Cyclocross - CX and SSCX races and training

Yesterday was particularly grippy. There was a section of the climb, just before the off camber bomb hole in the middle of the climb, that was like riding through treacle.
I was 42/32 and searching for another gear I didn't have.
But there was enough recovery on that course to be able to dump all your Watts each lap on the one hard climb.

Nice to meet you too.

I've always liked that course, it definitely runs faster/smoother that way round.

I did not have a good day yesterday! Still on the gravel bike as waiting for a chainring for the vitus. Had to change rear pads at the car before the race and the rear was well and truly dragging the whole race. Had zero lever throw, so kept locking up the back brake. Sram hydro brakes are just the shittest thing in the world!

Made a mistake in the 2nd lap which put me at the side of the course trying to untangle tape/stake/bike and get my chain back on. Made some places back, but finished mid pack in a bad mood.

On the plus side, was really enjoying some of the corners and am getting the feel for cross tyres again.

Looking forward to netham.

Sorry to hear about the tape tangle! Saw they've re arranged the races so can make Netham in 2 weeks. Should be a good one!

I'm looking at cross bikes and the Vitus is pretty high up the list at its current full build price. I'm the same height as you but run a 74.5 mm saddle height. Guide puts me just outside of small and at the bottom of medium. Should I size down?
EDIT: ignore that just checked geometry geeks and a M energie evo is 3mm shorter with 8mm lower stack than my road bike so I'll go with that as a small will probably be too aggressive and I am getting old

My personal preference is to size down
I have a 52 and 54cm Crux. Both setup to fit the same.
The 52 is my preference to race, it's more nimble and responsive.
Some might complain about toverlap, but it's never been a significant issue for me.

Cheers I was tempted by this as well and the seller says the same as you
Vitus are doing 30 day trials on bikes for the rest of the month as well
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225767241466

If you're on the fence size wise you're always welcome to try my 52 and 54 at a London league round in a warm up session

Cheers that would be really helpful. I'm hoping to do Somerhill, Canada heights and Brighton. Do you race Seniors on Sunday? I saw a guy with a couple of Crux's as I was leaving one of them the same as the one in the link

bloody expensive tbh

I'll be at all those rounds and Racing seniors.
It probably as me, I dont think there are too many other people with 2 crux and one being pink.
I'm not hard to spot.
Stretched ears, loads of tattoos, Nigel Mansell knock off race kit.
Come find me and say hello

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So I’ve managed to hunt around for some AXS bargains… to switch groupset. But then somewhat blown all my hard work on a power meter

Ah it was you then. I was parked a couple of cars down and was loading up as you were unloading. I'll come and find you next race. I'm the generic looking Mamil on a green Bianchi 29er as I doubt I'll have sorted a cross bike before then. My name is Nick

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That is amazing (obviously showing my age here). Is that a club kit or something available to buy?

G!RO (The cafe in Esher's) race team.
Of which I'm the team Captain and did the design for the kit.
By which I mean I ripped off the logos and design from WilliamsF1

Looks great!

Can’t race but might try come watch some of the racing at HH tomorrow, who should I be looking out for if I do?

I'll be there, in the above kit, for the senior open race

I’m thinking of watching the Zonhoven race in Jan.
Can’t seem to find any info about how to get there or where the race actually is in Zonhoven. Has anyone been before? Do you need a car?

I haven't but owlz (who you can't @ on here) went a couple of seasons ago. I think he posted about it in this thread.

Added: Some info from about page 355 (for me - don't think anyone I have on ignore posts in this thread).

it was me asking about it on page 355. here is a link to the post that has a link to the map location https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/142753/?offset=8850#16206642

we went and it was great!

we rented a car in Brussels and parked it on a verge outside houses to the west and then walked. it was about a 20-30 minutes walk.

it was still COVID times when we went so public transport options might have improved by now but I imagine you'd have a longish walk or a taxi at the end because it's quite rural.

we bought tickets on the uci website but people were also paying at the gate. It was nowhere near as busy when we went but I guess if it's January this year then van aert and mvdp will be there so it will be much busier.

Right, in the process of finalising my initial set up. Given my next two races are Somerhill and Canada Heights.
40t by either 10-36 or 10-44 is the question…

If they reuse Tullet's Turret at Somerhill you'll probably want more gears.

Which also sounds the case at Canada Heights, also I've personally not raced there.

Is anyone fits a 52cm and is after a cx bike this is a bargain at £650

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305195716053

Ok great thanks!

Course map would suggest it's being used.

But if its wet, the turret isn't rideable anyway.

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