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Well as things conspired I was out of Wales and up in the Fens on the weekend, my mates whom I had ridden with as a team in the great fun FoD enduro had mentioned about doing the local CX race in Bourne Woods. I agreed and drove up there after the stag do I was at in Newmarket on Saturday. As a complete rookie to CX racing my bike prep consisted of removing the reflectors and lights from my cyclescheme Tricross commuter bike, fitting a couple of ebay special tyres (panaracer cindercross up front and Schwalbe CX-pro out back) and filling my water bottle.
I had an absolute hoot. Managed to keep it up enough to get 5 laps of the 2.7 mile course in and wasn't even the last person in!
The course was great and I have to say I am going to look at the local Welsh league races to have some more fun locally.
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Just really to say, for anyone fancying something to spur you on or give you something different to ride, do it. My mates were riding a Giant Trance, a Dialled Alpine and an early 90s S-Works Stumpjumper.
Good stuff.
I recently did an MTB sportive in the New Forest on a crosser I bought from here as a way to 'ease' into things.
Had a total blast. Flat, easy ground with stunning scenery.
Am going to practise a bit more before I take on the full madness of a race and those hurdle things.
How can all of the worst elements of XC racing be so much fun? Pretty much out of action this year due to appalling fitness (new baby, new job) but looking forward to a couple of select, fun events in the SW league.
I did my first cross race on my mtb. Did the job fine and I managed not to come last.
Fill your boots with the Welsh League! I was going well yesterday at Brecon until I punctured on the 2nd to last lap!
Well done on your first race. It's completely addictive.
I did my first last season, there was only 2 including me from the club racing them. This season we have at least half a dozen, sometimes more in every race, and a bundle of kids doing the kids races. Everyone loves it for some stupid reason.
Lets see how many are still there come the cold weather, the mud and the non stop cleaning of bikes.
Popped my cherry on Sunday too and loved it. I came 33rd out of 54 starters so I'm really chuffed. My goal was to not come last.
I have another race tonight and I can't wait. 😀
You avoided the psycho deer then?
nomakoman - MemberYou avoided the psycho deer then?
Came round as the four guys were picking themselves up and the deer had just gone. Not quite what you would expect.
Lets see how many are still there come the cold weather, the mud and the non stop cleaning of bikes.
I'm looking forward to the 'proper' CX weather 🙂
Western League 'regular' here (I do the one's I can ride to). We have a good time fighting it out for the vets, always get lapped but like you say you can still have a good race even if it's 'only' for 30th place.
We're missing you Chas this year tho 🙁
Came round as the four guys were picking themselves up and the deer had just gone. Not quite what you would expect.
certainly not....my brother only just missed it, had to take to the undergrowth to get round it apparently! seems deer etc.. are uniting against cyclists the world over! 😆
Mulletus Maximus where you racing tonight...? race report for sunday and tonight?
Muddy hell this weekend looks quality but its too far into london so gona give reading cx a go, need some more cx novices to go or i suspect a last position for me 🙂
Lets see how many are still there come the cold weather, the mud and the non stop cleaning of bikes.
Last years Vets national champs. Minus twelve and six inches of snow
You dont know man, you weren't there
I came 19th just in case you didn't hear me mention it the first million times 🙄
Did my first one with Mulletus Maximus on Sunday in Basingstoke. Forced out with a blow out (ripped sidewall!) on the second lap, but enjoyed the push and shove of the first lap.
Glad the Vets were in with the Juniors and Women as the field was bigger (easier to hide). Pleasantly surprised how many were still behind me when i went out.
Race no. 2 in Reading this weekend.
p.s. @ dobo - MM is racing in GWR league in Swindon tonight.
rusty thanks for the info, shame about the blowout. good to hear from other new cx racing. I was torn between basingstoke cx and gorrick tunnel hill on mtb, which i did in the end and was a fantastic course.
i'll have to check out swindon though.
I'm at reading as well no doubt ill stick out as i'll be hiding at the back.
Yep, the GWR league last night. They are every Tuesday night and they are part of a 10 race series, but there only 3 rounds left. Good little course around floodlit playing fields with a single track section at each end. There's only one race which starts at 7.30pm and it's a mixed cat race.
dodo, what category will you be racing in? Are you the guy who was on the Giant cx at Phil's Swinley meet last winter?
I was torn between basingstoke cx and gorrick tunnel hill on mtb
We had a guy from our club do the mountain bike race then came and did the cx race too. As you can imagine he suffered quite a bit in the cx race!
Opps, double tap.
For a long time I've wondered whether the invention of Cyclocross by a breed of hardy Pennine cycle enthusiast sheep farmers back in the mists of time for traversing their fields and rounding up livestock was merely a myth.
But today I have proved that it can actually be done. I rounded up 60 unruly Shetland ewes with a combination of tight uphill zigzags (to collect the sheep into a flock) and long, wet grassy slides downhill (to push them towards the gate). There were a few sprints to chase stragglers and bingo! All sheep moved field. Just like our ancient forbears...
mulletus swindon at night sounds a laugh but doubt ill make it to one. i was at swinley last winter on kinesis cx, was fun.
usually race open cat mid pack on mtb, which will probably put me at the back of senior in cx.
what cat you and ruty in at reading?
We're both in Vets. I'm still only 39 but qualify for vets because of the year I was born in which probably make me the youngest rider in that cat. Doesn't help me though as I'm still rubbish.