Cyclocross - CX and SSCX races and training

Hope that course features in future years as it deserves it.

Reckon I could have got on the podium had I not forgotten how to corner on the first lap, dropping 20 seconds to most of the top 5.

That was a good couple of days for me at the Rapha Supercross.

The course was dry on Saturday so a bit claggy and that made the handling tough for me. I had to run up a long climb and kept messing up some off camber hair pins. It rained and showered through the morning so the grass was pretty wet and the ground a bit softer. That meant that I was shedding mud a lot better and could keep some traction on the long climb although had to run some of the turns.

On Saturday I was battling with other riders and then loosing contact and slipping back to the next person. On Sunday it was the other way round and slowly moved up the field so a much better day. 100th on Saturday and 77th on Sunday against a faster field. Interestingly my race numbers were 97 and 74 respectively so clearly I need to find a way to race number -2 to guarantee a win.

Bit of a subdued atmosphere compared to last year which is a shame because I can see they put a lot of hard work into the event. A few problems with the layout and the format but I think it's a bit of a shame that the attendance was as low as it was for both entrants and spectators. A bit of a mess up with the elites race meant it was a pretty small field. I can see the attraction of having an invitational race but I think they need to lower the bar a bit.

Hopefully they'll learn from this event and come back with a better event next year.

In the meantime, I'm claiming the lead in the singlespeed category of the series. Someone's going to have to deliver a stellar performance at Kings Cross to wrest that from my iron grasp.

Very good to meet @Howard and @Doctor_Cake and have a bit of forum representation over the weekend. Some pictures to follow.

Massive panic / faff to get a bike ready for Supercross. Check.
Throw a pile of money at getting some wheels sorted out. Check.
Horrendous drive up the M1 to get to Halifax. Check.
Wife not happy with womens race is it's too short. It is. Check.
Puncture brand new tub on the third lap of the first race on a gravel path. Check.
Consider throwing bike in the lake. Check.

BUT! Things improved. I was totally bummed on Saturday. In the evening we wandered in to town, had a slap up feed and drink, then watched the Martian which was amazing - go see it! - had a rest, then returned for the second round.

Objective was just to finish, and I did! Hooray! Even better, @Doctor_Cake put on a cracking performance in the womens, starting at the back but gradually reeling in adversaries through rock solid pacing and handling. Was excellent to see. Dead proud.

Also great to meet @The_Seldom_Killer, his missus and get some forum support.

See you at round three then :-)

^ Are you channelling your inner Voeckler in that last one?

Umm, 'interesting' hurdling technique on that first pic @The_Seldom_Killer.

Yeah. Was trying and failing to bridge a gap. Course was crushing! Big drag up the gravel track and a smaller, slippery climb at the top followed by stairs. If you didn't have the engine there was nowhere to hide.

For reference, tubby lump at the top is me and I'm moving faster that it looks in the photo. The lass in orange is Mrs. TSK and she was moving much faster than me.

Yeah, coming into the hurdles that high was a bit slippery and it just seemed right for me. I think I'm needing a bit of counter balance. I would normally do a two handed lift but getting over the hurdles pretty well on the second day which this picture is from.

Obviously there are "right ways" to do things and train for things but I'm a big advocate of do what works when you're racing. I was battling that guy behind me and at this point I think I'm about to make the break.

My hurdling was popper dismal, but at least it's an easy win to fix it. Thursday night sessions here I come :)

My own contributions

Doctor Cake getting into a good line coming around a tricky corner.

Me coming in for a late but tight turn on the same for me.

Howard chasing past the pits into the killer climb

Mrs TSK, also on the tough corner. (I was busy doing pit duty as was the missus)

I'm a big advocate of doing what works for you too. I was partly joking, that adverse camber looks tricky so the left arm needs to be a counter balance and shouldering the bike for two hurdles is usually overkill.

Yeah, I don't think I've ever seen a shouldering work better than any other lift on a flat or down pair of hurdles. It was definitely the best option on the triple flight of steps. I did a lot of damage on those.

Some good pictures here giving a better flavour of the course (forumengers not included)

http://www.russellis.co.uk/rapha-2015/

Felt like looking through someones wedding photos! Weird.

OK, someone needs to put on a cx race at their wedding. That would be awesome.

The mud has arrived down south and Fowlmead was slippery and technical with not many draggy sections and plenty of steep banks. It suited me down to the ground and I made the most of it for my first win of the year.

Next week I'm organising so still undecided about whether to race. If you see a harassed blonde bloke at Addington park, give me a hug.

Thanks Jon. and Ramsaye. We had a blast building and riding it. It was a new venue for us but not being wet we didnt do too much damage. The school seemed really positive about the event so fingers crossed we'll be back there next year.

@biarittz

I don't see your name on the pre-entry list for Croydon this weekend.

http://www.riderhq.com/events/68782/london-league-round-3a---addington-park

'Pooters? I don't use Pooters. I ride my bike and sign on at a desk in a field.

Hope to be there, but it's all very much last minute shiz with young kids in da house.

Was riding up at Bethlem earlier today and, foolishly, decided to go down the Dip of Disaster. Twice. The first time was fine as I took a wide line to set myself up for the ride back up, but the second time I decided to hit the apex of the corner. Cue a flat rear tyre and a sidewall cut so bad that the tyre is now in the bin.

To add insult to injury, I couldn't get the bloody tubeless valve out so had to walk to Eden Park station and get a train home.

Think I'll get a small pair of pliers to carry with me in the future.

Cue a flat rear tyre and a sidewall cut so bad that the tyre is now in the bin.

Hah that's my trick.

To add insult to injury, I couldn't get the bloody tubeless valve out so had to walk to Eden Park station and get a train home.

My guide to tooblis mentions backing the lockring off after mounting is complete.... I TOLD YOU SO etc.

Think I'll get a small pair of pliers to carry with me in the future.

Bought some at a service station on the way to battle of the beach. Super useful when extracting valve cores by the side of the course :s

I got the lockring off, it was the bastard valve core I couldn't shift. Had nothing to get a purchase on it, my stupid multi-tool doesn't have a flat bladed screwdriver.