The Asheville Bicycle Racing Club

Cyclo-cross Racing & Training

Cyclocross racing was, traditionally, a means for European road racers to keep fitness through the fall and winter when the weather turned cold and wet. It has become, arguably, the fastest growing discipline in cycling. Amateur races in the US can draw hundreds of racers in places such as North Carolina and Tennessee, thousands of racers in hotbeds like New England and Oregon, and tens of thousands of paying fans in Belgium.

Matt Willing competing at the 2009 NCCX Grand Prix

Cyclocross races are typically held in venues such as parks or abandoned golf courses where the surface terrain can vary between grass, pavement, dirt, gravel, sand, and, of course, mud. Depending on the category, races run 30 to 60 minutes. Courses vary in length from one to three miles and incorporate numerous technical obstacles: turns, off-camber slopes, steep inclines, stairs, and 40cm tall hurdles that (usually) force the racer to quickly dismount and remount the bicycle. Multiple laps, fast pace, and varied terrain make for very spectator friendly affairs.

Equipment is mostly commonly a cyclocross specific bicycle; however, mountain bikes (sans bar-ends) are permitted. The cyclocross bike looks very similar to a road bike, including drop bars and 700c wheels, but is constructed to accommodate cantilever brakes and larger, knobby tires.

The Western North Carolina based cyclocross racer is blessed with racing opportunities every weekend from mid-September to mid-December, typically all within a 2-3 hour drive. The North Carolina Cyclocross Series (NCCX) is nine races long including the North Carolina Grand Prix—the only UCI sanctioned cyclocross racing in the Southeast. They also promote the four race Winter Cup held each January. Across the border in Tennessee, Mud, Sweat, & Gears hosts six races in Bristol, Kingsport, and Johnson City. Local and low-key, Renaissance Bicycles along with the cooperation of ABRC and NCCX, brings us the Wednesday Night Cyclocross training series in the early weeks of the cyclocross season.

Training basics

First, work a program of running into your schedule. Try adding a short run after an evening ride, especially as the receding sunsets are shortening your rides. The ride will give you a great warm-up, and the run will extend your workout a while longer. A run of 15-20 minutes is good; up hills is even better. Also set up some obstacles in your driveway or on a lawn and practice dismounts and remounts. The hardest part is getting used to carrying your momentum into a dismount -- at first feels very unnatural to be pedaling one moment, then sprinting on foot the next. Take it easy at first and learn to keep your balance as you increase speed. Work on your skills and try a race -- and have fun!

2010 Club Racing Members Roster

Follow this link to see the 2010 Club racing members (only) roster. For further information or corrections please contact .