CYCLO CROSS

Practise key bike-handling skills and racing on every type of terrain imaginable

A mashup of road cycling and mountain biking, cyclo-cross has become one of the UK’s fastest growing sports. And if you’re looking to improve your bike-handling skills, if cyclo-cross doesn’t do it, nothing will. Because as well as becoming a master of mounting and dismounting while on the move, you’ll also encounter just about every type of terrain from tarmac, dirt and mud to grass and gravel. And with most races lasting between 30-45mins, it won’t even take up that much of your time. “I love it because it’s tough, challenging but most of all, good fun. It’s also something different to do in the off-season that keeps you fit but doesn’t hammer your legs,” says the 11 x Three Peaks Cyclocross Race champion, Rob Jebb.