Cyclocross - CX and SSCX races and training

I've "raced" Herne Hill courses fixed before and think it probably suits it quite well - and cx fixed dismounting is always comical regardless of the terrain.

I doubt it. Got a three day work thing starting tomorrow which includes an overnight stay on Wednesday, so won't have a bike with me. We also have no childcare this week so other half will be very keen for my presence at home as soon as possible on Thursday evening.

Bummer. Will have a beer for you!

Having no idea about the speed of the circuit, 70 or 74GI? Thinking lower is better..

edit: just been sent an old race file.. lower it is!

I've done it on 66gi when it was a bit muddy and I thought my knees were going to explode for the next three days. I read somewhere, and it seems like good advice me to me, that a good place to start thinking about SSCX is to race from a ratio of about 2:1 eg 39x20, so more like 52gi and adapt from there. I guess bring a few cogs and see how you feel after a practice lap?

Don't fancy putting a new chain on for one race, have entered, let's see what happens. Have no expectations except to have fun and get around, even if last. Builds the bizness case for a CX bike.

Ok, but I would say if you're near or above 66gi I'm not sure how much you'll enjoy yourself. But hope you do regardless, anyway FGCX is all about making the best of a bad decision ;)

I'm being blonde, there's room for a bigger cog! Off to the shops..

@youramericanlover is actually blonde IRL.

66 gi in mud is high, but not far off for a dry HH.

Unsure if dropout is long enough to go from 16t --> 19t (62GI)

I'm on about 58" for dry/flat/fast and 55" for muddy/hilly/slow. That's on a singlespeed so I've got the option of coasting if it gets a bit too spinny, so you might want to gear up from that a fraction.

I was on something around 52" last year which was great for hilly/muddy stuff but for anything with a long downhill or flat straight was horribly spinny. What Jon is running sounds good, just don't be fazed when he comes flying past you after about 4 laps.

I'm planning to head down for photography, beer drinking and cheering on so hopefully catch a few of you. Below is the link to the photos last week. There's also one of @Howard with (in his own words) a 'kill me now' face on....

http://davidmorgan.format.com/summercx#4

4 laps?

Oh, you mean for the second time. Happens a lot to me.

I thought about taking @Jon. 's recommendation about gearing down (and maybe this is down to my weak legs) but stood my spinny ground and I found 39x20 plenty to grind against. He is also much much stronger than me. SS would have been different and yes two or three fewer teeth would have been good for the downhills and the easier flats maybe, but a even a gentle uphill in the wind (or muck or slippery grass) after 35 mins in the red fixed and the pedal all the time attrition really kicked in.

It's gonna be a quagmire tomorrow, right?

Dunno. Might drain OK. Wouldn't bring file treads that's for sure.

I don't think it'll be a quagmire. Tends to dry out pretty quick this time of year. Bit slippy in places, hopefully, though.

#prayfordrainage got the fixie down to 66GI and running Gravel King SKs.. I won't be hard to spot slipping around at the back, come and say hello.

I've forgotten my race number at home. May come and just see what can be done anyway.

They'll give you another number and tag I think.

Gutted to be missing tonight, watching you squirm around fixed would be a dream. I'm sure you'd still finish ahead of me though...

Another DNF - although this time down to a flat rather than my body failing me. Equally frustrating. On the plus side, got to cheer on the various forumengers as they came round. Chapeau @spinnnout for doing it fixed!

Good turn out tonight. Appreciate the DAS from @amey and good to see @Sparky got round without his tyres departing his rims - I think. Good to see @laner spinning round too.