Handbuild Custom Bikes for Women: Introduction to FUN

It wasn't up until a few years ago that I even knew what Cyclocross was. It sounds like some crazy motorbike race with big jump. I thought it might be interesting to tell you girls a little bit about FUN. The history behind cyclocross racing is pretty fascinating. It makes a whole lot of sense in the fact that we need a year round training program. Here are some interesting facts that I found at bigshark.com

History
Cyclocross racing was developed in Europe in the early 1900’s as a way for road racers to remain fit during fall and winter. The intense event helped athletes maintain and improve their racing fitness and skills, too. As the sport grew, some riders abandoned the road-racing scene to become cyclocross specialists. Today, there are cyclists who focus only on cross and many professional road and off-road riders race cross to keep their race engines finally tuned in the off season.

The Course
Typical cyclocross courses are 1.5- to 2-mile loops on a mix of paved and off-road surfaces over flat-to-rolling terrain. Usually, races lasts an hour plus a lap. But, what makes cross such a unique and challenging sport is that courses always include obstacles that force riders to dismount and run while carrying their bikes.

(This is the part where female women riders - who have had children need to wear DEPENDS while dismounting. )

For example, most courses feature short, steep (often muddy) sections, which are nearly impossible to ride. There can be scary cliff-like drop-offs, river crossings and technical singletrack, too. Also, courses include series of man-made barriers scattered around the course requiring riders to carry their bikes over or, if they're really talented, to jump their bikes over the obstacles (called "bunny-hopping"). It's this combination of cycling, stunt riding, carrying, running and scrambling over obstacles that makes cyclocross so exciting, such a phenomenal workout and so darn much fun!

(pic taken last year at local cxrace)

(I COULD TOTALLY GET USE TO THIS!)

Doesn't that sound like a total blast? I tell you what - this has my name written all over it. Big, steep cliffs. Barriers! Mud! Does it get any better than this? The only problem is I can't remember the last time I jumped over anything taller than 10" without peeing my pants. Thank goodness for chamois.

Kelson bikes and Bella Rosa bikes are teaming up to offer a cyclocross program. We will be offering stock framesets for $1,250 bucks. If you are interested in stock geometry we will make that available for an additional $250.