Cyclocross - CX and SSCX races and training

Not Central, gets underway last weekend of September at Hillingdon

Cool cheers, did see the hillingdon one. Want to try a couple of races before muddy hell, which should be fine as there's one at herne hill at the start of october as well.

There's also a Eastern League race at Davy Down (just over the Dartford Bridge, close to Lakeside) the week before Muddy Hell. Or the London League round at Plumpton (40 minutes by train from East Croydon).

Personally, I'd recommend riding as many races as you can before MH, partly to improve your fitness and partly to work on your bike handling. I'm not suggesting it is rubbish by the way, just that you can always improve it.

It was my first race on Monday.. seemed to spend most of my energy concentrating on staying on my bike after coming off on some gravel in the first lap .. I lost count of the times I got lapped but had great fun nonetheless .. might need to give it a few more goes before I can do anything recognisable as 'racing' =)

That's the plan! I've never been a mountain biker, so i'm pretty sure bike handling is going to be my weak link, i agree i'll need to get the practice in.

Has anyone worked out a race schedule taking in the easiest to get to from Central London by cycling and trains for the London, Eastern and Central Leagues?

Really want to have another shot at cross this winter and avoid travelling to near France to do it!

There's only one race in nearly France this year, rather than two.

I'm looking at London League fixtures and working out train logistics, but am not going to push my luck and add Central and Eastern league fixtures to my calendar.

I've just chucked all the races in my calendar and will decide on each as and when. There are a few double headers with Sat/Sun racing available. Might be an option now I'm in the old farts 40 minutes races.

London League old fart races are still an hour I think.

45-50 according to the website

Yay! Less "soofering majorly" for me.

But the same entry fee as a one hour race, should be a quid or so less.

Has anyone worked out a race schedule taking in the easiest to get to from Central London by cycling and trains for the London, Eastern and Central Leagues?

No schedule - just dumped them all in my calendar and will pick the easiest to get to in advance.

Frankly training it is a massive drag. I posted earlier in this thread about group van hire / purchase. If this is attractive to people then please let me know - I think Laner might also be interested.

Some Wessex League might be easy'ish to get to http://www.wessexcx.co.uk/calendar/

I think there is a Reading race and a few in/around Oxford.

Driving to the races always go's wrong for me, had quite a few races left what seemed plenty early, caught in traffic, miss race, caught in traffic coming back, 6 hours in a car with no racing! I'm sure this is down to not driving ever in London and knowing the quiet routes but has kind of made me like the train now.

Will get the dates in my diary and work out the logistics/close races, Sat races sound good to me as I could have a few crits on Sundays in Sep and Oct.

Now, do I get tubs!

You need to ask?

I'm sure this is down to not driving ever in London and knowing the quiet routes but has kind of made me like the train now.

Just wait until the station manager tells you to GTFO because you are too muddy ;)

/CSB

In the van:

Cake
Tea
Tubs
Warm clothes
Jetwash

what's not to like? Apart from traffic, obvs. But I'd be intending to spend all day at a race, help with set-up and shut-down, etc.

Where are good places to practice? Because, er, a friend wants to know.

At the races or get andyp to take you for a three pimples ride

At the races or get andyp to take you for a three pimples ride

I'm still looking for a GPS trace of this if anyone has one.

Epping Forest is also quite good for practicing rooty, muddy stuff.

Bridleways? Lots around Bromley.

Otherwise there are a few everyday things to do. If you ride your road bike with SPDs you should always mount and unmount cross style. This will give you a few seconds a lap. Practice bunny hops it can save needing to dismount. Learn to avoid trees (still working on that one). Practice shoving other riders out of the way to get into the first corner ahead.

There appears to be a lot of co-ordination required.

have been thinking of giving cross a go this winter to keep up racing etc. I don't really have the money buy a proper bike - so I was thinking of trying to get hold of an old rigid mountain bike and giving it a little tlc. Bad idea? I don't expect to be very competitive anyway, so weight etc doesn't really bother me.

Where are good places to practice? Because, er, a friend wants to know.

Create a short circuit close to home and do laps of that. You've lots of options with so many commons near you, i.e. Streatham, Tooting, Wimbledon and then there's the outer path at Richmond Park.