Honestly, cyclocross was never on my radar. I was a mountain biker. I was a road rider. CX just seemed... weird? Skinny tyres, taped-off fields, and a lot of running. No thanks.
But then I tried it. And now I get it. In fact, now I look forward to winter. Yeah, I said it.
So, what’s the big deal?
Imagine go-karting, but with bikes. That’s the best way I can explain it.
Races are short. Around 40–60 minutes of full-throttle effort, chaos, and laughs.
You’re off-road — so no cars
The vibe? Surprisingly chill. You can race on a mountain bike or gravel bike in some leagues. No one's judging.
The community is top-tier: friendly heckles, shared snacks, borrowed tools, and everyone cheering on the underdog who’s just trying not to throw up in a hedge.
It’s for everyone
I’ve raced in the North Wales Cyclocross League, and honestly, it’s the best representation of what cyclocross should be: open, welcoming, and weirdly wholesome. Kids, parents, first-timers, national champs — all on the same course, sometimes at the same time.
And it’s not just winter madness either. This summer, we’ve been getting stuck into Friday night summer cross at Shrewsbury Sports Village, run by the awesome Mid Shropshire Wheelers.
It’s fast, fun, and totally chaotic in the best possible way. Sunshine, sliding corners, people laughing their heads off — it’s the perfect end to a working week.
Why Mule loves CX
We’re into the fun side of riding. The type that makes you feel like a kid again — sliding around, trying to stay upright, grinning like a fool.
Cyclocross nails that feeling. It’s not about Strava segments or FTPs. It’s about the sheer daft joy of racing in a field, getting heckled by someone in a puffer jacket, then eating cake out the back of a van.
So yeah — if you’ve never tried cyclocross, give it a go.
Bring whatever bike you’ve got. Bring a sense of humour. Leave your ego at home.
And if you see us at a race — summer or winter — say hi.
We’ll be the ones in muddy MULE jerseys, arguing over tyre pressures and loving every minute of it.