Cyclocross - CX and SSCX races and training

The MK course is usually good fun. Trawl the thread for more tyre options but generally the Michellin Mud 2 is the go-to clincher.

Not sure about oil but I think some folks use teflon sprays on frames to lessen mud buildup.

It was good fun! The downhill off camber section was interesting, seemed to be someone on the floor there every lap (only me once thankfully).

Cheers, I'll have a look at the Mud 2's and I might experiment with some sprays.

The best trick I know for preventing mud build up in your pedals/cleats is to cut out the tread around your cleats using a dremel or similar. It means that nothing gets caught between the cleats and tread and stops mud building up.

http://www.cxmagazine.com has this article/video on how to do it;

http://www.cxmagazine.com/mechanical-mondays-repair-cleats

Not a great deal you can do about the pedals beyond the shoes mods suggested by Andy.

Everyone suffers somewhat. Try tapping your shoes against the pedals before clipping in, that can shift some mud. If you have an opportunity to take a few extra steps on a hard surface before remounting (such as after the muddy log steps at MK) that'll help a bit.

Cool, cheers, I'll try that next race. Those muddy log steps were what was killing my shoes, was never really able to properly clip in until after the hurdles.

@Dry and are very reasonably priced on wiggle atm http://www.wiggle.co.uk/michelin-cyclocross-mud-2-folding-cx-tyre/

Bit late to tell you this year but keep your peelers open next season for the Eastern League race at Hadleigh Farm. Very long draggy lap with some very fast downhill sections which were ideally suited to 29ers. You wouldn't have lost much on the uphill either and no fast flat to speak of. You'd have loved it, for me though it was hell. Still I managed a respectable not quite last.

Yep that sounds like my bag, thanks! Will look out for it...next year :)

Not a climber

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Real hindrance with those short, steep climbs back into the bowl wasn't it...

might anyone be driving to Happy Valley London CX league this Sunday and might be able to give me a lift? I'm more than happy to pay petrol money.

Alternatively if anyone knows of how to get there by public transport then I'm all ears - @Jon. @andyp ?

Never raced at Happy Valley as it always seems to coincide with engineering works.

I'm doing the Eastern League in Hertfordshire.

Happy Valley does sound like a great place tho

It isn't. Most of the course is on football pitches, with slightly technical sections at each end. Parking's a nightmare too.

@fredtc I'm going to give it a miss I think, there is a way of getting to Brighton by train, on a route that goes through Horsham, Littlehampton, Worthing etc., but it's a near 2 hour journey each way from East Croydon, meaning I'd be out from 0830 to 1530 for a 45 minute race.

thanks for the advice.

If the rourke's here then it'll be the central league for me, if not then a lie in...

Was a cyclocross race in 'Nam the other day, looking forward to going to use the course at the weekend, literally about 3 minutes away from me. Quick Q: are MTBs allowed? The race I watched someone was on one.

Yes. Most UK local leagues allow the use of MTBs. They are only prohibited in UCI level races, so National Trophy races in the UK.

So the name is ironic. I see.

Perhaps you could make it more worthwhile by racing in the seniors too?

Interesting. Is it ok to rock up in what is essentially an oversized BMX? Rigid, massive tyres and SS

13 Equipment
13.1 Other than under the provisions of 13.2, races
shall be open to any type of bike without
restriction, with the exception that all nonstandard
wheels must meet UCI regulations.
13.2 National Championship and National Trophy
races are restricted to cyclo-cross bicycles only,
as defined by the regulations of the UCI.

So you'd better not rock up on chinese crabonz unless < 25mm deep profile.

Oops.

Has anybody got any good CX routes out of South London they wouldn't mind sharing? Looking to do roughly 60km tomorrow. Thanks!

es out of South London they wouldn't mind sharing? Looking to do roughly 60km tomorrow. Thanks!

there's this https://www.condorcycles.com/blogs/route-club/44761025-kent-cyclo-cross-ride

I've never done it but I'd imagine it's pretty good

There's the Three Pimples route too.

https://ridewithgps.com/trips/1882016