Cyclocross - CX and SSCX races and training

I did wonder what happened to you as I never saw you the entire race.

That was the first time I'd done the Rapha Ally Pally race and, bar the sign on fiasco, I enjoyed it a lot.

I always knew my warm-up might be short as I couldn't get to the venue until 1:30 pm, but the half hour wait for sign on, meant all I had time to do was ride the first half of the lap to the pits, dump my stuff, then head over to the start. Not really ideal preparation.

Anyway, I got gridded which always helps, and purposefully went in the second row on the tarmac, I could've squeezed in on the front row but on gravel, as I knew you'd get much more traction on the hard stuff. I got away really well and made up a few places on the first couple of corners, meaning I was running as high as 5th on the first lap. The hill was a bit of a shock the first time up, especially the bits after the running section, as you kept getting sent back up, but I settled into a groove and was doing okay.

I liked the course, it was fast and flowing and there was barely any respite on it so you were always pushing.

I lost time on the second lap as someone crashed in front of me and I had to stop and extract my foot from his handlebars. A couple of guys came past me, then I got stuck into a race long battle with the Hackney GT pair of Russ Jones and Phil Murrell, both of whom I've raced against a lot in the past.

Going into the last lap, Phil and I had distanced Russ, but I was worried Phil would get a gap on the hill, so I ran up hard the last time (I was reminded how much I hated cross country running at school every single time I had to run up that bastard), and really hammered up the rideable part of the climb at the top. Phil had caught me on the descent the previous time, and we were catching some of the senior riders, so I blasted past some of them before the descent started, then nailed another couple on the corners going down to ensure he couldn't get back to me.

Great fun. Thanks again to everyone for the shouts of encouragement, most of the time we race in front of a few waifs and strays so having a crowd is fan-fucking-tastic!

Nice write ups

Indeed - you probably passed me when I was in the pits looking for the spare bike (!)

Racing with that crowd totally makes up for it all though. Awesome.

CV addition, CX Pit crew!
Strong work @Howard

I did shamefully badly on the hill. Need to start doing hill training I think, but I am glad to have done the full woman's race.

@Howard giving it beans

@Doctor_Cake's photos

2 Attachments

So my race (Bic pic above) was ok. Started at the back of the (massive) grid as usual but made up a load of places by the first downhill section. I had realised that I could not take 8-9 very short laps with a tequila on each so went for a one on, one off strategy. Given that the Tequila shortcut saved two and a half minutes on a five minute lap, I also knew this would keep me well off the top ten, never mind the podium. At least I only had to climb that fucking hill 5 times.

Foam was good - in a better position that I have seen previously - but the 'largest Foam Cannon in Europe' ran out after 3 (of my) laps. Probably just as well as I hit a submerged fence post on lap 2..

I had reckoned on a 30-40minute race so was surprised to see the chequered flag being waved after 20 mins. Went too quickly really and I think I'll do the Vets race next year to get a longer go at it.

Much respect to Dan Craven from Europcar, who lined up for the fun race immediately after finishing the Elite race.. I overtook him on lap 4 so basically I have beaten a Grand Tour pro rider up a hill. I'm taking that.

Howard on the wheel...

1 Attachment

Good race! I was running too much pressure in my tyres and having to stick a foot out on almost every downhill corner. Someone made the mistake of overtaking me on one of those greasy corners near the top of the course and I was unable to change my line, cue shoulder to shoulder action and both of us sliding out, I managed to hold it but he didn't and went down. Hope he was okay.

The hill wasn't quite as bad as previous years when it's gone all the way up to the palace, though it was all rideable before (other than a cruel set of stairs right at the top).

It was my first sscx race in ages - it's good to forget about gears and instead concentrate on being as fast out of corners as possible. Not to mention no chain slap when descending, miss-shifts or dropped chains to worry about. A bit less weight to carry up that hill too.

That was a great day! and pretty glad I got to ride the full course in the women's race.. not that my bike did me any favours but it was really nice and flowing.. had a slow start not realising it was slight uphill and didn't manage any proper re-mounts.. def lots of room for improvement..
Anyways some photos..

4 Attachments

@Howard

2 Attachments

For the first time racing a bike in my whole life, I was pretty stoked.
I don't have the slightest idea of how I did - all I know is that it was too short and I had a blast.
Again, please.

This all looks and sounds fantastic. Happy cross days.

London league in Croydon this weekend.

Howard is Jeremy Brett and I claim my £5. :)

Some results from Saturday.

Happy with my place - 37/54 given I was dead last half way through the first lap.

now tempted to race a few more .. especially since the next couple seem to be within easy(ish) reach..
Would anyone happen to have some skinny 26" tyres lying around?

Happy with my 9th in the fun "race"!

Although If I hadn't wimped out of the tequila shortcut on the last lap could it have been a different story?

I can't imagine doing an hour of that muddy hill, i was broken by ~25mins! emphasized text

Get thee some Continental Cross Country 1.5s, used to be the hardcore XC rider's mud tyre of choice so I assume they'd be good for cross.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdGvYItm5mY

So they changed the climb between last year and this year? Was rideable last year and through the trees.

On a different subject:

looks like a bike thief legging it

Has anyone ever raced at BUCS cyclocross? Its been a Durham for the past few years I believe. Was thinking of doing it this year. Is it doable on a single speed?