Training for cross

[david1701]

I'm a pretty new rider and building up my fitness (80-100 miles a week and 100km and 100m rides booked) and I reckon come winter I'll be getting fit so I'd like to try cross racing for my first proper competitive riding.

I need to build the cyclo cross specific skills and I'm not massively sure how asides from doing more off road riding, does anyone have any hints/tips?

I'm also going to start running with the running club (as I cycle with them ) so that will help me for the hoofing it sections.

Properly noobish so help is appreciated, will also come back for kit queries as I think I might need new tyres and will defo need some grippier spd shoes

 

[screenman]

This would be a book worth buying, I rode cross for about 15 years or more and still found some useful information in it.

www.amazon.co.uk/Cyclocross-Training-Techniques-Simon-Burney/dp/188473720X

 

[brockers]

dismounts

bunny hops

etc

 

[palinurus]

A bit of running will help, especially uphill.

Practice your dismount and remount.

Some core strength work helps.

I find that TT style power is more useful in 'cross than road riding punchiness. No drafting or big changes in pace in 'cross. 25 mile TTs last about as long as 'cross races and they aren't bad preparation.

There are a whole series of these on YouTube, good tips on dismounting and remounting (although I'm not sure which part...)

 

[palinurus]

'cross is great by the way.

 

[david1701]

it looks great but dam am I nowhere fit enough to do TTs as training I'll work on just getting faster, riding off road and the cross specific techniques from youtube

 

[david1701]

just watched the youtube Paul, I wanna go play right now