Cyclocross - CX and SSCX races and training

The Woodcote one is always good value.

I think we discussed last year but does the on/off road ratio on the CX Sportif series warrant cross tyres and low pressures?

No, but something like a racing Ralph at a higher pressure is justified. Also look at the Evans MTB Sportives graded 3 or lower. These are normally fine for 'cross.

Yeah the Evans events are great value and a really good training ride.

Right, who's racing at Ally Pally tomorrow?

I think both @Howard and I are in the 2 pm race, assuming I can make it there in time, and @hms is racing in the novice race at 4 pm.

Anyone else?

@Doctor_Cake is racing in the ladies at 1pm

Great. She can give us a debrief on what psi to run before our race then.

I'm in for the novice again this year. Last year was brilliant, unfortunately I didn't follow it up with any more cross at all so I'll be doing the same class this time :)

Also didn't sort my act out and get a new chainring for an easier gearing, so running 48-22 again

And then you can tell me! My kids are racing in the morning but I doubt they'll be able to give @Doctor_Cake much of a steer on psi. ; )

Go hms juniors!!

I'll be there to heckle!

can you enter on the day or was it strictly online entry? would like to jump into novice race if that is the case

Novice race sign up is full

what about entry on the day? I'm heading down to risk it

Juniors Race Report:

Sonny (under 8's) completed the course for the first time in 3 attempts.

Milan (under 10's) crashed hard on lap 3 - I thought he had done his collarbone - but got back on and finished too.

Crepes, Churros & Haribo meant they weren't too bothered about missing out on the podium places.

#rep

Howard swapped out bikes midway through the race from what I could see.

Shook my bell for @andyp

Thanks Joe. Were on the downhill left hand corner just after the finish line?

I did okay given my warm up consisted of standing in a queue for 30 minutes waiting to sign on.

Will do a fuller report later but thanks for all the shouts of encouragement from @Doctor_Cake, @Ramsaye (or whatever he's called these days) and anyone else who shouted encouragement.

It was also nice to finally meet @bothwell, albeit for about a minute before I had to dash off to the start. Thanks to your friend for doing an excellent job of pinning my number on.

Thanks to your friend for doing an excellent job of pinning my number on.

No worries. Glad it stayed on for the duration of the race :-)

Yeah was joined by fellow Rolla slacker @pooface

That downhill corner was nicer than in previous years, I saw 2 or 3 offs where as normally that's the number per lap! Top 2 juniors were v.impressive

the novice/fun race was great fun, im sure after every tequila shortcut my speed up the hill improved

good to meet @Pas142 on the ride home and Chris from wiggle who kindly let me store my rucksack on his boot, good lad!

Aha! Didn't realise it was you. Thanks and nice to meet you.

Good to see you @andyp - you did good hauling that enormobag up Ally Pally after the race. Looked like you'd decided the riding wasn't hard enough so you'd decided to SAS yourself up for a second go.

I'd drunk and eaten the heaviest contents.

Yah - terrible start, then rear-ended on the hurdles resulted in jammed 39/11 gearing - not going to get too far on that. Grabbed the wife's bike which was surprisingly good, massive thanks to the impromptu pit crew effort of @mands, @hairnetnic and @Doctor_Cake who then got the Talbot going again.

Finished well down but had a great time nevertheless.

ZMG photos:

Finished the day with a ghetto picknick at euston station stuffing my face with Thai Roti with the lfgss crew. Overall for the day: 9/10, would bang etc.