| Cyclo-cross racing is a fun, yet incredibly physically | | | | are run in the fall, the woods are full of mud, requiring |
| demanding sport. A typical race is about an hour long | | | | the narrow tires to have thick treads for traction. |
| and filled with straight aways for sprints, obstacles, | | | | The bicycle frames are as lightweight as possible so |
| and mud. The season generally runs from fall through | | | | as not to slow down racers during their runs. |
| the winter. The World Championship is held each | | | | The sport has its roots in "steeple chase," a game |
| January, and Canadian and US National Competitions | | | | created to keep cyclists in shape during the off |
| are in December. | | | | season. Cyclists would race each other to the next |
| Cyclo-cross differs from mountain biking because | | | | town, and could cross anyone's land however they |
| participants are required at multiple points in the race | | | | chose to get there the fastest. The first organized |
| to dismount their cycle and run with it over and | | | | race was the French National Championship in 1902, |
| around various obstacles as well as up very steep | | | | pioneered in part by Geo Lefevre, who also came up |
| hills. Endurance and bike handling are important; it is | | | | with the idea for the Tour de France. |
| vital to dismount, run and re-mount fluidly at the risk | | | | Today, the sport is most popular in cycle-oriented |
| of losing precious time. | | | | nations like Belgium, Netherlands, and the Czech |
| The 2-3 mile courses are run more than once, each | | | | Republic, though cyclo-cross is becoming increasingly |
| lap involving sprints, wooded terrain, grass, jumps, | | | | popular in the US. Participants claim that cyclo-cross |
| hurdles and other barriers. As cyclo-cross is a hybrid | | | | offers the fun of cycling without the pretention of |
| sport, participants use hybrid bicycles. Because races | | | | street riding. |