Cyclo-Cross

Cyclo-Cross is often referred to as the fastest-growing discipline of competitive cycling. It is a unique, non-Olympic discipline of cycling that can best de described as a cross between road cycling, mountain biking and steeplechase. Cyclo-cross originated as a sport for road racers during the off season, to vary their training during the cold months.

Races typically take place in the autumn and winter and consist of many laps of a 1-2 mile course featuring pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills and obstacles requiring the rider to dismount, carry the bike and remount in one motion. Races for senior categories are generally between 30 minutes and an hour long, the distance varying depending on the conditions. Riders begin in mass-start fashion and must navigate through both paved and off-road terrain, often times dismounting their bikes to hurdle barriers, climb steep hills or stairs, or traverse other obstacles.

Weather conditions aside, cyclo-cross racing is one of the most spectator-friendly disciplines of competitive cycling given the short, closed course, the fast pace, the unique equipment and the interesting obstacles the competitors are faced with. Also, with relatively few cyclo-cross specialists in the world, the discipline lends itself to road and mountain bike athletes alike as riders from both major disciplines compete on the cross circuit each year.