New Austin on Two Wheels series chronicling the cyclocross season coming soon

With no end of temps in the 100s, I find great hope in the announcement of 2011 Austin area cyclocross race calendar. Like the arrival of college football, cyclocross season for me indicates cooler temperatures will return and our long, sweltering nightmare will end.

Per TXBRA, here are the Austin area cyclocross races:

10/15 Cycle Haus Tough CX, Fredericksburg
10/16 Cycle Haus Tough CX, Fredericksburg
11/05 Maple CX, Austin
11/06 Waylon CX, Manor
12/10 Cyclocross Shuffle, Richard Moya Park, Austin
12/11 Webberville CX, Webberville Country Park, Webberville
12/17 Skill-Based State CX Championship, Houston (Mason Park)
12/18 Age-Based State CX Championship, The Woodlands (Terramont Park)

In addition to the USA Cycling sanctioned races, the Dirt Derby will be returning for another season of weekly Tuesday night cyclocross and mountain bike short course racing at the Del Valle Motorcross Park starting Tuesday September 27. The Derby will have three 6-week series this year, September 27- November 1, November 8 – December 16, and new for this year, January 10- February 14. No racing license is required and look for more details soon on their site.

For those unfamiliar with the sport, the closest comparison I can give is steeple chase on a bike. A product of the road racing world, cyclocross racers negotiate a short circuit course with a combination of road, grass, dirt and barriers/terrain that forces you to dismount and carry the bike all on a modified road bike with slightly wider, knobbier tires (mountain bikes without bar ends are welcome at all but elite level races.) It is not mountain biking or an off-road triathlon, but instead a 30-60 anaerobic and mental challenge. It is welcoming to riders of all backgrounds, even fixie hipsters. Better yet, watch this beautifully made short film that explains a lot and the one below showing racing at the US Gran Prix of Cyclocross. You will get you itching to race ‘cross, I guarantee!

Saturday Morning, USGP from jamie kripke on Vimeo.

If this vid gets you as inspired to race ‘cross as I am, check out this good if somewhat dated cyclocross training video from British racer and coach Martin Eadon (Terminator inspired soundtrack a bonus!) Also check out Cyclocross Magazine, Mud and Cowbells , and the newly launched Texas CX blog and Austin Bikes Cyclocross Team blog for more videos and pictures as well as equipment and training recommendations.

Now is the time to start planning some training for a good season. I am making it a point to actually train for cyclocross this season instead of just jumping on a bike and racing as I have in the past. I will be using the cyclocross season to improve my bike handling skills and fitness as I prep for the Sabertooth off road course at the Natural Caverns Duathlon in November. In the coming weeks, I will begin a new article series chronicling my training, equipment selection, and race reports. Look for that soon.