Cyclo Cross Season 2010-11

Since 'cross bikes are the new fixies, and I know a fair few people here dabbled with the world of cyclo cross last year I though this would be worthwhile.

The 'cross season doesn't usually kick off until September but VCL are organising two Wednesday night 'cross races on 25 August & 1st September - ideal for (but not exclusive to) people giving it a go for the first time.

Entry is only £6, you can race on either a cross bike or mountainbike and a racing license isn't required.

http://www.hernehillvelodrome.com/get-ready-for-the-cross-season

Is this going to be rained off tonight?

Perfect cross weather ?

Is this going to be rained off tonight?

Bwa ha ha ha.

I've been to a cross race where the snow from the day before had melted and then refrozen as ice overnight. It was raining hard with 25mph winds on the exposed sections.

This was considered by most entrants as proper cross weather and there was a pretty high turnout.

The 'cross season doesn't usually kick off until September

Unless you live in Yorkshire, where they take their cross pretty seriously and there are races all year round.

According to my sources, back in the day the official season didn't start until the end of October and ran until about Easter. These days most league's are finished by the end of January before the conditions for cross are at their best.

Mud mud mud!

That was so much fun.

Huge thanks to the woman who got me going again after I binned it at the end of the first lap and the gent/organiser/photographer for his words of encouragement.

And well done to VCL for organizing such a great event, roll on next Wednesday.

Mud mud mud!

how are those white shoes looking?!

how are those white shoes looking?!

Were almost clean by the time i got home! quick wipe with a cloth et voila, good as new

Feel like I've been beaten up. So sore, so sore...

You were well beaten, that's for sure. :P

that was tough! I especially liked JC's course marking...

hopefully going to borrow a cyclo cross bike soon.
not going to race but looking forward to having a spin round HH

Illy tried to clear the whoops. All 7 of them!

Whoops?

Are those the hurdles? If so, Belgian riders have a reputation for bunny hopping them.

For those going to Herne Hill and anywhere else in the South East/East Anglia region, watch out for Belgian Riders turning up for a spot of pocket money. They'll be the once making the league stars look like asthmatic old men with ricketts and no bicycle.

The euro boys didn't pass muster at Muddy Hell 09...
couldn't handle the whoops* and all that real off-road.

*a series of bumps close together, like the rhythm section of a BMX track. You have to manual/pump through them, bunny hopping not an option

You have to manual/pump through them

pls explain?

pumping through them is when you push down the bumps and then pull back up as your going up the next one, so your weight is quite far forward and your front wheel stays on the ground. When you get the hang of it you should be able to get through without loosing speed and not pedalling.

Manualling is a wheely where you don't pedal, but you would have to pump in the same way as above to keep your speed up. I'd be very surprised if anyone could manual that set on a cross bike!

no you can manual one of them and pump the rest, or even jump one and pump the rest. The proper skilled guys can do it.
I hear andyp can clear the whole set, with his eyes closed and his willy hanging out.

sounds like a BMX session at brockwell is on the cards for stelle!

no you can manual one of them and pump the rest, or even jump one and pump the rest. The proper skilled guys can do it.

Thanks.

The euro boys didn't pass muster at Muddy Hell 09...
couldn't handle the whoops* and all that real off-road.

Perhaps a lapse in performance then. They do well enough at the 3peaks and the Bradford National Trophy, both of which contain much more real off-road than Muddy Hell.

No whoops mind, although I think they would be preferable to the tip out at the bottom of Pen-Y-Ghent.

Still, at least we're better than the Americans.

maybe they didn't eat their carrots?

Don't forget the czechs!

YouTube- Cyclocross UCI World Cup Roubaix 2010 (2/2)

STYBAR!!

Was he riding at HH last night?