Ian Landau takes to the cross course. Photo: Valentina Izaguirre

So you wanna race cyclocross? Good for you!

You’re about to enter the most fun sub-subculture in the already subcultural world that is bike racing.

Cyclocross, cross, or CX—whatever way you wanna refer to it—is the wildest and toughest time you can have on two wheels.

Cross has truly exploded on the U.S. cycling scene in the past few years because, first and foremost, it’s about having a good time.

Sure, everyone likes to get good results, but more than anything else cross is about going out in gnarly weather, racing hard, gettin’ dirty, and hangin’ with buddies.

Cross combines the speed of road racing and the tough, technical challenges and terrain of mountain biking. But comparisons go only so far. Cyclocross—and its culture—is unique unto itself.

But enough of the salesman job. You’re here because you’re already interested in cross.

Now, despite cyclocross’s growing popularity, it’s still something of an esoteric branch of cycling, one that can confound even experienced roadies and mountain bikers. In part this is because the equipment for cross is specific, and the techniques aren’t like anything else in cycling.

Not to worry. CyclingReporter.com has got you covered with this exclusive series of helpful articles on how to get started in cyclocross.

Read the next article in the series, “Cyclocross: a beginner’s quick guide to equipment (part 1).”

Ian Landau is a contributing editor to CyclingReporter.com. He lives in Brooklyn, New York, and is a familiar face at road and cyclocross races up and down the East Coast.