Cyclocross - CX and SSCX races and training

@hats don't worry about it - it wasn't an enjoyable course. Although my first lap was lols - plenty of easy scalps starting from the back.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Zyvfz65lis

The sort of the conditions in the woods - with the muddy turn with the kids - is actually quite common as the season progresses. Once you have a bit more experience of muddy conditions it becomes a lot less stressful. They don't all come with heckling children though.

Some good photos from Moran

http://www.moranphotography.co.uk/ss14rd3/h3a60c385#h9210cd8

@Howard Great video - also I hadn't realised it was such a nice evening!

I think I need more experience with mud. Jason recommended South Norwood Country Park, or the bridleways south of Croydon. Any other suggestions of where I can go to practice? Ideally reachable from wonderful West Norwood.

The bridal ways around Biggin Hill are usually nice and muddy. Epping forest never dries but it's a schlep from yours.

Mud is all about tyres, tyre pressure and getting used to the bike moving about (sliding/skidding). And practice.

You will fall off, but landings are much softer :-)
If you don't fall off your not trying hard enough :-P

And not braking. Don't forget to not brake. Or something.

I'm not sure South Norwood country park is much good at the moment, as the paths there are rock solid and you want some loose stuff ideally.

There are some good bridleways south of Croydon too, around Featherbed Lane, have a look at the 3 pimples route that Rich and myself have both done in the last week over on Strava.

However, one of the best places I know to train is Bethlem. The land is categorised as metropolitan open land so can be used without issue, as long as you are mindful of the dog walkers.

@hats - eat.
Always eat before an event. If it's hot, drink as much as you can. If it's hot and you don't want to eat, make sure you smash a gel before you start or during the race.

If you are doing lots of high intensity work, you will shed weight no matter how much you eat (within reason obviously), so just listen to your body. Don't skimp on fuel on event day or the day before.. you can choose to reduce calories on days when you are not doing high intensity efforts if you really are worried about weight.

I need a CX bike- Pinkhouse tourer just isn't going to cut it. Anyone want to do a swap with me (for a CAAD10, not for Pinkhouse).

"smash a gel"? Can't she just eat one like normal people?

How the fuck do you eat liquid andy? Do you chew yours? You're not supposed to eat the packet you know..

What should I be eating today to limit the damage from yesterday? So far eggs + toast, a lot of electrolyte, salty crisps, very milky coffee, planning on omelet + pasta in about an hours time.

Feel quite good all things considered. But glad I don't have to work.

Sounds about right, gentle spin on the rollers and a bit of stretching and you should be alright.

Oh..oily fish will help with muscle soreness.

Cool. And yes - I have a date with turbobike for a low resistance spin.

Full English, extra toast.

@Howard - is that video the warm up lap?

My re-mounts were a lot better than that pic suggests...

That's good to know Andy, thanks. I quite like Bethlem although if I were to ride laps on my own it'd have more woods and less fields.

Thanks for the tips, @Howard, @danb and @andyp. I'm going to put a bottle cage on the bike, which will make life a lot easier, or at least, better hydrated. Then I'm all set to fall over in some mud.

The photos from last night are pretty cool. I need to work on my concentrating face.

Judging by the speed and lines taken by the back of the field you'd have thought so. Lots of first timers skulking at the back. And me.

Cool. And yes - I have a date with turbobike for a low resistance spin.

Is Oddono pistachio and nuts not just around the corner from you?

Ohhhh good idea.

Epping forest never dries

Lies... you're just too young to remember the last time it was dry there :-)

Looking forward to Herne Hill next week - only race I'll be able to make of the Summer Series.

London dates have now been announced too:

Sun 07-Sep London League Round 1 & Sussex League Round 1 Stanmer Park
Sun 14-Sep London League Round 2 Penshurst Off Road Club
Sun 21-Sep London League Round 3 Gunpowder Park
Sun 28-Sep London League Round 4 Herne Hill Velodrome
Sun 05-Oct London League Round 5 TBA
Sun 12-Oct London League Round 6 & Sussex League Round 2 Happy Valley Park
Sun 19-Oct London League Round 7 & Sussex League Round 3 TBA
Sat 25-Oct Rapha Super Cross
Sun 02-Nov Available Date
Sun 09-Nov Inter-Area Championships
Sun 16-Nov London League Round 8 CycloPark
Sun 23-Nov Available Date
Sun 30-Nov London League Round 9 Herne Hill Velodrome
Sun 07-Dec SE & East Regional Championships Fowlmead Country Park
Sun 14-Dec London League Round 10 Frylands Wood Scout Camp
Sun 21-Dec London League Round 11 Redbridge Cycling Centre
Sun 28-Dec London League Round 12 Footscray Meadows
Sun 04-Jan London League Round 13 Bethlem Royal Hospital
Sun 11-Jan National Champioships
Sun 18-Jan London League Round 14 Wilmington School
Sun 25-Jan London League Round 15 & Sussex League Round 4 Sumners Ponds
Sun 01-Feb LCCA Team Championships & Sussex League Round 5 Great Walstead School