Cyclocross - CX and SSCX races and training

It was drying out during the last race, but more rain is forecast. In some places it was really muddy, especially the technical sections.

The biggest problem I had was sticky mud stuck in both pedals and cleats. There’s lots of gravel and sand too, so it’s a real bike killer of a course.

I loved it though, really challenging both physically and technically. Even the most seemingly straightforward corners could catch you out as the grip levels changed.

I did do a comedy topple on the cross camber section as the rut I was in had a hole in it which stopped all forward momentum very suddenly. I toppled over falling down into the course netting, which is surprisingly sturdy.

Best of luck to everyone riding today. If they’ve had half the rain we’ve had in the last 15 hours or so it’s going to be very, very wet.

I ran that.....my cunning plan of not pre riding the course turned out to be not that cunning.

The top rut was rideable, the bottom one wasn’t.

I like your cunning plan though, especially as they changed the course between the pre-ride slot and the race.

It did mean it took me 3 laps to figure out the grip levels, I was a long way back before I got used to the slidyness ....I enjoyed the bomb hole that was cool

I thought it was a really good course, the only part that I didn’t like was the zigzag section, it was a bit excessive. That middle section of the lap, from the left turn into the bomb hole to the stairs was great, really testing of your technique and decision making. I got it very wrong on the second lap, but nailed it on the third and fourth laps. Shame I didn’t quite go fast enough to do a fifth lap.

I enjoyed the challenge of the zigzags, it was really difficult without pre riding the course to figure out the grip levels. They definitely crammed a lot into that part of the course. The rest of the lap turned into a very slippery recovery ride. The heckling/support in the bomb hole was great. Apart from a bit of a di2 mechanical which cost me a couple of mins on the camber section l didn't have any dramas . I've also had my first ride of the year in mud so I've no more excuses for the rest of the season

Good work!

https://youtu.be/df8kxHat6qg

This is what you missed

Pidcock really mixing it today.

Where is that being broadcast/streamed?

GCN stream most races on their Facebook page.

Bugger I don't do Facebook

Given the lack of local races between now and the regionals on the 2nd Dec does anyone sarf of the river fancy meeting up for a training session on a Saturday or Sunday morning between now and then?

yes.

Cool, is there anywhere in your neck of the woods that's going to be greasy and slippy, the places I train around Sutton are normally grassy and grippy

Chariots?

Where's that?

Streatham.

Sundays are usually the better day for me, but with forward planning and considered use of "i think you owe me" I could make it non dad am.

you might have to send me a link, googling "Chariots Streatham" didn't really bring up anywhere suitable for CX riding
Streatham sounds ideal, Saturday or Sunday morning is good for me although this weekend I can do the afternoon?
Give me some non dad times and let's set a time

Bethlem.

How did the leg hold up on Sunday?

It’s all good, completely pain free yesterday and today.

looking at the course for the SE regionals where about is the big hill we went up and down that I remember from the last time I raced their a couple of years ago?

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155720712796771&set=a.64046386770&type=3&theater&ifg=1