Having decided to dabble my toes again after entering the final race of last season in March, I've already started this season with the Trilogy CC Summer-cross event in Dundee (on my gravel bike, thankfully it was bone dry). Sitting watching some videos on YouTube and getting excited for the mud and the off-cambers again!
I'm another year older and wiser so just want to focus on consistency this year, use the racing to build fitness for next year, rather than hurting myself trying too hard to get fit for the start if the season! I think my race-craft is actually reasonably OK at the moment, but my fitness will always be distinctly 'mid-pack'.
First race of the Scottish season is Brechin 21st September, I'll probably still be on the gravel bike as I share wheels between gravel and CX bikes and have a few big gravel rides left to squeeze in this year. Bulk of the races are late October and November then I hope to take a break, maybe try the Festive 500 for a bit of endurance, then see what the Super-quaich series looks like in the new year.
For only the second time ever I'll actually be racing a CX bike, my old Kinesis which started life as my gravel bike. The last race I had 40mm mixed tyres on it which clogged badly so looking forward to racing it with some 33s.
Still on canti brakes and old hand-me-down finishing kit and drivetrain. It has served me well as a winter gravel bike though so I'm sure I'll get another season out of it, although unless I'm prepared to fork out for new wheels I think I'll be running tubes.
What's everyone else got lined up?
I can't wait, only my second full season and I'm raring to go (Wessex League). Pre season cross training started a few weeks back and I'm itching to get racing (2 weeks to go till round one). Target is to make it into the upper midfield/back of the leaders this year. Also hoping to make at least 2 national trophy races with eldest daughter, her in u14 and me in vet40 (decidedly low mid->back in the national races)
nixie, have you ridden Clanfield before? Nearly destroyed me in the mud one year - it's a beast
Pre season cross training started a few weeks back and I'm itching to get racing
This is one of many reasons/ excuses that I've dialled back any serious competitive aspirations, I wasn't willing to commit to proper training! Weekends and occasional week-days off are still all about going long which leaves me a bit knackered for the intensity.
I am doing a once-weekly 10 mile TT which with warm-up and the usual spirited ride home again works out as a decent 30-45 minutes at threshold, give-or-take. One of my pals in the category above seems to have gotten very fast from just doing team TTs on Zwift so fingers crossed!
Since I organise the TTs I'm going to move them to a more rolling, punchier course to try and emulate a CX race a bit more.
Need to do more low back work, I could feel the burn after a few laps going hard in the last race, was a good burn rather than a mechanical damage sort of pain but I still had to back off.
nixie, have you ridden Clanfield before? Nearly destroyed me in the mud one year - it's a beast
I have yes, twice for CX and twice for XC. Round 1 last year was hot and bone dry then the later national/Wessex race in December was an absolute mud bath. Was very glad the 40s went out early for that one as the course deteriorated rapidly and by the time my daughter raced in u14s it was horrendous (she ended up on track longer than my race and was the only one without a pit bike). Your right though it's a tough event, very challenging and no let up in the power demands.
One of my pals in the category above seems to have gotten very fast from just doing team TTs on Zwift
Zwift TTT is a great way to gain fitness, sadly clashes with our CX training or I'd do these more.
Need to do more low back work,
I also have that problem, lots of core exercising at the moment as it's become a limiting factor.
I'll race the NW as per, looking forward to it. Done a lot of TTing over the past few months which is usually good for the cross legs - that'll do for the training tbh, not really capable of training on top of races in the winter. The Derby and Bradford trophy races are close enough, will enter depending on how things go.
Have one of the new challenge flandrien tubs which I think I'll try on the rear - slightly faster tread than a baby limus.
My 14yo daughter has decided to call it a day, which is a bit disappointing as she did the hard bit of moving up from U12, which doubles the race length to 35/40 mins, and is just generally stronger on the bike. Not really sure of her reasons so just left it at that - her race could be a bit desolate, usually just five in her category with the top two being outstanding. But I don't even think it is that, tbh.
I would love to get back to Racing Wessex League Vets, last year was aborted due to family disasters, unfortunately this winter looks to be have similar challenges.
I've given up on the idea of "proper training" instead it's going to be winter Turbo sessions, Road riding with mates and if I manage to squeeze in riding two rounds I'll be content.
Have one of the new challenge flandrien tubs which I think I'll try on the rear - slightly faster tread than a baby limus.
Have already picked up some Vittoria Terreno Wet, on the basis that I find Vittoria tyres quite predictable for seating tubeless and will be swapping tyres regularly, the Wets will be the race tyres and rest of time I'll just be wearing out my old 40mm Terreno Mix on training rides.
Done a lot of TTing over the past few months which is usually good for the cross legs - that'll do for the training tbh, not really capable of training on top of races in the winter.
I've given up on the idea of "proper training" instead it's going to be winter Turbo sessions, Road riding with mates and if I manage to squeeze in riding two rounds I'll be content.
Glad I'm not alone in this thinking, mistakes in previous seasons have been trying to train too hard or taking it all too seriously, I'm clearly not equipped for that so using the races as training with maybe a mid-week over-under session will be the way to go I think.
Glad you have events to work towards, looks like the Notts & Derby league has shrunk again.
(I marshall our club event in the series, which seems to have gone off the calendar)
I'm going to miss too many rounds to finish the local league. Mixture of work, holidays and other races. But as the national champs is on my doorstep I'm going to do the ones I can and hopefully get spot on the grid.
Having missed last year as well (just fancied a break) I'm going to be starting at the back until I can get some results. Feels too warm to be thinking about this though!
Going to get my feet wet with my first crack at "proper CX"! I've done a few summer CX races, and bloody loved it.
I'll be in the Wessex league vet 40s, so might be with some of you lot. I'll try not to crash into you - my cornering isn't great!
I've not done much training, just group rides - going hard on these. I'm not taking it seriously, total novice. But I am excited and looking forward to it.
My son (10) had shown quite a lot of interest when I was building up a CX bike, or watching CX. So we've bought him a secondhand CX bike, and he'll be having a go too.
@barrysh1tpeas I'll be in the Vet40s. Orange Forme or black Hup with Sotonia kit.
Where are you based? If your son is showing interest there are a fair few youth clubs around that can help him learn the skills. We (Sotonia) run one in Southampton Sports centre on Saturday mornings if that is close.
We're in Salisbury (SRAM), so not too far away. I'll bear that in mind! We have been doing a bit of training, messing around on the field.
Funny enough, Orange Forme Calver here too!
Cool, good choice :D, I will look out for you. If yours is the calver pro carbon version then collar me at a race and I'll show you the improved mech hanger (the stock one is a little flawed).
We have at least one who comes from Salisbury who also has links to SRAM.
Does anyone include running, into there CX prep/training?
I do not. Not that I have time to worry about that now
I do, not as a specific running for CX but because I also like to do a bit of running. I aim for 1-2 runs a week in the 10k range but at the moment only seem to manage one. I've noticed lots of riders who are not good at running or who avoid it. Being comfortable on your feet opens up options as well. Clanfield nat trophy last year there was a section over the top back of the course where there was a difficult switchback, followed by difficult cross camber of a 100m or so then off bike climb. Conditions meant I was struggling on the switchback and then getting back on for the camber. For me it was quicker to shoulder the bike and run the off camber and remount after the climb.
Hard no to sustained running if you don't already do it - asking for an injury and tempo running makes no difference to cross on most courses. Rare to get prolonged running in a cross race, although it can happen with our UK weather.
Short sprints and run-ups (with bike) are difference-makers, though - so some cautious practice of this would be good. Obviously don't go down to the local park with the bike and belt out sprints if you're not conditioned to it, work your way in. e.g. A classic interval structure for cross when you're in condition is 30 secs ride hard dismount 30 secs run hard remount 30 secs easy - repeat x10. Start something like that but with a 30 secs trot at first and a prolonged rest interval.
I do no running year round but find anything really short on foot is a strong part of course for me - big sprinty legs. But I also find the transition back to riding in a race can be cripplingly hard - one of the hardest things in any cycling discipline, actually. Some sort of practice in this area does take the edge off.
Does anyone include running, into there CX prep/training?
I do not. Not that I have time to worry about that now
I try to keep a very base level of running up, as much because any sort of running/jumping in and out of the saddle brought on quite painful symptoms in my hips in previous years, largely down to being such an ineffective runner!
Also like garry_lager I've been surprised how strong my running portions are, partly because I've run Time ATAC pedals in previous years which seem to clog far less than other brands (regularly passing other riders as they stamp the mud out of their cleats) but also because I've just put a bit of practice in to the remounting.
Also - last race I did I think everyone was just being a massive wimp, I was up to my ankles in what was probably AT LEAST 50% cow shit/50% mud, but still running and passing lots of folks who were clearly trying to keep their shoes clean 🤣
Might see you at a few SCX, had hoped for a fairly full season but they've switched up the race day schedule this year and looks like gap between most of the kids races and Vet 40s might be too long to be hanging around. Will see.
Might focus on doing SQ in the new year since they don't tend to have any kids races attached.
Might see you at a few SCX, had hoped for a fairly full season but they've switched up the race day schedule this year and looks like gap between most of the kids races and Vet 40s might be too long to be hanging around. Will see.
Might focus on doing SQ in the new year since they don't tend to have any kids races attached.
Yeah I'm struggling with those timings too, our wee one tried his hand at the under 8s at Strathallan SQ and seemed to enjoy it, or at least wasn't violently opposed to doing another. Realistically I think he can only do the relatively local ones and mum take him home whilst I stay and hang around for 5 hours until my race. Not the worst thing in the world I guess, not sure how mum will feel about me being away for the whole day though.
I'm not even bothering entering the national trophy in Falkirk (a lot of money to potentially get pulled after two laps! 😆) so might take him along for the kids races, soak up the big event vibe then head home.
Are you still in the prime of your life racing the seniors 13thfloormonk? They only use the 80% rule for UCI categories, not V40 and above.
It's certainly a tough proposition - you could be a good rider in your regional series and only see 2/3 laps in a national senior race, such is the speed differential of a professional rider at the front.
Are you still in the prime of your life racing the seniors 13thfloormonk? They only use the 80% rule for UCI categories, not V40 and above.
Argh dammit, I'm V40, no excuses now! 😂
I've signed up for Brechin.
I don't do any specific cross training, I really don't want to come last, oops!
I'm bricking it! 😂
I don't do any specific cross training, I really don't want to come last, oops!
Your weekly smash-fests with the Clarion boys appear to be all the training required!
We've changed our weekly TT to a more rolling course with a lot of very small punchy hills, am hoping staying in the big ring and keeping it rolling over all of them whilst blowing out my arse will be good race- specific training.
After that I've got four or give weeks of no racing until early Nov so will focus a bit more on some quality turbo sessions.
I've a local loop I can smash around for an hour, I'll try to do that once a week. It's about 3km with a couple of climbs, and can be quite greasy, and lots of fun.
Adding this to run a couple times a week, a weights session once or twice a week and my weekly club gravel ride.
And I'm off the booze and trying to go to bed at a sensible hour every night.
I'd ideally be a couple of kilos lighter, but hey ho.
That should hopefully be enough to get me ready.
🤞
That should hopefully be enough to get me ready.
Worked for you last year!
I'll be a bit rusty on the specific skills, am enjoying the road bike a lot right now so mid-week will still be roadie smash-fests of sorts (we're doing midweek TTs and I get to choose the course so am suggesting something twisty, rolling and with multiple punchy short hills, should be perfect).
Am juggling my days off in the next few weeks to try and cram in one last totally counter-productive big gravel ride, then will start dialling back the distances and maybe use weekends for sort of Z2-out, Z4 home type rides just seeking out mud and nastiness.
Up until last week this all seemed a bit premature but the seasons have suddenly changed, it's wet, windy and there are leaves on the ground 😎
It is Autumn all of a sudden! First Wessex league race is this Sunday. Suddenly feeling very unprepared 🤣
You and me both! August is always a crap training month with kids at home.
First one done. That was a great day out. I had some anxiety about it, my cornering definitely needs a lot of work. I was making up spaces on any section I could put some power down, and losing time into the series of hairpins.
Next week booked up!
Was good to meet you yesterday @barrysh1tpeas. Apologies if I was a little incoherent, it took me quite a while to recover to a normal state after the finish! That course does expose weaknesses, this weekends at Fairthorne has a lot less elevation change but they do try to make up for that with lots of corners and a nice wooded section. Did you avoid the lap 1 crash at the hurdles?
I had a tough race, a bad choice of grid position and poor start meant I got squeezed towards the gate post and then got stuck in the train downhill. It took a good 3 laps before I started to relax and corner better but by then I was in a gap on my own.
My daughter went much better. The u14 girls had a larger than normal field and the fitness/power work she has been putting in seemed to show up as she had a very close battle with another of our club's girls (who last year was in the far distance). She was very happy with the result.
Yes, good to meet you too. Sotonia had a good number of riders. You are a much bigger club.
I was a few riders back from the crash, looked nasty though! Landed on his head.
That's excellent for daughter! Good start to the season.
My lad (u12) crashed out on lap 1. There was a left hand off camber slight descent back towards the start, I think he was just over confident, over cooked it and tried to brake - through the tape, otb and winded himself! But he's keen to get back on it next week, and hopefully an easier course for him. He blamed me and the bike 🤣 but I took him back to the corner later in the afternoon and got him to ride it a few times, and got him to slow it down!
Ouch, glad to hear the crash hasn't put him off. Again Fairthorne's kids course was a lot easier than Clanfield last year.
Are you still in the prime of your life racing the seniors 13thfloormonk? They only use the 80% rule for UCI categories, not V40 and above.
Hmm, £38 entry fee plus the cost of a racing license. I think I remember doing this maths last time and deciding against. Plus it seems like you're not guaranteed an entry, so although I guess you would get your entry fee refunded you've still paid for the racing license... Only reason I'm still tempted is that it's the only race this year when my son and I both get to race in our respective categories without a six hour wait in between!
I had a tough race, a bad choice of grid position and poor start meant I got squeezed towards the gate post and then got stuck in the train downhill. It took a good 3 laps before I started to relax and corner better but by then I was in a gap on my own.
I'm impressed you're worrying about grid position and starts, I don't think I'm good enough yet that it matters, I don't even get gridded! 😆 I do seem to move up pretty fast though, people seem too polite at the start and it seems quite easy just to cut through the pack. Not sure if I need to dig deeper and try and stick with a bunch further up-field or not, but I need to work on my warm-ups first, I tend to start fast, fade badly, consider stepping off, recover, finish strong. Need to work on that third lap dip!
Me and the boy cp racing this weekend at the first round of the Notts and Derby league. He's super excited!
I've been that distracted building his first 'proper' road/cx bike and supporting him doing events that I may have neglected my own prep, but that gives me a nice excuse for being at the back.
Don't build the bike the day before the race, Don't build the bike the day before the race, Don't build the bike the day before the race, Don't build the bike the day before the race, Don't build the bike the day before the race....
oh.
Plus it seems like you're not guaranteed an entry, so although I guess you would get your entry fee refunded you've still paid for the racing license...
Fields in the Masters 40+ NT races have been abysmal in the last couple of years, so I don't think there's much chance of you missing out.
I'm impressed you're worrying about grid position and starts, I don't think I'm good enough yet that it matters
I'm firmly mid pack but it definitely matters. Sure its the same elsewhere but most of our courses have a pinch point quite early. Really important to get there as quick as possible or you can be loosing loads of time. This weekend I failed to notice padded fence post of the left where the track thinned. I'm not keen on getting squeezed in the middle after an incident a few years ago and thought I was being clever taking the high left line, till the comms pointed out the post! My warm ups are massively compromised at the moment as pitting for daughter in the race before. Need to work on this....
Plus it seems like you're not guaranteed an entry, so although I guess you would get your entry fee refunded you've still paid for the racing license...
Fields in the Masters 40+ NT races have been abysmal in the last couple of years, so I don't think there's much chance of you missing out.
I think I'm seeing why, £37 to enter, £50 for British Cycling membership and £40 for the racing licence. Somewhat discouraging to the have-a-go heroes 🙄
Very much so. I already had BC membership but coughed the race license fee to try the Clanfield NT last year, it was discounted IIRC because of being right at the end of its validity period.
I saw in the regulations that there was a £10 'surcharge' on the day for turning up without a valid licence. I would gladly take that hit but it seems a bit of a risky ploy!
That's largely moot nowadays, anyone who is a BC 'member' or above gets a provisional racing licence which covers them for league-level events. For NTs you need a full racing licence, the day licence isn't applicable and it would (or should, this is BC we're talking about) get picked up on entering the event.
IIRC you can't enter on the online system unless you have a full race license.
Bit of a plug for a pal who's just released a series of CX coaching vids. Like & Subscribe!
Cyclocross Fundamentals ep1: Momentum & Grip
Hmm, £38 entry fee plus the cost of a racing license.
The first round of the Welsh series is fairly local to me, at Pembrey on Sunday. It's £19, which is reasonable enough, plus £8.50 for parking, which isn't. It's also forecast to be torrential rain for most of the day, there's no entry on the line and BC online entry closes tomorrow. Also, two members of my family and several colleagues have been in bed with a bug within the last week. All separately, obviously. I hope.
I've raced so many times over the years that I know I don't need to do this event, but if I don't then I'm unlikely to do another race this year. The second race is two hours drive away in Hereford (in England!) and there are only five events listed so far. If I miss out the first two events, I'm unlikeley to be bothered with the wetter and colder last three.
I should man up, it will only be 50 minutes of suffering through a typhoon!
The first round of the Welsh series is fairly local to me, at Pembrey on Sunday. It's £19, which is reasonable enough, plus £8.50 for parking, which isn't. It's also forecast to be torrential rain for most of the day, there's no entry on the line and BC online entry closes tomorrow. Also, two members of my family and several colleagues have been in bed with a bug within the last week.
This is why my wife gets annoyed with me getting all excited about CX season again, I've missed pretty much every third race I've entered over the last 5-6 years due to various things, usually minor tweaks, injures or bugs. Glad to support local organisers though @ the occasional £20 a pop.
Not a fan of the BC/National Trophy model though, unless they're already over-subscribed with the serious fast boys and girls, why put off the weekend warriors? I guess maybe the extra cost of putting on a national level event needs covered..
Not a fan of the BC/National Trophy model though, unless they're already over-subscribed with the serious fast boys and girls, why put off the weekend warriors? I guess maybe the extra cost of putting on a national level event needs covered..
Race numbers are down across the board in cycling events afaik - (along with every other IRL social activity one could name). Fees for these national events may need a recalibration if the days of over-subscription are long gone. Saying that, you do see some great courses - I've only done a few and some (not all) were really good, which is what you are looking for I guess.
It is steep in context of cross racing, but still feels pretty reasonable (imho) compared to events at the more casual end of cycling.
