Help a Newbie Out

About a year ago I was in a position that a lot of burgeoning cross racers find themselves in now. I hadn’t been in a cross race, but had already been bitten by the bug. After volunteering at a local race and meeting a few of the folks that make up the Mid-Atlantic cross community, I was hooked. I spent a good bit of time reading through anything I could find on the net related to cross (since I hadn’t found CXM yet) and tried to incorporate all the skills and techniques involved. After convincing my wife that, yes, I needed ANOTHER bike, I thought I was ready.

Innocently, or ignorantly, I signed up for my first race. Granogue, Queen of the MAC Series, held in early October. I went from feeling ready to hanging on for dear life as I watched the leaders power away before I had even started. I rode on what I thought were properly inflated tires, but bounced around the course like I was riding on a pogo stick. I missed a turn and ended up in the woods, tangled in an extension cord. And I finished just about DFL, but it was an experience that I will not forget.

After some recovery activities, like remembering my name and how to get home, I started to look deeper into the world of cross. Reading everything I could, I settled in and resigned myself to using this season as a learning experience. Following one of the first pieces of standard advice given to most newbies, I managed to gain entry into a local training group. Members of which, after watching my teeth chatter for half of my first practice, finally gave me a lesson in proper tire pressure. I rode the next lap feeling like I was going to slide out as my tires flexed in every turn. But I had learned the first of many valuable lessons.

As I look at starting the next season of cross, I look back and I’m amazed at how much I have learned. Through connections with other riders and racers, both personal through the community and virtual over the web, I have already established relationships that will serve me well in the future as I develop as a crosser. I have learned the benefits of lower tire pressure, improved my bike handling and now approach corners at speed knowing that if my brakes are squealing, I’m working too hard at slowing down.

Looking back though, I realize there were a few lessons that no one shared with me. There is the standard advice, ride as much as possible, practice mounts and dismounts find a group to train with and LISTEN to them. But there are other things that I have learned. Things that no one told me, things that at the time I didn’t even realize I was doing or needed to do. After only two and a half races, I still consider myself a newbie. But even I can pass along a lesson or two that may help those just starting out.

Learning the limits of your gear can be painful, but necessary. Now, I’m not talking about how much abuse your equipment can take before it breaks. It’s more about how far you can push those tires in the corner and just how hard can you land on that particular saddle before you realize it may not be the best choice after all. And more than anything it’s about having the confidence to see how far your ride can take you. Diving into corners harder than I thought I could has, much to the entertainment of my training group, resulted in a few less than graceful dismounts. But it has also rewarded me with smoother lines and faster exits.

Riding in the drops on the road is a powerful aerodynamic position. Feeling comfortable in that position while speeding over grass and rocks or tearing through singletrack, takes a whole different level of confidence. But being there is an aggressive position that can improve handling and give you better access to your controls.

Learn to be comfortable moving hand positions at speed in rough terrain. Moving from the drops to the hoods or tops and back seems like an easy thing to do. But developing the speed and confidence to accomplish that simple transition while speeding over rough ground toward the next set of barriers, takes a little rehearsal.

Find a group with a regular practice. Yes, this is the standard advice I was trying to steer clear of here, but the value of this cannot be over-emphasized. Cross is a sport where there is no substitute for experience. Ride with more experienced riders and you will see improvements. Fitness gains from chasing faster, smoother riders around courses. Advice on equipment and technique from seasoned veterans are instant and free upgrades.

Cross is a rough sport. You’re going to hit the ground, maybe a barrier or two, and you’ll probably have to bail half-way up that slope that others had the good sense to walk up. Make your first mistakes early, preferably in practice and not in front of the spectators. Your new friends may heckle just as much, but there will be probably be some instruction in there somewhere.

Now, I don’t expect this to come across as the wisdom of the ages. It’s simply the lessons learned that I hope may help another newbie or two over their first barrier. But more than that, it is meant as a challenge to get you thinking. I’m sure there is a lot of good advice out there. Let’s hear it.

Race Coverage

Covering a race for a magazine is a blast. It forced me to go way beyond my social comfort zone, but it was really cool to meet and hang out with the other racers that came out for Spectacross.

Haven't had a chance to put together my race report yet, but I will. Got some photos to go along with this and wrote a report of the second day.