$20
This book teaches the techniques and skills that all racers, from beginner to elite, should learn and apply to become a better cyclocross racer. It covers basics, such as what to wear and how to get back on your bike after carrying it over an obstacle, as well as more nuanced starting techniques and how to mentally prepare for your race. Even if you have years of ‘cross racing under your bibshorts, you can always make improvements to your game. What is on the following pages helps show you the way.
Skills, Drills and Bellyaches serves as a solid primer for new racers, as well as a means for experienced riders to hone their craft. If you master the skills and techniques covered here, you can go into the cyclocross season with the same fitness you had last year, yet achieve better results. Every time you dismount from your bike you are either gaining or losing time on your competition. For instance, if you are a habitual stutter-stepper on remounts, this can cost you around one second each time you get back on your bike. If you are on a course that requires three remounts per lap and you do six laps in your race, that’s 18 seconds wasted. Let’s say you have similar issues on the dismount. Same math, 18 seconds lost. You are now 36 seconds behind a competitor who is equally fit, but gets on and off the bike more proficiently.
The chapters in this book break down the skills and techniques necessary to race cyclocross. After reviewing the proper skills and techniques for the most common obstacles and course conditions you will face, this book takes you through the preparation needed in the days leading up to a race and what to do once you are racing.
• What should you pack, eat and wear?
• How should you warm up and pre-ride the course?
• How can you get a good start and set up for a strong finish?
We explain how to accomplish each of these skills, and provide detailed visual examples to give the words more meaning.
Whether you need to refine a particular skill set or get a pro tip from U.S. Cyclocross Champion Jeremy Powers (referred to as JPow Tips), this book has something for everyone.