Cyclocross - CX and SSCX races and training

Entered NY Madison. Primary concern at present is how to keep warm whilst waiting!

It was 12 degrees last year, so wasn't a problem. To be honest, you don't really notice at the time, as you're recovering, keeping an eye out for where your partner is, and moving round so you're ready to rejoin when they finish their lap.

Ouch Lufguss down on the first lap 🌶️

Edit: shameless self promotion here - https://instagram.com/stories/practiceofthemountains/3249681649165753143?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng==

Ooo Lufguss recovering nicely! Cheeky overtake over the barriers!

Lufguss - cheating by using gears … !
Nice spectating until I couldn’t feel my fingers , toes ,feet , nose , ears …. blimey - how do they do it …. ‘kin freezing ….

What a twat.

I did regret my decision to run gears afterwards. I usually do at Herne Hill, but for some reason decided gears was the way to go today.

I'm still amazed my rear mech survived, given the amount of crap that was wrapped up in afterwards. I dropped the chain just after the finish, and I had to remove loads of mud before I could get it to stay on enough to ride home.

So many - expensive - bikes … getting completely shagged after half a lap , alright ( well , sort of ) for those with pit crew and bike change but …. such a struggle and strain on the bike … it was very muddy … !
Tried to help a lass get her chain back on but no way could you get enough mud off chain and ring to even get it seated / run properly… why hasn’t someone invented a brush type attachment for the chain to run through - bit like those old tyre scrapers ?

I did realise halfway through that I wasn’t really changing gears that much…
SSCX is not the craziest idea in the world…

For Herne Hill it's perfect, as there aren't any hills, just a few banks. I did all the summer cross races and Muddy Hell on it.

I also did the Somerhill Schools round, which wasn't as bad as you'd think.

I think the outfield at Herne Hill is used so much now that it's become one huge mud pit. The soil doesn't ever get chance to recover between races like it used to, so has got really churned up and rutted.

I guess it's inevitable as fewer and fewer venues are available, and those that are require a lot of organisation, so HH gets used more.

Watching the Val Di Sole cross …. It’s not all that interesting in the snow - I can appreciate the bike control but … bit boring

I dunno know, I find it quite interesting. It's a different kind of racing, but variation is what cross is all about. Obviously a bit gimmicky, but snow used to feature in your typical late season Northern European cyclocross much more.

It’s not all that interesting

The race itself wasn't that interesting, not like Essen from yesterday was much more entertaining

I did make my comment after watching the women's race, and before the men's, which was pretty boring.

Blimey - Van de Poel going bonkers in the Herenthal cross … and giving shorty Isabyt a kicking !

Looking forward to some fierce competition between the 'Big 3' MVDP, Pidcock & WVA.

They will meet at these CX races:

Antwerp (December 23rd)
Gavere (December 26th),
Hulst (December 30th) and
Koksijde (January 4th)

And if WVA's schedule allows, also at

Zonhoven (January 7th) and
Benidorm (January 21st)

Fem Van Empel - is she a bit miserable ? Never see her smile even if she wins ..
Good for Puck today , she deserved that.

She struggles a bit mentally every now and then. Feeling insecure and tense, in spite of her (loads of) talent and ability

Maybe google translate and this interview with her coach will give some insight

https://wielerrevue.nl/artikel/585602/coach-over-onzekere-fem-van-empel-ik-heb-haar-gezegd-dat-ze-het-moet-omarmen/

Only happy faces here though :)

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Yes …. free beer ! Hooray !

Tibor Del Grosso looked good yesterday

Shameless cross posting, anyone needs a spare frame?

So casual. Totally in love

Bike is ready for tomorrow, myself less so!