VGC: So first off, before we go much further, explain to everyone just what exactly cyclocross is?

Cyclocross (Cross) is a fall/ winter time cycling based sport that combines cycling and running on multi-surfaces with natural and man-made obstacles/barriers. It is a sport that must be observed to truly understand. I explain it to non-cyclist as steeplechase on bicycles.

VGC: Ah, the old steeplechase… I haven’t a clue what that is?

I understand it as a track and field event where runners have to jump obstacles and ponds of water. It also is a term used for a horse event where rider and horse jump barriers.

The bunch dismounts to clear the barriers.

VGC: Will I get laughed off the course if I show up on a mountain bike? How about my road bike?

Definitely Not! Mountain bikes and road bikes will work just fine with few modifications. A mountain bike would just need some thinner tires for lower rolling resistance. If you have a 29er, you can actually run cross tires. A 700X35c Cross tire would work well for most conditions. A road bike would need some tires with traction which is trickier, but doable. I have seen people race a road bike without any modifications and race competitively.

VGC: Like who? A road bike hanging with cross bikes and mountain bikes?

One person comes to mind… the current Arizona Cyclocross Champion- Ryan O’Connor. He raced his road bike without any changes other than air pressure, and placed in the top five of at least one Pro, 1, 2 race. I am not condoning every person do this with their $11,000 Pinarello, but realize it is possible.

VGC: Now, what if I don’t really think I’ll be ‘race fit’ in the Fall and Winter months, how can I still use cyclocross as a benefit?

The great aspect about cyclocross is that it helps maintain your anaerobic fitness during the off-season. Many professional cyclists use cyclocross as a way to stay fit or gain fitness during the off season. Racing cyclocross is way more fun than doing intervals solo. Cyclocross really can compliment a road or mountain bike race season.

Professional road cyclist JR Grabinger using cross to stay fit!

VGC: How much are entry fees? If I’m going to do this as ‘training’, I don’t want to spend $40 a race!

$25 online without fees, or $30 day of event. I would love the events to be even cheaper, but park fees, USA Cycling fees, insurance and payouts take every bit of that money. AZCROSS is not getting rich or even profitable. Last year, we lost quite a bit of money. This year our park fees increased and USA Cycling insurance went up from $2 per rider to $3 per rider. We are just trying to find that “happy medium!” I understand why Arizona is losing more and more classic road races and criteriums. They are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain road permits and expensive to promote.

VGC: How did the whole “azCROSS” thing come about?

Arizona has had various forms of a cross series over the years. There was a series in Flagstaff put on by NAU students and grads. Tucson ran a series for a few years. I am told that many years ago Phoenix even had its own series. In 2006, I met Jay Seymoure. We both had the same frustration with the current situation of not knowing whether or not there would be a place to race cross in AZ. We both decided to not wait for others to put on a series and created a true series with courses as challenging as any other area in the country. Since azCROSS.com’s inception, our goal has been to grow cyclocross racing into a legitimate off season racing series modeled after the ones in the Pacific Northwest, Colorado, and New England. Each year we want to bring new venues and courses to the series, so that it stays fresh and exciting. New this year is AZCROSS, LLC, a company set up to take cross racing in Arizona into the future. Even more exciting, we have added three friends, Josh Christensen, Jarrod Barnes, and Travis McMaster into the company. So, we are growing and so is cyclocross. In fact, according to USA Cycling, Cyclocross is the fastest growing cycling sport in the US. Come to one of our races and find out why!

VGC: How is this year’s series shaping up? We want the lowdown.

This year is shaping up to be a very cool race series. We are starting in Flagstaff for a back to back race weekend on Oct. 24th & 25th. Then, we will have our first night race under the lights on November 7th in Mesa (Cross Vegas style); followed by a race in Phoenix on November 14th and in Mesa on November 28th. The Arizona State Championships will be held in Gilbert on December 19th which happens to be the weekend after US Cyclocross Nationals in Bend, OR.

I bet this incline gets old after 5-10 laps...

VGC: Now typical cross races can be crazy, especially in Europe. What’s the spectating scene like in this series? Does it every get wet, cold, or rowdy?

The spectating scene is growing! We have had some rowdy fans at a few races, but typically our crowds are family and friends of participants. We want it to be a scene for everyone.
It can be cold and wet- It is the Valley in the winter, you never know what the weather will do. We have had rain and mud in many races.

And now for the re-mount!

VGC: Anything else you’d like to throw in? Any pearls of wisdom before I get geared up for the cross season?

I here many excuses of why people don’t come out and race cross! The most common excuse is that people feel they are not fit enough to be competitive! I would like to dispel that myth- You don’t need to be peaking or in top condition to race cross and have a good time.

Editor: Thanks again to Jeremy Bounds and everyone at azCROSS. For more information on Arizona’s upcoming cyclocross season, please visit www.azCROSS.com.