Cyclocross 101: class 4, the barriers

As mentioned in an earlier session there are various obstacles that can be found in 'cross courses. Such obstacles are meant to 'oblige' the rider to dismount their bicycles. In most cases some skilled riders can get by without dismounting, in other instances it would take a super human feat. Of course, just because you can ride the obstacle doesn't mean it is the fastest way through, and since we're talking about racing, well you get the idea.

The three main obstacles we usually see in cyclocross are run-ups, sand traps, and barriers. Run-ups are usually a relatively short hill or bank that are too steep to ride one's bike up. Sometimes they can be ridden by some but not others. In most cases, if you can ride up it, you'll be faster. There are also some run-ups that include stairs, pretty hard to ride up, especially on a 'cross bike.

Sand traps, consist of beaches or volleyball courts. The sand is rarely packed, rather very loose. If you've ever ridden a bike, or tried to ride a bike through sand, you know it is rather difficult. The bike wants to follow its own course and moves all over on you. Sometimes it is a straight shot through the sand, so most people can ride. Then other times the course designer throws in a turn or two, or three. Turns tend to force most people off their bikes, as they cannot get the bike to turn without the front wheel washing out.

The final obstacle is the barrier. According to UCI rules, there is a limited number of barriers per course and the size of them and distance apart the pair can be are regulated as well. They can only come in pairs as well. The rules on barriers are, 40cm high constructed of wood boards and 4 metes apart. This is all good and well, however some of the best courses, in my opinion, are not UCI legal. First of all, sometimes the barriers aren't 40cm high. Sometimes they are lower, other times, higher. I've seen small logs, to large logs that one needs to step on top of to get over, to small fences, or sets of four barriers, or a single barrier. Now the riders don't have to dismount their bikes for the barriers, but lets face it, most of us can't hop a bike 40cm into the air. Nor can we do it clean enough and fast enough to be efficient in a race. There are a few guys out there that can get over the barriers with relative efficiency though, and when they do make an attempt it is a real crowd pleaser.

That's all we'll cover for now on the obstacles but I'll leave you with more video footage to watch.

In our first video we have JPOW explaining how to hop the barriers. In our second video we see Matt White cleaning them nicely without a dismount.



Class 1, The Overview
Class 2, The Competition
Class 3, The Race Format
Class 4, The Barriers
Class 5, More On Barriers
Class 6, An in Depth Look at Barriers
Class 7, An in Depth Look at Run Ups
Class 8, An in Depth Look at Sand Pits
Class 9, The Start
Class 10, Review and Wrap Up