Cyclocross 2011 thread

[funnymummy]

Yep. It is awesome fun. The combination of total body pump, and the technical demands of controlling your bike in

I came 42nd out of 99 finishers, and 14th out of 46 Vets.

WTG

Oh fabulous. Was brilliant watching the little ones battle on


Are you attending any more this season?

It was, although there were some serioulsy pushyparents & a coach that scared the pants off of me shouting their heads off!
I admit to cheering, but I cheered everyone that went past where we were stood!
Just checked the result Fynn came in 11th, his first time doing CycloX, 7yrs old, in the U10s on a bike that he'd had less then 24hrs & the chain was on the little ring for most of the race...Not bad I reckon

He really wants to more, have looked at the locations & we'll be able to get to a few, not sure about the far off Kent ones though.
Herne Hill this Sunday, but we're doing a 25 miler on Sat in NF so not sure he'll be upto it, will see Sunday morning

 

[VamP]

It was, although there were some serioulsy pushyparents & a coach that scared the pants off of me shouting their heads off!
I admit to cheering, but I cheered everyone that went past where we were stood!
Just checked the result Fynn came in 11th, his first time doing CycloX, 7yrs old, in the U10s on a bike that he'd had less then 24hrs & the chain was on the little ring for most of the race...Not bad I reckon

He really wants to more, have looked at the locations & we'll be able to get to a few, not sure about the far off Kent ones though.
Herne Hill this Sunday, but we're doing a 25 miler on Sat in NF so not sure he'll be upto it, will see Sunday morning

Oh I missed the loud coach. We were off to one side though...

Sounds like your lad did brilliantly. I was impressed with Otik's ride too, specially given his bike weighs twice what mine weighs!!! He badly needs a new one He's been promised one of these for Christmas if he perseveres with CX

Otik's Dream Ride


I am going to Herne Hill on my own this weekend, Otik is next coming to Chainhurst on the 9th.

 

[funnymummy]

He was from Sutton CC, wearing a yellow Tshirt... I though I had a loud voice till he started yelling!!

Aaah.. The Luath your boy has good taste, it is also Fynns dream bike, he was due it for Christmas too, but is still about an inch too short, so it's now on his birthday list - Hopefully he'll have strectched that extra inch by next May

Think we'll be at Chainhurst too, it's just the Deal, Sidcup, Dartford & Uxbridge ones i'm undecided about. If there's others in his age group from the club going then might do a car share, but it's a bit far if he the only one.


EDIT
Oh Bum! Won't be at Chainhurst... #2 just came ou of school with a party invite for that day, I reckon he'd skip the party in favour of cycling - If it wasn't his 'girlfriends' party LOL

 

[palinurus]

Jeez, 'cross in hot weather isn't right. Early season races are often pretty firm-going but heat.

Because I turned up to every central race last season I managed to collect a good number of points without placing very highly overall (particularly in shared events with other leagues- it's possible to roll in at 31st place and be 3rd finisher in your own league if only a few have showed up).

So at Milton Keynes today I got to start right at the front.

Only this year I've been sort of busy. I've not done any time-trialling, not done any training of any kind. I've been commuting. That's it.

So at the start I sprint away, feeling the pressure of the field behind. I was probably still in the top twenty or so by the time the race hit the first narrow bit.

And that was me finished, not even five minutes in- not even one minute in- and I was struggling badly. I know 'cross is hard, and I always forget quite how hard, but this was something else. And it was hot; I wanted a drink. After 20 minutes I was feeling strange, I wanted to climb off. One more lap. easier, like taking a nice little ride through the park. I walked up the run-ups, slowly, pausing for a rest before remounting. It still felt harder than it should have.

I finished though, although I was dragging my heels at the end to allow the leaders to lap me (again) so I wouldn't have to go around again.

Two weeks to the next one.

 

[VamP]

Herne Hill with huge field, narrow twisting track and record breaking heat was a recipe for carnage and it certainly did not disappoint with withdrawals and crashes aplenty.

I managed a full frontal somersault after my front wheel got jammed axle deep in a hidden rut in a sandpit, as well as a skidding fall on one of my practice laps.

I started at the back, had a very slow first lap because of all the bottlenecks up ahead, then spent the rest of the race clawing back ground. Don't think I placed particularly well, but it was good experience gathering, mainly due to the 'little bit of everything' nature of the course. Highlights included the climbing mound, the 180 degree berm, the sandpit, and of course the plank box in the stadium - scene of spectacular crashes, including my GF who managed a full backward somersault after misjudging her remount

I ran higher pressures than normal to reduce chances of punctures on the rough sharp edged parts of the course, and as a result skidded around a bit more than normal, although I did avoid punctures, unlike a really large percentage of the field.


I'll update when results get posted.

 

[palinurus]

Not many of the 'cross courses around here have sand, but I do remember the sand at Herne hill. It can be quite tricky riding through sand. I've ended up with a mouthful of it on at least one occasion. Both times I've ridden at Herne Hill i've ended up in the same position, right near the back and had to work my way up the field. Second time was because I thought the race was starting 10 minutes later than it actually started and I was still warming up on the other side of the course. I haven't done it since.

London races often get large turnouts, having said that on one miserable February day I lined up in a field of 18 at Hillingdon so it varies a fair bit.

 

[VamP]

Not many of the 'cross courses around here have sand, but I do remember the sand at Herne hill. It can be quite tricky riding through sand. I've ended up with a mouthful of it on at least one occasion. Both times I've ridden at Herne Hill i've ended up in the same position, right near the back and had to work my way up the field. Second time was because I thought the race was starting 10 minutes later than it actually started and I was still warming up on the other side of the course. I haven't done it since.

London races often get large turnouts, having said that on one miserable February day I lined up in a field of 18 at Hillingdon so it varies a fair bit.

Yep large turn out indeed. The results have just been posted and I made 63rd out of a hugemuss field of 140. 17th of 55 Vets.

Better than I had guessed.

 

[VamP]

At the risk of keeping this thread alive just for myself

A quick update:

9th October - Chainhurst, lovely course, partly on grass, partly technical forrest terrain, but no dismounts. Had a cold in the week before this, so didn't feel my best, but enjoyed it regardless. Big effort in the opening lap had me coasting in no mans land for most of the race - nobody catching me, and me not catching anyone either - until the inevitable lapping in the final 2 laps. 23rd in large vets field.

16th October - even lovelier Deal course with technical bits, followed by fast sections with three tough dismounts. Loved this one! After a weak start had a race of constantly clawing back positions (about 25 overtakes after the first lap), and very nearly avoided getting lapped, only being caught by the leaders about a quarter of a lap before the end. Best result yet, 13th among vets.


Anyne else out there battling?

 

[palinurus]

Struggling rather than battling but yeah, I'm out there. Last weekend was my club's event, finished a long way down- I'll just do a few events this season and try to get some sort of form sorted out for next year. I was only a lap down on the leaders though, better than a couple of weeks back.

I enjoyed myself though, overall like.

My poor showing at MK meant I wasn't gridded, started right near the back and worked my way up some. Much better.

The coming weekend I should be getting on with some decorating, however I've just been taking a look under the carpet and there's this whopping great lump of concrete that'll have to be Kangoed out. No point in going any further 'till I can find someone to do that eh? might as well race.

 

[VamP]

taking a look under the carpet and there's this whopping great lump of concrete that'll have to be Kangoed out. No point in going any further 'till I can find someone to do that eh? might as well race.

Totally!!!

You might be surprised how long it takes to find someone with a Kango. I would be really surprised if you found someone before.... say, February?

 

[VamP]

Hillingdon yesterday.

We're over half way through the season, and every single one of he races has been on hard dry surface. I was lead to believe CX was going to be all rainy, muddy, embrocation lathered battle with the elements.

Surely, but surely we are going to get some mud soon??


Huge field at Hillingdon, and as a result I have (again) absolutely no idea how I did. Somewhere in the middle again.

 

[steve52]

at the age of 54 and never raced im thowing myself in this sunday if i finnish i shall feel like a champion!!!!!!!!

 

[MickL]

Here is the live feed Fidea Cyclocross Classics Niel race
http://sports-livez.com/channel/ch-5.php

Nice way to wile away the Friday afternoon at work

 

[VamP]

at the age of 54 and never raced im thowing myself in this sunday if i finnish i shall feel like a champion!!!!!!!!

Enjoy.


Which league are you in?

The London League is in Brighton this Sunday, and somehow, I still don't think we'll have any significant mud.

Can't wait!

 

[palinurus]

No racing, but I'm posting anyway. Why not.

I ducked out of the Icknield RC event in Luton today, pity because it's later in the season this year and the course would've been softer- it's that sort of course that would be interesting in softer conditions. Even more so with proper mud.

Instead I took a load of crap down to the dump in the trailer. It was a nice day though, and I went along a tree-lined cycle path. Surface is still just about acceptable but any more mud and It'll be the national-speed-limit applies lane that runs parallel (or take the 'cross bike of course). Made some nice quesadillas when I got back.

Getting rid of that stuff felt as good as finishing a cross race anyway.

I've been meaning to jump on the train and race over at Brighton some day.