Cyclocross racing exciting, challenging, unique

By Patrick Wigley
Special to Score!

On Nov. 13, Anniston’s own Marty Mitchell traveled to Atlanta, Ga., to participate in his first ever cyclocross race.

The course was approximately 1.8 miles with three dismount areas that included two 14-inch high barriers, a 5-foot deep drainage ditch and a short steep hill.

In each different scenario racers were required to dismount their bicycles and carry or push them over or through the obstacles as fast and efficiently as possible, remount the bicycle and continue racing.

Mitchell’s category raced for 45 minutes and then was required to do one lap more after the time limit expired.

All totaled, Mitchell did six laps in approximately 45 minutes and placed a respectable 18th of 24 racers in his category. More importantly, he actually enjoyed this new-found type of bicycle racing.

Having raced several mountain bike racers over a span of 10 years or so this was Mitchell’s first attempt at this type of racing, and according to him, he is now hooked.

When asked how cyclocross racing compared to mountain bike racing Mitchell says that there are many similarities, but there are also some very big differences in equipment and technique.

Unlike my first experience with cyclocross racing, Mitchell said he was not very nervous about what to expect because he was not trying to win but was doing it for a new cycling experience.

“During the other races and while warming up, I just watched how the other racers were dismounting and negotiating the barriers, and I just tried to do what they were doing, ” he said.

“I tried not to make it too hard on myself because I was getting overwhelmed with information from you (me, the author) as well as other racers.”

Because you can race a mountain bike in cyclocross races (without barends) it does not necessarily require the purchase of a cyclocross-specific bike (unless you really get hooked) but Mitchell found out very quickly the advantage of using narrow tires as opposed to wide aggressively treaded mountain bike tires.

Narrower tires equal less rolling resistance which equals better top-end speeds. Another thing Mitchell liked about cyclocross was that you can see the racers at just about every point on the course as opposed to losing sight of them in trees when mountain biking or around the corners in a road or Criterium race (like Anniston’s own Sunny King Criterium).

From a spectator’s perspective this makes the race much more enjoyable to watch for the same reasons.

So what exactly is cyclocross?

Historically speaking, it began as a way for European road racers to break up the monotony of long, boring, cold training rides during the winter months before the birth of mountain bikes.

Racers would clean out their “spare bicycle parts” and assemble bikes that they did not mind getting dirty and abusing. By using these types of spare parts they would feel at ease to take the bicycles off smooth pavement and onto hard-packed dirt roads, grassy fields and rough pavement that normally would be avoided during normal road rides.

Back roads are not always cleared, and in many cases, racers would have to portage their bikes over whatever obstacle was in the way, be it a downed tree, water crossing, mud, short steep hills, etc.

As with any other sport, before too long somebody had to go faster than their buddy and so the race was born.

The sport has come a long way since its inception and to this day is not as popular as road or mountain biking, but for the cycling enthusiast, it is something that should be tried at least once.

My personal experience with cyclocross came just last winter after racing many different types of bicycle races over the past 12 years.

I found that it can be as intense as you want it to be, but even at an easy pace, by the time the race at any level is 75 percent completed, you are so tired that you can hardly stir up enough energy to get on and off of your bike during the dismount portions.

When my races are over I have a bittersweet feeling every time. I feel like my heart is going to pound out of my chest; I can hardly breathe; but wow, what an accomplishment.

If you’re interested in this type of racing or recreational-type riding stop in to your local bike shop and ask. If you’re interested in actually racing or watching a cyclocross, the Alabama State Cyclocross championships will be held in Trussville on Dec. 10.

If you are interested in participating in a mock race and mini clinic please e-mail Patrick Wigley at and if enough interest is there we will host both.

Patrick Wigley, owner of Wig’s Wheels, is a member of the Northeast Alabama Cycling Club and is an active racer and cycling enthusiast.