Cyclocross - CX and SSCX races and training

Oops, yes it is Southampton. I'm staying over in Portsmouth, hence the embaressing stupidity.

To be fair, the battle at the back is often quite interesting as well. Once you drop past the top half of the gridding the standard rapidly gets closer to regional league events so you still get something to race for.

Also the politeness of the top end riders is pretty astounding. On the one race I entered Rob Jebb was leading the train at the start and was giving me the full Ps&Qs every time he passed. Yesterday I watched as Ian Taylor pulled up beside the last rider he could lap before finishing and calmly asking if he wanted to be overtaken to finish the race. When the guy said he fancied another lap and a crack at making up one more place, Taylor gave a shout of encouragement and sat up to let him get clear on the finishing straight. Proper gent that fella.

If you re-learn yourself remounting by going slow, way slower than now, and you simply 'lean' on to the bike, tilting the bike towards you and then setting off on one foot while your thigh is on the seat, you will trick your brain into hopping only once after a good hour of practicing this. Your mind needs reassurance that your body will be able to remount, thats why you double hop. You need to find the rhythm and timing, and if you are not able to copy what you see others do, you must brake it down in pieces to let your body understand the movement.

Hive mind - does anyone know of a London stockist of Michelin Mud II tyres? I'd like to pick one up tomorrow if possible.

Thanks.

Thanks - this is what I've been doing recently - it's a work in progress.

@andyp I've always got mine delivered. Maybe condor would have them?

Condor was my first thought, but they don't stock them. I'll try Cycle Lab and Mosquito in the morning.

Decathlon sometimes have them

I've bought some from Decathlon before, but they aren't currently listed on their website. I might swing by Surrey Quays on my way home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vK2FlQsCzN0

Went to the Epping forest today. It was muddy, but I had a lot of fun, stacked it once on a root, couldn't help, but start singing the chorus of this song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_6IjeprfEs

Who's racing next weekend in Alexanra Palace?

I can strongly recommend going to that as either a competitor or a specatator. Rapha put on a really good two day event up at Broughton Hall, Skipton this weekend and I imagine that it will be at least as good next weekend. Really good course set up and a lot of energy put into the proceedings.

Also, and I hope this may attract a few extra entries, Rapha also maintain parity in prize value between men and women in all categories. It's a shame it isn't a standard yet but a lot of respect to Rapha for showing equal respect to all competitors.

Did they have them? I can't see them on the website

No, they didn't (but I did get some neoprene gloves cheaply to make the detour worthwhile). I had to order online in the end, as no-one in London seems to stock them.

I've got a lightly used pair if you are desperate @andyp

Thanks @Howard but I'm all sorted. The front one held on Friday night, when I was messing around in South Norwood Country Park, and the new one arrived this morning so I'll fit that later.

Tubeless? Be very careful - if you hit the rim they are prone to tearing sidewall insta-flats that sealant can't really handle.

I know. I've had one. I wasn't worried as I had four in total, but now I'm down to 2.5. Ideally I'd get a pair of the Tracer 2Bliss, but it looks like I'll have to ship them from the US if I want a pair in the next month or so.

I've also got a pair of tubular wheels on order, hopefully they'll turn up soon.

Racing Ralph? Good substitute for Tracers, but I suspect they don't shed mud so well with the slightly denser pattern.

Howard, fancy helping me tubeless-a-rise my new wheels/tyres?

dimi3
Who's racing next weekend in Alexandra Palace?

I'm doing the Novice race again.. hoping to improve on my 7th place a couple of years ago..

Tubeless and Tub setup classes @ Talbot. Easy money spinner...I'd pay in order to save wasted hours trying to figure it out for myself.

Would you like to sell them? I have need.

Yeah sure, can do. Will trade for srm set-up help.

@dan could do - I'll dig them out, PM me if I forget.

Some longer cyclocross / XC rides coming up, provided by CX sportive.

That would be great

@howard: interesting cx sportive.