{"id":3613,"date":"2022-01-20T16:28:48","date_gmt":"2022-01-20T16:28:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/ie\/?p=3613"},"modified":"2022-01-20T16:28:48","modified_gmt":"2022-01-20T16:28:48","slug":"a-beginners-guide-to-cyclocross-in-ireland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/ie\/2022\/01\/20\/a-beginners-guide-to-cyclocross-in-ireland\/","title":{"rendered":"A Beginner\u2019s Guide To Cyclocross In Ireland"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cycling is a wonderful way of getting from A to B\u2026until someone\u2019s forgotten to build a road between them. And that, readers, is where cyclocross comes in.<\/p>\n

While the discipline has been around for decades \u2013 first used as a winter training regime by elite road cyclists \u2013 it\u2019s now become one of the fastest growing forms of bike racing around. On tracks of grass, dirt, mud, gravel and just about any other underfoot substance one can think of, riders navigate a track with a multitude of obstacles; many will require dismounting and tackling it by foot, carrying your ride as you go.<\/p>\n

For some, the activity known as CX probably sounds like a unique form of torture \u2013 but for plenty of cyclists, veterans, and newbies alike, it\u2019s one of the most exciting, rewarding, and appealing challenges out there. So how does it work, where can you try it, and what do you need to get started? Read on for all the need-to-knows\u2026<\/p>\n

THE RACES<\/strong><\/p>\n

Typically, a cyclocross race will take place on a track somewhere between 2km and 3.5km long. Whether it\u2019s through woodlands, mountainsides or mucky fields, the goal remains the same; to complete as many laps of the circuit as possible during the time allowed, which is usually 30-60 minutes.<\/p>\n

The key is that obstacles \u2013 both natural and man-made \u2013 will have to be overcome along the way; that sometimes means hopping off, picking your bike up, and scurrying across\/over\/around anything that might be in your path. At other times, it means handling sharp turns, steep drops, tree roots, hurdles, and more \u2013 off-roading at its best.<\/p>\n

The combination means it\u2019s unlike any other type of cycling out there \u2013 and helps to explain why devotees treat it less like a sport and more like a lifestyle!<\/p>\n

THE TRAINING <\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the beautiful things about CX is that the world is your oyster; you can basically have a go no matter where you are. Is the terrain a bit uneven, or are there awkward gates and steps on your route? All the better \u2013 that\u2019s sort of the point!<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, there are some purpose-built facilities across the country:<\/span><\/p>\n