For pure lung- and leg-searing intensity, you cannot beat cyclocross racing. Nothing leaves you feeling more spent. And yet we can’t help waiting for ’cross season to arrive.

In the off-season we dream about it. And that’s how we keep coming up with new tricks like a flattened bottom on the top tube with longer radiusing for optimal portaging comfort. Carbon fiber seatstays to help manage vibration induced fatigue so you have some pop left in your legs to finish strong. Bigger mud gaps around the tires to keep wheels rolling fast. Shorter, lighter chainstays for better power delivery and climbing traction.

And it all pays off when we put finally get to put cleats to pedals, rediscover our flying dismounts as we high-step over the barriers, grinning just seconds after grimacing.