Cyclocross - CX and SSCX races and training

+100kr (10£) to the winner in each categorie [entry was free]

Last four Rapha cross rides of the season, featuring various fun and muddy loops around Epping Forest:

Sunday January 11th
Sunday February 1st
Saturday February 14th (Valentine's Cross ride! @Ecunard @spotter @Howard @Doctor_Cake @Dammit @Two_Omegas looking at you)
Saturday February 28th

Sign up here:
http://pages.rapha.cc/clubs/london/club-rides#ride01

How was it, Dan?

PJ summed it up pretty well here http://traumfahrrad.com/2015/01/04/cyclo-cross-taking-the-bike-for-a-walk/

Prov results have me at 21st of 50 which given that the course is a bit too technical for me I am pretty happy with. Especially given Oli beckinsale only managed 6th...

Again mud meant stopping to clear the bike again but only once this time for a minute or so. Next year will swap the front from mini v to cantis I reckon.

Only one proper crash, coming down the steep muddy, rocky, rooty descent and into the bushes.....

Shot of me realising what was about to happen here.... http://www.richlewtonphotography.co.uk/Photos/2015/Odd-Down-Rd14/i-km7VdhG/A

For a moment I thought PJ had started racing. Great write up.

Good result for you too, especially given a stop to clear mud. Having gone back to discs this year, I've not had any real major clogging problems all season, in fact can only think of one race where I had to remove some mud and grass mix from the fork crown, but this was easy to do as I was running at the time.

Haha not a chance getting PJ offroad...

Yeah discs and 1x11 are probably the answer, especially in the west country - I have been running mud tyres all season...

Anyone else going to be at Abergavenny for the National Champs this weekend? Looks like there's going to be some interesting races.

Morning everyone so I've been lurking for a while on here and finally manned up and got myself a ss for cx duty, a genesis day one disk. Bit late for this season I admit but lots of training time for next season I suppose. A question for the London League lot is can you ride parts of these race courses outside of race time? I live near to Bethlem so would like to check it out if possible.

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Welcome. Nice bike too.

Yes you can ride at Bethlem. As I understand it, the land is classified as metropolitan open land which means there is public access. You'll usually encounter dog walkers there but I've never had any problems when I've been training there.

South Norwood Country Park is another good spot to ride, the paths are a bit more hard packed so it can be a good choice when it's really wet. (Bethlem can be waterlogged at this time of year).

Also check out local bridleway network (Keston through to Biggin Hill, Downe etc.) and woods around Sidcup, e.g. Joydens.

Where can you buy this and how much would it cost?

Hargroves were stocking them.

Looks like Hargroves dealt with them, but the Steven's dealer map doesn't show anything up for the UK. Take a trip to Belgium though...

Cheers guys, know the road to Downe pretty well from club rides. Any particular trails that are favourites?

Go full Rambo and check out the trails listed on OSM Cycle layer on ridewithgps.com - export to your Garmin200/500 and get lost.

The long bridleway from Keston to Sheepbarn Lane is a good one. If you go straight across the road there's another bridleway through the woods, then across the fields to link you up with Skid Hill Lane. You can then follow NCR21 to Woldingham which has a good mix of off road and road sections.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwuBj29LYv4#t=73

2'30" is where the lolcano erupts @owlz

Doing the Rapha thing this weekend.

The turnout was epic for such a dismal day weather wise. Thought I was at the back after the start but looking at that I was about half way down.

Over 250 riders across all categories I think. There were 102 starters in the v40/v50/women race.

Central location I guess. I'm mad I DNF'd now.

@Tenderloin just signed up out of curiosity.

I'm down for the one on the 1st Feb.

Great, I think @spotter might be doing it as well.

Just been asked if I fancy Surrey Hills on Saturday.

I'm feel like I'm being way to January

I need to find out what time we'll be back, as Arsenal have an early kick off on Sunday