By Jeff Faulds — Wild Rock Outfitters, Peterborough, ON

Cyclocross is my favourite kind of chaos — an hour of total focus, full effort, and pure joy. Now that winter has arrived and the Canadian cyclocross season has wrapped up, I’ve been looking back on the past few months with a mix of pride, gratitude, and that familiar “already missing it” feeling. When the racing stops, I always find myself reflecting on why I love this sport so much — the intensity, the focus, the chaos, the community.

This season was a memorable one. I didn’t rack up as many wins as usual, mostly because the youth riders I coach keep getting faster every year and pushing me harder than ever. Watching their growth has been one of the highlights of my year. Still, I managed to take two victories that mean a great deal to me: the CX Lévis Challenge C1, held the day after Nationals in tough but incredibly fun snowy conditions, and the Presidents Cup — the PCC Championship race. Those wins, along with the progress of the young riders around me, capped off a fantastic season and reminded me how much joy I find in cyclocross.

CX Lévis Challenge C1 (left), and PCC Championship (right)

Why Cyclocross

After another season wrapped up, I’ve been thinking a lot about what makes cyclocross so endlessly fun for me — and why, even after 14 years, I’m still hooked.

I’ve been racing ‘cross for 14 years, and I still can’t get enough. The sport has a way of pulling you in completely. The courses are short, intense, and full of variety — grass, sand, mud, barriers, off-cambers, stairs — it’s a mix of power, finesse, and creativity all rolled into one. When it's race time, it’s 100% effort from start to finish.

Cyclocross is a strange sport in the best possible way — you’re out there riding in tough weather, on purpose, through courses designed to challenge you with obstacles that demand skill and grit. It’s short, it’s brutally intense, and the fitness required means it always hurts. But there’s a certain magic to it: the way all the skills come together, the way you balance speed with precision, the way the difficulty becomes part of the fun.

What I love most is the focus it demands. Every lap, you’re learning the course, refining your lines, finding traction where it barely exists, and searching for that perfect lap. It’s a constant process of improvement — braking a fraction later, carrying speed through a slippery corner, managing your effort, and staying right on the edge of control without going over.

When I’m racing, everything else fades away. The level of focus needed when you are riding on the edge leaves no room for distractions. Life’s noise disappears, and it’s just me, the bike, and the course. The concentration required is total — and there’s something deeply satisfying about that.

Living on the Limit

Cyclocross is a sport of limits — yours, your bike’s, and the terrain’s. It’s about pushing each one as far as possible, without crossing the line. Go too far and you’ll crash, break something, or blow up your legs. Ride safely below the line and you will watch time go away, and your competition ride away. Stay just shy of the edge, and that’s where the magic happens.

Before racing ‘cross, I spent years in downhill racing — another world of limits and precision. But in cyclocross, the stakes are different. The risk is lower, but the intensity is the same. You’re still living on the edge of traction, feeling the tires dig in, the grass tearing beneath them, the bike sliding just a touch — but still holding. That moment when you hit the corner perfectly, and the bike floats through at max speed — that’s the feeling that keeps me coming back.

Building the Perfect Cyclocross Bike

At Wild Rock Outfitters, we live and breathe bikes — and cyclocross has always been close to our hearts. This year, I built my dream race bike: a Cervélo R5-CX. While I have had the frame for a couple of seasons now, I finally have it built the exact way I want it. Shimano launched the needed components this fall to finalize it as the perfect CX weapon.

This frame is a true race machine — light, stiff, and laser-sharp. Gravel bikes have come a long way and can hold their own on a CX course. But the higher BB so you can pedal sooner out of corners, and a steeper head angle for sharper steering. Nothing matches the snap and precision of a purpose-built cyclocross race frame like the R5-CX.

The Build Details

• Frame: Cervélo R5-CX — a pure, no-compromise race platform.
• Drivetrain: Shimano GRX Di2 shifters with an XTR Di2 short-cage derailleur for seamless, lightning-fast shifting even under full power thanks to Shimano’s HG+ tech.
• Cassette: 10–45T — perfect range without big jumps, keeping cadence smooth and fast.
• Crankset: Dura-Ace 165 mm with Shimano’s dual-sided power meter and a Garbaruk 40T narrow-wide ring. The short crank length helps me pedal through corners, and I love tracking power data during training and races.
• Wheels: Dura-Ace C36 tubulars, rebuilt with a Hope Pro 5 hub for microspline compatibility and instant engagement. Light, fast, responsive, and bombproof after years of abuse. Shimano wheels are so durable while still light and durability is needed in CX.
• Tires: Challenge Team Edition Flandrians — unmatched grip and a perfect match for the red accents of the frame and my Wild Rock kit.

Every part of this build is chosen for performance and reliability. The goal was to create a bike that disappears under you — a bike that lets me focus entirely on the race, the lines, and the effort.

Beyond Racing: Sharing the Love

Cyclocross isn’t just about racing for me — it’s about community. Over the years, I’ve poured just as much passion into organizing and coaching as I have into riding. I’ve had the privilege of organizing Cyclocross Nationals, Provincials, and many seasons of the Peterborough Cycling Club CX Series.

Designing courses is one of my favourite parts of the sport. It’s like creating a puzzle — balancing flow, challenge, and technical features to make riders think and adapt. A great CX course should reward skill, fitness, and creativity all at once. There’s nothing better than seeing racers grinning (and gasping) as they take on something you’ve designed.

I’m also proud to coach the PCC Youth Race Team, helping the next generation discover what makes cyclocross so special. Watching young riders learn the skills — cornering, dismounts, remounts, race tactics — and fall in love with the sport reminds me exactly why I started. Their excitement and energy keep me inspired to keep racing, building, and giving back. Plus, it keeps me motivated to train hard and try to fend them off — they’re getting faster every year, and I love it.

Why We Do It

Cyclocross is muddy, unpredictable, and exhausting — but it’s also beautiful. It’s a sport that teaches precision, patience, resilience, and joy. Every race is a new challenge. Every lap is a chance to improve. And every fall is just a reminder to get back up and try again.

At Wild Rock Outfitters, we believe in that spirit — the mix of adventure, challenge, and fun that makes cycling so rewarding. Whether you’re chasing a national title, lining up for your first local race, or just curious about the sport, we’re here to help you get the most from your ride — from gear and bikes to setup and strategy.

Come by the shop, talk bikes, or join us at a race. You’ll see what makes cyclocross so addictive — and why we keep coming back, year after year.

See you between the tape,
— Jeff Faulds, Wild Rock Outfitters