Top 5 Reasons to do Cyclocross - plus - VIDEO!

and . . .

Top 5 reasons to do a cyclocross race

5. Smaller field. Especially for women. Still very competitive, and a little intimidating to be starting on the same line as experienced women. But nowhere near as scary as a mass swim start with 100+ other women.

4. Improves bike handling skills. In the same way that throwing a toddler into the deep end of the pool improves swimming skills. By the end of the race, I was fish-tailing--nearly wiping out--and thinking, "How the hell did I do that, and how can I learn to do it again?!"

3. Cross-training. Think about it: high-intensity, anaerobic cycling (one big, long interval). Running through sand (resisted running). Jumping barriers (plyometrics). Pedaling through grass, mud, and gravel (power intervals). Yeah, go ahead and tell me this sport won't do wonders for your race performance.

2. Builds power. Try sustaining your maximum wattage for 30 minutes and tell me what it does to your fitness. Oh yeah.

Number one reason?

Because one badass sport is simply not enough.

And to finish it all off, here are some links to other bloggers' race reports . . .

Wish you were here, don't ya? - Chris Cross

Chainring Tattoo - Chris Cross Race Report

Mark Studnicki - DeStad Series/Chris Cross-Lawrence

Bike-o-Latte: De Stad round Dos - Chris Cross 10-12-08 recap