Debusama

Coming out of road season, I’ve usually got a good base, and after my last road race I keep with my same training routine but swap my LT interval and climbing workouts for my cross’-specific workouts which usually involves a 45-minute ride on a nearby hiking/mountain biking trail followed by drills in the park at the trail-head. Other park users seem to look at the skinny dork in spandex doing figure eights around adjacent trees, hopping on and off his bike and then putting it on his shoulder and jumping over picnic tables as if they are expecting an alien to burst out of my chest any second.

When I’m out training on the roads or practicing the course for the local 24-hour mountain bike race, I see other racers everywhere, but I never see other cross bikes on the trails, or people in the parks practicing cross’ skills like I do. There are usually good turnouts at the races in the local series, and there are plenty of people who are better than I am, so it isn’t as if I’m the only person in town training for cross'. Why do I feel as if there must be some secret underground cyclocross training courses I don’t know about? Where do all you train?

midschool22

My backyard. I also have a HUGE grassy area next door WITH a grassy drainage ditch. I can ride off camber to my hearts delight.

Debusama

Wow, you do have secret training courses. My yard isn't big enough for that... guess I'll just keep riding my trail and making a spectacle of myself at the neighborhood park.

midschool22

Very nice. My yard is smaller than it looks. Makes working on 180's easier.

ljrichar

You just need to find them. I help lead a Th night practice that my shop has been doing for years. I started a facebook group last year & that has really helped getting the word out. Usually have 10 experienced riders show up each practice. Create your own scene I say.

stevemtbr

Last year I rode the cross bike often at Riverside especially the course at 7 mile. This year since I work nights I can't get out there as much as I would like. So I've been hitting dirt roads and practice my cross skills at the local high school on the weekends. Looks to be a good series this year and I will try to ride most of them. Hope to improve on last years performance which I was happy with how the races turned out. This season I'm 5lbs lighter and just feel faster so we'll see how it goes.

Debusama

Well, I'm glad I'M not the only one doing this in Spokane. Good luck with your races this year.