We started with the ultimatum highway bikes, gradually “leaving the asphalt”. Cross-country is next. In my opinion, cross-country combines two polar ideologies. Highway with its attraction to lightness and speed and mountain with a necessary durability and control on a difficult terrain.
“Cross-country” – by this term is meant the direction in cycling, where the race takes place on rough terrain. It is necessary to distinguish cross-country from cycling through the woods.
Tracks for racing are equipped professionally, taking into account the requirements. And to ride on these tracks you need a cross-country race bike. In addition, this sport requires good physical fitness, endurance and reaction time, so it is not so easy as it may seem.
Speaking about cross-country skiing we think of the UCI World Cup and different local championships.
These competitions are divided into three types depending on the course.
Classic race. Overcoming 3-6 laps on the track length of 5-9 km. Time of arrival in this case is no more than 2 hours.
Shor-track – 6-9 laps on a short distance.
Marathon – a long-distance race, lasting 2-8 hours.
Cross-country tracks can be extremely diverse in terms of complexity.
For example, you can often meet the tracks without any technical sections. They are designed specifically to ensure that anyone could take part in the race.
Of course, technical sections are compulsory on most famous tracks. They include drops, dives, rock gardens, counterclones. Complexity can go so far that not all trained riders dare to pass such things. That’s why only endurance and systematic training can ensure victory in the competition. But do not forget about the iron horse – it depends on him a lot in the tough struggle, where the account is literally in the seconds.
For cross-country characterized by two types of bicycles: hardtails and double-pods with the traditional suspension travel of 100mm.
These bikes are the most common, as these bikes are the most versatile, equipped with transmissions with a wide range, the weight of carbon frames, as a rule, less than one kilogram.
The total weight of country bikes may not go beyond 8.5 kilograms, provided that they are racing bikes. We’re talking about hardtails right now, though.
Two-pods in cross country are more and more common. This is logical due to the fact that trails are becoming technically very difficult, and twin-pods allow you to pass such technical areas better. Their frames weigh about a couple of kilograms because of the design. Otherwise, it’s the same.
Cross country may seem like something easy in every sense of the word, but it’s not. You have to put a lot of effort and endurance into racing. But at the same time, you get the adrenaline and the fullness of the cycling experience.