Cyclocross - CX and SSCX races and training

Yes - called 'Cyclocross Sportives'. I did one last year - was a laugh.

You can also ride any of the XC events on a crosser. Even the Evan's XC Ride Its are worth doing to stretch your legs.

There's also extreme races like the Three Peaks - which took place today.

I only race.

But yes saw that 3 peaks, which got me thinking.

Woodecote CX Sportive route:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/266790964

The Bucks CX Sportive is supposed to be enjoyable too.

Yes thats the thing. But as a race, does it exist?

It's a timed affair, someone is fastest. But I don't think they do podiums etc.

That's as far as my knowledge goes.

CX Sportive website.

Really surprised there isn't a winter XC timetable you know.

If it's not for BC points I don't car! :)

But seriously, I just like racing. And fancied some endurance events over winter, for fun. Sportives just don't tickle my fancy. I ride 4h a day as it is, a sportive would be a day off, to be blunt.

Help me out here - in the context of enduro off road events - what's the difference between a sportive and a race, BC points aside?

Competitiveness and ability. Racing is another beast.

So...in the absence of other options, turn up and be the quickest on the day?

But I guess there will be a 'real' race running on the same day, albeit on road / track / whatevs.

If it's not for BC points I don't car! :)

But seriously, I just like racing. And fancied some endurance events over winter, for fun. Sportives just don't tickle my fancy. I ride 4h a day as it is, a sportive would be a day off, to be blunt.

This means, you ride to all your races? Good man.

Yes I did that last year, to winter crits.

That is not me. I do not like that cold.

Can you ride cross bikes in cross country racing? Gorrick Autumn series coming up.

Why not just ride some cross races? They may be an hour long, but you'll know about it the day after.

Yes I may well do so. I just fancied something longer. It's easier to ride to a criterium and race that on the same bike. Than ride to a cross race and race that. I fancied endurance events really, just wanted to see if that format existed.

Also take a look at mtb Sportives.

I'm just looking for some Saturday races as Sundays are difficult for me at the moment.

Is anyone here planning on either of these:

Milton Keynes (5th October)
Brackley (2nd November)

I think they're both a couple of hours or so on a train from the North side of Central London, so would be a long day out.

And the Lewes one on 19th October.

Yes to the MK race. Pretty easy journey from euston. Quick too.

I'm doing the Lewes one, but in the earlier vets race.

What's your travel plans for Lewes?

Direct train from East Croydon, so I'll ride there from home.

Will add that one to the list then. Should be able to meet you at the station.

So far I've been racing on an old set of PX clincher wheels.

Had I brought spare wheels to the race on Saturday, it would have doubled the value for money of the race fees. That's enough of an investment case for me to consider demoting these current wheels to 'spare / training' status and get some tubs to race on. What's the most cost effective way to do this?

Was thinking about building some Major Toms onto Novatec hubs / DT comp spokes. This is £200 before build cost + tyres (would budget maybe £100(?) for a pair of challenge limus tubs)

Is this overkill? Can I do more with less?

Assume you need a brake track?

I have MTs on Novatecs with Specialized Tracers (Challenge made). Very, very light.

But not as light as my tubeless wheelset. And can't be used for training.

If you are a weekend warrior I would consider investigating the new A23s tubeless with Mich Mud iis. Cheaper, similar weight, can be used for training and racing.

If you don't need a brake track then Iron Cross rims are the obvious answer.

How much do you weigh? I suspect success with tubeless is largely influenced by rider weight and skill.

The other option would be to look out for a used pair of tubular wheels. I was lucky enough to pick up a NOS pair of Mavics on Ultegra for £70. If you are thinking about wheels for deep mud getting weight weenie about it might not stack up as you'll be carrying a load of mud anyway. But in those situations deep rims would be better but might be harder to find used.