History

Cross-country cycling, or cyclocross, was created by a young French soldier, Daniel Gousseau, about 1900. Gousseau, who later became secretary-general of the French Cycling Union, frequently rode his bicycle over rough trails through difficult country, alongside a general on horseback.

Then he got some friends involved and, in 1902, he organized the first French championship race. Cyclocross was pretty much confined to France until the 1920s, but by 1924 riders from enough countries were involved that the first international race was held in Paris. Most of the entrants were road racers who used cyclocross to stay in shape during the winter. The cyclocross specialist didn't emerge until the 1970s.

The first world cyclocross championship was held in 1950 and the first U. S. national championship was held in 1975.

A typical cyclocross course is a narrow loop, 1 to 2 miles long, that includes natural obstacles, such as streams, muddy areas, and fallen trees, combined with man-made obstacles, such as fences and hay bales. About one-quarter of the course is unrideable, so a cyclist has to dismount and run while carrying the bike.

A race is made up of several circuits of the course. There's a pit area near the beginning of the course, where a cyclist can stop for repairs or to get another bike. If a course is very muddy, a rider might start each lap with a clean bike, while the pit crew scrubs the dirty one.

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