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What to do with winter?

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With the traditional final curtain to the season - the Tour of Lombardy, nicknamed "the race of the falling leaves" - days away, it's time for cyclists of all levels to contemplate how to maintain both their fitness and figure through the cold damp winter days.

The more stoical rider may stick to a diet of long, relatively slow distance rides to build the "base" fitness for next season's goals. I hate the relentless trudge round the local hills that can be a winter ride but many positively revel in the frozen hands and mudguards experience. Can there be anything worse than struggling round a previously enjoyable ride wearing your entire wardrobe and wishing it would just end?

For others the turbo trainer will be dusted down and plonked in the garage or in the spare room, there to endure the cold, hardness of a turbo session. No one enjoys them, not even the pros. If anyone you know claims they do, then feel free to push them into the nearest hedge the next time you're on the road. They'll probably enjoy that just as much.

For me, this winter is going to be about discovering the joys of cyclocross. One hour, belting round a muddy field as fast as you can on a road bike with offroad tyres. That's the short description but it's much more than that. It's about bike handling, learning how hard to push yourself and a general good-natured experience that is rarely seen on the road.

It's also a great way for youngsters to get into cycling as it fills a gap between the technical demands of mountainbiking and the risks of injury riding on the road - you don't get road rash and broken bones as often when you come off in the mud. Last Sunday I raced in the London League among riders of all ages and abilities in the seniors, following junior and youth events with fields which would be the envy of quite a few road events in the summer.

In the Low Countries - Belgium and the Netherlands - where they know a thing or two about bike riding, cyclocross is huge. Don't be surprised to find events over there with a carnival atmosphere and thousands of specators cheering on the competitors.

You may even find some familiar names from the pro peleton using it as part of their winter training. Lance Armstrong was known to include it in his plans and Britain's Roger Hammond has a fearsome reputation as a 'cross competitor.

So am I alone in my conversion to the muddy stuff, or are there others out there in 606 land who'll be joining me this winter?

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comment by Austrian_Jez (U8329092)

posted Oct 17, 2007

Alex - thanks for the post !
Glad to hear 'cross mentioned ... I plan to find an event over here to try it out for myself.
My bike handling is rubbish (have scars on my left arm after MTB "incident" to prove it), but I use a 'cross bike for my commute to work (mix of road, gravel, mud) and also on the network of bike tracks near me when weather precludes training on the road.
I'll let you know how I get on !

Of course over here winter = snow, so I either go running or cros-country skiing, now THAT is fun !
Anyone over in UK (eg Peak District, Scotland) tried it ? Or not enough snow ?

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comment by Back to the Future (U8296349)

posted Oct 17, 2007

I too was thinking about having a crack at CX, I use a CX bike for my commute, and also use it sometimes with my MTB mates, and it goes surprisingly well.

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comment by chivalrousmorgan (U10059980)

posted Oct 18, 2007

Come and see the young guns ride each week.
loads of enthusiassum and very competitive.
i would recomend it to all

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comment by dearneboy (U10038808)

posted Oct 19, 2007

Never tried cross but it looks good and hey,you,re out riding your bike and thats all that matters.Personally,i love winter riding.With modern cold weather wear you dont need many layers and lets face it,it doesnt get that cold these days does it.

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comment by mightyRoberto (U3259190)

posted Oct 21, 2007

Personally I'm with dearneboy, Cross is good to watch but i'd far rather be riding the lanes of Yorkshire. Having said that, just watched The Seacroft Wheelers put on a smashing Event up at Temple Newsam. Great to watch others suffer with a warm cup of tea in me hand

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comment by War Time Friendly (U8481385)

posted Oct 22, 2007

The XC bikes appear a bit different than your Roadies, tyres and a bit more.

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comment by LilGascoigne (U10118027)

posted Oct 22, 2007

Great Article, good to see 'Cross back on the BBC (it used to be on Grandstand, years ago).

'Cross is definitely the best, safest, friendliest way of spending your winter on the bike (i would say that as Chairman of the Notts & Derby CX League, wouldn't I), but it is.

If the venue is right, there is no better way of seeing full on racing for an hour.

Glad to welcome you all to the sport.

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comment by Corby (U2919688)

posted Oct 22, 2007

The XC bikes appear a bit different than your Roadies, tyres and a bit more.

I would say so as Xc bikes are racing mountain bikes?

Cross does rule its insane to race in!!!!
gutted im not racing the cross leagues this yearsadface

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comment by spenser (U1647494)

posted Nov 1, 2007

Any tips on a cheap CX bike? I'd love to get something for the winter but don't have spare grand lying about to buy one. Any advice?

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comment by Austrian_Jez (U8329092)

posted Nov 2, 2007

I bought a mail order special for €600 (circa 400 squid)- after a year or so I needed to replace the wheels. otherwise does the job!
I assume UK bike mags also run ads for cheap-and-cheerful 'cross bikes ?

I just checked: Evans' web site also has a 'cross section .. in your price range !

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