Cyclocross Skills: How to Get Through the Sandpit Fast

katie compton
Cyclocross Skills: Slay the SandpitAFP - Getty Images

Katie Compton—that’s Katie F-ing Compton to cyclocross fans—is the undisputed queen of American cyclocross. She reigns supreme as the winningest US cyclocross athlete of all time with over 130 UCI wins - a list that includes 23 World Cup victories. Here, she shares her tips for conquering one of the toughest obstacles in any cyclocross race course: the sand pit.

Get in position

When you see the sand pit in front of you, get in the proper position to make it through unscathed, Compton tells Bicycling. “Pull up and back on the bars to slightly lift and unweight the front wheel as you slide back on the saddle and push hard on the pedals,” she says. “This position allows you to hang on to some stability as the bike starts to track into the sand. It should feel like you're about to do a wheelie.”

Keep your eyes up

It’s tempting to look down as you enter the sand pit, especially if there’s a lip and a tiny drop at the entrance. You might be distracted by the lines already tracked across the sand, but don’t focus on what’s directly in front of you, Compton tells Bicycling. “Look where you want to go,” she says, “because that will help you stay upright. Once you start to drift because you’re trying to find the rut, you’re in trouble.”

Hit the gas

The riding position Compton suggests above—weight back on the saddle, hard on the pedals—sets you up to power through the sand. Now that you’re in position, drop the hammer and don’t count on your coasting speed to let you soft-pedal through the sand. Keep your watts high to churn through. "The more horsepower, the better!” Compton adds.

Know when to dismount

Compton didn’t actually add this to her explanation because, to be honest, it’s rare to find a sand pit she can’t conquer. But for those who are newer to cyclocross, being ready to dismount before you’re stopped dead is just as important as your pedaling strategy. So don’t be afraid to dismount and run; just try to make it as smooth as possible and keep your rolling momentum heading into the run transition.

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