a running program that includes more distance.


4. A whole body workout. Jumping off your bike, lifting it up and getting yourself over various obstacles is going to require core strength and upper-body strength that is much more demanding than required in road racing.


5. A balance challenge. Similar to mountain biking, 'cross racing requires balance. You need balance to ride on muddy trails, to run over obstacles with your bike on your shoulder and to quickly remount. Body awareness and balance are critical for short-term athletic performance as well as long-term health. Loss of balance is one cause of falling and broken bones in aging adults.


6. Achieving fitness outside of the frontal plane. Particularly in road riding, most of the body motion is forward, with hips, knees and ankles aligned. There is very limited stimulus of adduction (movement of limbs toward the centerline of the body) and abduction (movement of limbs away from the centerline of the body).


Getting on and off the bike, running side to side, jumping over obstacles and doing all of the other motions necessary to complete a 'cross race stimulates more muscles than does typical road racing. Mountain bike racers enjoy more overall body fitness than roadies, but in most cases 'cross racing requires more running and jumping than a typical mountain bike race.


By giving more fitness to multiple muscles—often the supporting muscles—this fitness can help prevent injury. When properly blended into a training program, this cross-training can increase primary-sport fitness.


7. High-intensity training. Because 'cross races are so short, athletes who have focused on long-distance events can reduce volume and increase speed. Additionally, racers that have typically not had the time to train for long-distance events can shine in the shorter races.


8. New equipment. For you equipment junkies out there, a different sport is perfect justification to purchase some new sport-specific equipment. Though you could use your mountain or road bike for 'cross racing, a 'cross-specific bike set-up would be better.
Cyclocross bikes usually have lightweight frames to make them easy to carry over obstacles. The frame has wider stays to provide clearance for wide, knobby tires and mud that is picked up from the course. Traditional road brakes are replaced by cantilever brakes for better stopping power. The frame's bottom bracket is higher for additional clearance over obstacles and for pedaling around corners.


9. Fun. All of the items previously mentioned add up to fun. It’s fun to do something different, shorter and 10-year-oldish. Doing a 'cross-type race can make you feel like a kid again, and there are certainly advantages to doing that.

26 comments:

oakleyses said...

oakley sunglasses, louis vuitton outlet, gucci outlet, michael kors outlet, louis vuitton outlet stores, burberry outlet, coach factory outlet, air max, oakley sunglasses cheap, michael kors outlet, tiffany and co, michael kors outlet, coach outlet, polo ralph lauren outlet, louis vuitton outlet, ray ban sunglasses, louboutin, prada handbags, true religion jeans, polo ralph lauren outlet, christian louboutin shoes, ray ban sunglasses, nike free, air max, longchamp outlet, louis vuitton handbags, michael kors outlet, michael kors outlet, prada outlet, michael kors outlet, louboutin, longchamp handbags, burberry outlet, jordan shoes, kate spade outlet, coach outlet store online, coach purses, nike shoes, oakley sunglasses, louis vuitton, louboutin outlet, true religion jeans, chanel handbags, kate spade handbags, tory burch outlet, longchamp handbags, tiffany and co

oakleyses said...

canada goose, thomas sabo, canada goose uk, hollister clothing store, pandora charms, parajumpers, juicy couture outlet, canada goose, pandora charms, juicy couture outlet, iphone 6 cases, hollister, toms shoes, moncler, timberland boots, rolex watches, moncler, karen millen, moncler, hollister, vans, louis vuitton, moncler, coach outlet store online, wedding dresses, supra shoes, moncler, converse, links of london, ugg, moncler, montre homme, gucci, converse shoes, swarovski crystal, air max, oakley, air max, ralph lauren, louboutin, swarovski, ugg, moncler outlet, ray ban, lancel, pandora jewelry, baseball bats

chenlina said...

chenlina20150921
mcm handbags
nike sb
air max
abercrombie and fitch
fake oakley sunglasses
adidas shoes
cheap oakleys
gucci shoes
nike blazer
ugg outlet
ralph lauren outlet
vans shoes
pandora bracelets
mont blanc pens
fitflops sale clearance
timberland uk
ghd hair straighteners
fitflop uk
giuseppe zanotti sneakers
louboutin
toms wedges
new balance outlet
rolex watches
prada
kate spade uk
hollister co
pandora jewelry
adidas shoes uk
timberland boots uk
nike roshe runs
adidas superstars
ghd
cheap oakley sunglasses
uggs on sale
air max 90
replica watches
nike air huarache
cheap jerseys
hermes uk
christian louboutin outlet

xjd7410@gmail.com said...

20150930 junda
Abercrombie & Fitch Factory Outlet
Abercrombie T-Shirts
canada goose outlet online
coach factory outlet online
Wholesale Authentic Designer Handbags
Oakley Vault Outlet Store Online
Louis Vuitton Handbags Discount Off
nike trainers
michael kors outlet
coach factory outlet
cheap toms shoes
Michael Kors Outlet Online Mall
Coach Factory Outlet Online Sale
michael kors uk
Abercrombie And Fitch Kids Online
louis vuitton
true religion jeans
cheap jordan shoes
Louis Vuitton Handbags Official Site
Mont Blanc Legend And Mountain Pen Discount
cheap uggs
tory burch outlet
ugg boots
coach outlet
Michael Kors Handbags Huge Off
Hollister uk
michael kors handbags
louis vuitton outlet
uggs australia
Discount Ray Ban Polarized Sunglasses

gelo said...

If you love betting then visit at at http://arenabetting.com and become one of gamblers all over the country and receive some bonuses. We also give tips on how to play especially for newbies.agen ibcbet

Unknown said...

ray-ban sunglasses
true religion jeans
michael kors factory outlet
mont blanc pens
uggs outlet
ugg boots
mcm outlet
ralph lauren outlet
longchamp outlet
cheap mlb jerseys
moncler outlet store
michael kors outlet store
rolex watches
new balance outlet
louis vuitton outlet clearance
michael kors outlet online
ugg outlet
christian louboutin outlet
fitflops sale
michael kors outlet
ugg boots
michael kors outlet
rolex watches
michael kors outlet
coach outlet canada
mulberry bags
hermes birkin
ugg boots clearance
air jordan shoes
michael kors handbags outlet
louis vuitton
chaussure louboutin
juicy couture tracksuit
uggs outlet
chanyuan0908

chenmeinv0 said...

ugg canada
true religion outlet
cheap oakley sunglasses
hermes bags
louboutin shoes
ray ban glasses
canada goose outlet
coach factory outlet
canada goose outlet
louis vuitton handbags
201612.17chenjinyan

Unknown said...

Kristi, what can you recall from christian louboutin shoes the first meeting against the Packers as far as NFL Nike Cowboys #4 Dak Prescott Jerseys Aaron Rodgers' demeanor goes? He just didn't look like himself in that Christian Louboutin Women Flat loss to the Cowboys and was missing throws he 2017 nfl super bowl jerseys normally makes christian louboutin men flat in his sleep. Scales: christian louboutin Panettone spiked leather wallet Something happened Week 6 at Lambeau Field 2017 Nike NFL Por Bowl AFC New England Patriots #12 Brady Red Jerseys that I never thought would happen 2017 Nike NFL Por Bowl NFC Green Bay Packers #12 Rodgers Blue Jerseys in Green Bay: Packers fans booed their wholesale nfl jerseys offense and Aaron Rodgers. It was fits-and-starts for the offense that day, with some missed targets. But to boo one of the greatest players louboutin outlet in the history nfl jerseys store of the game? We'll have to ask Troy Aikman how that must feel. Yes, Rodgers can usually make those throws christian louboutin uk in his sleep. And I'm not cheap nfl jerseys sure he's missed that many throws during the 7-game win streak

Unknown said...

fitflops sale clearance
gucci outlet
louis vuitton outlet
los angeles lakers jerseys
basketball shoes
gucci outlet
michael kors outlet clearance
tiffany and co
hollister clothing
true religion outlet
20170218lck

شركة ابادة حشرات said...

للقضاء علي الحشرات نهائيا من منزليك عليك بطلب خدمات شركة ابادة حشرات الموجوده في مصر و اذا اردت منع ظهورها من البداية فعليك بالاستعانة بخدمات افضل شركة مكافحة حشرات بمصر لمنع ظهور الحشرات تماما

شركة حراسات خاصة said...

شركة الحارس الخاص من كبري شركات تقديم خدمات حراسات امنية بمصر فلديها جميع المقومات لتجعلها افضل شركة امن و حراسة في مصر

chenmeinv0 said...

coach outlet canada
michael kors bags
mlb jerseys
pandora charms
ray ban sunglasses
true religion jeans
ysl handbags
nike air max 2016
cheap jordan shoes
ray ban wayfarer
2017.4.26xukaimin

صيانة said...

يتم العمل في مراكز صيانة جليم جاز تحت اشراف من توكيل جليم جاز المعتمد الموجوده بالجمهورية لخدمة مستخدمي اجهزة جليم جاز

Unknown said...

nike shoes outlet
true religion jeans
nike basketball shoes
skechers factory outlet
nike shoes outlet
ed hardy clothing
michael kors outlet clearance
coach outlet store online
nike outlet
fitflop shoes

maintenanceg said...


للحفاظ على اجهزتك من التلف عليك صيانتها في مكان متخصص فنحن في
توكيل ويرلبول لدينا متخصصين في الصيانه وقطع غيار اصلية من صيانه ويرلبول ولدينا خدمات لطلبات الصيانه من خلال رقم صيانه ويرلبول المعتمد موقعنا الالكتروني:

http://www.maintenanceg.com/Whirlpool-Center-Agent-Egypt.html

chenmeinv0 said...

wedding dresses
air max
nike outlet
new balance
ralph lauren
balenciaga shoes
nike air
burberry outlet
michael kors
longchamp
2018.4.4xukaimin

jjjjjjjjjjjjj said...

asics running shoes
oakleys sunglasses
yeezy boost
caterpillar boots
michael kors outlet
longchamp outlet
nike air max
adidas nmd
yeezy boost 500
jordan 11 retro

Unknown said...

20180716 xiaoou
tag heuer watches
michael kors outlet online
christian louboutin shoes
alife clothing
uggs outlet
valentino shoes
cheap ray ban sunglasses
cheap nhl jerseys
pandora outlet
supra shoes sale

Unknown said...

tiffany jewelry
new balance sandals
air jordan 3
tory burch
versace clothing
ray ban
ray bans
adidas shoes
prada
nhl jerseys
20188.7wengdongdong

Unknown said...

true religion
mizuno running shoes
ray ban sunglasses
ferragamo handbags
jimmy choo shoes
kate spade uk
10 deep clothing
rolex watches
burberry sunglasses
nike kyrie 4
20188.30huangliyue

Unknown said...

breguet watches
longchamp outlet
longchamp handbags
victoria's secret outlet
ralph lauren outlet
adidas outlet store
supreme uk
yeezy shoes
jordan pas cher
stan smith
20189.22chenjinbei

Unknown said...

nike mercurial
hogan
karen millen
polo ralph lauren
burberry outlet
michael kors outlet
louboutin pas cher
asics gel lyte
abercrombie and fitch
louboutin pas cher
2018.11.01zhouyanhua

alat pemotong kerupuk said...

toko mesin,
kios mesin,
toko bunga jogja,
toko bunga jogja,
florist jogja,
toko bunga di jogja,
toko bunga murah jogja,
jogja florist,
toko bunga jogja 24 jam,
hand bouquet murah di jogja,

cara menggugurkan kandungan said...

cool, please guidance so that I can create a blog like yours

abigailuna said...

Cyclocross is a thrilling cycling experience with challenging terrains, mud, and obstacles. It cultivates versatile skills, blending speed, agility, and strategy. The camaraderie creates a vibrant community, making each race a social celebration. Cyclocross offers a refreshing twist on traditional pursuits. Abogado de Invadiendo del Condado Essex

Pooja Essentials for Chaturthi said...

gets exited to try cyclocross!!!!