I think the CX scene is *almost* there in terms of rebuilding a new core in US sport cycling. Only a few more pieces in the puzzle are needed. I’m no expert — it’s just a hunch.
To show you how close CX is, right now it has the sport, and the mayhem, and the silliness that’s needed (new issue #20 of CX Mag has a good silliness quote). They have the local/town hookup pretty good. Cuisine — moreover of a sort not usually seen in the athletes of “serious” sport — beer. They have the self-sustaining dynamic: racers are also spectators are also volunteers and hosts. They even embrace the bike-type and event-type diversity. They give props to their past and even celebrate “old school” nicely. It seems like they have it all, pretty much. What more could anyone ask for?
I’m thinking a wee dose more of the following: versatility, roots, history, diversity, and realism.
Realistically, doping is going to smack CX as much as any sport. It’ll whack the top and pop up in the middle. We gotta be ready for it and not think CX will get off lightly on its own in terms of its being tuff and pro. I think CX’s acceptance of the showbiz aspect of sport and its APPROPRIATION of that aspect for ITS OWN FUN — as with costumery and tequila shortcuts — will be what keeps it from having doping be a bummer. CX won’t expect perfection. It deals with mud and rolls on. Ya just can’t take it too seriously. Realistically, every race needs a winner and a winner has a job to do, should represent, but it’s so much more. Sport itself is not very important! It’s people playing. Treat it as such. We need that. Just as it is, not as something to bend outta shape. There will be screwups. …And all showbiz has its private sides. CXers more than others clearly have feet of clay.
Next: I think part of the heart of CX is bikes you can do a lot with, a lot of kinds of riding: road racing, touring, dirt racing. That’s a lot. A light bike with clearances and wing-brakes isn’t going to lose a local roadrace for those reasons. Sure, specialize, and at the top the specialists may well win…but don’t forget the allrounders. I sense potential there for CX to stay more mindful of this than other bikesport (but when have I been right?). I see lotsa reviews of carbon uberbikes in the CX mag, but! but! There’s also an article on Gravel Grinders with bikes with racks, fenders and leather saddles front’n’center — so there’s hope! The hope isn’t that everyone will be all an allrounder — it’s that they’re always welcomed and included and even lifted up. A dude who rides to a race, or who rides to a race then camps out and then races, deserves props no matter his finish.
Then there’s fun courses that are NOT to the letter of the law. So what if they don’t all get official approval. No big loss. We shouldn’t let the orgs turn into monsters and push us into having cookiecutter courses or force all riders to do it their way. Sure, dirt crits might have the growth potential OF A KIND. Creative courses have their perks, too. Include both.
Our local park venues are great ways to tie-in CX to the towns. CX doesn’t balk the locals from driving. The food, drink, music, noise, plus getting close to the action, plus nobody gettin’ killed, can attract anyone. Town tie-in’s need to be at the FRONT. Local biz: bike shops, microbrews, local food, local bands, mayors, neighborhood/livability groups — they’re not a mighty cash-rich hand but they’re our hand, so let’s play it!
Then there’s our history/roots: Have you seen those old CX pics from the 1930’s France? Have you seen that old UK YouTube video? Scrambling over hill and dale, among farms and forest: it’s real. Let’s not forget it! This is the heart of what we have to offer the bike world. I see roots in our current CX media but they tend to go back to the 80’s — let’s dig ’em in a little deeper. I recall when Nick, a pal who’s won all sort of bike races, went to Poland. He rode with tough old dudes on road training rides — they’d bust off the road and cut through farms and other singletrack without batting an eye. He was shocked! They didn’t even slow down or think it wasn’t still their road training session.
Then there’s roots in terms of generations and being involved at different levels: CX racers are famous among bikesports for their spectating. I think they’re famous also for pitching in. I think it’s good to push everyone involved to help across a wide range: *race; *watch; *make noise; *make food’n’drink; *help with teardown/setup; *help with courses; *welcome all bike- and rider-types; *HELP KIDS!!! …Spread and share and sustain the wealth.
It’s hard to find purity in this world. Thankfully, the world is a CX kinda place. You’ll find more broken pavement and cowpaths out there than smooth purity. Our flow and our contribution are the only places where we can get clean — the surfaces are gonna be mixed.
So let’s plant the roots of CX out far’n’wide — that way it’ll jump up high and strong.
I’m new to it, so what do I know, but from what I’ve seen so far, I’d say we’re 90% there. Darn good!
