Cyclocross

What is cyclocross?

Skinny tyres, mud, short, sharp off-road races with hurdles, obstacles and intense action. That's cyclocross, or cx, a form of off-road racing that predates mountain biking by decades. Cyclocross is also one of the most accessible forms of cycle sport, racing for young kids and grandparents alike. The longest race is only an hour for seniors, older folks race for 40 minutes, and children and youths for only 10 or 20 minutes or so.

At the literal grassroots level, you can take part on a mountain bike, so no 'special' equipment is required. A cross bike can also double up as a rugged, tufty commuter and gravel bike, so N+1 is not a requirement in the bike stable.

Children of all ages are catered for, and adults can have a go as novices and ease themselves relatively gently with a 20-minute race with the youth riders! It's a lot of fun!

Race cyclocross

Newbury Velo promotes a race in the Wessex League, usually in September. Locally, there are summer cyclocross series, and the winter-based Wessex Cyclocross League runs weekly races from September through to January throughout the Wessex region. Other leagues are run all over the country, so there is a wide variety of local racing opportunities.

This year, we also run an evening summer series of cyclocross events. We are joining forces with Sprockets Cycle Club to host a series of six events between us in Newbury and Wokingham. Details are available here.

There are also regional and national events and championships organised by British Cycling and plenty of opportunities for day trips to the spiritual home of Cyclocross, Belgium, for beer, frites and epic mud! Enjoy!

Coaching

Newbury Velo has several coaches specialising in cyclocross, and we will have several fun weekly coaching and training initiatives leading up to and through the season; check our calendar for Adult cyclocross training starting in April 2024.