Cyclo-cross offers non-stop action.

The popularity of cyclo-cross continues to grow across the country—and certain areas such as Portland, it is a huge hit! In our area, like many others, it has, until lately, been a sport dominated by men. Several years ago, there were so few women racing that they weren’t divided by levels and age groups, as is common among the men. At present, the women compete in various ability groups which makes for a more competitive race for the A-level and keeps things more enjoyable and less intimidating for the B and C-levels. It is also preferable for the women to compete as a separate group. In the past, the level B women had to race in the very same time slot as the level C men. The men were given a momentary head start before the women’s race began. Unfortunately, when the women caught up to the guys, these macho men were not very gracious about being passed.

The women of cyclo-cross take the race and looking good seriously.

Cyclo-cross is such an excellent cross-training sport and the races themselves are such fun that women from various cycling backgrounds have become enthusiastic cyclo-cross racers: road cyclists, mountain bikers, triathletes and even commuter cyclists were represented in the cyclo-cross race on Halloween morning. They brought their families and friends to cheer them on, and their children and dogs easily mixed with the informal atmosphere and many got into the Halloween spirit and wore costumes in the race.

The Road Cyclist: Meet Lisa Misakavich, who raced while disguised as the Incredible Hulk. This is her second year of cyclo-cross and she is racing as a Level B.

Lisa enjoys the fun of cyclo-cross and the spirit of Halloween.

Lisa compared it to her experience as a road racer: “In cyclo-cross, there is not as much pressure to win as a road race. Yet, the technical aspects of cyclo-cross are harder to learn as a former road rider.”

Her favorite thing about cyclo-cross: “I love the barriers. They crack me up. I still think it’s funny that they want you to get off your bike during the race.”

The Mountain Biker: Jenny Wade had that look of someone who knew exactly what she was doing. She pulled off her warm-up clothes to reveal her team jersey and shorts. She rides for the team: Church of the Big Ride. This is her third season of cyclo-cross, but she was a well-seasoned mountain bike racer before that, and that experience is an advantage as she has down the technical aspects of riding on the off-road race course.

Jenny jumps the barrier with ease.

What are her favorite things about cyclo-cross? She really likes riding and racing against only women. She states it’s never boring—and your heart rate stays up! She also loves the friendly people and the welcoming atmosphere at cyclo-cross events

The Commuter Cyclist: Melanie Gladding is experiencing her first year as a cyclo-cross racer. And before that? She rode her bike to ride to work a few times a week. This mother of two took up cyclo-cross racing with the encouragement of her husband who has been a semi-pro mountain biker. She still considers herself slow and at present she is in the C level, but she enjoys the way cyclo-cross forces her to work at it because it is a challenge.

Melanie races on as her family cheers her from the sidelines.

The Triathlete: Meet Virginia Clark. This is her first year back into cyclo-cross—and cycling of any kind after having a rough couple years with her personal life. She raced in a few sprint triathlons this summer and is racing at the B level for the first time in this upcoming race. Her experience as a triathlete with its running and biking portions certainly is an advantage in this form of racing which also incorporates sprinting sections and cycling sections throughout. (One thought that occured to me: if you are a triathlete who really doesn’t enjoy the swimming portion of the triathlon, cyclo-cross may be the sport for you!)

Virginia is back on the bike after a break.