Silly Commuter Cyclo Cross Racing

cjcp
cjcp Posts: 13,345
edited August 2012 in Commuting chat
Anyone on here going to be doing any CX races this autumn/winter?

See here fyi: http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12736487

Am hoping to do a mix of Central and London League races.

This is worth a look :D : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQtBDUyG05w
FCN 2-4.

"What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
"It stays down, Daddy."
"Exactly."
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Comments

  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    Once I get used to the bike and find a way of being able to make the thing stop, then Im up for it ........Tho CJ sadly I dont think I could make it to your local ones :)
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Well done, ol' chap! When's the bike due?
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    cjcp wrote:
    Well done, ol' chap! When's the bike due?

    Had my first commute today :0) (The benefit of being so close to PX)

    Down the canal....mud everywhere, great fun....the brakes do seem to be getting a little better, if not i'll be happy sticking a rear disk on it.


    Sure this will make KB A happy chappy


    unclejohncyclcox.jpg
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • SimonAH
    SimonAH Posts: 3,730
    I believe I may give a race or.two a batter now that I'm CX'd up :-)

    I'll see what's on around here.
    FCN 5 belt driven fixie for city bits
    CAADX 105 beastie for bumpy bits
    Litespeed L3 for Strava bits

    Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    @Gaz - 8)

    @Simon - check out the cyclo-cross calendar on the BC website, specifically the Welsh League. I did a race just off North Road, by the Taff Trail, organised by one of the Cardiff clubs. Registration and parking was in Mainly Pool car park. Absolute blast. Stacked it a good number of times. But look at other leagues, too, as they may have races close to you eg Bristol. As an example, the Central and London leagues both hold races at the.same circuit.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • SimonAH
    SimonAH Posts: 3,730
    Cheers CJ i'll check it out.

    Need to work on the fluid dismount/mount combo though. My bunnyhopping skills got.left back in the late 80's :(
    FCN 5 belt driven fixie for city bits
    CAADX 105 beastie for bumpy bits
    Litespeed L3 for Strava bits

    Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Just looking at the BC calendar now. There's a race in Cwmbran on 18 September, starting at 12.15. Cardiff Jif are organising it.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Si - I may be doing the race at Cwmcarn on 2 Oct. Need to make sure I have the car for that w/e. May enter the eldest daughter in the U10 race too. :)
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • SimonAH
    SimonAH Posts: 3,730
    Haha! You know what? Oct.sounds awesome and.the mini AH's islabike is crossworthy too..... Doubledate?
    FCN 5 belt driven fixie for city bits
    CAADX 105 beastie for bumpy bits
    Litespeed L3 for Strava bits

    Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    SimonAH wrote:
    Haha! You know what? Oct.sounds awesome and.the mini AH's islabike is crossworthy too..... Doubledate?

    Sounds like a plan! The junior race starts at 10.30am, old farts like us off at 12.15pm.

    OT, but I was looking at the Islabikes website last night to see when my eldest could get a cross/road bike from there. :D
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • SimonAH
    SimonAH Posts: 3,730
    Calendar marked.
    FCN 5 belt driven fixie for city bits
    CAADX 105 beastie for bumpy bits
    Litespeed L3 for Strava bits

    Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Tidy.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Have entered this:

    http://www.riderhq.com/events/knogmuddyhell

    Anyone else doing it?
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    I went and watched a race at thruxton last year and it put me off, I couldn't see the point of riding around a section of taped off grass when there's so much great forest and single track in this area.

    Then again I'm not a fan of circuit races either.
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • jzed
    jzed Posts: 2,926
    cjcp wrote:
    Have entered this:

    http://www.riderhq.com/events/knogmuddyhell

    Anyone else doing it?

    Saw they allow MTBs and was about to sign up until see its the missuses birthday - not that much of a risk taker.
  • spasypaddy
    spasypaddy Posts: 5,180
    i really wanted to do some CX this season but im injured :( whiplash from my accident 6 weeks ago still. and as a result of not being able to ride or run much it would be a pointless thing to do.

    maybe next year :(
    BMC TM01 - FCN 0
    Look 695 (Geared) - FCN 1
    Bowman Palace:R - FCN 1
    Cannondale CAAD 9 - FCN 2
    Premier (CX) - FCN 6
    Premier (fixed/SS) - FCN3
  • Clever Pun
    Clever Pun Posts: 6,778
    I like the idea of off roading but all this getting off the bike and running, just seems a bit rubbish
    Purveyor of sonic doom

    Very Hairy Roadie - FCN 4
    Fixed Pista- FCN 5
    Beared Bromptonite - FCN 14
  • gtvlusso
    gtvlusso Posts: 5,112
    @SimonAh and CJCP - wondering if I can come along and cheer you on.......

    **picks up phone to wife....
  • mkirby
    mkirby Posts: 365
    just checked the cal and theres one in the next town on the 23rd of oct. Will mostr definatly be doing that one.

    Last place here i come
  • Wrath Rob
    Wrath Rob Posts: 2,918
    CX bike reviews in this month's Cycling Plus...
    FCN3: Titanium Qoroz.
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    gtvlusso wrote:
    @SimonAh and CJCP - wondering if I can come along and cheer you on.......

    **picks up phone to wife....

    Splendid. The more the merrier.

    @mkriby - I came fourth or fifth from last in my first race. :D
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    Wrath Rob wrote:
    CX bike reviews in this month's Cycling Plus...

    Yup that's the time of year
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • SimonAH
    SimonAH Posts: 3,730
    Well folks, CJCP and I raced. More accurately CJCP came fairly well in the field whereas I singularly failed to complete the race :oops:

    Race started at 12:15 in blazing sunshine, it was HOT with a capital HOT, yet the course was still muddy as a riverbank for half it's length......go figure (hasn't rained in a week around here at least).

    These guys are mad. Mad as stoats.

    Note to self;

    Get fitter (a lot) and don't assume that because it's been dry and hot that semi slick tyres are the way to go.....they are not :D I spent most of what little race I raced going sideways.

    Both our littlun's did pretty well considering too.

    A lot of fun' and I will do it again definitely, but on a cold day with knobblies I reckon!
    FCN 5 belt driven fixie for city bits
    CAADX 105 beastie for bumpy bits
    Litespeed L3 for Strava bits

    Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    That was AWESOME! And how bloody warm was that?! I was properly buggered at the end, though - thanks to Simon for walking the bike for me.

    I effectively rode single-speed in the 36t because I lost a cassette washer during the build process yesterday (what a shambles, that was), so the chain was slipping badly. My legs have never spun so fast in their life.

    The sight of Simon smoking a cigar and wearing a big smile (cf George Peppard in The A Team) not long before the end, and the big cheers/sledging from the family, lifted the spirits considerably. :lol:

    Having a beer or three tonight.

    Seriously recommend it to anyone wanting to give it a go. Start at the back, mind, if only for the fantastic gallows humour.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    PS: good to meet you, Simon, and, yep, the kids did really well.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • SimonAH
    SimonAH Posts: 3,730
    At CJCP

    Photos from the day emailed Sir, three emails because socking great file sizes.
    FCN 5 belt driven fixie for city bits
    CAADX 105 beastie for bumpy bits
    Litespeed L3 for Strava bits

    Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Anyone racing at Muddy Hell tomorrow night?
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    cjcp wrote:
    Anyone racing at Muddy Hell tomorrow night?

    Two visits from the PF on the same tyre within three laps, so a DNF.

    In other, more shocking news, the canti brakes seemed to work. :shock:
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • tgotb
    tgotb Posts: 4,714
    Bit late to the game, but bike should be finished in a couple of weeks; just need hubs to turn up and I can get on with building the wheels. Then I'll need to spend a few hours learning how to ride/mount/dismount, and should be good to go :-)
    Pannier, 120rpm.
  • Gussio
    Gussio Posts: 2,452
    Have been invited to race at an event on the Hillingdon circuit at the end of this month, which I still might do if they'll let me use a rigid fork MTB. Got me thinking and I'm wavering over a significantly reduced Alu CX frameset.

    I've never done any CX. Have no idea whether there is a world of CX componentry out there. Do you need special wheels, cranks, bars, stem, etc.? Think that the frame I'm looking at is discounted because it has canti mounts and since discs are now (I think) legal there is less demand for non-disc specific frames. Have no issues with canti - I run CR720s with Koolstop pad on the Pompino and they are fine (on the road).

    Quite like the idea of a new project - it will give me a break from restoring an old Dawes townbike, which has made zero progress this year. Can't afford or justify (to Mrs Gussio) the purchase of a complete new bike. Is CX the way to go?

    Does anyone ride these races SS? If not, what sort of gearing might you expect, road compact or MTB triple?. Anything else that needs considering?

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