Cyclocross - CX and SSCX races and training

Went over the handlebars after endoing into a wet ditch - the lols were many

Wouldn't be a ride around Epping without taking a involuntary mud bath. Did you see my little dip in the slop?

I did, we all probably look about 5 years younger after those intense mud packs. I found a maggot in one of my shoes when I began to clear the slop out of them

No :'(

Caught out by the axle-deep loam. Insta-stop + gentle sideways fall into the gunge. Classic Epping. Good to meet you finally, BTW :) And also good to meet @Ecunard, too.

Pleasure was mine. You make it look so easy !

There's an alternative Epping tour guide now? I clearly need to up my game!

Well the guys from Rapha know a very slow and muddy way of getting to high beach :)

not many Belgians are happy to have Klaas as the new wearer of the national champion's jersey... he pulled a manoeuver that hindered his chasers to establish his final winning gap and called cx-colleague-not-team-mate Rob Peeters - who fell over because of that manoeuver - 'not the greatest of talents'...

https://mtc.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/BBA09A2DCD1166096332134518784_31cc8e31e84.1.5.13051982283066086630.mp4?versionId=6Q_eFgiD.YF88vNSx7VOjZgFoUpH2miH

(how does one embed a vine video?)

indeed Lars van der Haar's Dutch pro cx reign seems to be cut short by the two brothers. But hey, Adri van der Poel is dad and Poulidor their granddad, their genes are certainly superb.

Although there isn't another one till Feb - so I would be keen to do something before along the same idea...

US Champs timings, anyone?

MONDAY January 12th REVISED TIMINGS for WEBCAST COVERAGE (times are US Central Standard Time with Central European Time in brackets)

12:45: Live webcast starts with Preview & younger age races (19.45 CET)
15:20: Elite Women Race (22.20 CET)
16:25: Elite Men (23.25 CET)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZ1MYI7-Xms#t=17

It's hard to tell from that clip whether it was an intentional or unintentional block, so any controversy is surely being stoked by the media (who love a bit of controversy).

This route is rad and - hopefully - less ruined than Epping is right now.

You certainly get the miles in. Starts in RP.

http://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/618478301

Tempted to ride it this weekend as both central and London league races are a bit of a swine to get to.

Did think about that when watching yesterday, doesn't seem like he takes a look at the other riders when he steps across but he surely heard them. That little rise caused a lot of problems in the race, if you could ride it you gained a fair few seconds on those that had to dismount.

@Tenderloin Here's a route that I use, if you're looking for an all-dayer:

https://www.strava.com/routes/1321184

This takes in Yogurt Pots and BKB at Peaslake too (might not be specifically in this route, but they're easy to take in)

Disregard the start/end location. It can be picked up from Richmond Park easily enough.

And here is the shorter version I ride too:

https://www.strava.com/routes/1321194

Good mix of Mud - Sand - Gravel - Rock - Root

indeed. his quote after the race was probably the thing that blew this up, blatantly blaming the chaser instead of just saying 'shit happens'.

I really think that (plus his running ability) got him the title. indeed he didn't look, but when I said that to a Belgian friend, he replied "first class actor ey?" ;-)

BKB on a cross bike: the little drop-in at the start would probably require new bib-shorts. Most of the trails around that way are a little too much for 30mm rubber to be fun IMHO. The bridalways would be good training but I suspect they are pretty sloppy at the moment.

It's not too bad, I usually take it slow and pick my way down. Admit that it does hurt the wrists a fair bit, also pinch flatted on it before but a sadistic kind of fun nonetheless.

I was hoping Van Aert would take the jersey, so he'd be more likely to step up for the World Champs! After that move, I think his earlier mechanical caught up with him. It was a good race

very slow and muddy

I avoid a lot of those routes due to that :-)

#fairweatherforever

Nothing from me until the Spring, I'm afraid.

cheers @Howard and @nathwilson22

I think I'm going to stick with Epping for the next couple of months - it's easy for me to get out to from NE London and help me improve my fitness/bike handling. Once that's up I may expolore Surrey/Kent

Bit of a bust for us at the weekend. The Vet Women were out in arguably the hardest conditions the course was in all weekend before it dried out and the day two changes to make it less difficult. With a lap and a half to go Andy was holding in 16th place and a good chance to contend for 15th and even 14th but when she jumped off her bike and started running up a bank near the pits she managed to tear her calf muscle.

Having come from pulmonary embolism at the start of the season and worked up to 8th in the Trophy overall and some good league races it's a bit of a disappointing end to the season to have to spend the best part of four hours waiting in Abergavenny A&E. Still, that's part of racing. If you don't want to risk getting hurt then you're on the other side of the tape (yes that mostly includes me although I'm tempted to have a crack at it next season).

Managed to make it back to watch some of the racing on Sunday which was good. Isla Rowntree dished out a good performance in the elites race after being made to work hard for the win in the Vets. It's really impressive to see someone coming out of her age and era riding so hard and so well.

and we are LIVE http://live.behindthebarriers.tv/2015-nationals

Ouch, that sucks!