Cyclocross in Arapahoe County Colorado

On November 20, 2010, at about 7:00 AM cyclists of all sizes and ages made their way through the fog in the 20 degree weather to converge on the Arapahoe County Community Park. Why are these crazies doing this? The “Alphacross”, a Colorado Cross Cup event of the 2010-11 Cyclocross series, sponsored in part by Alpha Bicycle Company of Centennial.
What is a Cyclocross you ask? Good question but difficult to answer. A cycling sport, that starts in the late fall and into the winter, when normal everyday cyclist wrap their selves in layers of warm clothing and ride around a closed, off road course, on what appears to be expensive European road racing bicycles to have the time of their life. Now that is probably not an exact purist definition, but to the laymen recreational rider it sure sums it up.

The races, of various timed lengths, anywhere from twenty minutes for the junior class, 8 and 9 year olds, to forty-five minutes for the serious levels of the experts. Yes 8 & 9 year olds and believe me they are fast, well equipped and are having a ball, even at thirty two degrees when their race started at 8:31 AM. After observing a Cyclocross at the Centennial City Hall, my tall son wanted to try one. The “Alphacross” held a “Newbies” race which was just a handful of those present, doing thirty minutes around the approximately mile and a half course. The “Newbies” start time was scheduled for 7:50 AM the riders were whistled off, to start the day of racing, at 8:01 AM. The fog was thick and from the starting line, you could not really see where you turned out of the parking lot and on to the course, but the seven riders were guaranteed they would be able to see it when they got there. My son only made about a half a lap before he could not feel his fingers and was not sure if he was squeezing the breaks or not. Being on one of his teachers, very expensive, carbon fiber, competition Cyclocross bike he felt it might be wise not to destroy it. A friend that we sometimes ride with finished but became so cold she was unaware of hitting her shins on her pedals, causing multiple bruising, until she was home and thawed out. A note to self for next year, start collecting cold weather riding gear.

The course was very professionally laid out by the Alpha Bicycle Company and was available to pre-ride the course, the afternoon prior to the event, which, both of my boys and I did take advantage of. Alpha arranged for a free pancake breakfast, some vendors, and a jump house for the kids when they were done and Mom and Dad were riding their races. Yes this was a full out family outing of great camaraderie and just plain fun for family and friends. The event could be as short as a couple of hours or spend the whole day. The last 45 minute race went out at 3:46 PM. If this sport peaks your interest, check out the American Cycling Association’s web site (www.americancycling.com ) for a race near you. This is a very large sport in Europe and has been catching on here in the States over the last ten years.

Since I mentioned Alpha Bicycle Company as a sponsor, I should mention that they were assisted in that sponsorship, by the Groove Automotive Group, United Health Care, Raleigh Cycles and Moots Hand Built Cycles.

Till Next Time

Ride Safe, Ride Warm, But Ride

“G”

A Winter Ride

In Colorado we are spoiled. The weather changes daily not to mention hourly or go a block away. We can ski in the morning drive 45 minutes and golf, bike or enjoy the fresh air at your local park. Then the cold comes just to screw with your mind.

Yes it’s cold; at least to my old body it is cold. I see some sturdy cyclist going by the house, in shorts no less, see that beautiful mile high blue sky and I’m ready. I go to get my water bottles and look at the thermometer outside the kitchen window …….28 degrees what the…….Yeh, it’s Colorado.

One of my rides last week, my 32 mile loop, it was a beautiful 58 degrees, blue sky, no wind, the ideal ride in November. On the way south I watched the black cloud come over the Rockies the temp was now 68 and I had a nice breeze. 5 miles later there was a wind, not a nice wind, but a wind that took my bike with my super sized daintiness and blew it of the path. For the first time I actually wanted to call home for a ride. The wind eased the temp went up to the high 80’s (love that temp mode on my computer), and it was bearable. On the way back the wind kept changing directions, there was moisture falling from the sky, here and there, nothing consistent or getting anything wet. I decided to skip the trail and make a direct shot home, and cut off a couple of miles to get the ride over with. Then it became calm, the sun was back with the blue sky and no wind, just beautiful. I got home and sat on the back bumper of my van, getting my shoes off, taking in some more water and protein drink as I watched the first snowflakes of the season fall. Yes this is Colorado.

Riding in these weather changes, takes some self preservation as well as good clothing. There are a lot of companies out there getting on the “base layer” band wagon. I have been wearing Under Armour© for years, year around, it really does keep you cool in the heat and warm when it is cold. The plus side, besides having a shelf full of it, is it is cheaper than the same thing with a cycling logo/company on it. Leg warmers and Arm warmers are outstanding. I think of it as a cheap way to stay warm when you don’t ride below 55 degrees. You can usually find them from $14 - $19 for a pair of either (try Performance or NASHBAR online). This is much cheaper than buying a pair of $190 Gortex© winter bibs that you can follow snow plows in and be toasty warm. I also picked up a cozy pair of grippy, light weight, but warm gloves at COSTCO for $9.

With a new year coming up, you may also want to start the year off trying one of the free on line training logs. I mentioned the one on Bicycling.com, and that the tall son was doing “Daily Mile”. We are doing both now, and I have been doing them together for about 6 months. They are both very good for the basic stuff and easy to add to, in their comments section, if you want to add more like I do. Daily Mile is also a cyclists’ social network which is pretty interesting without getting personal.

Till Next Time

Ride Warm, Ride Safe, But Ride

G