I have developed a bit of an obsession over the last year. Many of you reading may already share this passion. I am not afraid to admit that I love cyclocross. I am well aware that in the northern corners of the US this is a particularly powerful draw. People of all ages, get on their bikes to race as fast as they can…only to jump right back off to run through sand, mud, over barriers, up steep hills, or even up stairs, then throwing themselves back on their steed mid run to keep riding. I know it sounds a little crazy reading it here, but when it is done well it is AWESOME.

From J-POW and the Behind the Barriers Crew, to Cycleture, to the Dirt Derby, to videos and photos from the Portland’s Cross Crusade, I can’t get enough of this stuff. It was these influences and advice from bike friends that led me to purchase my first Surly Cross Check frame with the intent of building that sucker up into a commuter / racer, regardless of one small detail…..I had never changed a flat before….let alone built a bike. Mrs. B was incredibly supportive and allowed me loads of time to drive all over Austin picking up parts from Craigslist and local bike shops. Although I have been bitten by the CX bug, I have never actually participated. By the time I wrapped up the build, the Dirt Derby was entering its last week and Cross season was wrapping up in Texas and around the US. I continued to watch the US Championships in Bend and pirated feeds of European races, but I didn’t get to actually do it. This season I vowed that would change.

Skip ahead 8 months.

Time: 6:20pm Temperature: 105

I am headed to my first cyclocross training, hosted by AustinOn2Wheels. I am still relying on the Surly McClain and her commuter tires to ferry me around the varied terrain at Mary Moore Park. After a little searching, and helpful frolfers (frisbee golfers) I was able to find the field where about 15 other cross enthusiast were practicing going over barriers and tight turns. As our host, Elliott went off to set up the rest of the course, Cassidy from Fast Folks took us through a few basics such as going over barriers, negotiating tight turns, and getting a quick start and claiming the hole shot. Regardless of the scorched earth and stifling heat everybody was having a good time, knocking over barriers and hanging out.

Once the practice course was laid out, and we had practiced the basics we took a practice lap on the course that included a little pavement, some gravel, some single track. There were also barriers, a sand pit, and a run-up section. In other words….FUN. This was it, my first actual “race”, well actually race would have been a bit strong….lets go with scrimmage, because nobody was going to do anything too crazy. But with this being cyclocross, I was wrong.

Once we started, pretty much everybody pinned it, and since I was taking photos and not practicing my starts I found myself at the back (ya…lets go with the lack of practice attempts as the reason I was in the back). I entered the woods and negotiated the single track without incident and approached the first barrier (a cement retaining wall that was about a foot tall).

Dismount at speed – check
Grab handlebars and lift – check
Run bike to………Holy Crap I forgot to pick up the ass end of the bike and proceeded to bang the back wheel…..hard.
Okay, that wasn’t pretty and I am pretty sure I looked like an idiot, but I got back on and start hammering—-for about 10 seconds, until I hear the tell-tale sound of a blowout. Game over. I walked it back to find I wasn’t the only one who had flatted. I changed the tube out, took some pictures, and hung out. It may have been a brief encounter, but I am convinced I will be returning for more practicing and racing. You should, too.

Shout out to the winners last night:

Men’s winner – Not sure what his name was, but he did face plant on the first lap trying to bunny hop the barrier and still beat everybody else. Editor Note: The men’s winner was James Zapata, of the now in hiatus Cycle Bum blog.

Women’s winner – Natalie from Fast Folks – she dominated the entire women’s field on her sweet Traitor single speed.

Editor Note: We’ll have another cyclocross skills session and hot laps practice this Sunday evening at 6:30 PM at Boggy Creek Green Belt Park in East Austin (1114 Nile Street — South side of Rosewood Ave at Chestnut Ave.) where we’ll get giving away some entries into the Dirt Derby. All are welcome on all types of bikes, but we recommend you have tires up for the task. Basically this means tires designed for off-road or cyclocross that are at least 30 mm wide for 700c size or at least 1.5 wide on 26″/29er. We also recommend you remove water bottle cages and other equipment mounts in the front triangle of your frame as this will help with shouldering the bike going over barriers and run ups. We’ll have some water but be sure to bring plenty to drink. Helmets are highly recommended for the skills session and hot laps practice. LIGHTS… if you ride to the practice, bring some lights as we’ll be finishing up at dusk.