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Imperial *as in London* winter series? sounds like bad planning!
There is a funny video on Western league of someone (only one)riding a stream but actually wasn't any quicker! good skills though!
Our next CX on Sunday at Berkhamstead looks mega a handbuilt bridge and sandpit! Waffles and mince pies and mulled wine! Can't wait.
I had a go at Fareham Wheelers round of the Wessex league yesterday. Had one nice attack up the big climb which I made stick. I finished in about the top 85% which is pretty standard for me 😉
I filmed my sighting lap for posterity though which was fun 🙂
It was. Tempted to try and get my four races in to score on the V40 league
as you know it's 4 minimum, then they take your best scoring 8 rounds. Last year was our first time racing and fell into it so I only managed 7 which really irked me as it meant people finished higher in the league only by virtue of having managed to ride more rounds. This year I'm on 7 so far, will hit 8 and hoping to do a couple more which might (touch wood) allow me to drop my 2 worst-scoring rounds. Goal is a top 10 overall, it's going to be close either way.
If you can make the Lovelo Birkhampstead round, as Munqe Chick says it looks like they've put a lot of effort into the course and are trying to make the day a proper 'event'. I'll keep an eye out for your bike and say hi (I'm in V40, blue SuperX with flouro orange bar tape and lid).
There is a funny video on Western league of someone (only one)riding a stream but actually wasn't any quicker! good skills though!
James from Das Rad Club, i believe he was the only one to do so, that stream was full of rubble with a rooty stepped up exit, a tech move from him that earns him gnarr points 😉
Vid:
We'll be at Sunday's central league race. Wearing grey jackets and armed with stopwatches and whistles.
Just waiting to get the HSBC branded kit early next year.
as you know it's 4 minimum, then they take your best scoring 8 rounds.
Well I can aim for 200 points, and that might get me one of our club awards. The Imperial Series is near to home, not as muddy, pays Teen2 and is on a Saturday! If the other Central League races were on Sunday, I'd manage a few more. Next week looks a lot of fun though. And you've seen the bike already.
I raced my second ever National Trophy yesterday at Shrewsbury. I was pretty nervous, not helped by crashing twice during my sighting laps.
Race itself was proper muddy so, not having a pit crew, I rode my trusty singlespeed. Bagged 25th in vet 40, despite a few more crashes and a backwards and forwards battle with a bunch as each of us took it in turns to slide off the course. 😀
Don't suppose anyone knows where I can see photos from the event? There's one of me on the BC website and I know Huw Williams was there, but there were a few snappers on the course.
Signed up for Sunday at Berkhamstead. Have to dash off afterwards to collect Teen1 from Uni, so a pre-race performance-enhancing mulled wine and mince pie will be required in lieu of the cola caffeine gel. Targeting top 15. As if! Say Hi. And I'll also be riding both Imperial Winter Series races the day before.
TiRed what category you in? Seems like entries are good they posted 350 riders to grid and still EOD available! Looks like a cracking event can't wait!
Anyone else racing the Boxing Day Cx in Kenilworth? Never done it before any handy or top tips?
mooman - Member
The Xmas-x at Caerphilly not motivating many this year. Fingers crossed it not rain between now & then ... it may not be too muddy then!!
Numbers seem considerably down this year when compared to last year. (As an example, less than 30 v40 men on the start line at Pembrey this year. I seem to remember it being around 70 last year? All the senior categories combined added up to 110ish compared to 170ish last year iirc?)
I was looking forward to racing at Pembrey but thought it was taking the mick to be charging £17 for an event which was £12 last year. (Yes, I'm a tight git!) Charging for day entry in a cross race when you know that well over 100 turned up last week is ridiculous and could well kill the series. Imo of course.
Congrats, ferrals btw. Are you coming to the curry on Saturday?
I'm V40. Just. Cyclocross age groups run earlier than road as I've graduated to Masters E (50-59) for road racing.
Idlejon - I am not too sure about numbers; it may just be that now they have separated the vets from the seniors the fields look smaller??
There were 62 V40 on start line at Pembrey the other week (according to BC)
I know there are a few people commenting on the entry price of certain events, and maybe next year that will have an impact on people turning up.
People have compared the price of CX entry to crit entry, but CX isnt like crit racing. The not so good guys who do crits are willing to pay £10-15 for a 20min crit if theres a chance to get a point on their race licences.
But vast majority who do cx arent slightest bit interested in points, it all about the fun on the day.
I am not doing Caerphilly on Sunday (got a cold ... honest!) and with all the wet stuff we have had, the reputation the place has for being dire to race at, and the online entry. I expect the lowest numbers of the year there.
interesting to hear numbers. We raced the Oxford round of the Wessex league and it was capped by the organisers at 405 overall; it filled with online entries and there was a waiting list for cancellations!
As M-C says there are ~350 pre-entered in the Central Lovelo Crossmass on Sunday; with 95 in V40. Admittedly that's on the high side, but I think 60 has been our lowest.
I was looking forward to racing at Pembrey but thought it was taking the mick to be charging £17 for an event which was £12 last year
Really? So you've given up on a day out and an event you were looking forward to for the sake of a fiver? I'm tight but that just sounds like cutting of your nose to spite your face. How much is your CX bike and kit worth?
Tangs event is now live:
Sunday 29th January 2017.
3rd year of Cotswold CX at Chavenage House, plus it's the final round of the Western Leagues Series, Cotswold Estate prime venue, fantastic on site facilities & sponsor input, plus post race live streaming of the men's CX World Champs on a big screen in the main hall.
I'll be marshalling & heckling from the sidelines.
Come join the Cotswold CX circus 😉
Really? So you've given up on a day out and an event you were looking forward to for the sake of a fiver? I'm tight but that just sounds like cutting of your nose to spite your face. How much is your CX bike and kit worth?
Ha, I know! It was an excuse, not the whole reason. 😳 I was working away all week, have done very little riding never mind training this autumn, and was knackered. Being charged extra to not be even vaguely competitively midfield in a field of 30* (which is basically a muddy ITT) didn't sound attractive. But really it's the principle - cross has never been expensive and charging extra for EOL shouldn't ever come into it.
And really, my kit and bike don't come into the equation. They get used anyway, they aren't bought specifically for racing.
*mooman may be right - there were more than I thought at Pembrey but figures are still very low this season compared to the rest.
Cheers Jon, no not coming for curry, might make xmas eve ride if there is one?
Numbers in seniors seemed lower than last year too - still 40 odd most races though. I don't mind the prices but think we just need consistnency, if we're using chips then lets have them every race and keep prices constant
We had the last race of the series in this part of Germany last weekend in Chemnitz. It is the tradional last race of the series and is a pretty technical course. This year even more so as they had to change a large part of it becuase of building work in the outdoor velodrome. It was an absolute mud fest and one of the guys from my team managed to win it on a singlespeed cross bike with the third place also a singlespeed...that's how muddy it was. I managed to roll part of my rear tub off the rim but still was able to finish 9th. Here is a video of the first lap if anyone is interested.
I don't mind the prices but think we just need consistnency,
That probably says it better than I have! See you on Xmas eve - it's on the forum, it'll be a Rob classic. (People being washed away in swollen rivers, overgrown footpaths and MUD!) 9.30 at Bishopston Community Centre, I think but check the details.
Rode Crossmass V40. Nice course but I had a pinch flat on Lap 2 riding down the bridge due to the rungs! Rode a lap with a flat front tyre, including descending the steep side of the bridge (on the rim!), caught a lip and went down hard, so discretion being the better part of valour, I bailed after two laps. Looking at the results, my hope of a top 20 place was well-founded 🙁 .
Probably won't ride any more as unlikely to register four finishes. Need some tubeless or tubs I guess. Bah! At least yesterday's road races went better.
Tired, sorry I missed you and there were a lot of punctures and mechanicals. I went for pre-planned bike swaps for the first time ever which seemed to pay off. 8th in V40 but took points for 7th. Literally just bought some tubs (as in collected off the seller at Berko).
aP it was a very breathless "Hi are you aP off singletrack?!" Through the off camber up-downs, then had to dive into pits right after V40 for the women's race so couldn't make a proper introduction. Hope the bridge didn't cause you too many headaches!
Was there yesterday too, keeping the bottom half of the senior field warm. Really enjoyed the course. The bridge definitely added some interest.
I'll spare you the details from Welsh League round 11 since the course was obviously dire and the race was too expensive. It was all so badly organised and overpriced I was surprised when anyone apart from me showed up.
Interestingly, BC were there testing bikes for mechanical doping.
I'll spare you the details from Welsh League round 11 since the course was obviously dire and the race was too expensive. It was all so badly organised and overpriced I was surprised when anyone apart from me showed up.
😀
Interestingly, BC were there testing bikes for mechanical doping.
😯
David-Jey was that at Mountain Ranch? Famous for it being HORRENDOUSLY muddy. I'm still unsure how the Welsh league works? How are some rounds chip but others aren't and therefore the pricing varies as does on line entering? It seems a whack way of working.
Central league you always have to pre enter before midnight Tuesday the week before the race £16 (15 plus BC £1 fee on everything) if you have affiliated to the league or £17.50 otherwise. IF you enter on the day I think it is about £20.
We have chip timing at every race with LIVE racing results, which is fab. Crashtestmonkey loved watching me on line have a battle at a race a few weeks ago!
I heard rumors there was a Welsh race on 31st December is this correct? Where and do I need to enter online?
I'm still unsure how the Welsh league works?
We all line up at the start and pedal (or occasionally run) as fast we can until somebody wins.
Ha ha thanks for that there wee input 😉 I meant as in some races are chipped others aren't, prices vary, online entry varies.
some races are chipped others aren't, prices vary, online entry varies
And the problem with this is.....? It's as simple as: check BC website, find race, either enter in advance or turn up with a tenner* if its entry on the day. Checking directions to a venue I've not been to before, or deciding how many pairs of gloves to pack, causes me more logistical headaches.
Given that you race central league, why are you even so bothered how welsh league is run?!
*all unchipped races are still consistently a tenner, which is very good value compared to what other bikes races/events cost.
There is no problem. It was a valid question. Sorry I struck a nerve there I thought it was a valid question as they all work differently. I was interested in Welsh league as I raced that CX league back in the 90's and it hadn't changed much so it was just a query, as it wasn't easy to follow. Don't worry I shall leave it there and ask someone else about 31st instead. Thanks.
Crashtestmonkey- yes, that was me, i heard you gasp it then you were off.... I was out with the trainee comm to see how the course was riding out there. Was a long day yesterday, got there at 7:40, left at 4...
We had a lot of discussion over the bridge.
david jey - MemberI'll spare you the details from Welsh League round 11 since the course was obviously dire and the race was too expensive. It was all so badly organised and overpriced I was surprised when anyone apart from me showed up.
Interestingly, BC were there testing bikes for mechanical doping.
😆 Someones feeling a bit grumpy about cross season ending!
Course looked fun in the pictures. Strava suggests you had a good result?
Can't believe the bike checking, guess they had some new toys and wanted to test them. Probably get more results breathalising this time of year!
Ferrals come across the border! We have 3 central league, 2 Wessex league and Western league love
Crossed
not sure about the dolls head...
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Given that you race central league, why are you even so bothered how welsh league is run?!
because she's Welsh, has a Welsh club (of which she was one of the founding members) as a second claim, and was 3rd Senior female in the Welsh National Champs? Is everyone involved in the Welsh League so defensive and reluctant to take feedback? We'll be competing in races hosted by 5 different Leagues this year, so are interested to compare and contrast how different leagues run. Weirdly some of them even [i]invite[/i] feedback in order to develop and improve 🙄
We had a lot of discussion over the bridge.
The feedback on the FB page is overwhelmingly positive, but there were a few crashes one of which created a logjam in the womens/V50 race and I can see it being a real concern if you were responsible for safety. I hope they include it next year, though I can see the steep side being made more shallow.
HAhahaha, that's brilliant 🙂
Just to clarify: I'm not involved in the Welsh League, by which I mean I don't lift a finger to help with running things. I just turn up and race.
I do however appreciate that an awful lot of folk do an awful lot of running around to make these races happen, and they are doing it for the love of the sport and not much other reward. And when that's the case, these people deserve praise and (bearing in mind that they are working with limited resources and time, and therefore an appreciation that not every detail might be perfect) constructive criticism. A lot of what I've seen on here, and elsewhere, recently isn't exactly what I'd call constructive criticism.
Up in the NE have two leagues. CXNE and NECCL. The former is BC, chip timed, gridded and very professionally run on courses that meet all the official design criteria. The latter (of which I'm secretary and organise a race) is far more informal. Courses are marked just enough, we use singletrack and mtb tracks when appropriate. Griding is based on reputation. Run under the TLI this makes it far cheaper. £10 for a licence. £7 per race. Get 5 from 8 rounds in and you get a finishers prize. Rather than have big prizes for league and race winners we re distribute the income from the year to all who raced. It normally covers your entry fee to 3 races.
Could be an option for others wanting informal racing. I think there are just over 20 CX races in the NE through the season. CXNE, NECCL a couple of one offs and a round of the nationals. Some superp talent coming through on the back of this! One of the CXNE juniors won the Koppenberg CX!
https://www.velouk.net/2016/11/01/news-win-for-mein-at-koppenberg/
A lot of what I've seen on here, and elsewhere, recently isn't exactly what I'd call constructive criticism.
all fair points and appreciate you defending their hard work, but M-C was asking genuine Qs about the league, not bashing it (she's planning to come back for a NYE race there when I'm working, hence the Q). We have full chip timing in both local leagues (we overlap Central and Wessex regions) this year, they are managed differently and Central has live timing online and on a laptop and flatscreen on-site which has proved very popular and saves the commies/organisers being badgered by 300 riders for their placing. We both raced the Welsh Nats, and we've also entered Tang's Lovecrossed and the Boxing Day race on Kenilworth Common in the Midlands so it's interesting to see what's done differently, what works better, how courses and fields compare etc.
Jonba we had a summer series this year which was pretty much a one-man-band organisation and 'low rent' - gridding was a free-for-all based on honesty and actually seemed to be good natured and self policing. The fields are small enough for it to be Juniors, Men, and women with no sub categories. It's on the same site but the course varies every week, and they usually manage to get the placings on FB before the next round. No BC points, no prizes, no league position just hot, dry, dusty racing.
OK so I'll answer the original question to the best of my knowledge: chip timing is in its infancy in Welsh League and this is the first year it's been used to any great extent (yes I know, 2005 called etc etc).
My understanding is that it has been left down to the individual organisers of each round whether they use chip timing or not. Welsh Cycling have their own chip timing system and so this has been used for some rounds, but some organisers have sourced their own timing provider.
It's been about a 60/40 split between chip timing and the judges writing numbers on a clipboard this season. Bar the odd teething problem (it took about 48 hours for the results to emerge for a couple of the chip-timed rounds) results have been available same day for the chip timed rounds.
That's my understanding too, I think GR considered it for MM, but as not everyone was using decided to hold fire.
Which New Year's Eve race? If you're talking about the GOwer Riders organised one at Penyrheol, please be aware it's a fun race, dont think we got results beyond 1st,second, third, think last year we just raced for half an hour, proper fancy dress is compulsory, if I remember rightly all youth, adult and junior went off together with a Le Mans running to the bike start. The course is short and less able racers were encouraged to take shortcuts last year. It's brilliant fun but just wanted to make that clear in case you were thinking it was a proper league style race. I will probably come and heckle, maybe race - think I have my Santa outfit still with last years mud on 🙂
Munqe-chick ... its an unofficial race being organised. So I not too sure if posting details on here would be the best/safest thing. Its pretty much out there for those who have done the Welsh league this year ... I`m pretty sure if you know somebody they will pass details onto you.
ps.
We not all grumpy in the Welsh league (probably just those born on the wrong side of the bridge)
Ha Ha Mooman thanks. Yes I shall speak to the club then. Thanks for that! I was born right side of the bridge so all okay 🙂 see you there. Festive 500 around 2 CX races in that period is going to be fun!
Mooman my inside info has now told me it's been cancelled.
If you're talking about the GOwer Riders organised one at Penyrheol, please be aware it's a fun race, dont think we got results beyond 1st,second, third, think last year we just raced for half an hour, proper fancy dress is compulsory, if I remember rightly all youth, adult and junior went off together with a Le Mans running to the bike start. The course is short and less able racers were encouraged to take shortcuts last year. It's brilliant fun but just wanted to make that clear in case you were thinking it was a proper league style race. I will probably come and heckle, maybe race - think I have my Santa outfit still with last years mud on
Ooh, just added something else to the Xmas break diary! 😀
I understand that the Herne Hill New Years Day Madison Cross will be on again on the 1st Jan.
There's also a new Boxing Day event in south-east London, can't find the details at the moment, though.
There's a fun looking one in Newbury too! 3 difference races so a sprint fastest lap, a devil race (elimination) then a shorter CX race and combined times! Shame I'm off back to Cardiff and now no longer a CX race 🙁 guess I'll have to schlep up the Garth for fun instead 🙂