A common practice for triathletes that experience a ‘real winter’ is to retreat indoors and put in monotonous miles on the trainer.  The trainer/rollers can be ok if you have some intensity to do, but when the coach puts ‘’3hrs aerobic ride’’ on the schedule then the trainer is no place for this.  This winter get yourself a cyclo-cross ride and learn something new that will not only make winter riding enjoyable, but also bring you gains in many aspects of cycling.

Cyclo-cross is a cross between road and mountain riding.  Everything from the geometry and tires, to brake and BB clearance; the cross-bike offers a mix of both mountain and road styles.  Cross bikes can handle everything from dirt commuter paths to some fairly aggressive, rugged single-track adventures.

Having just got in the door from my first cross ride this winter here in Canada I am full of reasons to get you on a cross bike this winter.

With cross riding perhaps the biggest area of improvement for most will be in handling skills.  Having to maneuver the bike under your body laterally and fore/aft to pick lines through trails will result in proprioception improvements.  Your spatial awareness of your bike and body will also be improved as you encounter tight passages and corners.  When you come to fallen trees or other impeding objects you’ll be forced to dismount, jump over and then do a running remount.  This is perfect practice for improving your transition splits!

Riding on trails will force you to think and look further ahead than on the road.  You will have to anticipate your next shift to the small ring and be careful of what gear you are in coming into that hairpin to uphill corner.  I often find myself totally zoned out on the road in the wrong gear.  While cross riding however, I cannot afford to do that or I’ll find myself coming to a halt on an unexpected hill and tumbling down a steep embankment.  Your ability to know how and when to brake will improve.  Braking earlier and not during cornering is required in cross riding to allow you to make it up that next ensuing, steep hill!

Your pedal stroke will become smoother.  Yes, it most definitely will become smoother.  When you climb on trails or worse, moss covered rocks the slightest hitch or chop to your pedal stroke will become apparent often causing you to lose traction and resulting power.  With time you will learn how to properly pull on the pedals while climbing.  As you become a smoother climber you will discover and utilize more muscle groups than ever on the bike.

On the trails you will often face very steep, but short climbs.  Short maximum bursts of power will now be thrown into your aerobic rides improving your cycling specific strength and short-range power.

By riding in sheltered trails at reduced speeds you will stay as warm as indoors minus all the sweaty clean up.

With improved handling, technical abilities, pedal stroke and power you will become a well-rounded cyclist.  Not only will this result in a better bike split, but you will also gain some much deserved respect from the cycling community.

Ride on!

Andrew Russell

http://andyrussell.blogspot.com/

Checkmate Team Member

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