By Bill Plock
Rich Soares with 303Radio interviews Lance Panigutti, owner of Without Limits Productions, who is known for triathlon events across the Front Range. Once triathlon season is over, Lance and his team remain busy with a host of cyclocross events throughout the Front Range beginning this weekend.
Photo from fascatcoaching.com
“Cyclocross bikes are really the result of a road bike and a mountain bike having a baby”, according to Lance. But, in this podcast Lance goes on to assure listeners wanting to try cyclocross that using a mountain bike is perfectly fine, buying an inexpensive cyclocross bike is adequate because the atmosphere is a welcoming one that makes it ok to feel like a beginner.
Racing on dirt, in grass, negotiating obstacles like steps and low hurdles, sometimes in mud, snow or inclement weather makes it just that much more fun. The races are short, easy to spectate and generally they circle a spectator area that is the perfect place to hang out and have a beer and get to know everyone.
According to marketing manager of Feedback Sports and the biggest advocate on the planet of cyclocross, Katie Macarelli, “it is arguably the most user-friendly discipline of racing to get into. If you are a roadie, you bring an engine and pack skills. If you are an MTB’er your technical skills are solid and you’ll excel on short punch climbs and short bursts of effort. If you are a commuter you race an urban version all the time with lights, cars and curbs. Anyone can jump in! It’s just 40 minutes long. Minimal training time and time away from real life and family. Plus the community is like no other. Friendly. With beer!”
Lance adds that triathletes, which make up about 20% of the field usually, come in very fit from the season and cyclocross is a way to keep competing and having fun and trying some new things on a bike.
It seems this is the venue to try for something fun and different, safe and unintimidating. There are numerous clinics and many races to choose from! In fact, there’s a free Intro to Cyclocross Party for women at the Feedback Sports headquarters in Golden tonight (September 7th). Click here for more details.
Clinics:
Inspired Training Center Cyclocross Workshop Series
Boulder Cycle Sport Weekly Thursday Cyclocross Clinics
FasCat Coaching CX Camp
Check out the Bicycle Racing Association of Colorado website for CX races. Here is a list of a few races you should check out:
Without Limits – September through December
Back 2 Basics CXÂ – August 23rd – September 27th (Wednesday evenings)
SchoolYard Cross – October 21st
Listen to the podcast interview here…
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