Equipment – part 2
Just got back from a training ride and more than anything I’m really happy with what I’ve got going for clothing this year. What to wear in cyclocross is so crucial since our first race is in the middle of October and my last one is in early December. This time of year in the
Midwest means low temperatures, harsh winds, rain, snow, and for the courses it means mud, snow, and ice. All of this while operating at 90-100% of your max heart rate. Here’s what I wear on a 45-50 degree (F) day of racing:
Bib shorts – the suspenders are must for keeping everything in ahem…place
Knee warmers
Short sleeve jersey or long sleeve wicking shirt – base layer
Long sleeve jersey
Lightweight wool socks – Anything too heavy will get sweaty or will soak in mud
Full fingered or short fingered gloves – great for holding on in muddy conditions
Cycling cap or lightweight cap under…
Helmet
Shoes in cyclocross can make a huge difference. I’ve got a pair of Specialized mountain biking shoes that are perfect. The big difference over road shoes is that they have traction on the bottom which makes running a ton easier. The one’s I have also have removable toe studs which are great for running up slick hills, but make walking on concrete hellish. Another great feature is they have a main buckle system that works really well in the slop unlike my old shoes whose Velcro would crap out if it smelled wet (like my cell phone!). Oh and they fit really well. Clutch. Last year I would carry a small water bottle in my jersey pocket, but usually I only had one or two chances to take a drink so this year I’ve been forgoing water. Having a water bottle cage on your bike can make shouldering a bike more difficult with extra stuff in your main triangle and besides with cross races only being an hour I generally just drink a lot leading up to the race. The unfortunate result is that right after a race I usually need to pee so bad, yet my legs can barely walk me over to the bathroom.
