The origins of cyclocross, or cross, are varied but one origin story is that as training in the less than desirable fall and winter in Europe, cyclists would meet and race to the next town guided only by the church steeple visible in the distance. They would take to roads, fields, through water, on and off the bike, and by any means possible, to arrive first at the steeple. Modern day cross takes place on terrain ranging from pavement to sand, grass, and dirt and riders are forced off their bikes with steep hills, barriers, stairs, etc. Races are multi-lap events with relatively short (30-60 minutes) and confined to a small geographic area which make them great to watch and it is easy to follow the race and your favorite rider.