Cyclocross - CX and SSCX races and training

Being slightly picnicity the £3 isn't for a day license it's for insurance that's covered by BC membership. You can race without a licence but have to have a BC membership or pay the £3. This goes for all normal CX races ie London league and Central League ect.

The 1st of September.

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Shit now I'm in v40 I only get a 40 min race. Decreasing value for money! I suppose I could just race senior cat tho

You just end up riding full gas for the entire race
Depending where you They usually end up riding for 50 mins.
Plus you can still enter the seniors if you fancy trundling around for an hour 🙂

Anyone in the West Midlands going to race the WM cyclocross league this year?

After my 1st taste of cross racing at HH a few weeks back, I will be entering a few more races (the ones I can get too) and yes, still SS.

Any first hand feedback on those Vitus frames then? Looks like a good deal

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I don't have their cx frame, but I do have one of their road frames. I'm still trying to get the right set up on it. But. It seems well made, it's light, and once I'm past the set up issues, it'll be great.

I have only been riding a Planet X XLA for about 3 years. This feels "bang on". The road frame I have is compact, so I'm doing the "does my saddle go back a bit / do I need a slightly longer stem / I don't know what the fuck I'm talking about is this even right / why do I want this bike again?" dance.

I would buy a Vitus CX frame if I had the cash.

I hate gloves…I bought gloves.

I have the Alloy one and happy with it so far, feels a lot nicer racing on that than my Arkose (which was a size too big too).

I know one of the guys in my club is very happy with his.
Once funds allow, I'll probably replace the tcx with one.
The only possible negative I found is that if you wanted to set it up 2x , the recommended max inner chainring is 34 according to vitus

Yep, I'll do some too :)

And press fit BB - in my eyes

I've never found that to be a problem with the tcx fit wise or creaking although removing and replacing the bearings is a bigger learning curve
than threaded

So who’s racing tonight and what bikes should I be looking out for?

I’ve a sore throat scratchy cough, from my youngest! Any other good excuses welcome…

I am. But you probably knew that already.

It’s your first race, so that’s all the excuse you need. Start harder than you’re comfortable with, then hang on for as long as you can. There’s no gridding, so don’t go on the front row, but equally don’t go to the back.

Don't be polite, but don't be a dick.
You'll work out who you have to give position up to and you'll work out who you don't want to/don't need to.
Unless you're going to win the hole shot, I'd focus on getting clipped in straight away, getting a hard start in and then trying to get through the inevitable pile up at the first pinch point.
After that, that's when you go really hard. Mainly because "fuck that shit".

Go as hard as you can for the first 2 laps then see where you are. Remember to breathe and recover on the corners and the technical bits. Save your efforts for the straights and out of dead corners as being calm in the technical sections will gain you more time than pushing there.

Don’t let the wheel infront of you go, ever

Say hello to me - number 143 on a black canti crux

Ride up big Bob, don't push like a wuss

Bunny hop everything and skid a lot

Faaaack

Did you enjoy it? You looked good the few times I saw you.

The first race is always a baptism of fire, I don't think there's anything comparable in terms of handling and physical demands.

I did enjoy it. Wearing the white shoes gained my celebrity/ stupidity status, the cheers at big bob were quite the morale lift. I really hurt my wrist on the sighting lap. I got a bit impatient with the back markers not progressing and took on a line a bit above my skill level and really jarred it at the bit after the big dip.
Also probably more unwell than I realised or acknowledged. Had an average HR of 175.
Came 46/50 hard not to be disappointed but bigger issue is how I’ll parent one armed

Great success?!

That sounds like a well raced, race. First race and not coming last is a success!

Getting up big bob is the best bit but re mounting at the top feels like the most pressure ever!