AMB’S TOP ’CROSS TIPS

Dress for the occasion. It’s normal for everyone in every grade to rock a skinsuit at a cyclocross race, so if you’ve fantasised about donning a shiny skin-tight Lycra onesie, now’s your chance.

Practice some basic skills.

Almost every ’cross race features barriers, so practise your flying dismount, bike carry and remount before you turn up to an event.

The bike carry is key. Try gripping your bike in different places: the top tube, the seat tube, and

through the frame, to work out the easiest way to heft your rig.

Ask around. CX bikes are pretty common these days and a friend might let you to borrow one temporarily if you’re keen for a race and don’t have your own.

Think about tyre pressure. If you’re on a ‘cross bike, ride the course before you settle on a pressure, which might be around 30psi. If you’re on a mountain bike, experiment with slightly firmer and lower pressures than normal for the different conditions.