What counts as advanced in cyclocross
The advanced part of cyclocross is rarely about raw speed. It is about the transitions: getting off the bike, getting over something, and getting back on again without losing time or control. Done well, these moves look easy. Done badly, they cause crashes, so they deserve patience.
These skills involve moving quickly while on foot and holding a bike, and they carry a genuine risk of falls, sprains and collisions. Wear a helmet and gloves, ride on soft, flat, traffic-free grass, and begin at a walking pace. Increase speed only when each step feels automatic. Rules, barrier heights and course layouts differ between events, so check the rules of any race you enter. A qualified coach or an experienced club rider who can watch you is worth far more than written instructions.
The dismount
A dismount is about moving your body in an orderly sequence while the bike keeps rolling. A common approach, described here generally, is:
- Look ahead and slow down before the obstacle using both brakes, not at the last moment.
- Take your feet out of the pedals only when you are ready, and swing your outside leg behind the saddle or over it, depending on what you have learned and what feels stable.
- Step down with that foot, then bring the other foot off the pedal.
- Keep a hand on the hoods or top of the bars, and use your other hand to pick the bike up.
Riders disagree on the best style, and the right one depends on your flexibility, shoes and bike. Whichever you choose, practise it until you can do it the same way each time. Clipless pedals add another layer of difficulty, so learn the basics with flat pedals or with the cleats set up so that you can release easily.
The barrier and the lift
At a barrier you generally carry the bike by the top tube or frame as you step over, then put it back down. Lift with your legs rather than rounding your back, and keep your steps short and controlled. Practise with a low stick or a cone on the grass rather than a full-height barrier. The aim is to be able to cross the obstacle without catching a pedal or shoe on the bike.
Hopping a barrier on the bike is a different and much riskier skill. It builds on bunny hop basics, which a rider should be comfortable with before even thinking about it, and it is not suitable for most beginners. If you are curious, ask a qualified instructor to supervise.
Shouldering the bike
On steep or muddy run-ups, riders often lift the bike onto a shoulder so both hands are free to help them climb. Frames are shaped with this in mind. Details of how the top tube is designed for it are covered in the cluster article about frame design.
A cautious way to learn:
- Stand next to the bike on level ground, and lift the frame so the top tube rests across your shoulder, with your arm reaching through the frame to hold the bars or the down tube.
- Take a few steps in a straight line, then put the bike down.
- Repeat until it feels balanced, before trying a slope.
Check how your helmet, shoulder and bag straps interact with the frame, and keep the bike’s drivetrain facing away from your clothing. Carrying a bike on a wet slope is slippery, so shorter steps and a lower centre of gravity are generally wise.
Run-ups and remounts
A run-up is simply a section where it is faster to run than to ride. Pick a line where your shoes will grip, keep your body slightly forward, and use your free hand on the slope if it helps. Walking the course before a race, in the way described by walking a feature before riding it, helps you decide whether an obstacle suits running or riding.
For a remount, put the bike down on your preferred side, hold the bars, and swing a leg over once you are past the obstacle and on stable ground. Many riders push off with a couple of steps and slide onto the saddle, though that move needs practice and a bit of speed. Take your time to find the pedals. A rushed remount is a common cause of a dropped chain, a missed pedal or a fall, so it is better to lose a second than to lose control.
Build the skills in order
A sensible practice plan puts these moves in a clear order, each one practised until it feels dull:
- Dismount and remount at walking pace, on the flat.
- Add the step over a low stick.
- Add carrying the bike for a few metres.
- Add shouldering the bike on a gentle slope.
- Add a little speed, one element at a time.
Start each session with a warm-up, such as the ideas in warm up stretches before riding, because quick movements on cold muscles can strain you. Finish while you are still fresh, since errors creep in when you are tired. Many riders also find it useful to book a skills lesson, and clubs often run sessions for beginners, which is one reason finding a cycling club can be so helpful.
Racing is different from practice
Races add other riders, noise, nerves and a clock, all of which change how you move. In a race, keep a safe gap, follow the rules, and be prepared to lose a place rather than force a move you have not practised. If you do crash, check yourself first, then check your bike before you set off again. It is perfectly sensible to walk a section you do not feel ready to ride.