1*At this bleak time of year the open road can be a bit exposed due to leafless trees. Pavement is harsh. Gravel is also breezier than CX. CX is slower and more sheltered — don’t need as intense of a clothing routine.
2*Scenery is at a low point for straight-road riding. The intricacy of CX keeps interest. Every course offers significantly different features. Every course can be ridden in multiple ways. Wide range of engagement.
3*Like mtbiking, CX has no cars, but mtbiking is frequently restricted because wet trails are closed due to erosion risk. Sure, trails can still be nice when dry, but we’ve been on them most of the year already. Time for a change of pace! At least incl a lil something new now’n’then. Spice o’ life!
4*CX offers a very intense outing in a short time. Less time to get chilled in colder weather. (The fun is in keeping a flowing rhythm going through the features.)
5*The video drama of pro racing, especially Europe at this time of season (the US shuts down for some reason) is at a vastly high quality. The race-shows can be inspiring and we can easily respond by going out and having our own related fun. The storylines can be captivating. TONS of races during our Xmas school break. Almost daily. Top shelf production quality, incl drones and cable-cams. Culture, crowds, kids, dogs all charming. (I love seeing the kids antics that the drone shots reveal constantly.)
6*CX easily done close to home, often in several nearby places. CX rewards creativity in imagining fun places to ride. I’ve found 5 awesome courses in the Lansing metro area that I frequent. There are many more, I’m sure, in other nearby neighborhoods. CX courses require very little overhead effort: use your eyes, toss some sticks, line it up! It’s the opposite of MTB trailwork which is hugely labor intensive to build and keep.
7*Those who live near switchback mountain climbs can pretend they’re in TdF. If you live in a grey, cold, leafless, muddy place you can do ‘cross like the pro’s in Belgium.
8*There’s a season for everything: mtbiking has a steamy green feel, road seems like baking heat. Late fall is for CX!
9*You already have a cross bike — since most any bike will work. If it’s not wet even mild tires work. A bit of knob can help, plus let a little air out. I’ve had a dandy time on my road bike and many use MTBs. Tourbike fine.
10*Then once it gets really cold we can ice-skate and once it snows (or we feel like driving) we can get on the skis. So we cover even more of our seasonal bases!
