Want to know what to look for on Cyclocross Magazine this week? Worried you might have missed something last week? Fear not, because we’ve got it all mapped out for you. Every Monday, we have a preview of what’s in store for the week, and we’ll let you know about some of the great articles that you might have missed last week. If there’s any story you’d like us to cover, any burning question you want answered, or any cool racer you’d like to hear from, let us know! Leave messages in the comments, find me on the Cowbell Forums or email molly [at] cxmagazine.com.

Some of our top cyclocrossers did pretty darn well when switching to wider tires and suspension forks at mountain bike nationals a couple of weeks ago (their results are listed below.) Amy Dykema, a wonderful photographer, was there to capture the event with her camera and shared some of her favorite shots, which can be viewed in the gallery below.

About five or six years ago, I had the misfortune to have my peak season as a racer coincide with the U.S. National Championship of a certain 12-year-old girl who was perky and sweet and faster than a speeding bullet.
Race after race, town after town, she would crush my soul with her stars-and-stripes velocity. She was truly a phenom and while I knew she had no idea she was humiliating me, it was driving me crazy.

Over the past two seasons almost everything about my preparation for cyclocross has gone through a dramatic change. And so far every step I’ve taken has yielded positive results. Now, at 61 I know I’m faster and technically better than ever. That knowledge gives me a lot of confidence going into this season with my goal of a good showing in Louisville at Masters Worlds in January 2013.

Last week, we reported on Raleigh Midsummer Night’s Cyclocross Race, with full course preview coverage, race coverage with a full photo gallery and a peek at Raleigh’s new line of cyclocross bikes. But what you may have missed is our great video of the start of the Elite Men’s race, featuring riders like Craig Richey, Russell Stevenson, Zach McDonald and JT Fountain. You can tell that it’s early on in the season by the relatively small size of the field, and the fact that some of these racers had a hard time keeping the rubber side down as they fought for the holeshot, causing a small crash right at the start. As our publisher/head cowbell ringer for Cyclocross Magazine, Andrew Yee, put it: “This is when the holeshot isn’t worth it.”

UK riders Helen Wyman (Kona Factory Racing) and Ian Field (Hargroves Cycles) will start their 2011/12 cyclo-cross season in the USA. Starting in Breinigsville for the Nittany Lions ’Cross, the pair will take part in eight events on the east side of America. Other key events will include Charm City, which is a double weekend of racing, the Nor’easter Cross and Ellison Park in Rochester. The trip will conclude with the Gloucester GP races in near Boston.

When I began working with Rob Brandt, the brand manager for Stevens Bikes, I had lots of questions. Rob graciously took time away from a busy work life to provide me with answers. Some of the things he said surprised me, some confirmed my long-held opinions. I found Rob to be bright, insightful, and open. He told me about himself; how he came to cycling; about ’cross bikes; about ’cross in general – it’s present state and it’s future; even a bit about Stevens, the company he represents.

Train, stretch, eat, sleep, repeat. Such is the life of a racer in training, and I like it.

Last year, Mad Alchemy presented the PRO Signature Line, embrocations inspired by the professional cyclocross racers that use their products. In 2011, Mad Alchemy decided to take a slightly different approach by brewing limited edition embrocation blends inspired by some of, Mad Alchemy founder, Pete Smith’s favorite races. CrossVegas was high on the list.

If there’s one thing you can say about the Eastern Collegiate Cycling Conference, it’s that it certainly doesn’t have a lack of leadership. There’s always some willing junior, senior, grad student or graduated and grateful alumni willing to (or roped into) taking over where graduating students leave off. And if you’re lucky, those graduating might just stay around to fill in the gaps. For the next two weeks, we’re talking to some of the behind-the-scenes workers who make the Eastern Collegiate Cycling Conference run so smoothly, especially during cyclocross. It’s going to be an interesting year for Drexel’s Joe Kopena and Tim Manzella.

It’s that time of year again: time to pull your cyclocross bike out of storage, take a good, long look at it and think, “Well, now what does it need?” Because we’re bike racers. And our bikes always need something, preferably something shiny and new. However, if you’re on a strict bike budget, there are some sneaky ways to upgrade or update your bike for the season, there’s an easy solution: accessories. (And yes, we realize that this piece reads like a fashion magazine article on making that Little Black Dress look brand-new by simply adding new jewelry or shoes.) Still, if you’ve been racing on — or just bought — a stock bike, we have some suggestions for how to dress it up so it stands out in the field (hopefully because you snagged the hole shot.)

Want to know what to look for on Cyclocross Magazine this week? Worried you might have missed something last week? Fear not, because we’ve got it all mapped out for you. Every Monday, we have a preview of what’s in store for the week, and we’ll let you know about some of the great articles that you might have missed last week. If there’s any story you’d like us to cover, any burning question you want answered, or any cool racer you’d like to hear from, let us know! Leave messages in the comments, find me on the Cowbell Forums or email molly [at] cxmagazine.com.

Lewis Rattray has continued his dominance of the Dirty Deeds Cyclocross Series, taking out the second race at Jackson Reserve on Sunday.

Clement made its return to tires and cyclocross in 2010 with the new PDX and LAS cyclocross clinchers. PDX, of course, is the airport code for Portland, and LAS the code for Las Vegas. As one might guess, the LAS is designed for gamblers, and the PDX is designed for bike commuters.

There are a whopping seven positions open on the USA Cycling Cyclocross Committee. Seven! Passionate cyclocrossers, this is your opportunity to have a voice and …

As the Tour de France continues, so does our Tour De Tires! For every stage of the Tour, we’ll be bringing you a review of a tire. Since it’s just about time to start gluing up tubulars or deciding what type of clinchers you’ll be riding this season, the timing couldn’t be better.

Ideally, the tires we feature will be tires deemed advantageous to an off-road version of the stage of the Tour De France, though we’re more interested in the dirt than the roads of France!

Mark your calendars for August 2nd, the day reg opens for CrossVegas 2011!

Cyclocross in Missouri is fast approaching, registration for Dogfish Cross in Hermann opens Monday August 1 at 6am. The highly anticipated season opener to the Missouri cyclocross schedule takes place Saturday and Sunday September 17-18.

Cyclocross Magazine columnist Paul Warloski profiles his return to cyclocross after a near-devastating injury. Follow Paul as he takes us along for a ride of trials …

Our newest addition to the Cyclocross Magazine staff, UK-based intern David Evans is unveiling his new bi-weekly column all about racing cyclocross “on the cheap.”

For as long as there’s been cyclocross, there has been a separation of the men’s and women’s fields. And while women’s payouts may not rival those of the men in most races, it is doubtful that women would ever complain about not being mixed into the men’s races. There are obvious performance differences between the sexes, and today’s column looks at some of the most recent research on those differences.

It’s no secret that cyclocross’ popularity in the Mid-Atlantic, and the nation, has exploded over the past decade. To meet the ever-growing need for autumnal skinny tire grass and dirt racing, MABRAcross, the Mid-Atlantic Bicycle Racing Association’s cyclocross arm has created something Super.

I’m almost done with road season for the year, thankfully, so it’s time to get cyclocross-specific. Between having a coach, having a new ’cross bike and having a pit bike being built up as I write this, I’m feeling pretty darn pro, and pretty darn prepared for the season.

From July 25-28 at Carroll College in Helena, Mont., Geoff Proctor will hold a Cyclo-cross development camp for selected riders. The camp is designed to work on skills, technique, training and set short-term as well as long-range goals.

The sad reality is that most catastrophic failures in cross racing result from very simple factors. I have compiled a small list of race ending mechanical problems that could have been avoided with a small dose of precaution and a dash of extra care. These are not all or even the most common mechanical issues in cross racing but these all have two things in common: 1. They can absolutely end your race, giving you a regrettable DNF. 2. They can easily be prevented.

DC Metro Area — In what has become a can’t miss annual event, US pro cyclocrosser Jeremy Powers (Rapha/Focus) will once again join forces with JBV Coaching and Fulcrum Coaching in a full day cyclocross boot camp. Building on the overwhelming success of the last two years, this one-day cyclocross indoctrination—sponsored by the Bike Doctor of Waldorf—is the perfect way to kick off a successful 2011 ‘cross campaign. Ideal for new and experienced cyclocross racers, Jeremy and a staff of four top-notch instructors will give you the inside scoop on everything you need to know to step up your game.

Want to know what to look for on Cyclocross Magazine this week? Worried you might have missed something last week? Fear not, because we’ve got it all mapped out for you. Every Monday, we have a preview of what’s in store for the week, and we’ll let you know about some of the great articles that you might have missed last week. If there’s any story you’d like us to cover, any burning question you want answered, or any cool racer you’d like to hear from, let us know! Leave messages in the comments, find me on the Cowbell Forums or email molly [at] cxmagazine.com.

Near Colorado? The Jake Wells Cyclocross Clinic is geared to give you all of the tools that you will need to enjoy a successful cyclocross race season!

Boston, MA- Cycle-Smart is proud to present the 11th annual Cyclocross Camp, taking place August 19-21, 2011, in Easthampton and Southampton, MA. The Cycle-Smart Cyclocross …

Well, it’s finally happened! It was inevitable although it took quite a while! I’ve been completely transformed from a died in the wool roadie to an irrevocably addicted off road rider. I no longer crave hours of asphalt, instead I wake up in the morning thinking about single track climbs and rhythmic swooping descents.