Race report by Louise Carson.

Cross, cross, cross! No I don’t have anger management issues, but that is all I have heard about in our household for the past few years as I am married to a cyclocross tragic.

I’ve been to plenty of cyclocross events over the last 2 years (he even manages to sneak in a couple when we go snowboarding in Japan), and whilst they look like fun, they always look too technical, too difficult and too physically challenging. My hubby has been at me for years to get out there and have a go – but I felt much more comfortable on my road bike, and left the mud, sweat and beers for him.

So along comes Supercross16! The first time a night cyclocross race has been attempted in Australia, styled on the US race CrossVegas to promote cyclocross to the people of Perth. (I actually think Stu and Greg just wanted to have cross race under lights for themselves). I’ve been watching this event develop from its conception (and know how much work and planning was involved), so with a few days to go until race night I signed up my name (well Stu actually signed me up) for no other reason than to support the event and have more females in the field.

In all honesty, I had a sleepless night that evening – questioning why I was putting myself in the race – so far out of my comfort zone! I would be doing the race on a not just a mountain bike but a fatbike (Ruze 650+), I had no idea how to get on and off the bike unless I came to a complete stop, wasn’t sure if I could lift the bike over the barriers, and while my fitness is ok, I have not been close to threshold levels on the bike in months. How embarrassing! But then I convinced a mate to sign up with me (thanks Leigh), and with a partner in crime I felt much more comfortable in what I was expecting to be total humiliation (these moments are much better shared).

So the event came around – the course looked amazing and the atmosphere was incredible. I didn’t do the warm up around the whole course (I was too busy chatting), deciding to fly by the seat of my pants instead come race time. At the start line, it was all very friendly and relaxed. The girls where all casually chatting and all but a few were in their first race, with some on cross bikes and lots on mountain bikes. The racers flew out from the start – I was slow out and left at the back still in warm up mode. Going past the crowd in the first lap was amazing – everyone was cheering loudly and full of support (thanks to my SPR buddies that came to cheer, giggle and heckle). The flyover was exciting, the barriers challenging (I was an utter gumby going over them) and the course itself was just so interesting. Corners, grass, flyover bridge, road, barriers, sand, a run-up, curbs, stairs, detours through showground stables, tunnels – it was all there. And sure, my heart rate was close to threshold for the entire 30 minutes, but with all the fun distractions of the course, it was barely noticeable. (Like trail running compared to road running).

As each lap went on, I could feel my bike handling skills improve and confidence increase (my second lap was almost 1 minute quicker than my first lap) Mounts and dismounts were nothing short of laughable, and even though I was pushing my limits through the whole race, there was not one thought of ‘why am I doing this’. I ended up finishing in the middle of the field – but even if I had finished last I would’ve had a big massive smile on my face. It was honestly the best fun I have had on a bike since being a kid let loose on Rottnest and being told by my parents to come back for dinner.

My better half on seeing my jubilance at having competed gave me the all-knowing ‘I told you so’ look. Much like the look he gave me when I started out doing my first group rides on a road bike after 6 months of hesitation. I went to bed that night, once again unable to sleep thanks to this Supercross 16 event, due to the excitement of the evening and the desire to get back out there and have another crack at it.

There is no pressure in a cross race – the community is incredibly friendly and supportive, so are the hecklers! The support from the crowd during the event was brilliant. You honestly get out there and do your own race at your own pace – and no matter how fast or slow you go, you can’t help but have fun with the added bonus of having done a really intense workout that would feel like death on a road bike or trainer. Even though the course has some technical parts, it is all totally rideable, you do not need to have incredible bike handling skills (sure – the experts with these skills just do these bits faster!)

Late nights and work pressures meant I have missed a few morning rides this week, but I found 30 minutes to take the kids to the park this afternoon – and the mountain bike came along so I could learn how to get on and off the bike! You can fit a cross practise session in anytime, anywhere.

I hate to say that my husband was right, but Cross is the bomb! I now understand why he loved the sport the first time he saw it back in 2012.  A short intense race that doesn’t eat into your whole day, a family friendly event as kids of all ages can ride in a friendly race as well (even lil’ ones on balance bikes), and most importantly – FUN! Supercross 16 is bound to be the biggest race of the year (and will be even bigger in 2017, 2018 and 2019), but there will be at least 6 more Cross races in the WA Cyclocross season (May-September). There are separate male and female races, with different categories in each. Don’t wait another 2 years like I did to join in on the fun. Get on your mountain bike or CX machine and have a crack. Borrow your friend’s wheels if you don’t have any. You’ll be blown away by how much fun it is – and I guarantee the smile will still be on your face days after the event and you’ll be shopping for a new bike in no time.

Check out ‘WA Cyclocross’ on Facebook.

WACX Dates (Sunday): 22^nd May, 12^th June, 26^th June, 10^th July, 7^th August, 28^th August