Cyclocross - CX and SSCX races and training

Good job I went to a pub with a free bar to top up my alcohol levels.

I'm looking for some new tubeless tires for the season - Cross Boss or Nano? I won't be troubling anyone outside the lower quartile in any event.

First race tonight. Felt like I was going backwards!

https://instagram.com/p/BXWD6V0jo14/

I started high up and went backwards too! Kinda brutal. Best bit was that it ended

Went off too hard and had to pull up with non-functioning lungs. DNFF! When will I learn?

Phlegmy cough 4lyfe

Enjoyed being asked to DA(slow)S whilst slumped over handlebars though!

Oh that was you!

I also had a horrible start, and then a mechanical which meant I DNF.

Chain dropped and somehow ended up underneath the chain catcher. I'm not really sure how that happened, but I couldn't get it back again.

Even though I had a horrible time while I was riding, I really wanted to finish. Disappoint.

Does anyone know if/when the results go up?

Oh hai!

Takes a couple of days to get them done

Although this has got nothing to do with my poor performance, I realised I need hydro discs - brakes were crap. Rubbing for part of race, weak for whole thing.

I have 105 group with TRP Spyre on front and BB7 on back. Any thoughts on getting a Shimano hydraulic shifter/brake for front? Could move Spyre to back.

Do all Shimano hoods feel the same or would it be lopsided?

Have you set them up properly? Hydro will always be better, but I've never had any issues with bb7s.

Those Juin / Acor half way houses are quite good for cross. Not as spendy as full hydro but a step up from the cable only stuff.

I think they're set up right, as far as I can tell. The other thing that annoyed me is I rode for a couple of hours in really sloppy conditions at Thetford and then had to completely disassemble the Spyre calliper because it became so graunchy. Hydros just rinse off... no hinged arm.

Sounds like you've already sold the idea to yourself.

Just don't get 105 levers, they look gack! And don't do front hydro rear spyre.

Congrats on second @fredtc. Well done knowing how you struggle with Ammophobia.

I had a lot of people tell me that Spyre was a good alternative and I tried one on the front but it still doesn't feel anywhere near as good as hydro. I come from mountain bikes and those brakes are just cheap and super-good these days. These cable discs feel horrible in comparison. The 105 shifting and mech feels great - no issue there - just hate these brakes.

Using brakes in a cyclocross race?

@sparky First race on the Juin Techs last night, they worked really well.

No squealing or rubbing, pretty powerful too.

Nice to see you @tommmmmmm (7?) @Howard

Race was a bit of a shock to the system, had to be done though...

Using brakes in a cyclocross race?

Wasn't my brakes the held me back yesterday. Urrrghhhh new legs pls

Haha that was me! I figured since you weren't near the sandpit you needed a bit of entertainment.

Race was very fun, though the racers themselves seemed pretty serious. I enjoyed the sandpits and the mini jump - bit tricky fixed though.

@Sparky the front brake is the most important one in cross, I didn't even use my back one

thanks for that...

Well done @fredtc! Didn't make it down in the end. That sand pit into the step up looked tricky.