Cross Training With Cyclocross

The sun is setting on the 2013 triathlon season. There are some great races still to come. This weekend many people are headed to Gulf Shores for Team Magic’s Brett Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathlon . Scottsboro Tri Club is hosting the 13th annual Frantic Frog at Goosepond Colony. A few Vulcan Tri members are headed to further destinations for Ironman Wisconsin and The Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Las Vegas. From now until November there are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy the sport of triathlon. 

 

What are your plans for the off season? I hope your answer doesn’t involve a sofa, a turkey and a beer! Last year many triathletes including myself took to the mud and a discipline of cycling called Cyclocross as a way to keep our fitness up and have fun. I had no idea what I was getting in to, but it looked like a blast. My personal description of  the Belgian born sport goes like this: Fall is the traditional season for Cyclocross. The season typically runs from late September through December. Riders complete short laps over a 45 minute to 1 hour time period in a carnival style atmosphere. A racer may encounter some friendly heckling, cow bells, beer-ups, mud, sand pits and short barriers. Doesn’t that sound like fun?!

 

A cyclocross bike looks similar to a road bike, but has knobby tires and lower gearing. The bikes have some other subtle differences such as a higher bottom bracket, more compact frame and sturdier. Racing does not require having a cyclocross bike. Many people race with mountain bikes and even hybrid bikes with knobby tires. The atmosphere is solely about having fun with a little competitive edge. 

 

 

 

This year the cyclocross season for the Birmingham region has expanded with Team Magic jumping on board and hosting 5 additional races on the calendar. The full season of races is hosted by BamaCrossTeam Momentum and Bici Coop offering a total of 15 races. There are plenty of opportunities to come out and join in the fun or just heckle from the sidelines. Bring your cow bell and a lawn chair for a full day of festivities!