Nice video of World Cup 'Cross

[Christophe Noel]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNOFtSWKXPY"]YouTube - Cyclocross World Cup Aigle 2010 - Final 2 laps[/ame]

This is some beautiful cyclocross racing action. Notice how easily these guys shoulder, run and remount. Then notice how deftly they hop over double 18" tall barriers. Crazy. If I had two lifetimes to practice I could never ride that well. These guys are so bloody skilled and the power going into those cranks is hard to imagine. This video gave me flashbacks to getting totally destroyed my first two seasons racing in Belgium.

Cross is the coolest sport in cycling. Damn.

 

[haven]

Thanks for sharing!

Santa Cruz, CA has been a hotbed for cyclocross since the 1960s. I remember hiking the logging trails in the redwood forests above the city, and encountering cyclocross enthusiasts on training rides. Tom Ritchey was one of the Bay Area cyclists who was an active cyclocross rider, and later built frames used by cyclocross competitors. Jobst Brandt used to ride his road bike on the trails for the hell of it. Spence Wolf's bike shop (really a garage at his home in Cupertino) was one place where riders could purchase cyclocross gear.

(reminiscence mode off)

 

[Christophe Noel]

I know a lot of people don't understand the allure of cyclocross. I always hear guys say, "why not just use a mountain bike?" Look at the speed at which these guys are motoring! That is swift.

At any rate, it's fall in the bike world and fall is cyclocross time. For those with a number on during these cool weekends, "FLAHUTE!!!!"

Haven, if you want to follow the international scene via nice short clips: http://www.youtube.com/user/cyclocrosschannel#p/u/12/CNMqckgCGqY

 

[martini.ss]

The really cool thing about the cross world, is that the US is coming on fairly strong. We've had a number of competetive riders in the past few years. The quickly growing and enthusiastic scene has also brought the worlds to the states! 2012, worlds are being held in Louisville KY! Certainly going to be a helluva time that weekend. I'm planning on making the trip from WI.

 

[Rallyroo]

I'm impressed that the competitors hopped over the barriers without having to dismount. Most other cyclocross videos I've seen the competitors had to dismount, carry bikes over barriers, and remount.

I like cyclocross for it's mix of terrain from tarmac, dirt, etc. Kinda goes along with why I like the World Rally Championships for it's mix terrain (throughout the season).

I have a cyclocross bike that I ride 5-6 days a week as a commuter bike.

 

[Mr. D]

Wow watching those riders attack and conquer the sand pit is amazing.