Originally Posted by
unmumpsimus
Which is why you see all those folks riding the "most challenging surfaces" on MTBs with drop bars.
oh wait...
I would encourage you to view some cyclocross racing - then you'll get it. Here's one of many to get you started.
Of course I'm not a cyclocross racer and if I was I'd certainly buy a dedicated bike. But since I have a Trek 970 mountain bike with drop bars, I don't feel a need to buy a Surly Cross Check or something like that.