Knobbly tyres, mud, cowbells, beer and frites
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A mobile jet wash can make light work of the grime thrown up by wet roads, but the lance must be wielded with care, and pointed downwards onto the top of the sprockets, away from the bearings
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What do you need to take to the start line of a cyclo-cross race?
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At first glance a cyclo-cross bike looks like a regular road machine with knobbly tyres but the differences are more significant than that
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Cyclo-cross race courses are often caked in mud (Pic: Balint Hamvas)
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Off-road pedals offer multi-sided entry and are designed to cope in muddy conditions
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The all-weather Northwave Hammer CX is one of the few 'cross-specific shoes on the market
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A mobile jet wash can make light work of the grime thrown up by wet roads, but the lance must be wielded with care, and pointed downwards onto the top of the sprockets, away from the bearings
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What do you need to take to the start line of a cyclo-cross race?
Knobbly tyres, mud, cowbells, beer and frites
Knobbly tyres, mud, cow bells, beer and frites take over from September to February for cyclo-cross season.
Cyclo-cross racing is, in our opinion at least, one of the most accessible forms of competitive cycle sport, with a packed calendar of mass start, first-across-the-line-wins local league races up and down the country.
Racing is hard and fast – a great way to stay in shape through winter – and we’ve already caught up with two-time national cyclo-cross champion Ian Field, Great Britain’s sole representative on the men’s World Cup circuit, to find out his five top tips for ‘cross racing, from how to get started to technique.
But what race day gear do you need? You can use your road helmet and kit – cyclo-cross racing is still the preserve of lycra, not baggy shorts – so we’ll deal with those items specific to the sport.
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