Cyclo-what?
SPORTS enthusiasts are a creative lot. There is always something new to explore, another challenge to conquer, and a perfect reason to buy the latest gear. That’s an admission coming from a self-confessed bike enthusiast. It’s amazing how many ingenious ways have been found to turn traditional cycling into a multi-faceted sports adventure. Take cyclocross, for example.
What exactly is cyclocross? It is similar to triathlon and duathlon in the sense that it mixes multiple athletic endeavors, namely riding and running, but with a strong emphasis on skillful bike handling. In fact, bike handling skills for top road cyclists are built through cyclocross. It is a shorter but exponentially a more intense competition. Typical races last from 30 minutes to 1 hour in a course that is from one to two kms long. Spectators get to see a lot of cycling, running, and jumping.
Historically, cyclocross isn’t all that novel. It had its first National Championship Competition in 1902, thanks to the efforts of Daniel Gousseau, a soldier, who organized the first French National Championship Cyclocross race. Extremely popular in Europe, it was the winter cross training for cyclists who needed to keep in shape and to hone their bicycle handling skills. Cyclocross races before was popularly called “steeple chasing,” as the church steeples would serve as landmarks when cyclists rode towards the next town, usually through fields. Forced dismounts and jumping over obstacles were essential, and cyclists had to repeatedly dismount, and remount their bikes, and maneuver over and around obstacles on the way to the finish line in the next town.
Last December 10, the Philippines had its first taste of what’s it’s like to join a cyclocross race. Cyclists had to bike, jump, and bunnyhop around a 1.4-km course. It was a high-intensity race where competitors had to do two additional laps after the 20-minute warning bell rang. In the technical course, competitors had to be on full throttle the whole time.
On the less competitive side, one can actually use a cyclocross bike to help lessen the traffic congestion in Metro Manila. Cyclocross bikes, with bigger tires, shorter seatstays, higher bottom bracket, and a more upright riding position than a regular road bike, are more comfortable to use when commuting to and from work or meets nearby.
Sounds like it’s worth a try, right? But cyclocross is fast emerging as the better option for those who want to spice up their usual cycling habit but are unable to get into the grueling training required for duathlon and triathlon. You get the competitive rush, the kick for adventure, and afterwards, cowbells, hecklers, and ice-cold beer waiting!