The leave are changing colours, kids back to school, which means one thing: It\u2019s cyclocross time! If you haven\u2019t jumped into a \u2018cross race before, or feel a bit rusty, it\u2019s a good idea to practise a little. Cyclocross is a great activity to keep fit outside when the weather gets lousy. It\u2019s also a fantastic way to work on your technical skills, and even get a bit of running work in.<\/p>\n
Since it\u2019s a mix of riding, running, hopping and sliding, you\u2019ll need to hone up on what you need to be a star \u2018crosser. That means working on your dismounts, carving corners and working on your starts.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s some handy videos to help you work on your skills and prep for the races.<\/p>\n
1. Get better at your starts<\/p>\n
Cyclocross starts can be pretty hairy, so you definitely want to work at getting off the line fast. Here, Aaron Schooler of Focus CX Team Canada shows you how it\u2019s done.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
2. Working on your sand cornering<\/p>\n
Sure, not all races in Canada will be on the beach, but sand or thick mud can be tricky to find your line. Here, Schooler has some great tips on the tricky art of cornering on sand.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
3. Mastering sand in general<\/p>\n
Of course, some races will have sand or deep mud that make it a slog to get through. Here\u2019s some tips on how to make it through and even pass others.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
4. Ride in the office to\u2026get better at\u2026riding in the office<\/p>\n
Okay, this is maybe not the best idea and to be fair, the big boss wasn\u2019t there when this happened. But check out Canadian Cycling Magazine\u2019s \u2018Crosser-In-Chief put on a master class in indoor riding.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
5. Learn how far you can go in the corners<\/p>\n
The faster you go around the bends, the better, when it comes to \u2018cross. You can gain or lose a few seconds per curve depending on how far you push the limits. But in order to do so, you need to determine what those limits are!<\/p>\n