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Clover - MemberYou need to come to God's own country. We have a winter and a summer season series ... it's great and not just playing fields.
There's also the 3 Peaks (entries closed now, try next year), Hell of the West and Mills Hills which promises to be great.
Not quite sure why I love cyclocross so much - it hurts *a lot* but when it's fast it's very fast and it makes me giggle.
I've done a few of these each summer for the past three years, mainly as a bloody hard training session. I just fit some rigid forks and some Schwalbe CX Pro tyres to my mtb and make do. There's always a few mtbs in the field, although there's a very distinct disadvantage if it's sodden/muddy. In the dry I'm usually lower mid-pack as the disadvantage lessens. School playing fields are the usual venue, so you get to see more of the long jump pits than I ever did whilst doing PE!! If you check out the results sections you might spot that a well-known (around these parts), Todmorden-based mtb magazine editor likes his regular cx fix too....
Lol I would but I don't want to get my road bike dirty 🙂
As for the strava digs - plenty of racers do it, better than just thinking you were faster.
I'll push myself to big XC events (1-2 days) for the achievement but apart from that it's gravity for me. Off for mini dh this sunday 2 tracks BBQ (no uplift) for about £15 can't complain (weather not included)
you being a sponsored pro 'an all....
Yes, I was sponsored in the past, how did you know?
well we have ridden together Dibbs, though some years ago now, so it's quite conceivable i would have known.
sorry, i just get a bit sick of the 'you lot on here' statement. maybe the stereotype fits too well? i certainly can't ride for shit. put it down to me being tired and emotional. 😉
plenty of racers do it, better than just thinking you were faster.
Strava's been debated to death, but let's just say that if you're fast over 45 minutes you'll be fast over 5 minutes too.
1) it seems i'd need a cyclocross bike
2) i haven't got a cyclocross bike
3) the courses do look a bit dull, and everyone seemed to get off and run/walk the interesting bits
4) i reckon i'll buy a cyclocross bike and find out for myself...
Er.. no you don't need a cross bike. In theory any bike. I've seen some old boy on a tourer with a pannier rack riding around the field
If you check out the results sections you might spot that a well-known (around these parts), Todmorden-based mtb magazine editor likes his regular cx fix too....
Not just that, he also organises the Tod one (next one December 30th). It's all his fault that I'm a believer...
Probably trailed around in your wake a few times Sanity Assassin as I am proud if I get above lower third - I managed six of the summer series this year.
I think I do it because I don't try that hard or go that fast under any other circumstances and I think it's made me go faster in general.
crotchrocket - Memberis the answer "it's for roadies who want to be different and arn't actually competitive on a road bike"?
For clarity: I don't beleive this, I overheard it in a conversation on the interwebs
The guys I know who Cross can regularly knock out 21 min or faster 10 mile TT's and do all sorts of (road) racing. Age ranges from early 30's to mid 50's.
I've never done a cross as a) I'm too lazy, b) I don't have the requisite competitive spirit and c) don't want my legs ripped off and shoved down my throat for 60 mins of 'fun'.
considering this:
The guys I know who Cross can regularly knock out 21 min or faster 10 mile TT's and do all sorts of (road) racing. Age ranges from early 30's to mid 50's.
and other comments much along the same lines, it seems i need to add a point 3b) to my earlier comment...
3b) it does sound like i'd have my ar53 handed to me on a plate
Cross seems very popular to me at the moment. Fields have been getting larger and larger. It's a really good way of racing because you can go your own pace and with the fact that it's in laps you are always involved.
The downside is that it's a day out for an hours riding round a park.
1). Generally the races are when it's cold or wet or both
2). They are very well publicised
3). A lot of people don't enjoy the direct competition thing (as in don't think the popularity of Strava is an indication of how many competitive people there are out there)
4). A lot of the courses are pretty dull (especially on an MTB)
5). To be competitive you have to train specifically for it (as in high intensity stuff)
I used to race cross in the off season as a junior but never really enjoyed it, mostly due to 1 & 5 above. At that age anyway I found it difficult to have fun at a race unless I was vaguely competitive (as in not getting lapped all the time), might be a bit different now if riding one with mates (and the ones where there's short-cuts involving alcohol are especially appealing).
I think point 1 is what ultimately limits the sport more, although it doesn't stop the Belgians I guess (although they don't have many other options :p ).
Why isn't cyclocross more popular?
Or killing puppies? Or smashing your balls with a hammer? Or riding road bikes off road? Oh...
CX - work of the devil. Want to ride off road? Buy a mountain bike.
Rode MTB for last 12 years, bought a road bike 4 years back, and then built a cheap cross bike up as a little project. Done 2 races recently at Hetton, got absolutely blitzed by old & young. Just great fun, welcoming people, £5 to ride, good singletrack course which varied every week. I'm 43 and never raced owt in my life, just a challenge to see how I get on, reckon I'm hooked already. Try it!
Most of the sports I enjoy are run out of a village hall or gazebo in a cold field - cross country, cx and fell racing - and I rather think that's the way I like it. Few quid to enter, most of the money handed straight back as prizes. Fell racing even has a constitutional aim not to make itself more popular. How un 21st century is that?
In answer to the OP because it hurts like hell, similar to cross country running so is avoided by the vast majority!
I on the other hand love cross country running and racing through mud until my eyeballs pop 🙂
Fell racing even has a constitutional aim not to make itself more popular. How un 21st century is that?
Yup, long live the FRA 🙂 There rationale is that anyone who wants to be cold, lost and exhausted on the edge of a cliff and enjoys it will naturally find their way to the FRA and join.
CX - work of the devil. Want to ride off road? Buy a mountain bike.
that's the thing.. I do.. but if i want to race xc then i'd have to travel quite a way. xc racing isn't as accessible as cx i'd say. The fact you can set up a course on a local park is bonus for me.
I disagree that you need to be fit to enjoy it. I did my 1st cx race a few years ago and the field was made up of all types of guys and gals. Came 20th i reckon and was still grinning at the end of it. Did some road racing the following year and did another cx race and came 6th. Still the same level of enjoyment
tricky il be doing the hengrove races untill i get a car next year and can get to the others,got my tricross built up last month tis great fun at a/c and really get some wierd looks going on from other riders that dont understand what u really can do on a cross bike
oviosley as with any new toy its getting more use than my mtbat the mo but its just nice and easy to ride there get muddy and ride home on
really looking forward to my first cx race 😀
I enjoy cyclo-cross racing. Having bought a cross bike last year and ridden a few races I will be back for more this year.
It is not mountain biking, it is more akin to road circuit racing, but on more interesting off-road terrain. A hard workout and great fun.
Anyone in the Wilts/Hants/Oxford area should give the Wessex Cyclo-Cross races a go. A nice mix of courses, all events well organised.
[url= http://www.wessexcx.co.uk ]Wessex CX Website[/url]
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