the Cyclo cross racing post

VamP

Hillingdon results are now up http://www.centralcxl.org.uk/sites/default/files/u5/Archer%20Senior.pdf

77th overall and 23rd Vet. The Vet field alone numbered 78 :shock:

The race is now on as to whether my new mud tub wheels will get here before the Brighton race on Sunday That's a total win-win, as if they get here then it's awesome, and if they don't I can use their absence as an excuse for my poor showing

andyp

You'll be 24th Vet once I get included in the results.

Judging from who finished where I ought to be in the low 40s somewhere.

VamP

Bummer

It would be amazing if there weren't major reshuffles, given how much confusion reigned with the different number sets.

Where have they got you now?

andyp

I'm not listed at all! I was with Phil Murrell and Cameron Fraser for the first couple of laps, got baulked my a back marker and then spent the rest of the race chasing that group. They must've been 30 seconds or so ahead of me at the finish, so that would put me around 45th.

hammerite

I finished 80th at Hillingdon (or 81st when Andy's result gets added). Seems I was punching above my weight on the first lap and paid for it on the second. Although I can't see why I would be a minute slower on the 2nd lap than any of the others.

Well done at Oxford David, I ran the mounds early on in our race there as I thought it would be quicker (and less likely to come a cropper - the OH who was watching said quite a few did), I rode it the last few laps and found that I was wrong, I'd have been quicker to ride. Shame we didn't get to ride the woods section, I was looking forward to that.

DavidBelcher

hammerite wrote:

I finished 80th at Hillingdon (or 81st when Andy's result gets added). Seems I was punching above my weight on the first lap and paid for it on the second. Although I can't see why I would be a minute slower on the 2nd lap than any of the others.

Well done at Oxford David, I ran the mounds early on in our race there as I thought it would be quicker (and less likely to come a cropper - the OH who was watching said quite a few did), I rode it the last few laps and found that I was wrong, I'd have been quicker to ride. Shame we didn't get to ride the woods section, I was looking forward to that.

The woddland section was a bit of a mixed bag and not an easy ride - plenty of tree roots plus pot-holes hiding under the copious amounts of dead leaves!

David

andyp

andyp wrote:

I'm not listed at all! I was with Phil Murrell and Cameron Fraser for the first couple of laps, got baulked my a back marker and then spent the rest of the race chasing that group. They must've been 30 seconds or so ahead of me at the finish, so that would put me around 45th.

I've been credited with 45th. None of the line judges noted by number at the finish so I was assumed to have dropped out on the last lap (as I'd been recorded for the rest of the race).

FransJacques

That's a pity Andy and I know that the number of riders involved shouldn't be an excuse, but it's still gutting.

Hope to see you this Sunday. For anyone wanting to know what a muddy Stanmer Park looks like, look no further than this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpFIoOupq_A

I've not ridden it, is it quite climby like Hog Hill or even more so? Is it rough like Herne Hill or smoother like...uummmm...well, none are quite smooth are they but Chainhurst or Fowlmead aren't too bumpy.

VamP

andyp wrote:

andyp wrote:

I'm not listed at all! I was with Phil Murrell and Cameron Fraser for the first couple of laps, got baulked my a back marker and then spent the rest of the race chasing that group. They must've been 30 seconds or so ahead of me at the finish, so that would put me around 45th.

I've been credited with 45th. None of the line judges noted by number at the finish so I was assumed to have dropped out on the last lap (as I'd been recorded for the rest of the race).

Oh good. I mean, shame they missed you the first time round, but good that you've been placed ultimately.


Looking forward to Stanmer Park, not that I know what it's like, more that I look forward to every race that I am able to attend


Tubs arrived, and will be on the bike on Sunday :P

andyp

FransJacques wrote:

That's a pity Andy and I know that the number of riders involved shouldn't be an excuse, but it's still gutting.

Hope to see you this Sunday. For anyone wanting to know what a muddy Stanmer Park looks like, look no further than this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpFIoOupq_A

I've not ridden it, is it quite climby like Hog Hill or even more so? Is it rough like Herne Hill or smoother like...uummmm...well, none are quite smooth are they but Chainhurst or Fowlmead aren't too bumpy.

I'm not gutted, results have been revised and I'm listed as 45th. Still a bit behind you though!

http://www.centralcxl.org.uk/sites/defa ... Result.pdf

I'm racing on Sunday, but have no idea what Stanmer Park is like. One thing is for sure though, it isn't going to be muddy.

dulldave

Me and my mate John are filming our exploits in the Scottish CX Series. There's a bit of swearing in there but the actual cycling content should give an idea what the courses are like.

http://www.youtube.com/user/DigInMate

We'll be popping over to race one of the Ulster CX races as well as down to Carlisle for an NECX race too.

peejay78

video from the hengrove event today (towards the bottom of the blog post).

strong field featuring simon richardson, amongst others.

http://traumradfahren.wordpress.com/201 ... clo-cross/

petemadoc

Hello cross enthusiasts.

I'm just getting into cross racing and need some techy help. Roughly twice a race my chain drops off the little ring when going over bumpy bumpy sections. Is there anything that can stop/prevent this as I usually watch two or three riders go through while I put my chain back on :twisted:

Thanks

peejay78

take a link or two out?

andyp

Have you checked it's correctly adjusted?

If it is, then a chain catcher is a good idea. K-Edge do them, but they are quite expensive, but there are other, cheaper versions available;

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/k-edge-chain-catcher/

petemadoc

Would I be right in thinking this does the same thing

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=58049

Pseudonym

this does it even cheaper...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ONE-23-BIKE-C ... 641eed532c

petemadoc

Pseudonym wrote:

this does it even cheaper...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ONE-23-BIKE-C ... 641eed532c

Why thank you squire

hammerite

Pete - worth fitting one of those, but also worth making sure your chain is the right length as suggested by Andy and Peejay.

Anyone race Icknield yesterday, I enjoyed that. Some interesting tricky bits up and down the mounds, avoiding the metal fence. Did anyone not take a tumble at some point?

DavidBelcher

No racing for me yesterday, went to spectate at the National Trophy event instead as it was nice and local. Cracking weather too compared to the freezing cold NT race at Southampton last year. The speed & technical ability of the Elite guys was very impressive - in some ways motivational with one eye on the next Wessex League event, but at the same time the gulf in quality between me and them is rather depressing.....

David

Inovache

hammerite I rode Icknield. Great race and yes I stacked it on the tricky right turn in the warm up lap! Very frustrated now tho as I am not shown anywhere in the results. Does this sort of thing happen often? (second time in 4 races that I've had an issue with results)

cycles goff

Anyone ridden gunpowder park before - looks a bit flat and featureless - video on london cyclesport of the 2009 race looks a bit like a road race than a cross race. Can't decide whether to race next sunday or not.

hammerite

Inovache wrote:

hammerite I rode Icknield. Great race and yes I stacked it on the tricky right turn in the warm up lap! Very frustrated now tho as I am not shown anywhere in the results. Does this sort of thing happen often? (second time in 4 races that I've had an issue with results)

Shame you're not shown in the results, I've never had a problem with results, but I know they had difficulties at Hitchin and Hillingdon. E-mail Icknield and try and explain where you think you may have finished (who finished before/after you). Do the same with the other race you were missed out on too, you might end up doing enough races to get a league position (6 rounds).

Inovache

Cheers mate. It actually happened to me at Hitchin! I was shown a lap less than I did. That was sorted out quie quickly though. Re Luton, I've emailed the organiser yesterday and told him I believe I came in late 40s or early 50s. No reply yet though. I find this sort of thing very frustrating particularly after the effort we put in over the hour, although I do appreciate the difficulty organisers must have.

andyp

Inovache wrote:

I find this sort of thing very frustrating particularly after the effort we put in over the hour, although I do appreciate the difficulty organisers must have.

Let's not forget the efforts all the volunteers put in, totalling many, many hours, so you can race for an hour.

Unfortunately mistakes in the results are going to happen, so always try to remember who you're racing against and provide the organisers with as much detail as you can to assist them in giving you the correct result.

hammerite

I can understand that it's frustrating, but agree with Andy, lap counting isn't an easy job, I've only done it for kids races with 20 riders and that was bad enough. Even more difficult with 80+ riders.

My club's turn this weekend, hopefully we'll get it right. I'm on course setting duty on Saturday and Sunday so I can also get to ride.

DavidBelcher

hammerite wrote:

I can understand that it's frustrating, but agree with Andy, lap counting isn't an easy job, I've only done it for kids races with 20 riders and that was bad enough. Even more difficult with 80+ riders.

Back in February they had a computerised system for the London League final at Herne Hill with transponder tags that zip-tie on to your shoes. But renting such gadgets only adds to the list of pre-race tasks and expenditure for the organisers, so it's swings & roundabouts.

David

MikeWW

Anybody else doing the National Trophy Series?
Had only ever done half a season of cross but thought I would have a go in the vets. Certainly a step or 2 up on the local league (WMCCL) Great courses so far

hammerite

DavidBelcher wrote:

Back in February they had a computerised system for the London League final at Herne Hill with transponder tags that zip-tie on to your shoes. But renting such gadgets only adds to the list of pre-race tasks and expenditure for the organisers, so it's swings & roundabouts.

David

I did a road race at MK Bowl where they were trialling a RFID type system where a sticker went on your helmet, worked brilliantly and didn't leave a load of sticky crap on your helmet.

I don't think our race this weekend would be viable if we had to pay for chip timing though.

FransJacques

Anyone riding Kempton (near Bedford) this weekend in the Central League? Thinking of giving it a go. Anyone know what kind of course it is?

AndyP, good new$ I have $ome ca$h £or you £rom your £i£th place in the ve£$! It's not enuf to get you a tube of tubular glue necessarily but it's nice to be recognized. They didn't want anyone but you to take the emvelope but I told them I was best man at your wedding. :-) Well I didn't but I told them I'd see you again.