A new addiction
As some of you may know, I started participating in 5k/10k events this summer. I ran in the DG 10k, a 5k in burr ridge, and then the Champions run 10k which is my favorite of the three I accomplished this summer. The Champions run path has a nice view of the Lake, city, and just a nice flat path. Downers Grove on the other hand has a great view of the suburbs with many hills. Running is still something I will continue to do but I have found it to be dull at times.
So I bought a recreational level road bike. I've been riding it 3-4 times a week and enjoying it. The only part I am afraid of is being hit by a car while on the road. Some people pass me leaving me only a foot to spare between us. From time to time I get an occasional hello wave from another road biker. I've never waved back since it always catches me off guard and by the time I think of it, it is too late. With it getting colder and colder out I was looking around for other options. I plan on purchasing a trainer for my bike so I can ride my bike indoors. One day I ran across something that I have never heard of, cyclocross. A sport that both road bikers and mountain bikers conjoin during the winter seasons.
Cyclocross, or cross, has races for competitive and non competitive racers. As you can see in the first video provided that it can get very competitive and many different types of strategies are used. In the second video, the cyclocross 2009 Chicago video, you can see that there are competitive riders then you have the rest that race for fun. People dressing in costumes (guy in supergirl outfit, batman outfits), spectators handing out shots of jack/beer to competitors during the race, and other random things.
I haven't seen in person how these cross races are run but I look forward to participating in them. I was hoping to attend at least 7 or 8 of the 12 they have this winter. The first race in Jackson Park next Sunday is already full. I'll still be attending with my bike and put my name on the wait list in hopes that someone doesn't show.
I dont have a cyclocross bike so I will be using my mountain bike. Huge disadvantage but as of right now I do not feel like dropping a grand on a new cyclocross bike. For me it is less of a race and more of attempting to finish before I die. Below are the two videos I mentioned as well as some links if you are curious about cross. Let me know if you would like to come out to support me. I'd appreciate it.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2009-09-24/entertainment/0909220212_1_cyclocross-racing-mud
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2009-09-24/news/0909240254_1_bike-races-cost-helmet
2009 Chicago Cyclocross Cup from Heather Jurewicz on Vimeo.
So I bought a recreational level road bike. I've been riding it 3-4 times a week and enjoying it. The only part I am afraid of is being hit by a car while on the road. Some people pass me leaving me only a foot to spare between us. From time to time I get an occasional hello wave from another road biker. I've never waved back since it always catches me off guard and by the time I think of it, it is too late. With it getting colder and colder out I was looking around for other options. I plan on purchasing a trainer for my bike so I can ride my bike indoors. One day I ran across something that I have never heard of, cyclocross. A sport that both road bikers and mountain bikers conjoin during the winter seasons.
Cyclocross, or cross, has races for competitive and non competitive racers. As you can see in the first video provided that it can get very competitive and many different types of strategies are used. In the second video, the cyclocross 2009 Chicago video, you can see that there are competitive riders then you have the rest that race for fun. People dressing in costumes (guy in supergirl outfit, batman outfits), spectators handing out shots of jack/beer to competitors during the race, and other random things.
I haven't seen in person how these cross races are run but I look forward to participating in them. I was hoping to attend at least 7 or 8 of the 12 they have this winter. The first race in Jackson Park next Sunday is already full. I'll still be attending with my bike and put my name on the wait list in hopes that someone doesn't show.
I dont have a cyclocross bike so I will be using my mountain bike. Huge disadvantage but as of right now I do not feel like dropping a grand on a new cyclocross bike. For me it is less of a race and more of attempting to finish before I die. Below are the two videos I mentioned as well as some links if you are curious about cross. Let me know if you would like to come out to support me. I'd appreciate it.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2009-09-24/entertainment/0909220212_1_cyclocross-racing-mud
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2009-09-24/news/0909240254_1_bike-races-cost-helmet
You can watch this video on www.livejournal.com
You can watch this video on www.livejournal.com
2009 Chicago Cyclocross Cup from Heather Jurewicz on Vimeo.