Cyclocross (or ‘cross or CX) is a fall/winter discipline of bike racing where a closed-loop course runs over a mix of terrain including grass, pavement, and dirt. To add to the fun, ‘cross courses include barriers–which racers must dismount to hop over (or bunnyhop)–as well as other obstacles like stairs and flyovers. It’s a very spectator-friendly sport, with races drawing large crowds of cheering fans.
In Illinois there are a few cyclocross series, the largest being The Chicago Cross Cup, based, as the name suggests, around Chicago. In the middle of the state there’s the Central Illinois CX Series and Heart of Illinois Cyclocross Series. So, no matter where you are in the state, there’s sure to be some CX action near you!
For riders interested in CX, please refer to this USA Cycle Guide.