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Josh is our newest columnist, and he will be sharing his “noob” perspective with readers in weeks to come. Today, he’s introducing himself and giving …

by Lee Waldman It’s February in Colorado. Today, it’s in the high 50s but the wind is hurricane force. There’s a branch in my driveway …

by Lee Waldman If this was a tweet, something that I’ve never done before, here’s how I think it might go:   State championships, a nice …

Last week, Masters racer and Cyclocross Magazine columnist Lee Waldman philosophized a bit about  some life lessons and how they transfer into cyclocross. This week, …

Last week, Masters racer and Cyclocross Magazine columnist Lee Waldman philosophized a bit about how we are always “becoming,” as both people and bike racers. …

by Christine Vardaros I am now two months into cyclocross season here in Belgium and it’s already filled with surprises, adventures, screw-ups and some creative …

The Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur just passed.  Of all the holidays on the Jewish calendar, it is unarguably my favorite. On this one day …

Last week, Masters racer and Cyclocross Magazine columnist Lee Waldman talks about the importance of keeping relationships steady even during the cyclocross season. This week, he’s …

Although the cyclocross season is happily getting incrementally longer every year, it’s still more compact than the road season. For those of us whose passion is cross that’s a good thing. For our partners, who have to suffer through mud filled showers, mud stained towels, abrasions, bruises and the occasional broken collar bone, the season is probably about 8 weeks too long already. Bottom line, if it wasn’t for their patience with our obsessive behavior, their moral support as we spend the majority of our time thinking about, talking about, and racing cross, and their physical presence at the races, racing cross would be much more difficult. So, this column is dedicated to them. [More…]

It’s almost Autumn. Hard to believe when the temperature in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, yesterday was in the mid-90s. Our first ’cross race, the target of all my work this past summer, is in less than three weeks. As soon as I got back from Nationals I began thinking about, planning for, and training towards this season. How many times in my life am I going to have the chance to even consider going to Masters Worlds? With their presence in the US for the next two years, it actually is a reality for me. All of the goals I’ve set, every mile on the mountain bike this summer, each circuit on the ’cross course; they’re now money in the bank. This week I’ll finalize my racing schedule for the season and then, with Louisville firmly planted in my mind, I’ll start racing. One more endurance race over Labor Day weekend, and then, cyclocross. Scraped shins, mud of all varieties, ruts, sand, max heart rate, blood, sweat and drool. What could be more fun?

The bikes; different than our ’cross bikes; have weird frames; fat, overstuffed tires and flat bars (where do my hands go?) but in reality, I’ve learned a ton from riding and racing my mountain bike this summer. Lessons that, I’m certain, will come in handy as I make the transition from rock gardens and stream crossings to 40 cm. barriers.

The sheer diversity of our cross community is one of the many things that I love about it. Across the country it’s populated by people who have found their way into cyclocross from so many different backgrounds and for such a variety of reasons. Talking with them, learning their stories, is one of my favorite things to do. I come away from every new encounter with a deeper understanding of the fact that we are truly a unique community.

Over the past two seasons almost everything about my preparation for cyclocross has gone through a dramatic change. And so far every step I’ve taken has yielded positive results. Now, at 61 I know I’m faster and technically better than ever. That knowledge gives me a lot of confidence going into this season with my goal of a good showing in Louisville at Masters Worlds in January 2013.

Well, it’s finally happened! It was inevitable although it took quite a while! I’ve been completely transformed from a died in the wool roadie to an irrevocably addicted off road rider. I no longer crave hours of asphalt, instead I wake up in the morning thinking about single track climbs and rhythmic swooping descents.

It’s sometimes hard for me to get my head around this fact but, I’ve been racing cyclocross for over 30 years! That statement has me sitting at my keyboard shaking my head and laughing at myself. What is the world keeps me coming back? My last column explored the question of motivation. Here’s the next one: After doing cross for so long, what have I learned about how to get ready for the season? There are a few things that I’ve recently added to my list, and then there’s the processes that I’ve followed for years just to make sure I’m ready the first time I step off the bike and shoulder it over that first set of barriers.

First week of June and what we laughingly call Spring here on the Colorado Front Range has instantly transformed into summer. A week ago we were thrilled to see temperatures in the high 60s, now we’re into the 90s. Two weeks ago I was planning my training rides so that they would fall in between the inevitable 2:30 rainstorm that showed itself just as I was ending my teaching day. That’s a distant memory already. Now I’m frantically searching for sleeveless jerseys and sunscreen. 14 days ago I had to dig deep to find the motivation to roll out the door, today I’m chomping at the bit. Yeah, I hate to admit it since it seems so inconsistent with cyclocross racing, but I’m not a foul weather trainer. Racing in the mud, snow, rain … no problem. Looking out my window on flooded streets and thinking about spending the next two hours in the elements … not my fave.

It was just last year when I wrote that short-track mountain bike racing was the key to preparing for the upcoming ’cross season. Not racing the road, I still wanted to keep that edge that only real racing can give you. So, I turned to the C.U. Cycling Short Track Series. The fit seemed perfect -short, intense races that mimicked the effort and style of cyclocross racing. Because they were short, they allowed for more training on race days. I’ve added something else. Something even more intense and painful in it’s own way. Endurance racing.

This week, Masters racer and Cyclocross Magazine columnist Lee Waldman takes some time to take off the helmet and put on the philosopher’s hat – but …

Cyclocross Magazine columnist Paul Warloski returns this week as he continues profiling his return to cyclocross after a near-devastating injury. Follow Paul as he takes us …

Cyclocross Magazine would like to welcome new columnist Paul Warloski, who like many of us, has a passion for cyclocross. Only for him, this passion …

Masters racer and Cyclocross Magazine columnist Lee Waldman has been investigating Masters Worlds from a variety of angles. Today he brings you part three, interviewing …

This week, Masters racer Lee Waldman brings us his reflections on the offseason, and some critical inspection of his own weaknesses on the bike. If …

Masters racer Lee Waldman comes to us this week with part two of his reflections on Masters Worlds and his hope to perform well at …

Masters racer Lee Waldman reflects on the Masters World Championships at Mol, and what it might teach him in preparation for Louisville. Missed Lee’s last column? Catch up …

Masters racer Lee Waldman reflects on what makes us ’crossers separate from the rest of the herd. Missed Lee’s last column? Catch up on his …

Masters racer and regular contributor Lee Waldman has some thoughts to air out about the 2010 Cyclocross National Championships. The opinions expressed belong to Lee …

Amy Dombroski can breathe a sigh of relief – she’s made the selection for the American Worlds team and will have a chance to go …

Amy Dombroski took a few weeks off after Nationals to rest and re-focus for a big 2011 cyclocross campaign, complete with a new sponsor, new …

Zolder World Cup, GVA Trofee Azencross and Hotel Threeland Petange, Luxembourg Christine Vardaros races for the Baboco cyclocross team, based in Belgium, and regularly contributes …

Masters racer checks in with a report on his Nationals experience and a look back at the entire, glorious season. Missed Lee’s last column? Catch …