Cyclocross: A Racing Sport Targeting Spectators

What is this sport, cyclocross? It is bike racing at its very best. Cyclocross ('cross for short) fever is spreading throughout the country at breakneck speed, much like the races themselves. This sport mixes the best of road cycling, mountain biking, and an obstacle course all rolled up into an intense, fast race. If you've ever been a spectator at a bike race, you may have felt a little bored. Courses are spread out over a wide area, and you may get a chance to see athletes speed by just once, twice if you're lucky. With 'cross, the course are much tighter with several excellent vantage points for viewing action. At many races, the courses are so tightly constructed spectators scurry from viewing area to viewing area to see the maximum amount of action.

The idea behind cyclocross is that you race your bike on a closed course as fast as possible. The course can consist of several surfaces: paved road, grass, dirt, and mud. Barriers are constructed for competitors to leap over, bike over shoulder. These barriers are often placed on steep hills where, after a swift dismount, the cyclist hoists the bike over his or her shoulder, leaps over the barrier, runs up a hill, remounts and pedals away. This sport's season is autumn, and lapses into downright hostile weather. Cold temperatures, rain, sleet, even snow do not stop racers from slogging on.