Cyclocross - CX and SSCX races and training

So fun! Rain stopped before the seniors and even a bit of sun by the last lap, started to get cloggy by the end. Few moments where the bike wanted to do its own thing but thats what makes it fun

first muddy race of the season and I had some issues clipping in. has anyone had any success solving this by cutting back the rubber parts of the shoe sole to provide more clearance for the mud? My shoes are Sidi Dragon 3s if that makes a difference

Yes - I have a pair of Sidis with the same sole - I bevelled the edges of the inside tread by the cleat, which seems to help a little

Yes, I’ve used a dremel to remove some of the plastic from the shoe tread to stop mud building up between it and the cleat. It works well.

@biarittz has taken it to the next level though, he’s chopped off half the tread.

He doesn't race when it's muddy though.

Pew pew pew

Thank you both. An evening with the dremel awaits then

Mr Pot, may I introduce you Mr Kettle...

Whoah woah woah

5h17 on the 3 Peaks yesterday. I guess that's not bad for virtually no training. At least there's one race this year where I can say I finished on the same lap as the leaders.

Also feel like my shoulder has been beaten with a rolling pin.

Rololololol. Even when not muddy, it really helped. I had all sorts of bother at HH Summer CX, especially after running up Big Bertha or whatever that slope is called. So I butchered my treads and at CP it was so much better.

Bravo!

I Have dremel, or budget dremel, just need robust cutting blades...

Pfffft just get some eggbeaters

I guess at least the Dragons are SRS so you can bolt new tread on when you want.

I've not really noticed, but roughly what proportion of riders wear gloves for cross?

I typically haven't and it's always been fine but I tried out a new practice route last week and the ground was a bit bumpy and tore my hands to shreds. To be fair, none of the cross race courses I've done have been that bad but do most people normally wear gloves?

Also, my practice route gave me a creaky PF30 BB which is a PITA.

I think most do. Wouldn't want bare hands if I stacked it on gravel or in the tree roots.

I rarely wear gloves out on the road.

When it comes to cross, the only time I won't wear gloves is dry course + cool, dry day. Hot and dry: dust and sweat make a nice abrasive paste for removing the skin from your palms, cold and wet: why wouldn't you want gloves?

Hope I'm allowed to plug our race on Sun 14 Oct. Same as last year, only better! Great course, great food, great atmosphere. Easily accessible by train; if you're anywhere in West London, ride there as a warm-up.

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Running 42x18 ss. Realise I still need to lose the cages. Planning this weekend going to.

https://nwcca.org.uk/2018/10/preview-wheelbase-castelli-cross-2018-incorporating-the-paul-savage-trophy/

Not sure about just doing the novice / junior category 30 min session or just jumping right into the main field for the lolz.

Every time I see this I'm surprised by how much I love those wheels. Looks great. You riding this tonight?

I think we welcome promoters telling us about their races on here, don’t we?

Unfortunately I can’t make this, which is a shame as there is no London League fixture that weekend.

I think it’s be ideal for @hippy to make his cross debut at too.

Hope all is well with you, Dave? Are you racing this year yourself?

I rode out to this one last year from central, started well, bonked hugely at 55 minutes, then ended up dragging myself round dropping place after place until the clock had 75 minutes on it. If my memory serves me correctly. You bastards.

Still, Subway sandwich at Heathrow never tasted better or disappeared faster. You bastards.

Course was très bon too.

Course was très bon too... You bastards!

Ftfy

Lol - I'd say I was sorry, but that would be lying...

Andy - all good thanks! Racing most weekends (Central League mainly). Once again trying to get fit solely by racing, which is not an approach I'd recommend...

It was probably Jas retweeting it that got me thinking about London(ish) 'cross in the first place. She's a Kingston Wheeler.

Do you need a BC lic?

I presume If I used my SS MTB (I can't be arsed taking aerobars off the Tripster) I'll need to adhere to some kind of equipment restrictions? Is there a max tyre width?

What's the etiquette for being the fat noob out the back? Is it like MTB where some skinny whippet will lap me, yelling "track" and I'll crash into a tree to let them pass?