Cyclocross - CX and SSCX races and training

https://andrewmoss.pixieset.com/londonandsecyclocross-round3-crystalpalace/vet40andjunior/

I'm sure I remember someone on here got into the 3 peaks? Hope it went well. I walked them last weekend and it was hard enough...

It was @Jon with a dot, on a singlespeed.

He's talking about going back to try and break the singlespeed course record.

Great stuff. Serious props for SS on that course!

It felt like a pretty tough edition but I'm not as fit as I was when I last rode/trudged it. Plenty of wind, rain and pretty boggy in some sections but no mechanicals bar front brake disappearing on the last descent. Lots of people got lost on the summits this year visibility was so poor. I think I went over the bars in bogs 3 or 4 times, mostly just from brakes locking up and getting onto a poor line. You can see it coming there's just not much you can do.

Came in 35th in 3 hours 45 minutes. Ten minutes or so off the singlespeed record, might be possible with a bit more training and some better weather.

Massive effort, dude. Just seen some pics (CW website). Looked heavy going.

Anyone racing the Reading leg of the Wessex league this weekend (Bill Higson Memorial)?

I’ve not raced, nor ridden my cx bike (or even ridden off road) since I wrecked the drivetrain pre-covid. I just picked it up from the lbs after a near full rebuild (every single bearing replaced, new dive train etc.) so I’m a little bit apprehensive how it’ll all go.

Ta

Horrific. But they get easier… right??

What sort of gear do you run for the 3 peaks? Seems like it would be a big compromise with the off road climbs and the road sections where group riding is beneficial. Obviously didn't slow you down too much though!

42x18. I'd use the same again. Only really spun out on the "neutralised" road start, where there was a strong tailwind. Managed to ride most of the rideable off-road bits. Most of the climbs are carries anyway, with the exception of the Pen Y Ghent, where I did lose some places but that might just be a case of running out of beans.

Interesting thanks, that is pretty much what I've run for a mixed surface day ride (40x17 or 65 gear inches), albiet on easier terrain.

Anyone else racing Pippingford tomorrow?

I did, sorry hadn’t checked on here. How did you go? What did you make of the course?

Rough today as I had a hangover as I was at a friends wedding all day yesterday. I was late so didn't even manage a full warm up lap then straight into hard racing. I thought it was going to shit my bibs just after the half way mark and really found it hot today and felt really dehydrated and had a splitting headache about 10 minutes afterwards. I had a mechanical on the last lap and lost 3 places and another one on the line because I wasn't paying attention. I think in finished in the 20's looking at the guys I was racing with. The course was good though and really varied for a compact course. The right turn into the gravel was sketchy as the inside with the slight camber was full of loose gravel and there were a couple of other patches. Plenty of crashes there so I reckon they should have either brushed it or made it narrower so you'd have to take it slower. Good close racing though everyone looked to be in small groups all pretty close together. I'm hoping to do the couple at the end of the month so I'll be better prepared after today's lessons. How did yours go?

So having been telling myself all week to be bolder at the start the guy in front of me in the grid went over the handlebars on his first pedal stroke! So less than ideal, was almost last by the first proper corner. Made up some places then got stranded in no man’s land for last two laps. I had a dicey moment in that gravel with my rear. Course was good but relatively tough I thought. Still had my best result yet 45th just keep trying to keep finishing ahead of my grid position. Hoping that’ll improve too but two weeks out might hamper the improvements I’ve been making? Not entirely sure how they grid.

Going to use the break to switch to x1 axs, I already have a 10-44 and have a 10-36 coming just need to decide on front chainring. Yesterday I spent considerable time in my lowest gear and I’d probably have preferred something lower still.

Also, am I likely to need winter shorts when the weather changes? Any other kit bits I should be getting now for when it’s cold, wet and muddy?

No, not really, just pedal faster. Some decent gloves and a warm long sleeve jersey.

Gridding is based on your best three results of the past two seasons.

Well I’ve now got 3 positions so that’s a start! I’m still anxious about injuring myself again and that anxiety is definitely hightend by some of the antics at the back lol so sooner I can get out of there.

How about those portable washers?

What Fred said for kit plus some warmer socks. I've tried roubaix headbands and shorts before and find them too hot for racing even in 5° the start was just as hectic mid pack I didn't go mad just focused on holding my line and staying upright. It worked out as there a tangle to my right on the first and another to the left on the second so I made up a few places there then treated the straight from the left hand dead turn to the drop in to the narrow off camber section as my start and put in a dig there and made up another 5-6 places. I'm going to play each start depending on the layout and will only started goosing it from the line if I'm in the top 15 as then it'll be more about holding wheels than waiting for space to make a move.
Pics are up here
https://mattbristow.photoshelter.com/gallery/V40-and-Junior-Men/G0000j7Kc1R7kKn0/C0000PXX5TbFOwP0

All the pros seem to be covering their knees below 10C nowaways. I tend to go thicker socks, longer sleeves, a baselayer and gloves, and that's plenty. I run pretty cold generally too. It's more about keeping warm pre-race and stripping down on the line.

Nice to meet you yesterday @Ifonlyiwerebelgian. Enjoyed that course.

Missed round 5 WMCCL. Unfortunately, my front tubular tyre arrived on Saturday and I was working so no chance to hop this up for the race.
Next year's plans are surely to swap to tubeless because I CBA by tubular anymore after years of racing with them. Also, I'm going to drop 2x to 1x, less faff. will see.

cyclocross faff to riding/racing time is high. Tubeless, discs and singlespeed does help make things easier (in some ways).

SS has been always on my head but can't afford a SS frame and I m not big fan of disc in cx. but u never know...