How do I fit in Cyclocross?

Other than because of the beer.

The 2014–2015 cyclocross season will be very exciting in Austin, TX. Cyclocross racing is on the rise across the United States, but this season’s USA National Championship will be in Austin attracting riders from all levels and genres to this particular style of bike racing. The season just kicked off last weekend and participation was off the charts, featuring the biggest fields in any race in Texas. The combination of roadies, mountain bikers and hipsters makes for a great party.

Even my wife, a long time tri-athlete is joining the cyclocross bandwagon.

A couple of weeks ago I was explaining cyclocross to a friend and the different crowds that come together and participate in the festivities. He asked me.. “So, how do you fit?” I’ve rode a road bike for a few years now, thanks to my wife, but I would not be what you call a roadie, I had never raced a bike. I’m not a mountain biker, although I purchased my first mountain bike at the beginning of this year and now have done a handful of races. But, I find it too high risk as trees keep attacking me in the middle of the trails. I definitely do not ride a fixie (or single speed), I’m not inked, have piercings or fit in skinny jeans (really, I’ve tried it doesn’t matter what size, my thighs are too big).

Cyclocross was my first exposure to competitive cycling. It all started in Winter 2012 as my wife finished her triathlon season I started thinking that I wanted to have something similar. A competitive season that I can prepare for, challenge myself and a way to keep the body going as I was getting a bit too sedentary and the weight was adding on. Austin is big in triathlons, but I don’t swim and I mostly hate running. I did completed one tri, but that’s another story. There are also many opportunities for long endurance riding and I had already done a Gran Fondo in Miami, but I felt like training for those long events take so much time that it would diminish the fun. I’ve had seen some flyers about cyclocross around town and after some research, finding out that the races last 30 to 60 minutes and reading about the party atmosphere I figured why not. Just one problem: the season was basically over.

In January 2013, I bought a brand new Felt CX bike at a deep discount and had nothing to do with it until the Fall. In October 2013, I was introduced to cyclocross at the Austin’s Six Shooter race and I was hooked. It was the longest 30 minutes I’ve ever experienced… since then, I’ve lived through longer 30 minutes. On my first season I experienced racing in the heat 100+, in the cold (35 degrees Texas cold, not New England cold), in the rain, in the mud, in loose dirt, grass, sand, stairs, hills, etc. I’ve fallen more than normal, I’ve broken the bike more that I thought it could be done, and I’ve spent plenty in little upgrades. Still, I find myself looking forward to the next race and I’m not sure why… it is not like I fit in.

What I really like about cyclocross is that I’m not very good at it. I’m usually in the back of the pack, I’m skittish on technical areas, I’m a bit bigger than most wearing a speed suit, I hate cantilever brakes, don’t really trust my tires and well, this shit is really really hard. But, it challenges me more than anything else I’ve done in my personal or professional career. Every time I practice, ride and race I get reminded of that challenge and I always figure out one more little part of the puzzle. Although I am ultra competitive in life, my goal in cyclocross is not to ‘cat up’ or win every race, but really to show myself that I can struggle with something make progress and eventually be successful.

Last weekend was a year since I started racing cyclocross and I like to think that I’m better than when I started, but I also know I have tons to go. That’s how I fit in cyclocross, I rejoice on those 30 to 60 minutes bringing me back to reality, slapping me in the face and humbling me, but at the end it smiles and tells me ‘congrats you finished…’ and I keep paying for more. You can call it therapy.

Oh, and the beer, I really like beer.