I'll try my best in my reply here to convince you that the answer is a resounding YES! You need to race cyclocross.
Blue sections below are from the original blog post by Jenna Wright:
Enter cyclocross. Really. Like I want to enter cyclocross events. It's perfect. The fun of charging toward deliberate obstacles smacks of the reckless joys of my childhood when I was never without my bike. Let's devise wild and wicked courses to test our bravery! Yes, let's! Let's push ourselves to the point of giddy, well-earned exhaustion. Let's race towards the mud like mad geniuses of physics. Wait--people still do this? I'll admit to being nervous about running, er--riding, with a field of fitter, fearless wonders, but I'm game. So how do I get started?
That's exactly what I asked superbrain and wildly weird cyclocross maven (and complete enabler) Jen Murphy. (You must go read her blog, but not before you finish mine, because I eked it out while sick and kids were shouting at me for more gummie snacks) Per usual, I've joined forums and peeked at gear and prices. But I want more. I need the dirty details. How much is it going to cost to feed my soul? So here we go...
You might think this is what the sport is all about, but....ok, no seriously, this totally hits the nail on the head. I think you were meant to do this. Sometimes when I am suffering very badly mid-race, I ask myself "why am I doing this again?" Your description is exactly why! Also, don't assume everyone is fitter or more fearless than you. You can race yourself into shape, and a little fear is what makes this so addictive anyway.
I need a bike. How much should I have set aside for a decent starter bike? What type of frame? Any components I'll want to change out sooner rather than later? I'm also between sizes--my problem with bike number one--so do I want to size down for control? Give up and buy new trail-running shoes?
Put the trail running shoes down!
There are lots of "wants" that some of us think are "needs" in this sport, but in all actuality you only really NEED three things: bike, shoes, helmet. Heckin' heck - you don't even need fancy shoes either if that's gonna hold you back, just leave on the flat pedals and make sure your sneakers are double knotted. You don't want to eat it when you've dismounted - bike in the air - about to leap over a barrier. Mmmm...teeth embedded in the barriers, that's a nice mental picture. Are you supposed to put teeth in a cup of milk when you transport them to the dentist, or is that just an old wives tale? I am getting sidetracked. Anyway...that being said, you probs want to pick up some cx./trail shoes if you can. These are going to have aggressive tread on the bottom to allow you to get some traction, they are not like your husband's SIDI carbon road shoes. You can put on cleats and use them with clipless pedals. You can get what you need for $100-150, maybe less if you want to hunt for bargains. I have used the same pair in that price range for 2 seasons. I've replaced parts to keep them going.
You do need a bike! More important than what components the bike has, or what it is made of, you need to make sure the bike fits you. I opted for a slightly smaller frame for racing, as it it a bit snappier when I need to maneuver. I think you'd do well to try the same. You'll want to pick up a cyclocross specific frame, which has a higher bottom bracket (so you can clear obstacles and such) and burlier brakes (discs or cantilevers) than any road bike you've ever ridden. Aluminum w/ a carbon fork is a good start! That's what I am racing. If you have the $$$ and want to splurge, pick up a full carbon steed. They're lighter and you'll eventually want to go down that path like every other one of us addicts. I hope to get to there soon. Just know that a heavier aluminum bike goes downhill faster, so it does have one advantage at least. I gots downhill GAME. Plus I can crash it, scratch it etc and not feel as guilty.
I'd suggest you find something with mid-level Shimano or SRAM components. You're probably looking at Shimano 105 or SRAM Rival. Your husband likes SRAM stuff so will probably influence you in that regard. Shifting is mostly a preference thing - if you are not used to one or the other, you might not have a preference yet. It's worth trying to see what you like better. Also keep in mind that as you accumulate extra gear, you'll want it to be compatible. For example, if your bike has thru axles, you're going to eventually want at least a spare set of wheels and those must also be thru axle. Think about what gear your husband has that you could use. Does he have quick release wheels that you could use on the trainer for warm-up before a race? If you get a bike that is compatible, you can steal his stuff! Bonus!
Let's say I have this bike, see, and I want to know how to maintain it. When I rode horses, it was a source of pride how well-kept your horse was. I did everything. I'm not so mechanically-inclined. Actually, I have no idea. I actually think I could be. So how do I learn everything I need to know from flats to bar tape and when to call the shop? I'd ask my husband, but he's already 100 miles up the road...
There is a lot you can learn to do yourself, and it is easier than you think! You will get very far with keeping your bike clean, knowing how to inflate the tires, and cleaning/lubing the drivetrain. I would be more than happy to show you how to do the basics! I am on the Steering Committee for the She Rides Seacoast group, and we are putting multiple basic bike maintenance dates on the calendar, free for women to attend & learn. Check out our facebook page or google calendar to see when more events like these are coming up, either sponsored by us or our local bike shops! Also, here is a blog post on bike maintenance I wrote for the She Rides women's blog to get you started.
I like to shop, but my husband always jokes that I can't shop outside of clearance sections. He's right (don't tell him), so how will I know which equipment is okay to bargain-shop and on which gear I need to spend spend spend? Is my husband lying when he says the expensive Sidi's in his online shopping cart are better than the brand that was on sale and that he has to pay more for the helmet that matches his kit? I need to know.
CX can cost as much as you want it to. You will find yourself getting sucked in and feeling like you "need" more things. Truth be told, these things you obtain will make your life easier and extra clothes (kit) will make you more comfortable especially in the cold wind, mud & snow. Spend money on comfortable shoes and a new helmet esp. if yours is more than 3-5 yrs old. Get the basic pieces of kit you'll need to stay comfortable. The season will start out on the warmer side, so you'll be out in short sleeves, but as soon as Fall roars in, you'll need those arm warmers, fleece lined longsleeve jersey, tights, wool socks, warmer gloves & wind/waterproof warm-up jacket. Not gonna lie, trying to buy this gear all at once can seem overwhelmingly expensive! If you make friends with folks already doing this crazy sport, you may be able to borrow some things or inherit hand-me-downs that work just great (my friend gave me 3 pairs of tights this year!) Also, check out our next She Rides Seacoast social event in February - a gear swap! The premise of this event is, bring your old gear and take some "new to you" gear that someone else isn't using. No money exchanged - and if you don't have anything to bring to the table, please still come! We want our old gear going to local women who will use it - we don't want to just put it in a donation bin.
Make sure to save some money for the following:
-Bikereg fees to register for races
-Gas to drive to races
-Food (you'll be hungry doing this sport)
-Bike repairs @ your local bike shop
Do I need a license to be this cool? Are there some events that are just for kicks and some that are for points? Where should a gal start? I'm a big joiner! Just check out the "clubs and activities" section of my old yearbooks. It would be embarrassing if I wasn't proud. Oh, and what is the "season?"
Actually....you DO need a license! You will need a racing license through USA Cycling (USAC). If you are wondering if you'll stick with the sport, you can buy a one day license at the venue or online for $10, and if you just want to jump on board and commit, buy a yearly racing license for $70. They'll let you apply the 1 day fee towards a yearly license, I believe, if you do get hooked after your first race.
There are some events that are larger than others, all USAC sanctioned races offer upgrade points - which are dependent on how many people started in your race, and what place you finished in. I have never gotten any upgrade points so I'm not super concerned about this aspect of racing at this point in my life, but some basic guidelines for upgrade points awarded can be found here. You will have points assigned to you, depending on where you've finished in your last 5 races, and these are the points I'm concerned about. These points will govern which row you start in at the races. The better you do, the less points you are awarded. Think of it like golf! You can get a head start by signing up at crossresults.com. This is also where photographers will post links to rad photos that they take at the races. You will spend a lot of time on crossresults.com.
I think the best way to get started is to come by and check out a cx practice session held by our local bike shops! These will likely start up in the August timeframe. Gus' Bike Shop has a great practice course at the Rye Airfield (just sign a waiver the first time you show up!) and Colonial Bicycle Company has put together a nice course at Stratham Hill Park. Those two are great local places to practice & to meet people! You can also sign up for camps held around New England. I would highly suggest the Cycle-Smart Cyclocross camp weekend out in Western MA in early August. No matter what skill level you are at, you will learn a lot about proper technique.
The official season runs from September through December, with Nationals taking place in January. You won't want to miss the great local races we have here early in the season, including Sucker Brook (Auburn, NH) and White Park (Concord, NH). Don't miss Orchard Cross at Applecrest Farm Orchards!! If you go to bikereg.com and search the New England area for Cyclocross events, you'll see what's coming up. Some bigger events, where the pros come for UCI point, include KMC Cross Festival at the Thompson Motor Speedway in Thompson CT, Craft GP of Gloucester at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester MA, and the Northamption International Cyclocross Race at Look Park in Northampton, MA. These are biiiig races, food trucks, pros, and likely bigger starting fields for each category. My first race was Sucker Brook, and my second was Gloucester. I can't tell you how surprised I was at the difference in scale, not knowing how the two were any different when I signed up. My advice is experience everything you can and soak it all in your first year!
I'm...a bit..less fit than I was prior to gestating all my perfect children, so how fit is fit enough? Is there a routine that's more beneficial than another? An area to target? (Please don't say core...please don't say core...please don't say core...) You are going to say core. I sensed a disturbance in the force. Okay, so core and what else? Pilates is the devil so I'm sure I need to do even more of it. Yoga is like candy, so please tell me I can have more of that. That's strength and flexibility, what about endurance? I'm sure you've done well when you feel like your lungs are exiting through your mouth because you were really really pushing yourself, but I want to have enough stamina to make it through the entire race before collapsing, triumphant that I survived. Smiling, even, because this is wicked amounts of fun. So what do you suggest? I'll start right away.
Cyclocross is an explosive sport. You can be in great shape, but still not ready for the explosive bursts of sprinting and running up hills that you'll encounter in a race. Honestly, I ride a lot, and the first race of the season is still a shock to my system. Just use the races as practice for more races. You can race yourself into shape!
Of course core is important, but that being said, it's always something I fail at doing enough of. Strength training in the winter, then lots of riding come springtime, will help you form the base you need. Yoga is great! Stretching / flexibility / mobility will help you stay limber with those dismounts / remounts and getting your legs high up over the barriers! No matter what I try, I still feel like my lungs are going to exit through my mouth every time. It doesn't get easier, you just get faster. I'd do some intervals - warm up and then do some sprint intervals where you go all out - recover, rinse repeat. It will get you to a good starting place for race season! This sport is wicked fun, but if you are racing your heart out, you will feel like you want to throw up at the end every time!
What is the culture like? Every activity has it's own culture. I used to ride horses cross-country (alternate universe cyclocross for horses? Also, how you know I am brave as heck--go watch some videos on YouTube) and there were spoken and unspoken rules and traditions and even ways of showing your individuality within the cultural mores. So tell me what you know. These could be my people.
The New England Cyclocross (NECX) scene is friendly, weird & awesome - just like an alternate universe cyclocross for horses. People race hard, but also don't like to take themselves too seriously. I'll just reference this here blog post for a snapshot of everything that is great about cyclocross - specifically the single speed CX race (SSCX) at Ice Weasels (end-of-the-year unsanctioned race/party). No, the races aren't ALL like this one, but I can say I even started out the year chasing folks cheering them in an inflatable T-rex suit, and ringing a cowbell with a velociraptor hand puppet.
Finally, what is the one thing you wish you knew before you started? Yeah, I want the secret stuff.
Oooh this is a hard one! I guess I wish I had've known just how important the right tire pressure would be! I spent a lot of time practicing cornering and falling. I was never going to get it right, until someone physically took way more air out of my tires than I was prepared for. It made all the difference in the world. Listen to people, get advice, and don't take anyone's advice as the end-all-be-all answer. Everyone has opinions, and you will build a great knowledge base by asking the same questions of multiple people. Make a list & make a routine for your races. Knowing you are prepared on the equipment / gear end will take that factor out of the equation. Stop at a real restroom before you get to the race venue. Learn how to change quickly in your car. Never ride home in sweaty bike gear, change into dry clothes ASAP.
Ummm, yeah, that was more than one thing.
I hope I set the hook :)
