2009-10-31 Sat - Halloween Cyclo Cross "Muddy Hell"

Has anyone misunderstood Nhatt at any point in this thread?

Yes. I never understand what that girl means. And her spelling is awful.

There are now 156 entrants for this event! Including our first international riders.....Enrico Liebe and Ries van de Sande both former members of the Dutch National squad have entered...and will be riding for Tour de Ville

I've got my entry in, did it on pay day. Now I just my cross tyres to arrive and I'll be sort of ready!

Mine's a Skol!

Official cyclocross beer it would seem

YouTube - Cyclocross skol 1980's

I always thought Cyclo cross riders were a bit nuts but if they drink Skol then its far worse than I'd imagined.

This looks amazing, only thing is I finish work at 5 and it will take me about an hour and a bit to get there.
anyone know when the fixed race starts?

Muddy Hell, it's Soft Cell!

Has anyone done that one yet?

This looks amazing, only thing is I finish work at 5 and it will take me about an hour and a bit to get there.
anyone know when the fixed race starts?

program to be finalised, there is only one place left in that race.....should be be between 6 and 6.30...

program to be finalised, there is only one place left in that race.....should be be between 6 and 6.30...

do you think that they will mind if i do the main event fixed?

OK. Cross tyres on my bike. SPD pedals in place of Look Keo. Spd cleats on old pair of cycling shoes. It all works.

What pressure should cyclocross tyres be pumped to? I've got mine just under 100 but should they be lower still?

My only issue now is that I'm away from this Saturday until two days before the event. Might get some time in hotel gyms and have a ride fixed up in NY on the Sunday before the event but other than that I've business lunches, dinners and breakfasts every day and no real training. Certainly no off road training and no technical training. I am not sure that I'll podium in the vets race. Indeed, I'm not sure if I'll manage a lap. But I will take part and enjoy the experience.

do you think that they will mind if i do the main event fixed?

yes, if you intend to ride fixed you should enter the novice / fixed / ss race....

cliveo, to my understanding cx is as much about riding as it is about shlepping i see plenty of opportunities training that on a business trip. anyway, have fun and too bad i wont be around for the event.

do you think that they will mind if i do the main event fixed?

although we have 80 entrants out of 80 for the novice race, paid entries take priority, some are unpaid, if you enter and pay in advance you will get in.

claus, good idea. I'll hoist my bags onto my shoulder and run to check-in ;o)

what's this bollocks about a license?
I'm banned for 2 years....oh! sorry, diff license,
but serious, what this bollocks license they talk about?

Yes, it's true. No unlicensed bollocks allowed in the race. Cos it's at night, see people might mistake them for apples and try to "bob" them.

BTW...did you say that novice race starts at 6?

I won't be able to make it in time.

OK. Cross tyres on my bike. SPD pedals in place of Look Keo. Spd cleats on old pair of cycling shoes. It all works.

What pressure should cyclocross tyres be pumped to? I've got mine just under 100 but should they be lower still?

They should. Tyre pressure depends on the conditions, the muddier it is the lower you go, but you should be looking at running them as low as 40 PSI if you can. You have to strike a balance between grip and preventing punctures. I'm not sure what the course is for Muddy Hell, as Winston mentioned earlier they may modify the HH course, but it's a mainly a mix of grass and singletrack so you can run them quite low.

Thanks Andy

I'm getting a dibs in on last place.

Had hoped to have some attempt at being mildly competative in the novice race, but since I've been on my bike three times in the past 6 weeks and my tweaked hamstrings are getting worse not better training is out of the window. It'll be a token appearance on the night.

Now concentrating all my efforts on the costume.

Still can't wait for this though!!!

i've never been to HH and won't get to before race night, will a 60" gear for SS be ok ????

@Martin 60" should be about right, but I'm basing that on my legs. I like a bit less, generally 39-18.

remember you'll be pushing that gear for the bast part of an hour (at up to full effort depending on your particular fun to competative ratio.)
You need a gear high enough to really put the power on when needed, but lower enough to stay on top of at all other (slower, stickier) times.

I'm a spinner and was surprised by the slightly lower average cadences a lot of the experinced riders were using in the herne hill go races last month. It seemed to be more power based than I expected. not my cup of technique tea at all so I'm dreading actually getting on my bike on the day.

Take some gearing options (couple of different sprockets or what have you) with you on the day and suss the course in warm ups. if it's really muddy you might want something a bit lower or you might find you can push something a bit bigger if it's really dry or the grass is cut short.

Get your bike off road, to a park or something and hammer it on grass to gauge a feel for what you like.

@lessman you only need a license if you are competing in the main race. the go race is for non BC license holders or for single speeders etc etc.

would love to come and be a spectator! sounds like alot of fun! maybe next year ill enter as im a newb on fixed gear cycling.

oh and TALLSAM, ill probably end up joining you! hehe

From JC (ish)

Hi all

As you know Rollapaluza CC in association with VCL and Herne Hill Velodrome are promoting this night-time cross race at Herne Hill on October 31st....It's a first for London and Herne Hill. We really need volunteers to make this happen as smoothly as possible, it would be great if you could help out, here is a basic list of when and what we'll need, once we've got a few names to work with we'll be more specific about timings and jobs.

All Volunteers will get a free Rollapaluza cycling cap and two free drinks from the bar!

Sunday 25th October (most daylight hours): working party to build special features on Cross Course
Morning to 4pm: Saturday 31st October: Finalising course, erecting marquee, general setup
4pm onwards: Saturday 31st October: Sign On, Marshalls, general help, results assistants (callers) maybe also bar and catering.

If you could help at any of these times or for different timings, please email me: jason"at"rollapaluza.cc

Thanks

Jason C

BTW 226 riders entered now!