Throughout my years of racing cyclocross, starting way back in U14 to now my final year in U23, I’ve seen the sport evolve and grow to become one of the most popular disciplines in the UK. Alongside that I’ve grown up too, and now with my upcoming 21st birthday, I'm starting to see how far I've come and how much I've changed since I first began riding around muddy fields 9 years ago. It’s been no smooth journey and, like everyone else, I’ve experienced a whole host of highs and lows along the way but as they say, when life gives you L’s make them into lessons. As a result, I’ve learnt quite a bit about cyclocross and well…myself. See below my reasons on ‘what makes CX so special?’. WHY CX?Pre-cursouring this information with the fact that I am very biased in these opinions and my favoritism for the discipline shows through. It's hard to whittle down your love for something, especially when there's so many aspects to it. I've managed to compile 5 reasons as to why I'm back racing again for the 9th year in a row.
2. Ability to constantly challenge your limits. Whether that's through skills or physical form, where the courses are always changing and adapting, you too, have to change and adapt to continue riding fast and smoothly. It’s not like a TT where only really the bikes get more advanced and you have to just make yourself faster. The courses in CX are always evolving and getting tougher, so in turn you have to keep up with the technicality of racing eg. bunny hopping or riding in the snow. The thing is, the best riders in the sport will always look for improvements they can make and ,like you and me, are always looking for challenges. CX is perfect because it provides consistently challenging conditions. I think that's why people such as Marianne Vos will continue to return to the sport. 3. CX is just quite simply chaos. There's nothing boring about it and that is what attracts me to it. I mean you are literally signing up to push yourself to the absolute limit and put your body through a lot of pain, it's giving everything for 1 hour. Especially when you race in Europe, they race CX on a different level. Crowds going crazy, cheering when you crash and cheering when you rail a rut. All you have to do to gauge perception of the sport, is try describing a CX race to a non-cyclist. Probably not the best conversation starter when trying to make new friends…It usually goes something along these lines: Friend - "What did you say you do again?" Me - "So, I ride basically a road bike but with small mtb tyres, and go as hard as I can around a cold muddy field for 1hr. Usually having to get on and off my bike carrying it, sometimes even clambering up steep banks on my hands and knees." Friend - "Right?.." Me - "Oh there's also sections where there are hurdles that you are forced to get off the bike for, but some people will ride them…" Friend - "Okay errmm?" Me - "There is an art to it though, like choosing the right tyres and deciding when to change bikes during the race. For instance if you crash and break the bike, you need to swap bikes before losing more positions." Friend - "I mean you do you, but you sound a little crazy!" 4. The CX community- cliche but appropriate. The cx scene is one of the only disciplines where you can mix serious racing with chilled vibes. This could just be my experience but most CX riders you will come across will be very relaxed people until the real racing begins. It's that ability to be able to switch on that hyperfocus when necessary. Everyone is best mates but as soon as the whistle blows, you’re enemies. Then all have a laugh post race, always wanting the best for each other whatever the results. I feel like this isn't just special friendships between people, it's all competitors, you could’ve spoken to a person once on the start line but by the end of the race be gassed that they got their first top 10 (even if they beat you!!). A key moment for me was at the 2021 National CX champs. I'd had my first mega ride of the season but a mechanical on the last half a lap, put me out of a podium spot. I crossed the finish line, obviously gutted, however a group of friends were waiting for me, ready to cheer me up. Although, as I struggled to get my bike working, I remember being so gutted to see them passing me but, 10 mins later, being so grateful to have them waiting at the end for me. 5. The Routine. There's a nice little routine I get into during the CX season since I end up racing most weekends and training in the dark, cold evenings. There's that constant cleaning of bikes but yet a frequent feeling of accomplishment after finishing some of the most intense training sessions you'll ever do. Throughout winter I've only ever done CX seasons, I've not yet experienced a winter of training long base hours on the road (and quite frankly happy I never have!). Usually, I get my strongest and fittest throughout the CX season and I put it down to the fact that I always have a goal to work towards. I find I plan my life in two week blocks and look ahead only to nearest events. There is always another race on the horizon; you race the same people and can track your progress easily, it keeps me focused and always striving to get stronger. Then by the end of the season, you and the team of people around you, work together like clockwork. It's a very satisfying feeling. There's so SO many more details I could get into here but quite frankly if you got this far and still haven't considered signing up for a CX race, well there's not much more I could do to persuade you! I wont sugar coat it completely though. It's easy to glamourise something you enjoy and quite often people watching in forget the gruelling training that goes on behind the scenes. CX is no easy feat when it comes to training, you've got to WANT to be a good racer; doing intervals in a muddy field, in -1 degrees at 8pm doesn't exactly appeal to anyone. Not only that but then the constant clean up of kit and continous packing/unpacking every weekend. It takes a lot of man power and willingness to commit to a full season, and as ever, I'm unbeliveably grateful for the support I get from my fam and team. As with any sport, competition also has it's highs and lows, sometimes you can feel on top of the world and loving every second. Other days, you seriously question "what the f are you doing?". The brain can play wonderful tricks on the body, training it is a whole other ball game… Come back soon to hear my thoughts and experiences on the psycological side of racing with 'What is being in "The Zone"?' Thanks for reading, Amy :) x A few post-CX race faces over the years...
1 Comment
Joshua Strong
12/11/2022 01:30:01 am
This was a lovely read Amy, thank you for sharing!
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