What It Takes

Shoes

AdiStar XC Race ($209) adidas.com

These shoes are brand-new for me, and I'm very happy with them. They have a carbon-fiber sole, which is great for power transfer on the bike, but they're not too stiff. I can run in them without having my heel popping out, which is great for getting over the barriers. Plus, they're made of a mesh-synthetic leather combo, so my feet stay cool.

Helmut

Giro Atmos ($189) giro.com

In cyclocross, crashes happen. The Atmos (which combines carbon-reinforced ribs with Giro's Roll Cage technology) is very light, very breathable and has all kinds of vents (26, to be exact). It's supercomfortable, with a RocLoc 4 fit system that makes it perfectly snug.

Lube

Pedro's Ice Wax ($5.99, four-ounce bottle) pedrosusa.com

To be honest, I'll take anything I can get that keeps my rig running smooth. Ice Wax seems to work well in all conditions, early fall right through the winter. It doesn't collect a lot of dirt, and you can clean the chain easily. So after a race I'll take the pressure washer to the bike, clean it off, put some lube back on, and I'm good to go.