
A cyclo-cross racer carrying his bicycle up a steep slope. Cyclo-cross has some obvious parallels with mountain bike
racing, cross-country cycling and criterium racing. Many of the best
cyclo-cross riders cross train in other cycling disciplines. However,
cyclo-cross has reached a size and popularity that racers are specialists and
many never race anything but cyclo-cross races[citation needed]. Cyclo-cross
bicycles are similar to racing bicycles: lightweight, with narrow tires and
drop handlebars. However, they also share characteristics with mountain
bicycles in that they utilize knobby tread tires for traction, and cantilever
style brakes for clearance needed due to muddy conditions. They have to be
lightweight because competitors need to carry their bicycle to overcome barriers
or slopes too steep to climb in the saddle. The sight of competitors struggling
up a muddy slope with bicycles on their shoulders is the classic image of the
sport, although unridable sections are generally a very small fraction of the
race distance.
Compared with other forms of cycle racing, tactics are
fairly straightforward, and the emphasis is on the rider's aerobic endurance
and bike-handling skills. Drafting, where cyclists form a line with the lead
cyclist pedaling harder while reducing the wind resistance for other riders, is
of much less importance than in road racing where average speeds are much
higher than in cyclo-cross.
A cyclo-cross rider is allowed to change bicycles and
receive mechanical assistance during a race. While the rider is on the course
gumming up one bicycle with mud, his or her pit crew can work quickly to clean,
repair and oil the spares. Having a mechanic in the "pits" is more
common for professional cycl
o-cross racers. The average cyclo-cross racer might
have a family member or friend holding their spare bike.
There are many stories about the origins of cyclo-cross. One
is that European road racers in the early 1900s would race each other to the
next town over from them and that they were allowed to cut through farmer's
fields, over fences or take any other shortcuts in order to make it to the next
town first. This was sometimes called steeple chase as the only visible
landmark in the next town was often the steeple. This was a way for them to
stay in shape during the winter months and put a twist on road racing. In
addition, riding off road in more difficult conditions than smooth pavement
increased the intensity at which the cyclists were riding and improved their
on-the-road bike handling abilities. Forced running sections, or portage, were
incorporated to help deliver warm blood to the feet and toes, as well as
exercise other groups of muscles. Daniel Gousseau of France is credited as
having inspired the first cyclo-cross races and organizing the first French
National Championship in 1902.[3] Géo Lefèvre, the originator of the idea for
the Tour de France, also played a key role in the early days of the sport.[4]
After Octave Lapize attributed his win in the 1910 Tour de
France to his off season training in cyclo-cross[5] the sport began to spread
to countries bordering France. Belgium organized its first National
Championship in 1910, Switzerland did so in 1912, then Luxembourg in 1923,
Spain in 1929 and Italy in 1930.
Cyclo-cross proved itself as a sport extending beyond the
boundaries of France when in 1924 the first international race, Le Critérium
International de Cross-Country Cyclo-Pédestre, was held in Paris.[5]
Like many international cycle sports, CX is administered by
the Union Cycliste Internationale; although it wasn't until the 1940s, around
40 years after cyclo-cross' inception, that the UCI began its regulation and
the first world championship was held in Paris in 1950.[5]
Cyclo-cross began to become popular in the US in the 1970s
and in 1975 the first race was held in New England but the first US National
Championship was held in Berkeley, CA. The Surf City race series held in Santa
Cruz, CA holds a lot of history of cyclo-cross in the US. The sport has
experienced a growth in popularity in the US since the mid 90s[6] and now the
northwest hosts some of the largest events in the country.[citation needed]
Racing seasons
Cyclocross is typically an Autumn and Winter sport, the
northern hemisphere season running from September to February. The World
Championships take place in late January. The Canada and US national
championships are held in November and December, with little racing after that
except in the climates of the Southern and Western United States like
California.
Riders' age categories for cyclocross under UCI rules are
currently determined by their age on the 1 January which lies in the middle of
the international season, i.e. they compete in the same category that they
would be in for the following road season.
Equipment
Bicycles
Main article: Cyclo-cross bicycle
Cyclo-cross bicycles roughly resemble road racing bicycles.
The major differences between the two are that cyclo-cross frames have wider
clearances, knobby tires, cantilever brakes, and lower gears. A rear brake
cable routed on the upper right side of the top tube allows the rider to carry
the bike on the right shoulder through portage sections. Popular on many
cyclocross bikes is routing the brakes opposite that of a classic road bike,
meaning the right brake is often the front brake. This is done because a
majority of your stopping power comes from the front brake, and many people use
the right brake more often then the left brake. As a high-end bicycle
purpose-built for a specific sport competition, they also differ from ordinary
cross bikes, which are general-purpose utility bikes fitted with slightly wider
700C tires for use on unpaved paths or trails.
Cyclo-cross bike design and frame geometry has varied over
the years. For example, a heightened bottom bracket was typical 10+ years ago;
now many cyclo-cross-specific frames do not have elevated bottom brackets. Many
cyclo-cross bicycles are set up with a single chainring and chain
"drop" guards. A single chainring allows for a tighter chainline,
thus reducing the chance of the chain coming off on a bumpy course. People that
do run a double chain-ring set up on their bicycles generally use a 38-46
gearing.
Clothing
Clothing is similar to that of road racing. However, since
cyclo-cross is a cold-weather sport there is an emphasis toward warmer clothing
such as long sleeves, tights, knickers and arm and leg warmers. In the warmer
races there is a very strong preference for skinsuits for maximizing freedom of
movement. The other advantage of skinsuits is that they are tighter, preventing
the jersey from getting caught on stray tree branches during some singletrack
sections of the race course. Mountain bike shoes are adopted, as they allow the
competitors to run, unlike their road racing counterparts and their degree of
traction (compared to smooth bottoms found on road racing shoes). Toe studs are
used to aid in running up steep muddy slopes and in the adverse underfoot
conditions.
Courses
Races almost universally consist of many laps over a short
course, ending when a time limit is reached rather than after a specific number
of laps or certain distance; the canonical length for senior events is one
hour. Generally each lap is around 2.5-3.5 km and is 90% rideable. Races run
under UCI rules must have courses that are always at least 3 m wide to
encourage passing at any opportunity, however sections of singletrack are
common for small races in the USA and Great Britain. A variety of terrain is
typical, ranging from roads to paths with short steep climbs, off camber
sections, lots of corners and, a defining feature, sections where the rider may
need, or would be best advised to dismount and run whilst carrying the bike.
Under-tire conditions include asphalt, hardpack dirt, grass, mud and sand. In
comparison to cross-country mountain bike events, terrain is smoother. Less
emphasis is put on negotiating rough or even rocky ground with more stress on
increased speed and negotiating different types of technical challenges.
Each section of the course typically lasts no longer than a
handful of seconds. For example long climbs are avoided in favour of short,
sharp inclines. Sections are generally linked together, or long straights
broken up, with tight corners. This not only allows a standard length course to
fit in a relatively small area, but also forces competitors to constantly
change speed and effort. Accelerating out of corners, then having to decelerate
for the next before accelerating again is a common theme.

Cyclocross racers take on two barriers and a run-up at Ludwig's Corner in Pennsylvania.
Obstacles that force a rider to dismount and run with their
bike or to "bunny hop" include banks too steep to ride up, steps,
sand pits and plank barriers. Besides the start/finish area, these obstacles
may be placed anywhere on the course that the race director desires. Several
race directors have tried to limit bunny hopping by placing barriers in pairs
or in triple (although under UCI rule no more than two barriers can appear in
succession), however this hasn't stopped some of the best bunny-hoppers from
getting over them. The regulation height for a barrier is 40 cm although this
is treated as a maximum at smaller events. Plank barriers seem to be more
common in the US than in Europe and UCI regulations only permit one section of
them on the course.
Since outside assistance is allowed, pits are included to
provide a consistent area for this to occur. A pit to the right of the course
is normal since most riders dismount to their left. In larger events a separate
pit lane is featured so only those wishing a new bike or other assistance need
enter the lane (this type was debuted at the Zeddam, Netherlands World Cup of
January 1999). In some cases pits are provided in two different parts of the
course.
An exception to this short course format include the Three
Peaks Cyclo-Cross, a 61 km single lap race held annually in Yorkshire.
Cyclocross racers take on two barriers and a run-up at
Ludwig's Corner in Pennsylvania.
Technique
Although courses are less technical than those of mountain
biking, the particular obstacles require specific technical abilities of their
competitors. Steps, barriers, ditches, stairs, steep slopes and deep mud or
sand require running while carrying the bicycle. This approach was invented by
Octave Lapize and proven by Eugène Christophe who in 1913 had to carry his
broken bike down the Tourmalet during the Tour de France[original research?].
Although this sounds simple, doing so in the middle of a quick-paced race is
difficult. Being able to dismount, pick up the bike, put it back down and
remount smoothly and quickly without losing any speed requires practice and
skill. However, the best cyclo-cross racers in the world, and some top-level
local competitors, make it seem effortless[clarification needed].
A more recent development to overcome obstacles such as barriers
and sometimes ditches is the bunnyhop, which came to prominence in 1989 when
Danny De Bie used it in his successful World Championship run. Bunny hopping
has become less popular as a result of race directors seeking to limit its use
by setting up two or three barriers in a row. Skilled riders are still able to
hop the obstacles, despite the back to back to back barriers. Today Sven Nys,
an ex-BMX racer, demonstrates the importance of technical skills as he
continues to dominate the sport.