Forget basketball, football, or soccer — there’s another sport in Eastern Iowa gaining popularity with young people: cyclocross biking.

Known as CX or cross, cyclocross isa non-Olympic bicycle racing discipline combining aspects of road cycling, mountain biking and steeplechase.CX races are known for their fast pace, unique equipment and imaginative courses.

Ben Daufeldt is president of Corridor Devo Junior Cycling Team. He grew up watching his dad compete in RAGBRAI and started riding in his teens.

“We are a junior cycling team for kids ages 8-18 that focuses on cyclocross, however many of our racers participate in other cycling disciplines. We serve the community of the entire Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Corridor area,” he said.

With a mission “to inspire an enjoyment of cycling amongst kids between the ages of 8-18 through the sport of cyclocross biking with an emphasis on camaraderie, fun, attitude, effort and a healthy lifestyle,” the club focuses on building a cohesive team where the kids and their families support each other — no matter their skill level.

How did Daufeldt get involved?

“My son and I watched Jingle Cross and some other local races before he was old enough to race. When he became race-age, we contacted Corridor Devo and jumped into practices and races. He was hooked right away, and I found the family of Corridor Devo to be so enjoyable,” he said.