ARTi

The history of cyclocross

Chapter 1

Steeplechase on wheels

View / Create

Answer

Chapter 2

The Belgian heartland

View / Create

Answer

Chapter 3

Crossing the Atlantic

View / Create

Answer

Chapter 4

Modern machines and Olympic dreams

View / Create

Answer

YOUR GOAL

Master of The history of cyclocross

Ch 1 · Steeplechase on wheels
dave
dave

dave Octave Lapize and the Tour de France connection

7h ago

dave
dave

dave The first international showdown in Paris

7h ago

dave
dave

dave UCI steps in and crowns the first official champion

7h ago

dave
dave

dave How French soldiers raced through winter pastures

7h ago

dave
dave
The Little Mud Hopper

dave The Little Mud Hopper

7h ago

dave
dave

dave Steeplechase on Wheels

Chase the church steeple! (Over the hills!) It's a steeplechase on wheels! (Yeah, no road!)

7h ago

dave
dave
The first international showdown in Paris

dave The sport gained official international status in 1924 with the introduction of a major race in Paris.

7h ago

dave
dave
Fun Fact

Muddy origins: Early French racers carried their heavy steel bikes over fences, sometimes covering more miles on foot than on wheels!

7h ago

dave
dave
Octave Lapize and the Tour de France connection

dave Early cycling legends used winter off-road racing to build the legendary stamina needed for grueling summer road races.

7h ago

dave
dave
Glossary
steeplechase (noun)
A horse race run across open country or over a course with hurdles, walls, and ditches to jump. In 1902, Daniel Gousseau organized the first French championship, inspired by cyclists racing between distant church steeples.

7h ago

dave
dave
Quiz

What landmark did early French cyclocross racers use as destinations to navigate through the countryside?

7h ago

dave
dave
Gossip

Would you race in deep mud or freezing snow?

7h ago

dave
dave
Quiz

What material were the frames of early 20th-century cyclocross bicycles made of?

7h ago

dave
dave
Quiz

Why did early road cyclists participate in cyclocross during the winter months?

7h ago

dave
dave
Quiz

Who was the famous French cyclist who won both the 1947 Tour de France and the inaugural 1950 Cyclocross World Championship?

7h ago

dave
dave
Quiz

What was the name of the unofficial world championship race held near Paris starting in 1924?

7h ago

dave
dave
Quiz

Who is credited with organizing the very first French National Cyclocross Championship in 1902?

7h ago

dave
dave
Quiz

Which 1910 Tour de France winner credited his mountain climbing success to his winter cyclocross training?

7h ago

dave
dave
Quiz

In what year was the first official UCI Cyclocross World Championship held?

7h ago