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I've been trying to get in some cross racing the last couple of seasons, but was injured 13/14, then moved house last November so didn't make any, except for watching the champs at Abergavenny!
Looks like I'm not available for the first couple of races nearest to me this year too! Aberystwyth and Brecon.
Hopefully make Hereford an Newtown though. I'll be the Vet 50 at the back 🙂
Do they have the same (roughly speaking) set up as XC racing, ie: all the proper racers in their age groups and then other 'non-competitive' categories where people can have a go without getting in the way of some battle hardened 50 year olds who've got hundreds of thousands of miles in their legs and don't want some fatty on a Boardman ****ing up their day?
Even better if the races are a bit shorter 😉
Mary, Hereford is a great course, proper 'cross with streams, woods, mud and Tarmac.
My first CX race was the three peaks last year. I can't make it this year so will be having a crack at a few of the Wessex League and Southern Champs. I'm kinda keen, unless it gets really muddy in which case I'll re-ignite my love of the turbo trainer.
Do they have the same (roughly speaking) set up as XC racing
In a word, no. Racing is split into age groups only, usually with a titchy flat course for the U8/10/12 etc., then full lap races for youths (U16), Juniors, Seniors and veteran categories split into V40, V50 and the odd V60. Race lengths are 30 mins for youths, 40 for juniors, vets and women and 1 hr for seniors. Several categories will be racing at the same time and you'll often get Juniors, Vets and Women all going round together but set off at different times.
Don't worry about getting in the way. Cyclocross courses don't have singletrack so there's always room for passing. The thing to bear in mind is that if you're getting lapped, it's your responsibility to give up the racing line to the faster rider but often, you'll just hear a shout of, for example, 'rider up, on your left' and all you have to do is remember which left they mean 🙂
Thanks - and i know it's a timed race so eg: x mins and then the lap you're on? So what typically is a lap time, and how many times can you get lapped before your number gets called and one of the commissaires pulls you off? Or do you just suffer pretending that you're still competing for the full time?
Now I have a CX bike I am tempted to try a couple of the Wessex CX rounds, Newbury, Reading and maybe swindon are all within easy striking distance... Hmmm.
Thanks - and i know it's a timed race so eg: x mins and then the lap you're on? So what typically is a lap time, and how many times can you get lapped before your number gets called and one of the commissaires pulls you off? Or do you just suffer pretending that you're still competing for the full time?
You can be as many laps down as you want in a local-level race, you won't get pulled out of the race unless you're doing at the very least a regional championship. Laps can be anything from 5-11 minutes depending on conditions (the laps are 2.5-3.5kms long).
As soon as the winner gets the chequered flag everyone else finishes once they cross the finish line, no matter how many laps down.
how many times can you get lapped before your number gets called and one of the commissaires pulls you off?
hundreds or so it would seem 😉
Only race i've done i was second to last had a great time, passing riders were all good, and it becomes part of the challenge to let them pass without issue - i even got a clap for it, then see if you can follow - for a bit.
Get involved and enter - worst that happens is you don't enjoy an hour - and never come back - at least you tried it & have something to talk about.
Cyclocross courses don't have singletrack so there's always room for passing.
Oh yes they do, just not huge, long sections.
I should link to my short preview of the forthcoming Welsh season on grit.cx..
http://grit.cx/news/2015/07/welsh-cyclocross-2015-2016-schedule
I'll be doing all of the North East Cyclocross League (NECCL) and might do some of the cyclocross north east (CXNE) ones when I'm not hill climbing.
one of the commissaires pulls you off
[s****s]
IdleJon look forward to seeing you out there again 🙂
Just lowered my seat post 10mm for maximum stand over height, that's preparation for you 😆
one of the commissaires pulls you off
[s****s]
I know. It was so obvious but i still couldn't help but include it.
one of the commissaires pulls you off
I can guarantee that this is something that I will never, ever do.
I may be looking really quite miserable after having stood in driving rain for 7 hours without even a cup of tea though.
Note to organisers - make sure that the Comms get a mug of tea or coffee at regular intervals 😉
shedbrewed - Member
IdleJon look forward to seeing you out there again
Just checked your blog and......who are you? (Terribly rude, I'm sorry.) 😆 Yes, I'll be at most of the races, being a mobile chicane and complaining about rude overtakers. :D.
A few posts above, someone mentions calling 'on your left' etc. Is the etiquette the same as for xc races?
I did my first cross race last year and did call when neccesary but wondered if that was the done thing in cross. I didn't hear anyone else calling for passes.
Often, the commissaire will talk about lapping on the start line. I'll call in twisty sections or if it's a bit narrow, but if there's loads of room, I won't bother and just give loads of room.
West Mids league for me along with a few Notts & Derby when I go visiting my parents & the odd NT round.
First year for me I'll be running a matching pair of bikes-just hope I can do the kit justice!
IdleJon - Membershedbrewed - Member
IdleJon look forward to seeing you out there againJust checked your blog and......who are you? (Terribly rude, I'm sorry.) Yes, I'll be at most of the races, being a mobile chicane and complaining about rude overtakers. :D.
Pontypool Thom. Unless you're not the Jon I'm thinking of... In which case I'll see you there and try to overtake politely 😉
Gonna be giving the North West league a crack along with a couple of the longer sportive events.
My bike turns up on Monday so I'll be riding it as much as possible between then and the first race in September.
A few posts above, someone mentions calling 'on your left' etc. Is the etiquette the same as for xc races?
Only when lapping or being lapped, not when racing for position. Call 'on your left' to me when we're racing each other and you'll very quickly find a large white bike in your path 😀
yep NW league and some nationals
I think that some of you might want to think about being treated as you might like to be treated. It's amateur racing, all go home happy after decent respectful racing. If you want to chop each other and you do it in front of me you will be DQ'd.
I'm not talking about chopping people up or barging someone off their line. If you can make a pass stick then go for it but I'm not going to help you, particularly if you start announcing it in advance! That's just racecraft in the same way as easing up slightly on the front of a group when your teammate attacks into a narrow section. I've DQd riders for deliberate line-changing so I know the difference.
I've been racing CX for 25+ years and only come up against one truly dirty rider in that time, but equally I've ridden against people who have become very good friends. Hard racing on the course, hands shaken after we cross the finish line.
Yes another season due, really the main reason I road race all year. And it's so popular now, I've even got my own race (over 50's) wasn't many years ago we all went off together.
Central League.
shedbrewed - MemberPontypool Thom. Unless you're not the Jon I'm thinking of... In which case I'll see you there and try to overtake politely
Howdy Thom. Thought it was you but wasn't sure. See you in a few weeks.
🙂
First winter in 6 years I won't be racing...just dismantled the crosslight 😥
Sorry IdleJon, I should've just said Chowder Thom and made it easier! Another year, more flasks of chowder!
😆Sorry IdleJon, I should've just said Chowder Thom and made it easier! Another year, more flasks of chowder!
That might be the only time in your life you eat chowder but in my family you will be Chowder Thom forever!
So, I've just noticed that 2 of the Welsh League rounds are pretty close to me, 1 is actually very close.
I know you can use any bike, and discs are allowed, but what sort of reception would I receive on a Scandal 29er with a peaked MTB lid on?
Quite fancy a go, 50 minutes to an hour flat out is quite similar to most of my (XC) riding. Thoughts?
Nice thing about cross....no one cares what you ride.Unless you win it.
What tyres on 29er rims then? My X Kings won't cut it in the mud!
The joy of 29....cx tyres fit 😀
Just ask the commissar if it's ok to ride on your 29er with existing tyres on, chances are they'll be more than happy since it means more folks riding.
If you win, then win again you maybe asked to follow the rules, but hey you won't be the first nor last guy on a 29er hacking around having fun.
Just turn up 😀
I'm also looking forward to the big race calendar this year, Sven's last season and some young guns that have come of age sets things up for some fine racing. I'm hoping to make one race this year; Koppenburg or Hamme(my favourite race last year).
Also heard that Ian Bibby is thinking of returning this season, could hold some early form after a solid road season.
what sort of reception would I receive on a Scandal 29er with a peaked MTB lid on?
Plenty of riders use 29ers in the Welsh league. It's mainly cross bikes but there's a fair smattering of other, full sus included. Occasionally one of the fast boys will be seen on one.
Peaked mtb lid? Exactly what I always wear on the cx bike as do lots of other riders.
I think the one and only rule in Welsh League for bikes is 'no bar ends'.
Nobody will bat an eyelid at a 29er, unless you do what John Pugh did a couple of times last season and win the race riding one.
Nobody will bat an eyelid at a 29er, unless you do what John Pugh did a couple of times last season and win the race riding one.
or simon richardson winning on a 26er in the western league
crispycross - Member
Watching vids of pro races is always good for inspiration and learning - check out the 'Svenness' and 'likeaVos' series on vimeo too, where there's a bit of added commentary to give some insight into what's going on.
been watching some of the Svenness videos on my lunch breaks. They are really good! Super frothing now, especially as I've got a provisional pass for the first welsh league race too which I thought I'd have to miss 🙂
Anybody fancy a cheap set of 11sp carbon tubs (not disc) with cx tyres?
If you mean cheap like £2.57 then I'm interested. Otherwise I'm out. 😀Anybody fancy a cheap set of 11sp carbon tubs (not disc) with cx tyres?
£2.57 and a sherbert Dib Dab?
Don't know whether I can stretch that far.
And I'd need to buy two sherbert dibdabs, one for me, one for you. Not looking like an attractive deal...