Cyclocross - CX and SSCX races and training

Run tyres as big as your frame will allow at Herne Hill. The rubble strewn outfield is notorious for race ending tyre malfunctions so worth taking avoidance measures, especially when it’s dry still (it gets vaguely more forgiving when the ground is soft in deep winter).

I know at least two forumites who were moaning like true gammons yesterday, because the infield section was too long (one, who shall remain anonymous, reckoned it spoilt the balance of the course).

Personally the less time we spend in the rubble zone the better.

Sneakily != illegally

It just means don't tell / show your mates because they might get annoyed or do the same resulting in some weird tyre size arms race

Fair point!

I normally run an extra 5-10psi at Herne Hill. Tubs stay at home, but I killed a couple of tubeless tyres with sidewall gashes before I started pumping them up harder. A bit of extra sideways action is a small price to pay for making it all the way to the finish in one piece...

I resemble one of those forumites and I stand by my comments of that infield was fucking nuts.

There was more than last year yeah? It seemed to go on forever.

stand by my comments of that infield was fucking nuts.

On hearing this I'm kinda glad I was on parenting duty

Why was it nuts? It made great use of the available terrain and meant we had race leaders doing 6:30 laps rather than 5:30 laps, which spreads the field out and stops the classic congestion issue that HH usually suffers from.

I gave up all hope while I was in there.

I did think, 5 minutes ago, how they really worked the infield to make it a longer race. I appreciated the switch in directions in the back brick filled section as it messed with my muscle memory of the place and made it fun. The stairs were great. The bush on that back corner before big Bob was not appreciated.

I, and most likely other tekkers challenged bellends like me, found it really easy to lose it on the endless turning and when I lost concentration for a second would lose everything.

TL;Dr
It's not a fucking uphill time trial and I'm going to have a cry about it

Oi! Cheeky. Rubble zone was where all of time could be made up if you were smart.

I think it was impressive how they squeezed so much into such a small space
The longer laps meant I didn't get lapped which always my first aim....feeling dizzy from the g-forces I created on the endless corners in the infield seems a small price to pay for this

Had a great first race - unfortunately, I sprained my ankle on this landing...

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Ah, I recognise that bike from Weds night training on Hackney Marshes

I also fell off here.

You promised not to do that again

My mouth was writing cheques etc etc

Well it was majestic while it lasted

Wot is infield?

Sunday’s London League race was at Herne Hill velodrome. The cx circuit there uses the trails in the land around the back of the velodrome and the grass inside it, hence the infield.

Thanks!

Harrogate today and with a steep course and a lot of overnight/morning rain it became an object lesson 8n why tyre choice is important.
It looked squelchy so I went for the Caadx with 37s on. Alas the lack of tread meant I just had a big fat shear surface and skittered about the course like a newborn foal.
Should have changed to the Ridley with more aggressive 33s on but I'm too lazy to wash two bikes. Probably could have had 2-3 more places.

Stacked it once at Heaton Park in mcr today. Thankfully nice soft landing as it was a touch muddy. Caused bike to come to standstill. Had to stop and pull out all manner of leafy muddy sludge from cranks and brakes. Good to meet @fizzy.bleach and share the misery/joy of ss cyclocross..

Another dry grass crit in Ramsgate yesterday. Good flowy course though. Got lapped by the one and only Mr Ian Field on the final lap, wasn't quick enough to snap a picture!

A pleasure to meet you both (all)! I'm covered in bruises this morning from my 3 or 4 tumbles. Reminds me of waking up after playing rugby.

Very muddy central race hosted by KWCC at Bedfont lakes. Lacking experience I ran my tyres a bit hard and hit the deck at least 5 times . Managed 21st but let a better finish slip and slide away..

Was a great race!

Started from the back and made it up to 44th, for my first ever time crossing the finish line!