Is cyclocross getting too hip for its own good? More importantly, has the sport we all love finally jumped the shark and begun its downward spiral, even though Bike Snob NYC swore it would never happen (Cyclocross Magazine Issue #2, “Cross to Bear: Cyclocross Will Never Jump the Shark”)
As if straight-up cyclocross – a cold weather, spandex-infested jaunt in the park replete with all-things Belgian and dismounts/remounts done on the fly – weren’t outlandish enough, we had to go and add singlespeeds, unicyclists, weight-based and fixed gear categories. Now it’s Doggie-’Cross. Are you seeing the writing on the wall that spells “Excess”?
Well, in case you’re not, the proof is in the hipsters in this recent, fresh-from-the-digital-film-lab short, “Hipsters Discussing Cyclocross”:
The crowds at the SSCXWC a couple of weekends back were a good indicant that ‘cross has a certain hipster appeal. Singlespeed bikes kinda look like a fixie, tight clothing doesn’t look out of place (although, good luck blending in with that muffin top) and, as “Hipsters Discussing Cyclocross” points out, there are lots of guys with tattoos who do well. Pretty cool, huh?
The one thing hipster fans have right, at least by Euro standards, is their smoking addiction. No European race would be complete without heavily-smoking onlookers lining the course and blowing smoke into the racers’ faces. And, should the hipster go from striking-a-pose-spectator to participant, “A bike without brakes will be as awesome in the mud as it is in the city.”
For my part, I’ve got my water skis on and I’m ready to jump. (Heck, I’ll probably stick with this silly sport through the equivalent of the Joanie Loves Chachi spinoff series). My dog Sasha will be ready to rumble at Doggie ‘Cross this Sunday – in the Clydesdale class, no less – right before I get all suited-up for Kruger’s Crossing. Bring on the hipsters and tight jeans, but no cigarette smoke next to the course, please.
Does anybody see the useless of that way that hipstergirl locks her bike? It looks like the chain is above the chain on the fencepost. Also the chainlink on the fencepost is attached by some sort of carabiner and easeliy removeable.
I don't want beer thrown on my dog ;-)
Don't hipsters do some reverse dismount, leg over handlebars, because their jeans are too tight to do it the right way?
Skinny jeans - not gonna work. Chunky eyeglasses - might work but will fog. Flannel plaid shirt - good for cyclocross Chuck Taylors or pointy boots - useless in mud Cigarette - maybe for the after party Whiney bands - not gonna cut through the cowbells
Hilarious - although, we unicycle crossers are still underground enough that you can get in before it gets too big. Only thing is, they moved us earlier to 8:50 am this year at Cross Crusade, as if getting around a cross course on one wheel isn't enough of a handicap. Skinny jeans not required, but a uni *is* technically a fixie. Portland Unicycling group on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/group....
youre usually a hipster if youre worried about what you do being too hip.
Cyclocross - jump the shark? Never! Cyclocross transcends the boundaries of what's popular, "mod" or the latest fad. The suffering endured during a race leaves no room for pretension.
I think what this is really about is 'cross racing welcomes all kinds. Mt. biker, road cyclist, triathlete, runner, clydesdale, couch potato, and even hipsters; all are welcome to the banquet of pain.
IN THE COWBELL FORUMS:
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Who cares about cat. C?
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