Cyclocross - CX and SSCX races and training

Since the thread of the best cyclocross bikes for under a grand gets off-topic discussion, I thought it would make sense to start a new thread.

So tonight, Howard, a few others and I are going to Herne Hill for the early season league. Howard's gonna cheat since he has gears and disc brakes. :P

Maybe there should be a piggyback SSCX (singlespeed CX) league.

Anyway, see you later

CX bikes under a grand thread: http://www.lfgss.com/thread59962.html

My heavy mountain bike is ready and I've swapped the slicks to Nobly Nic tyres which my local bike shop were kindly lent me (plus some spd pedals too - Two Wheels Good (Crouch End) - nice peeps).

Quite looking forward to tonight, bit concerned at how slow I might be on the old lump though :-)

durgh, ok, I'll delete the other thread

sorry it exists already www.lfgss.com/thread16515.html

How did you guys get on?

Sooooo first ever CX race (novice class) DONE!

Thanks to Two Wheels Good in Crouch End for lending me two very knobbly tyres and some spd pedals! Learned a lot... like, a bike that weights 13kg will end up ruining your back, and tyre pressures - I presumed you shouldn't have them too hard but on my way to HH the tyre was slipping all over the rim :-) Needless to say I popped into a bike shop on the way for some air which was good because the course was really dry.

The race itself was a mix of fear and excitement, not wanting to get in anyones way but also wanting to make progress... I soon realised half a lap in that my lungs were burning and the whole race might be a 45minute sprint... It almost was if it weren't for the fact I ran out of gas on lap 2 or 3 or 4 (mind a bit addled).. dragging that bike up that short sharp hill was sooo tough at the end. I saw some people sorting out punctures but I'm not sure I could have written my own name on a piece of paper never mind change a tube during a race.

I've never used spd pedals or repeatedly jumped on and off my bike, clipping in and carrying the bike was far from gracefull and it was during the clipping in process that most people passed me :-)

Really good fun and not as scary as I thought, the Senior racers were quite polite in their passing!

Right.. I'm soooo tired I might sleep for a year.

p.s. thought I'd ruined my head bearings because it kept clunking... turns out my front wheel wasnt really attached to the bike too much - it either came loose or I didn't tighten it - extremely lucky!

First cross race for me too last night.

I was the idiot shouting "does anyone have a 10mm spanner?!" at the start line after my front brake fell apart during the warm up. C*ntilevers.

Was great having the novice category to ride in, but next week I think I'll have to up my game and join the big boys.

Very different to road racing, in that I was constantly having little battles with one other person where we'd take and re-take each other continuously for a lap or so. Also managed to eat and drink as I went round which may just have saved my life.

Average HR for the race: 197. That's some workout. Went to bed feeling sick and shaky!

Well done both of you on getting through your first race. This thread is a bit more active on the CX front.

Also managed to eat and drink as I went round which may just have saved my life.

Cheat

Well done both of you on getting through your first race. This thread is a bit more active on the CX front.

I think we're avoiding that thread as the thread title is about bike advice.

good, singlespeed was absolutely fine, I don't understand why there aren't more SS riders. Loved the steps, giving a nice advantage to light bikes, the dusty hill was hard, I only have touring shoes so didn't have enough grip there. next shoes will have studs, and lighter. The singletrack section was nice and fast, not too many stones and unlike at muddyhell, you could see way better and blast through it quite easily, the sleepers were fun, but bunched up a bit, the sandpit was too easy on the right side. I had a lot of fun!
Shame I'm leaving the country, I would have loved to race the full league.

^ Yeah I guess - it kind of evolved into everything Cross. I'd rather have an active thread that covers all aspects of cross, albeit with an odd title, than three separate and quieter threads. But hey whatever everyone is happiest with.

How did you guys get on?

Much more challenging that the Bethlem circuit. Really enjoyed it but suffered on the sleeper / sand section - had the opportunity to practice hopping that in the free practice but didn't. Turned out that was a mistake.

Dumped my chain on the last the lap by the stairs too which was annoying as it allowed the Dunwich rider I was battling with through.

Ah well I'm still learning - it was awesome.

Dumped my chain on the last the lap by the stairs too which was annoying as it allowed the Dunwich rider I was battling with through.

Ha - that was me I think. I wasn't sure whether to go for it or not, eventually decided yes, then struggled to get back on at the top of the stairs holding everyone up!

If so nice one, it was a fun duel in the last two laps. Gutted that I choked on the last lap, but still managed to scalp a senior rider on the final corner.

Seen this, very cool software (for a cross geek).

http://www.vcl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/crossleaugerd2.html

If so nice one, it was a fun duel in the last two laps. Gutted that I choked on the last lap, but still managed to scalp a senior rider on the final corner.

This is you, right?

Me:

Harry Franklin has been moved on the results so everyones gone up a place, unless you were 1st or 2nd!

Great race last night, really love racing at Herne Hill raced there loads and it surprises me everytime with course changes.

Cramped up after half an hour and I have what feels like a slight tear. Lap times drop by 30s per lap. Today I can barely walk (left calf). All of which fucking 'crosstastically brilliant. See any CXL racers on the 30th or at the training day on Sunday.

We could rename it to 'cross thread for people to discuss the relative merits of commuting when they should be getting bruised, battered and muddy.

I presume you need a BC racing licence to enter these?

Nope. £3 supplement on the day will see you racing.

AMAZING. Down on the 12th it is!

What time are they normally?

This is you, right?

Yeah well found! Thought it was funny when you first sneaked past me behind some chaps a lap up and then I got past you when AndyP lapped you! Thought it squared things up a bit.

Then I dumped my chain : /