What is Cyclocross?

Cyclocross is an exciting, high-intensity autumn/winter cycling sport where riders compete in multiple laps on short, varied courses that include pavement, grass, dirt, mud, sand pits, and barriers.

A large group of cyclists riding on a rural road during the daytime, with some trees and fields in the background, and orange safety tape in the foreground.

What to Expect

Two women participating in a mountain biking event, carrying their bicycles on rugged forest trail with trees and dirt path.

  • Courses:

    Races occur on short (2.5-3.5 km) multi-terrain loops featuring different surfaces like grass, dirt, sand, and paved sections. 

  • Obstacles:

    Riders must overcome artificial barriers, steep hills, and sometimes even staircases, often requiring them to dismount and carry their bikes over them. 

  • Season:

    Cyclocross races are typically held in the fall and winter, making it a popular discipline for athletes to maintain fitness in the off-season. 

  • Duration:

    Races are short and intense, usually lasting 30 minutes to an hour, with laps calculated based on time rather than a set number. 

Cyclists riding downhill on a dirt bike trail lined with orange and white safety cones, with large trees and power lines in the background.

The Bike 

  • Cyclocross bikes: are specifically designed for this sport, resembling road bikes but with features for off-road conditions.

  • They have wider, knobby tires for better grip and tire clearance for mud, disc brakes for stopping power in wet conditions, and a geometry optimized for fast handling and frequent accelerations.

  • If you don’t have a cyclocross bike, don’t worry! Any bike with wider tires and some extra grip will work fine, especially for races when the weather is dry in the Pacific Northwest.

A person carrying a colorful Pinarello mountain bike on their shoulder, wearing a black and red helmet, with a dark background of trees.
Sign Up

The Spectacle

  • Cyclocross is highly spectator-friendly, with short laps and a compact course that allows fans to see the action. 

  • The sport is known for its vibrant atmosphere, with spectators often cheering with cowbells and offering "hand-ups" of food or drinks to riders. 

  • Costumes are a common feature, and the overall vibe is often described as the "punk rock" of bike racing. 

A young child dressed in red sitting behind a hay bale, holding a dollar bill, with an adult cyclist wearing a helmet and black clothing riding past in an outdoor setting with a dirt track and blurred background.
Cyclists carrying their bikes up a steep dirt incline during a race with spectators and event tents in the background.
A smiling woman with colorful makeup, wearing a white bicycle helmet and a green patterned cycling jersey, standing among a group of cyclists.

Photos provided by Bike Tires Direct and the HarvestCX Cyclocross Series.