Cyclocross - CX and SSCX races and training

There is engineering work in the line to Brighton, so all London services start and finish at Three Bridges with a bus replacement service. Which makes it difficult to get too without a car.

Central League race is in Hemel Hempsted this Sunday, might be easier to get to than Brighton.

Hemel is good - but horrendous if wet.

Much, much clay.

@Howard where are you stopping up north for the Rapha? If the weather isn't too outrageous, I think we're going to make use of the camping and sneak off to a nearby pub after the Saturday proceedings are over.

Cross clinchers: Anything worth getting over Mud 2s? I was using some of the Ritchey ones that come stock on Boardmans and always found them alright, then I got some Vittoria XGs which I hated. Trying to keep expense at a minimum, should I just stick with the Ritcheys or is it worth spending on Michelins (or something else)?

To be used for more general riding, Swinley/Epping/Bridleways but I'll probably end up racing at some point.

Mud2 do everything you need in the uk except Tarmac.

I'm trying out some schwalbe x one tyres at the moment.

Premier inn at Halifax

No expenses spared yo

Does anyone know if Rapha release the course layouts before their super cross events? Im signed up for the SC on the 14th Nov in London and wouldn't mind getting an idea what I'm in for.

Tequila. Foam. Hill. Mud. Cowbell.

Long sign on times.

Big crowds.

A certain,je ne sais quoi, that cannot be explained but you will know it when you experience it.

Eastern League is at Welwyn on Saturday too, or there's this:

I've never been. I just imagined it. Based on the feelings the words rapha supercross elicit within me.

Ha! And heckling, I hope there will be lots of heckling!!

Hmm - it starts an hour and a half before the senior men. I may be able to get down there earlier than planned. Can I confirm either way on Friday?

Clement PDX if you want something a bit bulkier, I've had a couple pairs of Mud 2s that cut up easily on rocky descents.

Get somebody a lift who is in your race seems the best option.

Could be interesting, but not releasing the location until the day before can GTFO. How am I supposed to plan my weekend with that kind of nonsense?

Obviously a bit beyond the reach of most forumengers but in case this appeals to anyone or anyone you might know.

From the Rapha Supercross up North:

VOLUNTEERS AND HELPERS REQUIRED.
Rapha SuperCross at Shibden Hall 17th and 18th October.
As you will know this year Rapha Supercross has moved to the stunning location of Shibden Hall Estate, near Halifax, West Yorkshire.

We have a full weekend of racing for you including (to the best of my knowledge) the first women only ‘cross race outside of the Nationals on the Saturday as part of the War of the Roses Trophies.

Shibden Hall Estate is a public park and is open to the public throughout. Whilst we have a fully barriered and debris mesh sided course there is still a risk of stray people and/or dogs getting on to the course and as such we need a few extra marshals for the crossing points and sprinkled about the course.

In return for marshalling you can have a free place for the opposing days racing. e.g. marshal on Saturday = free place for the race of your choice on Sunday.

You will also receive food and drink vouchers for use over the weekend from stalls such as Streatza Pizza, The Porkery, Mutley’s Crepes, Kurly Kath’s Cakes as well as coffee or tea.

Please contact Emma Osenton on eitheremma.osenton@rapha.cc or 07770935241

For all the West rider, the Twickenham CC training sessions in Old Deer Park start tomorrow.

It's 19:30 - 21:00 and costs £4

Here's the email sent out:

"2015 Twickenham CC Open CX Coaching Sessions Open to all cyclo-cross
riders and potential cyclo cross riders from any club. Structured
Coaching and intensive workouts Old Deer Park Richmond Thursdays 19:30
– 21:00. First session Thursday 8th October 2015 till 10th December
except 29th October (Half term) After Christmas the sessions will
continue on 7th, 14th, 21st January 2016 Cost £4 per session (Pay on
the day) Meet Pools in the Park Car Park, TW9 2SF (Parking is free
after 18.30) Walk/ride back alongside the A316 to the coaching area.
Coaching takes place on and around the banking in Old Deer Park using
overspill lighting from the A316 You can use a mountain bike if you
don't yet have a cyclo cross bike. I will try and bring 2 or 3 CX
bikes to try on most weeks but please bring your MTB in case I can't
get back to Marlow to collect them. Any rider under 18 will need to
bring a completed parental consent form. (attached) This will cover
all the sessions."

Always a good go round, working on skills and some dummy racing. Don't need lights during, as the road is lit and it's all held in the gloom (eat some carrots)

Some travel information if anyone is coming up for the northern rounds of Supercross.

Shibden Estate is located on the A58 Leeds / Bradford Road (Godley Lane), to the east of Halifax town centre.

It is accessible by bus numbers 681, 682, 548, 549, 509, 534, 227, 508, 226 from the Halifax, Bradford, Brighouse, Huddersfield and Leeds bus stations.

For information about the bus (and train) network in West Yorkshire visit MetroExternal link.

It is approximately 20 minutes walk (uphill) from Halifax town centre bus station and 25 minutes from the train station. It is also a 20-minute car ride from the M62 motorway.

Car parking
Pay and Display parking charges apply at all Shibden Park car parks:

9 am to 6 pm daily except (Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day)
30 pence per hour, £1 all day.

The bar is open until 12-10pm on the Saturday and we have a marquee up with DJ Ryan Carter.

There's also a night race just to keep you on your toes.

If anyone fancies a bit of history geeking while you're there the council have opened up Shibden Hall for free for the weekend too.

#carnage

Last year there was a cracking fireworks display on the Saturday night. Are you doing the same this year?