A Cyclocross race is a 40-60 minute circuit race that takes place on a ~1 mile loop. It takes between 5 and 10 minutes to complete one lap depending on the course length. The course is a mixture of grass, dirt, asphalt, sand and we try to avoid mud and snow. Some courses include forced dismounts and short running sections up hills.  Some riders get lapped but everyone finishes on the leaders lap so the amount of time for everyone is very close to the 40 or 60 minutes.  Lapped riders keep racing the whole time, since its such a short course this happens often and lapped riders could still finish high in results.  Cyclocross is typically raced in cold weather yet you won't feel as cold as on open roads because of the slower speed and high intensity.

Dismounts are created with barriers that are 12 inches high and are usually placed in sets of 2.  Experienced riders will approach a set of barriers at speed, dismount and begin running while lifting their bikes and jumping over the barriers. They then set down their bikes, remount on the fly, and resume pedaling. Most of us don't do it as smoothly.  Some times barriers will be placed at the base of a small hill called a ‘run-up’ where riders will dismount and shoulder their bike and sprint/walk up the hill, remounting at the top.

Sometimes there are opportunities for racers to grab "hand ups."  Hand ups are where spectators hold out an object for the racer to grab.  Some examples are dollar bills, twizzlers, and swag.

There are specific cyclocross bikes but pretty much any bike will work when competing in Kisscross.  Gravel and Cyclocross bikes should be fastest if we do the course well but I (Jason) have used a mountain bike the last few years and still been very competitive.  Fat bikes, mountain bikes, gravel, cross and tandems are all welcome.