The autumn joys of cyclo-cross

Almost everyone enjoys the change in seasons — it is nice to have some change in temperature and scenery as the vegetation grows, blossoms and then goes through the changes of autumn colour and into the stark winter months.

I definitely enjoy the changes we experience on the South Shore, from bright cool spring mornings to the sultry summer heat and then crisp fall days. With each of those seasons I often make a little change in the type of riding I am doing.

In the spring I can’t wait to get on my road bike after being inside on the trainer or on fat bikes through the winter.

There is nothing more exciting than a snappy, responsive road bike for a nice long spring ride.

Road and single-track mountain biking take precedence in our house during the summer, but in the fall we turn to cyclo-cross riding and get ready for our intense season of fall races.

Cyclo-cross is growing in popularity, but there are still many who are unfamiliar with this sport. It involves riding what looks like a modified road bike over grass, gravel, pavement, roots or rocks and then jumping over barriers and sometimes running up stairs or over other obstacles to ride as many laps possible during a timed interval.

The races are short but intense, as you ride a short loop for 45 minutes and then one final “bell lap” for the finale.

The wonderful thing about these races is how short they are. As opposed to a road race, which may be up to two or three hours, depending on your category, cyclo-cross races see all categories riding together for 45 minutes plus one lap for a total just under one hour for everyone.

Our family rides these races together — my son and husband are “in it for the win” but I am just “out there” having a ride — pushing myself for sure. But there are no aspirations of being on the podium for this woman.

“My boys” and friends ride by and I always appreciate their “hellos” and calls of encouragement, allowing me to gauge how I’m doing based on the number of times I see certain riders.

I try to improve my time as the season progresses from September to November and inevitably there are some courses that are more challenging than others.

But my ambition is to finish each race, not be injured and to be lapped not more than twice by my own family!

Cyclo-cross also shortened to “cross” races can also be ridden on a mountain bike, which is a great way to try out the sport and see how you enjoy it. Mountain bikes have the advantages of additional traction and suspension, but may be heavier to carry on run-ups, stairs or over barriers. Depending on the host of the race or series, mountain bikes may not be considered “equipment de rigour” and those riders may not be awarded points.

But if you are not concerned with competing, these are a great way to try the sport.

Bikes categorized as cross bikes traditionally do look like a drop-bar road bike with clearance for a larger volume, grippy tire. Over the last few years disc brakes have become very common for more consistent, powerful braking in wet, loose and steep conditions.

A flat bar road bike or hybrid that is more suited to road with a light-weight frame can also be fitted with grippy “cross” tires and will work very well too.

Whether you want to give cyclo-cross racing a try or just want to come out and see what all the excitement is about, you will have an opportunity with a local race hosted by O’Reagan’s Subaru Cycling Team at the MARC in Dayspring on Oct. 15 and 16 with a race on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. and one Sunday morning at 11 a.m. This is one of 11 scheduled races in the Nova Scotia Super Prestige (NSSP Cyco-Cross) Series this fall, hosted throughout central and south western Nova Scotia.

Even if you have no desire to race cyclo-cross, these bikes are super all-rounders for riding road, rail-trail or exploring double-track throughout the region. Stop into your local bike shop and see what the options are.