September sees the start of the Cyclo-cross season with many season long League events starting in the next couple of weeks.
Cyclocross, or cross, is a skill-building workout but also a lot of fun. The beauty is how the riders gracefully flow from bike to road, and then effortlessly back on the bike again, making the transitions look much easier than they are. Along with the seasonal change comes a few issues with the weather and as a result you gain high-level bike handling skills in all conditions. You will learn more about cornering your bike in one season of cross than three on the road.
If you are a Road, Track, Triathlon or MTB racer looking to improve your racing ability, cross is perhaps the easiest way to improve your technical skills, keep intensity in your training in the off-season and have a great time in all kinds of weather on your bike.
What is Cyclocross?
Cyclocross races are 30 - 60 minutes on 1-2-mile lap courses on a combination of dirt and pavement and include some running and getting on and off the bike to get over barriers or run up hills. Cyclocross is a great cross-training supplement and easy to fit into your winter schedule because the races are short and held, rain or shine, on nearly every weekend from September to February.
Cyclocross develops a number of skills, including descending, technical transitions, accelerations, running, cornering, time trialling and explosive starts.
If you are a beginning rider, expect cyclocross to develop your power and stamina while working on your cornering and descending skills. You will also get a great cross training workout with the running and lifting of the bike.
For intermediate riders, cross will maintain anaerobic conditioning, train upper-body and running muscles and take your time trialling to the next level.
For elite racers, cyclocross is the place to hone high-speed transitions with agility, develop further handling skills and get that short, hard power training that is difficult to maintain in the off-season.
The Notts & Derby Cyclo-cross League (NDCXL) sponsored by SRAM.
The SRAM NDCXL offers cyclo-cross racing across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, to men and women, youngsters, veterans, champions and beginners.
http://www.ndcxl.org.uk/events.html
West Midlands Cyclo-Cross League in 2010/11 is sponsored by Cult Racing and comprises of 10 events starting with Round 1 at Pitcher Oak Woods, Bromsgrove Road, Redditch on 19th September 2009.
http://www.wmccl.co.uk/events.asp
Rugby Velo are organising a 3 event mini series on a Wednesday nights starting on 1st September followed by 8th & 15th September.
Venue - St. Andrews Rugby Club
Ashlawn Road (B4429)
Rugby
CV22 5ET
Mid week training sessions
If you own an off-road bike and fancy trying something different this winter, why not come along to 60 minute quality skills session.
First session is on Tuesday 23.9.10
Time > 7.00pm
Venue > Rear of Market Harborough Leisure Centre.
The sessions are designed to ensure that everyone has fun, improves their bike handling skills and maintains fitness.
For further advice contact:: Dean Barnett - deanbarnettuk@yahoo.com
