I’m also looking forward to the big race calendar this year, Sven’s last season and some young guns that have come of age sets things up for some fine racing. I’m hoping to make one race this year; Koppenburg or Hamme(my favourite race last year).
Also heard that Ian Bibby is thinking of returning this season, could hold some early form after a solid road season.

I think the one and only rule in Welsh League for bikes is ‘no bar ends’.

Nobody will bat an eyelid at a 29er, unless you do what John Pugh did a couple of times last season and win the race riding one.

If you mean cheap like £2.57 then I’m interested. Otherwise I’m out. 😀

Don’t know whether I can stretch that far.

And I’d need to buy two sherbert dibdabs, one for me, one for you. Not looking like an attractive deal…

Unless you’re riding a National level race or the 3 Peaks, then there’ll be absolutely no problem about entering on a 29er XC bike. Just make sure that if you do have bar ends to take them off. There are no “rules” except for higher ranked events where you must comply with UCI regulations – for league races there are no restrictions.
Please note that helmet/ harness/ bike mounted cameras are not permitted in CX races (unless you have specific dispensation from the governing body) – you will be asked to remove it before being allowed to start.

or simon richardson winning on a 26er in the western league

Si Richardson would’ve won on whatever bike he rode 😉

Anyone who was moaning about it probably needed reminding of that. Some people take it far too seriously. There was a guy who had a go at me for doing mince pie hand-ups at the Lockleaze round last year. No idea where he came, but the winner had 3…

Whaa?! no way. I thought the western league was fairly chilled

Clothing is restricted under the UCI/BC rules. How hard is to wear a plain top, can’t see how that doesn’t make it inclusive?

It is? I read it the other way, plain clothing and even stuff with a few minor manufacturers logo’s are fine, club/sponsor’s kits need to be a registered design…

I’m more interested in how rigidly enforced the 33mm tyre rule is.

I am curretly using 35mm on a pretty narrow rims, I’ll measure them to be sure they don’t come up narrow, but I don’t much fancy having to buy a new pair of tyres just to race on if I really don’t need to…

33mm tyre width only applies to National Level and above racing, if you’re doing local league racing it’ll be fine.

Just to press the obvious point home, that’s because a pro might arrive who actually races for that team. You might buy a replica jersey but that doesn’t entitle you to wear it in a proper race simply because you arent on that team. Ditto using club jerseys if you aren’t a member of that club.

I remember a friend who rode for Bynea CC arrived at a race to find Jez Hunt (iirc) on the start line. Unfortunately Hunt was racing for Banesto and Bynea had stolen their design, replacing the word Banesto with Bynea. Embarrassment ensued.

I suppose you could always wear a not acceptable jersey inside out .. it’s likely to get muddy anyway 🙂

pin a number to? 😆

Theres way more interest in my club this year than last for having a go a CX racing.
Speaking with mates last night I broached the question about whose coming to the 1st race on the 6th, out of about 25 of us well over half said they were. Wind back to last year and there would have only been me and a couple of others.

Some are just a bit bored of road riding all the time (none MTB, couple already CX) and fancied a blast. I think what did it was me and a couple of mates would turn up to the club filthy with a grin.

That an a few of the guys have taken advantage of lower cost of bikes this year (extended sales and such)

Because the riders are demanding it, plus it’s very difficult to manually judge a race with 200 riders flying round a 6-8min lap. Increased numbers = increased stress on the organising team.
Commentators have been mandatory at cat A races and above forever so it’s not a new thing.

erm, cyclocross is a real race. 😈

As it gets more popular there are more and more go cross races where these rules don’t count.

But if you do a regional race you are technically in the pyramid to nationals and worlds and some people there genuinely are so you need those rules. There are only 6 (?) naitonals a year so the regional races see a lot of properly good riders between times. And that’s what’s so great for me is that this is a real race and they let knackers in too! you get to hack around mid table at the same time as some real proper riders are duking out up front.

Totally get that, have ran an event for past few years and timing/scoring can be stressful, but once used to it paper and pen is reliable, easy and quick to get results, though my biggest field was only about 80.

CX isnt exactly suffering for attendees right now, but ive only been doing it a few years and most of the guys i raced with at the back of the field dont race anymore and my friends who raced occasionally cant afford the now £18+£3levy for a 50min race when they are struggling to makes ends. Instead the fields are filled with (joke example of an oft used stereotype) STWers arriving in their Audi with a cycle to work CX bike on the roof. Obviously this is not a bad thing and I love that more people are racing, but i dislike that costs driven off some of the people who have been doing it for years or blocking those who might have tried it.

What do you guys pay/charge for a senior race? (turning up on the day, no licence)

Do I need a BC licence or membership of any variety to race? I’d like to use my TriCross for something more than winter road riding