Cyclocross: Technique

Technique: Mounts & Dismounts
Mastering the mounts and dismounts required in cyclo-cross takes practice and lots of it. Start out slowly on a smooth surface; as you improve, try practicing on progressively less friendly terrain.

Dismounts
When you begin a dismount prior to an extended running section, your hands should be on the tops of your bars, your eyes looking forward, your left pedal down. Remove your right foot from its pedal, then swing you right leg over your rear wheel. Bring your right leg forward, between the frame and your left leg; simultaneously, release the handlebars with your right hand and grab the middle of the down tube. Just as your right foot is about to make contact with the ground, flick your left foot out of the pedal; pick the bike up with your right hand; plant the middle of the top tube on your shoulder; let go of the down tube; and reach under it to grab the left side of the handlebars, near the left shift lever. Remove your left hand from the bars and run like hell.
A dismount for a single lift over an obstacles is a little different. Begin your dismount as before, but when you take your right hand off the bars, grasp the top tube in front of the tip of your saddle. Execute the rest of the dismount, but maintain your grip on the left side of the handlebar and the top tube, then pick up the bike and hurdle the obstacle.

Remounts
When taking the bike off your shoulder, grab the left-top side of your handlebars with your left hand; move your right hand from the bars and grasp the middle of the down tube; then slide the bike off your shoulder and gently place the wheels on the ground, pointing in the direction you want to go. Take your right hand off the down tube and grasp the right top side of the handlebars. Always looking forward, take a few quick steps and leap off your left foot with just enough height to clear your saddle, landing on the inside of your right thigh and slipping smoothly atop the saddle (it's easier said than done). Quickly find your pedals, flip them over and insert your feet. Normally, when you put your bike back down, the pedals will end up in the same spot each time. Try it! For remounting after a single obstacle, take your right hand off the top tube and put it back onto the bars. Now take a few quick steps and leap off your left foot and slide back onto the saddle. Find your pedals, put your feet back into them and start pedaling.

This Article Published 2004-07-22 11:26:22 For more information contact: membership@usacycling.org