[This is the third report in a series on learning cyclocross by contributor Stephanie Chase. Read the other two here and here.]
I run like a fairy. Seriously. Stick me in a tutu, cue “Swan Lake,” and I would fit right in; except for the fact that I’m in cycling shoes, sweating, awkward, and holding a bike.
At the third Alpenrose Cyclocross Clinic, we got closer to practicing on an actual cross course complete with a few barriers. I quickly learned that despite their diminutive appearance, the barriers were troublesome obstacles determined not to let me get over very easily.
finer pleasures.
(Photo © Jonathan Maus)
Part of the problem was them, but a good chunk of my stumbling and falling was my own fault. The pixie-like running didn’t help, either. After dismounting before the barrier, instead holding the bike up and dashing over the top like a pro, I fumbled into these little stutter steps followed by some kind of odd leap.
Back on the ground, it was more of the little stutter steps before grabbing the saddle with right thigh. All that’s missing was a pirouette. In my quest to look cool and badass, I am clearly losing.
Further complicating my quest for coolness, cyclocross seems to discriminate against the short. Instead of being able to reach down, slip my shoulder under the top tube and ease the bike up, like those lucky ones with 55 cm bikes, I had to pull some pretzel-like maneuvers to get my shoulder into my 49 cm Kona.
Not only is it more difficult to shoulder smaller bikes, but it’s harder to get enough clearance over the barriers. All this is particularly ego-crushing; a month ago during a visit to the doctor, I learned that I am actually 5’6, not 5’4 which is what I had been telling people since I stopped growing at sixteen.
Empowered with my newfound height, getting over a simple barrier should’ve been easy, right? Nope. My first couple attempts resulted in a bulldozing of the barrier. Those extra two inches proved worthless; hence I went back to my odd leaping which allowed me enough clearance.
The last clinic is tonight. It’s been hard, but I’m hooked. ‘Cross has suckered another one in!
Editor’s note: Congratulations Stephanie!