I’m so embarrassed. I’ve lived in Portland for three years and — as of last week — had yet to try cyclocross. This is Portland, after all, home to one of the most enthusiastic cross scenes in the U.S., and home to of a number of notable pros such as Ryan Trebon, Erik Tonkin and Rhonda Mazza.
How could I possibly have gone on this long without spending a weekend sliding around in the mud? I hate missing out on fun, so last Wednesday I borrowed a Redline Conquest Pro single-speed bike, prayed to the gods of agility and balance, and set out to the cyclocross clinic put on by Team S&M, Kona, and the Cross Crusade at Alpenrose.
““We want people to walk before they run…so that when they run, they will run well.”
–‘Cross expert Erik Tonkin
Fortunately, I wouldn’t be thrown into a race totally unprepared and end up on a Youtube bloopers video. The clinic aims to help both novice and more experienced riders learn and hone skills in time for the first Cross Crusade race, which is conveniently also at Alpenrose as well on October 7th. Not only are these clinics cheap, but they are also run by world-class cyclocross racers.
Erik Tonkin of the Sellwood Cycle Repair and Team Kona, helps run the clinics with assistance a group of talented local cross riders who are providing their expertise and guidance for a mere pittance. “We want people to walk before they run,” Tonkin explained, “so that when they run, they will run well.” The very thought of running at all, let alone during a bike race, made me wince; I’ve always stayed away from “running” sports.
Luckily, the beginner group didn’t have to do much running. With eighty plus people at the clinic, we divided into smaller groups and the novice folks went off to learn the basics; such as clipping out, dismounting, and picking up the bike.
The clinics are designed to be progressive in terms of skill building. As Tonkin emphasizes, each clinic will introduce new skills as well as reviewing from the week before. The hope is that people will attend all four clinics. And I think I will need all four clinics as evidenced by the scratches all over my right leg.
Tonkin’s adage of “walking before running” resonated with me after it took a couple of dismounts to get used to clipping out and also staying upright. But I think the cross bug has bitten me. I’ll definitely be back next week.
I’ll be doing all four clinics as well as putting myself to the test at the first Cross Crusade in October, and chronicling my mishaps, wipeouts, and adventures for BikePortland. If you missed the first cross clinic, you can still register for the series which is a mere $25. Check the OBRA website for more details.