Cyclocross is hot right now, you've probably noticed. Maybe you've even fallen for the promise of muddy blasts through woodland trails and bought a 'cross bike, some Flanders socks and a cowbell. But what next? If the thrills of dodging dog-walkers in the local park are starting to fade, you might like to check out some of the new mixed-terrain sportives on offer.
It's still something of a dirty secret, but a number of the big sportive organisers now run off-road events suitable for your chunky-tyred 'cross bike. Generally much shorter than road sportives, a typical 'cross or MTB sportive is around 35 miles long and will usually feature a range of terrain, from singletrack, bridleways, muddy fields, forest paths and short sections of road to connect parts of the course.
Some, like the Evans Sportive Cross series, are specifically billed as cyclocross events. You can read Beth's report on the recent RideIt Hampshire CX sportive here. Other events, like the Wiggle MTB series, are ostensibly mountain bike sportives that just happen to be suitable for cyclocross riders. Or at least, so I thought...
Keen to check out the mysterious world of off-road riding (and yes, I do have the Flanders socks), I signed up for the Wiggle Fallen Leaves MTB sportive last December. A 30-mile loop through the Sussex countryside near Chichester, it seemed the perfect chance to test my newly acquired Felt 'cross bike on something a little more demanding than the local pavements.
But how much more demanding? At the last minute, I got in touch with the organisers of the Fallen Leaves sportive to ask whether it was crazy to turn up to a MTB sportive on a cyclocross bike. The reply (via Twitter of course), was lukewarm: "It's more MTB than cyclocross. Can ride it on either" - with an encouraging smiley face at the end.
I turned up for the ride anyway, to find out for myself. And, while cyclocross bikes were few and far between (I only saw one other person riding with drop bars) the course was brilliant and the whole day was a blast. Even two falls and a puncture couldn't wipe the grin off my mud-spattered face.
So if you're keen to try cyclocross, with all the gear but no idea where to take your bike, why not check out a mixed terrain or MTB sportive. Sure, riding off-road will improve your bike handling and your fitness - but more than that, it's simply a whole lot of fun on your bike.
We're gradually adding new off-road rides to our sportive calendar - if you spot one we've left out, drop us a line and let us know.
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