There's a cross race next weekend and I fancy taking part but aside from not having any cycling fitness (although did a marathon a fortnight ago) my new cross bike doesn't arrive until wednesday and just sold my old one so no bike to get some miles in before the race. I'd be doing it ss so not like going to get a good result anyway but still, it'd be my first cross race and don't want to be pointed and laughed at (too much)
ta
You'll be fine. I came third last once and had a great time. No on laughed - at least not to my face 😉
You'd get **** all fitness in a week.
Just have a few spins on it to get used to the handling and go for it, you won't be last.
Sprint up a few hills until you cough your lungs up, that should sort of get you acclimatised.
No you'll be alright (stifles laugh)
You could enter the novice race, but I wouldn't bother.
Everyone rolls out together in the seniors, from Elites to old ladies on Go-Ride. After a few laps you'll probably find you're lapping at the same times as a few other riders. If that's the case then you'll probably find yourself in your own little race with them to the end.
I usually end up shoulder to shoulder with the same blokes each week, makes for an exciting last lap - unless you fumble the re entry into your pedals after the last set of hurdles!
what the others said, you'll be fine*!
* as in suffering as much as anyone else
Yeah...I turned up to my first ever cross race to find myself rubbing shoulders with someone from Trek UK and a bunch of the Kinesis guys...it was around that time that I thought "Hmm...I'm in over my head here..."
Despite that I had a great time, even if it was incredibly painful and embarrassing, the only tip I'd pass on is to keep an ear out for 'the fast men' coming up behind you and getting the hell out of the way. It's just polite to, I think anyway.
yeah i meant to get familiar with the bike rather than actual fitness
cool looks like i'll be pissing £15 against a wall to inflict some serious pain on myself 🙂
Be aware of the strange time zones encountered in cross i.e the first five minutes of a race equate to forty five in normal time
What's go-ride? I've been waitlisted 🙄 for a race- in go-ride, apparently- organiser said he presumed I was on an mtb, which I wouldn't be- there's no silly rules about bike types are there?
I think I will do the night 'cross at this weekends BMBS at Newnham. I ride to work and singlepeed or downhill twice a week, not really 'training' for a cross race I think! I fully expect to repeat my last performance of 3rd to last. It just makes the other racers feel faster: "Hey Bruce, I'm so frickin' awesome I lapped one rider 5 times! I think a bout of celebratory onanism is in order!"
Just remember it isn't easier for fitter riders, they just go faster!!
Just do it, what's the worst that could happen?
Turned up to my 1st ever 'cross race last year to find Nick Craig & Paul Oldham racing! Got lapped about 3 times but still had plenty of battles with other folk towards the tail end of the field.
i raced last weekend, after having 10 pints and a curry the night before,and to add to that, i have no fitness, and was on a new bike. i struggled round, felt sick for most of it, but was smiling inside for the whole hour, can wait for the next one!
Manchester Trev - Member
i raced last weekend, after having 10 pints and a curry the night before,and to add to that, i have no fitness, and was on a new bike. i struggled round, felt sick for most of it, but was smiling inside for the whole hour, can wait for the next one!
And you still beat me you cock 🙂
I've been doing quite a bit of training through Summer and still came 54th out of 62 last weekend. 🙁
Just go and see what happens.
Ha Ha, im sure you will get your revenge at Horwich mate 😉
julianwilson - Member
I think I will do the night 'cross at this weekends BMBS at Newnham.
Good lad. Should be wicked fun.
I'm doing my first on Sunday at Crickhowell School. First event of the season in the South Wales league. Can't wait to give it a go, but I'm not expecting much. If I'm not last I'll be happy.
I've never once tried to mount and dismount quickly or on the move. Should prove 'interesting'. No idea what the course is like. Should I expect steps, boards, bombholes etc?
And now I've decided to throw a few pints into the mix by going out to watch the rugby in the pub tonight. Just to make things difficult for myself tomorrow!
I'll be at Crickhowell tomorrow on a blue 29er singlespeed, got bugger all fitness and a dodgy arm so should be interesting. Never ridden cross before either...
My CX bike is doing the BMBS at Newnham without me, I'm doing a night shift instead 🙄 Good luck Dave Poole.
I've always fancied doing the Macc supacrosss its held 500 yards from my house but i'm usually away at Christmas and I'd definary come last and break the world record for number times being lapped by Nick Craig and liam Killeen, which I already hold from Enduro 6 a few years back.
10 pints of lager seemed to do the trick. Started at the back and worked my way up gradually. Obveiously got lapped by number of riders, not sure how many times in total but I Was lapping at about 6:50. No idea on final position but I wasn't last and that's all I was hoping for.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/50591800
Great fun this cross lark, I'll be back for more.
so who does come last?
jam bo - Memberso who does come last?
I came second to last in seniors last night (attracting puzzlement bordering on mild scorn from the commentator for entering on a singlespeed mountain bike), a good 3/4 lap in front of one flustered looking man on a real crosser.
It was an excellent race, floodlit in the dark with a live rawk band and Steve (Shred mag) Toze dressed as Elvis handing out dollar bills with his face on them. 😆