Training for cyclocross

Cyclocross is a form of racing which is not very lengthy, but it is quite intense, and requires a lot of the vigor and stamina. Cyclocross races last for about a half an hour, sometimes even one whole hour, and they involve riding a bike, and getting off of it at some point in order to surpass certain obstacles on foot, after which returning on the bike and finishing the race.

What kind of skills does one require for cyclocross?

Cyclocross develops a wide specter of abilities such as running, readiness for going into action suddenly, control over speeding up and down so that it is in a timely manner, cornering, descending and technical transitions.

When preparing for cyclocross from scratch, the first things to work on are strength and energy, as well as descending and cornering skills. Another thing that is important to master is the act of running and lifting up the bike. For those who have not yet perfected all the skills that make for professional cyclocross riders, and yet they are not at the very beginning, the focus is on the strength of upper-body parts and the muscles whose development is required for running. This is also the stage where the riders should start measuring the time while practicing and become more aware of the rate of its passing. Finally, elite racers are the ones who are doing cyclocross for a while and training dedicatedly, which means that they have mastered pretty much all of the above-mentioned skills. All that is left for them is to maintain their abilities and strength, and also perfect and polish their technique.

How should one prepare for cyclocross?

The base of cyclocross training is in obtaining sufficient strength and stamina. After that, exercises to tighten up the muscles, and slow pedaling are very welcome to be included in regular exercise for cyclocross. Another thing that might not be so commonly used to prepare for cyclocross, but can accomplish extraordinary results is aerobics. Aerobic exercises not only affect the body, but they also regulate the breathing and improve the oxygen system. This is not a negligible achievement, since the body is put under a lot of strain and a large amount of energy is being spent, and breathing fully and properly and having all the oxygen that can be supplied can really have a positive impact on the endurance.