Whether you are an Elite racer aiming to work your way through a UCI field, or a cowbell-ringing spectator looking to enter your first race come September, all riders who throw themselves into the competitive arena dream of better results. Your lofty goal could be a podium finish, but it could also be something a little more modest—say finishing a forty-five minute race without pulling out. As August is here, and cyclocross is just around the corner, even jaded riders start to feel the butterflies when they think about the new race season ahead.
Inevitably, this excitement brings about the need for preparation. For beginners, this might mean practicing unclipping pedals or lifting a mountain bike over imaginary barriers. For more experienced riders, training could be a three-month dedication to strength and core work, threshold workouts, VO2-max intervals and technical rides.
While training by yourself has its advantages, nothing beats actual cyclocross races for improving conditioning and skills. Landing on your saddle when your heart is skyrocketing is much different than jumping on your bike in your backyard. You might have to wait until race day to push yourself to your body’s limits, but if you want the best simulation your other cyclocross buddies can provide, look no further than Wednesday Night Worlds.
For today's Training Tuesday piece, we're focusing on how to prepare for racing, by racing. See our tips to finding a good practice and creating your own practice through our guide below.
Necessary Ingredients
Decide on barriers. Cross Propz makes a killer practice barrier to transport to any venue, or you can always attempt to build your own.
CrossPropz portable pvc cyclocross barriers make a portable, convenient practice barrier
Yee, in an effort to think even more outside the box, used caution tape between two forgiving yard sale wire stakes for an extremely portable and height-adjustable barrier. In New Jersey, we use the pre-built park obstacles, which are nothing more than blocks and woodchip piles.
Creating barriers can be relatively inexpensive and easy to portage. © Cyclocross Magazine
Bring your lights. If your practice continues into darkness, look for a self-contained, bright LED light that lasts over an hour, and make sure everyone brings their own. We’ve made do with 300 lumens, but the 1000+ lumen lights will make sure you see everything.
Have the right clothing. Because some of your members will be riding home, attire for riding in traffic is always appropriate. Just like in a cyclocross race, you should bring clothing for the rain and cold. Bonus points for wearing a skinsuit to a midweek practice!
Be ready for flats with a basic repair kit. Sort of obvious, but if someone races out of work and fights traffic to get to Wednesday Night Worlds, he’ll be bumming if he flats on the first lap…
