As suggested in our featured article today, cyclocross courses should spark friggin’ joy. We agree. And we’ve been experience some joy of late. Not as participants mind you, but as spectators and fans of the sport and lovers of bikes. Cyclocross riders do awesome stuff with their bikes—bikes which look somewhat like the ones we’re riding. So much so, that in watching cyclocross races we’re often almost inspired to give it a try. Almost. Then we listen to an interview of Sven Nys or watch replays of Coppenbergcross and we’re reminded that it’s not as easy as it looks. We’ll just enjoy watching the sport for now.

wheels we’re following

kit we’re eyeing

where we’re riding

café-stop reading

We’ve never ridden on a cyclocross course. We, of course, have watched some cyclocross races, and we appreciate the dynamic obstacles (some natural and some man-made) thrown at the races. We also appreciate the close proximity of fans to the riders and the assurance of television coverage afforded by cyclocross venues. Yet, we’ve rarely considered what it takes to design good or bad course. That is, until we read Colin Reuter’s guide on “How to Build a Good Cyclocross Course”. In fact, reading the article makes for a good introduction to the sport.

off the back of the newsletter

Checkout Lotus’ new blingy e-bike. Watch some cyclocross this weekend. Listen to an interview of cyclocross legend Sven Nys on Life in the Peloton. Thibau Nys is following in his father’s footsteps and winning cyclocross races and he’ll be very competitive in this weekends European Cyclocross Championships—it’ll probably be wet and muddy. The Dutch have a headwind racing championship—it was cancelled because of the wind. Wear this shirt if you have a cool cyclocross bike.

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