Cyclocross is the Best

OK, Road, Mountain, Track and Multi Sport are coming to the finish lines of their seasons so I can say this because in a month or so there is no more competition...Cyclocross is the Best! I have raced them all and each discipline has it's allure, but there is something magical about the time of year when the leaves fall, and the days get shorter. For most of the country it is football season and Baseball is entering the penant (Go Mariners!!!) but for those of us who have experienced the fun and challenge of two skinny tires with no shocks on all kinds of terrain with a few 15 inch high barriers thrown in...it is definetly CROSS SEASON!!!

This time of year we always do 3-5 beginning cyclocross classes called Cross 101. We can do it for any group of 4 or more people who want to learn, and our weekend classes usually have 12+ people in them. We spend 2 hours teaching you everything you need to know to get started with Cross, and then give you a free coupon to try a race in the Seattle series. The reasons I tell everyone that cyclocross is the best way to get into bike racing are:

1. It is you against the course, no drafting or team stuff to deal with
2. You become a better bike handler and it makes everything else (except Mountain biking) seem easy. You won't believe how confident you feel when you get back on the road after doing some cross racing.
3. Friendly and fun atmosphere. Cross draws all types and most people do it go get ready for something else or just to keep their fitness into the winter, so unless you are elite (and even then) it is good natured fun.
4. You will laugh at yourself! Flailing is mandatory since there are all kinds of different courses. I remember watching the pro's in Portland at nationals for two winters. The course was muddy and it wasn't IF you would fall, it was how many times and how quickly could you get going again. See point #2 and be ready to feel like a kid again.
5. The races are short (30 minute for beginnners and 60 minutes for elite) and there are many different divisions for Masters, intermediates and beginners.
6. Free kids racing in the middle of the day. My 4 year old has been doing it for 2 years! At first we just pushed him around on his trike, now he is "ripping" it up on his Redline and really looking forward to it. There are 3 or so different groups of kids ages 2-12, really flat and short for the little ones with the bigger kids doing a lap or 2 of the adult course.

OK, I could go on, but you get the picture. Come try cross, or at least come out and watch one...speaking of which, we will have a tent at the first big race of the year Starcrossed Sept. 22nd all afternoon and evening. http://www.hagensbermancycling.com/starcrossedcx/Come by and say hi or have a beer in the beer garden and watch the great racing. You gotta try it!

Seattle Series information is here: http://seattlecyclocross.com/

Spin to win,

Coach Craig

Cyclocrossin NW Style!

Weeeerrrrrrrrreeeee Baaaaaaaaaaack!

That's right, last night was the first cross practice of the season and 30 brave soul's buckled up for 2 hours of fun in the dirt and sand. The weather was overcast and fall like, which made it all the more sweet!

As a bonus we had 3 tons of sand brought in so our Cross Campers could work on their squirly sand skills to prepare for South SeaTac's opening race on Labor day http://www.ascracing.org and subsequent Seattle Series forays into the deep thick quick-sand of Southie http://www.seattlecyclocross.com Practice makes perfect.

What a great time of year, I always mark it by the arrival of the blue angels, which means it is time to go buy a new pair of running shoes and get busy!

Here's to Cyclocross in your eye and a great season of suffering.

Coach Craig