Cyclocross (CX) is something I’ve been interested in over the last few years. I never dove in, choosing to say each year, “I’m going to try that this year.” When the time came, I did not try that. I was a liar, and I am sorry.
This year is different, folks. This year I actually AM trying CX. I tried it last night! True story! And you know what? I loved it. It hurt and I wanted to puke over and over again but I loved it all the same. In that way it’s like Taco Bell, just without continuing the pukey feeling after the activity has taken place.
I jumped on the chance to pick up a nice, used CX bike, a Redline Conquest Pro. This is the bike set up all roadie like:
It’s so pretty! This is the 2nd aluminum road bike I have owned, and I can now say that I like the stiffness. Don’t be dirty, you know what I mean.
My previous road bike was a true roadie. Tight clearances and all that. I’m loving the CX geometry with the stiffness of a nice road bike. It flies, and I just think and it does what I want it to do. My cadence is improving and I’m having a blast huckin’ around on the 32c WTB Pathways. A nice, hefty tire for dirt roads and pavement.
So back to last night, my first true CX experience. Nothing crazy, nothing outta sight, but a nice little practice session with some teammates. We got a quick rundown on mounting/dismounting and set up a small course to practice on. We set out to do 10 laps. I thought my friggin’ cardiovascular system was going to explode and blow a hole through my lower back (NAME THAT VAGUE MOVIE REFERENCE). It was great! This is the aforementioned steed set up for solid CXness:
It’s so pretty!!! It handled great. My dismounts went pretty well with only a few bobbles. My mounts took some time to get the hang of. I kept looking at my saddle and over judging the hop, sometimes hopping way too high. One time I swung my left leg back and my foot got caught in the rear wheel. My newb card was shipped immediately.
I see myself setting up a tiny CX course in my yard and practicing as my neighbors look on in disgust. I will be wrapped – so sweetly and completely – in my spandex of choice, hopping on and off my bike, riding through my brown shit-stain of a yard. Sounds like heaven!