First CX Event

[Spartak]

Rode my first CX race last night !
Round 6 of the Ridley-Western Summer League, in the grounds of Hengrove Leisure Park.

I was on my MTB along with a few others !
The race started on the old 'runway' before heading thru some technical sections.
I was pleased to last the course riding for 56 mins. In that time I covered 9 laps !
The winner & his chasing group managed 11 laps !!

 

[dan_bo]

Well done! Pretty damned immersive isn't it?

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

When I first started riding CX, in the early 90's, I rode my MTB


Then, when I got slightly more serious, I bought a CX bike
This was an ex team bike, so no mudguard eyelets, no bottle cage bosses (Paul Milnes/Bradford Olympic RC. Reynolds 653)

Colours, as bought ('SIlcoates Scramble')


Later repainted to match my 'work' -cum- 'general-purpose' bike
Please note, this was pre STI days, it was on bar-end levers (7-speed), & SPDs (one model only) were only recently easily available



It's far easier on a CX bike;
Lighter - when you have to carry ('road-sized' frame means you can get it on your shoulder properly)
Gearing - generally closer-ratio (unless you change the block on your MTB)
Larger diameter wheels rolled easier (advent of 29ers may have changed this?)

Surprisingly (to beginners) the flotation advantage of MTB width tyres isn't that much
Braking has been equalled out, due to the advent of disc-brakes on CX bikes (less clogging)

That said, chains, derailleurs & cassettes still clog, as mine did at a race at Cleckheaton (you know it's 'claggy', when you have to pedal downhill, to avoid stopping!!!)




Then on other days, if you have a 'Summer Series', as Yorkshire does, it can be glorious, with bone dry courses (Salendine Nook, north-western Huddersfield)

 

[Spartak]

When I first started riding CX, in the early 90's, I rode my MTB
View attachment 95243 View attachment 95244

Then, when I got slightly more serious, I bought a CX bike
This was an ex team bike, so no mudguard eyelets, no bottle cage bosses (Paul Milnes/Bradford Olympic RC. Reynolds 653)

Colours, as bought ('SIlcoates Scramble')
View attachment 95246

Later repainted to match my 'work' -cum- 'general-purpose' bike
Please note, this was pre STI days, it was on bar-end levers (7-speed), & SPDs (one model only) were only recently easily available
View attachment 95245


It's far easier on a CX bike;
Lighter - when you have to carry ('road-sized' frame means you can get it on your shoulder properly)
Gearing - generally closer-ratio (unless you change the block on your MTB)
Larger diameter wheels rolled easier (advent of 29ers may have changed this?)

Surprisingly (to beginners) the flotation advantage of MTB width tyres isn't that much
Braking has been equalled out, due to the advent of disc-brakes on CX bikes (less clogging)

That said, chains, derailleurs & cassettes still clog, as mine did at a race at Cleckheaton (you know it's 'claggy', when you have to pedal downhill, to avoid stopping!!!)


View attachment 95247 View attachment 95249 View attachment 95250 View attachment 95251

Then on other days, if you have a 'Summer Series', as Yorkshire does, it can be glorious, with bone dry courses (Salendine Nook, north-western Huddersfield)
View attachment 95252

Riding again next Weds - 15th at Oldbury Court.
My CX bike is now prep'd & ready for action !

 

[dan_bo]

When I first started riding CX, in the early 90's, I rode my MTB
View attachment 95243 View attachment 95244

Then, when I got slightly more serious, I bought a CX bike
This was an ex team bike, so no mudguard eyelets, no bottle cage bosses (Paul Milnes/Bradford Olympic RC. Reynolds 653)

Colours, as bought ('SIlcoates Scramble')
View attachment 95246

Later repainted to match my 'work' -cum- 'general-purpose' bike
Please note, this was pre STI days, it was on bar-end levers (7-speed), & SPDs (one model only) were only recently easily available
View attachment 95245


It's far easier on a CX bike;
Lighter - when you have to carry ('road-sized' frame means you can get it on your shoulder properly)
Gearing - generally closer-ratio (unless you change the block on your MTB)
Larger diameter wheels rolled easier (advent of 29ers may have changed this?)

Surprisingly (to beginners) the flotation advantage of MTB width tyres isn't that much
Braking has been equalled out, due to the advent of disc-brakes on CX bikes (less clogging)

That said, chains, derailleurs & cassettes still clog, as mine did at a race at Cleckheaton (you know it's 'claggy', when you have to pedal downhill, to avoid stopping!!!)


View attachment 95247 View attachment 95249 View attachment 95250 View attachment 95251

Then on other days, if you have a 'Summer Series', as Yorkshire does, it can be glorious, with bone dry courses (Salendine Nook, north-western Huddersfield)
View attachment 95252

I did the Silcoates a few of times- fast course when dry, utter draggy pig when wet!

 

[Saluki]

That looks a lot of fun

 

[Spartak]

Didn't manage to ride last Weds - chest infection 8-(

But did go & watch 8-)

Photo from Lap 1 ....

The Ridley-Western League events have just been released - starts Sept 6th & runs until Jan 17th.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

I did the Silcoates a few of times- fast course when dry, utter draggy pig when wet!

Correct phrase to use

 

[Scottish Scrutineer]

Must try a CX soon. A couple of mates are serious about them ,but I don't know if my skills would embarrass me

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Must try a CX soon. A couple of mates are serious about them ,but I don't know if my skills would embarrass me

Don't worry about it, the skills will come with riding it
Practice firstly, on a local field/in woodland/single-track

I can easily jump off the bike, in the correct manner, with right foot in between left leg & crank, hitting the ground running, & pick the bike up
However, to my last race (not raced CX since 2009/2010), I still landed painfully at times, on a running re-mount


I've started re-fettling mine, after going to watch a 'Yorkshire Cyclo-Cross Association' (summer-series, Wednesday evening) race last week at a School to the east of Leeds (Brigshaw School @ KIppax), with a view to possibly returning to competition at either
20th September; Thornes Park (Wakefield, organised by Wakefield Triathlon Club)
4th October; Temple Newsam (Leeds, organised by Seacroft Wheelers)

 

[Spartak]

Don't worry about it, the skills will come with riding it
Practice firstly, on a local field/in woodland/single-track

I can easily jump off the bike, in the correct manner, with right foot in between left leg & crank, hitting the ground running, & pick the bike up
However, to my last race (not raced CX since 2009/2010), I still landed painfully at times, on a running re-mount


I've started re-fettling mine, after going to watch a 'Yorkshire Cyclo-Cross Association' (summer-series, Wednesday evening) race last week at a School to the east of Leeds (Brigshaw School @ KIppax), with a view to possibly returning to competition at either
20th September; Thornes Park (Wakefield, organised by Wakefield Triathlon Club)
4th October; Temple Newsam (Leeds, organised by Seacroft Wheelers)

View attachment 100033

CX bike serviced today ....
Ready off first race of 'Winter' season on Sept 6th at Bradford on Avon.

 

[Spartak]

CX bike serviced today ....
Ready off first race of 'Winter' season on Sept 6th at Bradford on Avon.

Took the CX bike over to Oldbury Court & rode a few circuits of the course that's used during the season.

 

[Spartak]

First round of the Ridley Western League this morning at Bradford on Avon - a new course with the event being part of their cycling festival weekend.

Nearly 100 riders took part in excellent conditions - sunny windless morning.

Lots of youngsters taking part in the Juniors race as well.

..... more info to follow once results are posted !

 

[Spartak]

..... In total 91 riders took part yesterday !

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Only a little one, you should be riding that