Grit. Determination. Perseverance. Focus. Passion. Desire. Bulldogedness.

These words come to mind when I think about Behind The Stare: The Pulse & Character Of Professional European Cyclocross. These attributes sum up both the riders profiled in the book and the author, Geoff Proctor. This book was a long-time in the making and the research and attention to detail that went into it are obvious.

As someone who has spent a great deal of time racing in Europe, I’m impressed with how well Proctor immersed himself in the lives of the top European and North American racers who are racing and training in Belgium. This is not an easy thing to do. The cyclocross community in Belgium is welcoming but it is also guarded – Proctor’s ability to break down barriers is a testament to his passion for the sport and the recognition that he really does know and understand European cyclocross. The insights provided by the likes of Sven Nys, Bart Wellens, Erwin Vervecken, Jonathan Page and Ryan Trebon provide the full picture and spectrum of what it is like to live, breathe, eat and sleep cyclocross in Europe.

There are reasons why it is hard for North Americans to make the big step that Page did. There are reasons why some racers want to commit but really can’t take that extra step. There are reasons why some racers always seem to come out on top and others are always just one pedal stroke behind.

There’s the training. The family support. The sponsor pressure. The self-doubt. The fear.

All of this is what Proctor brings to the page. With the use of literary and musical references, you’re taken on a journey with the author. He lets you into his soul we learn what keeps him driving around Europe, leaving his family for extended periods and pursuing his passion. Proctor’s writing style combined with the candid honesty of the riders, managers, coaches, spouses, trainers, and fans really takes you onto the race course.

Chances are high you’ve never been to a cyclocross race in Belgium or anywhere else in Europe – but with Behind The Stare, you have that chance to experience it all. No other book about cyclocross takes you into the Nys family home, has candid honesty from Vervecken and his wife about his “off season” or gives you the roller-coaster that is being a Belgian cyclocross racer who is one day on the top of his game and the next day questioning his training and desire.

This is a book that works for athletes and non-athletes – really – we get to understand what allows some folks to come out on top and what holds others back. Cyclocross racers, road racers, mountain bikers, bike fanatics, sports fans, people who want to know what it is that motivates and drives people to pursue a life of sport – this is the book for you. In fact if someone asks you to explain cyclocross – simply hand them Behind The Stare.

I should note that I read and provided feedback to Proctor on his very early edition of Behind The Stare and I was hooked then. I’ve been urging Proctor to get his book published – and I’m very happy to see it available. It is a good read. An honest account of cyclocross racing in Europe. There is no sugar coating. It tells like it is and brings you very close to getting to know the top riders of the sport and in the process, helping you to understand what makes European cyclocross so darn contagious.

(To order your copy and start reading, visit Behind The Stare.)

I’m selling my Stevens Carbon Team DA cyclo-cross frame. It is a size 52 cm. In excellent condition. Frame, fork, bars and stem for $700.

I’m selling this frame because I’m not racing this season – otherwise I’d be riding it. Super light. Responsive. This is the frame you want!

Email me at vickith@yahoo.com to arrange a time to swing by and take a look at this frame. I’ll be in Catamount, Vermont the weekend of Sept. 14-16 as well.

Don’t miss out on this frame – your components and legs will thank you!

Yesterday during my ride the classic song by Simple Minds came started playing through my headphones and it really was just the perfect moment for it. I was about an hour into my ride and was dealing with some headwind. I probably looked a bit laboured pedaling my bike and I was feeling a bit slow. But then Alive and Kicking started playing and the next thing I knew I was singing out loud and smiling.

I was doing it. Riding. Getting out and enjoying my bike. Sure I’m not as fit as I was. I’m not as strong as I was. But I can ride. I can only get stronger and fitter. Will I ever get back to the fitness I had – I don’t know. And frankly right now, I don’t care – I just want to ride for the sake of riding.

I’m riding without any “feedback”. In other words – no computer, no heart rate, no cadence, no speed, no power, no distance. Simply a digital watch so I know how long I’ve been riding for. There are no work-outs taped to my stem or power numbers to keep track of. I just get on my bike and pedal. At first I was a bit nervous about riding without a computer but now I kind of like it. I’m forced to pay attention to my body.

Are my legs turning over smoothly? Am I remembering to apply power and pressure through-out the pedal stroke? What is my upper body doing – keep my arms bent and don’t let my core cave in. How does this gear feel – a bit too easy – fine try a harder gear. I feel more engaged with my bike and my body.

This is the essence of riding. How we all started out. We got on our bikes and went for a ride. Maybe it was with friends or alone -but somewhere along the way you fell in love with riding. Your rides started getting longer. Maybe you signed up for a learn-to-race clinic or a bike tour. Gradually you may have become more serious – bought a computer or power meter, strapped on a heart rate monitor, started tracking calories in and out, and even hired a coach. All good things if this is what works for you. But don’t be shy of simply leaving all that stuff at home and just going for a ride.

Take it from someone who is very training and goal-oriented – it is very freeing to simply get on the bike and ride.

Some people have asked me if I’m going to make a “comeback” or if I’m training for the 2013-2014 season. Frankly the answer is: I don’t know. It is too early to tell. I’m still not in a remission from this ulcerative colitis. I cannot train and push my body hard until I’m 100% healthy – and I and my doctors don’t know when that will be. So for now, I simply ride when I can. I’m working on rebuilding my lost core and upper body strength with yoga and other simple exercises. I’m sticking to a low residue diet to try and let my colon “rest”. And most importantly – I’m listening to my body. If I’m too tired – I won’t ride or do those push-ups. If I’m having a good day then I might ride, do the push-ups and some yoga.

There is, as I have learned, such a fine balance between doing too much and doing enough. And right now – just riding is enough for me.

Yes, it is that time of the year. The time of the year when you’re getting your cyclo-cross bikes ready and planning your race season. A fantastic time of the year.

Maybe you’re getting out for some rides on some single track, setting up a barrier and some flags in your local park and doing drills, adding in some running to your training program, or working on nailing that uphill dismount. All good things to be doing right now.

I always found that at this time of the year it helps to get out for even just 20 minutes on the cyclo-cross bike. Even if all you do is practice clipping in and out of your pedals so you can “nail” your pedals on every remount – this will go a long way on race day. Other things you can do include:

– practicing your off-camber riding skills – get comfortable with the bike lean, maintaining constant pedal pressure, and looking forward as you pedal
– dismounts and remounts – practice them any way you can – on corners, uphills, slow, fast, in sand, on a hill, on a slight downhill – the more you’re comfortable with this skill, the easier your racing will be
– cornering – cyclo-cross is not raced in a straight line, get comfortable with how much speed you can take into different corners – think loose terrain, grass, uphill, downhill, blind – get creative
– tire pressure – this is huge – play around with your tire pressure – get used to what your tires do at 15 PSI (yes 15), 18, 22, 25, etc (please if you’re running tubulars do not pump them up so they are rock solid). I typically will race with between 17 – 25 PSI…
– looking ahead – it is easy when out riding a course or on some singletrack to end up looking only one or two feet in front of the front wheel – look up, anticipate – this will help you stay off your brakes and you’ll be impressed with how your brain reacts for you

These are just some of the things you can do with a 20 minute block of time. These might sound trivial or even obvious but by doing small drills like this consistently, you’ll soon build up a really solid base of skills that will come second-nature to you on race day.

Of course number one is to have fun out there.

As always, if you have any questions about racing, training, skills, or about cyclo-cross in general – don’t be shy. Leave a comment. Drop me an email vickith@yahoo.com. Contact me on Twitter (@vickitopcrosser). Or grab me on Facebook.

Just a quick note to let you know the Eastern Ontario Cyclo-Cross schedule is now posted:

Please note that there are two registration nights – September 14 and 15 at The Cyclery.

The schedule looks really good with some interesting and challenging race venues. This is the perfect series for all levels of racers from new-to-racing, kiddos, hardened elites, weekend warriors, and those looking to extend their fall cycling. Definitely some of the most fun you’ll have is at this series.

I first raced in this series in 1994 on my trusty Specialized Rockhopper at Conroy Pit. I was hooked instantly!

Looking forward to getting out this year to cheer all of you on and of course if you have any questions about ‘cross – shoot them to me… I love all things about cyclo-cross so I’m always eager to talk, share, help, etc.

Big thanks to Ian, Bob, Cheryl and the countless volunteers for putting together another great season of local cyclo-cross racing for us.