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Cheers Jon, no not coming for curry, might make xmas eve ride if there is one?
Numbers in seniors seemed lower than last year too - still 40 odd most races though. I don't mind the prices but think we just need consistnency, if we're using chips then lets have them every race and keep prices constant
We had the last race of the series in this part of Germany last weekend in Chemnitz. It is the tradional last race of the series and is a pretty technical course. This year even more so as they had to change a large part of it becuase of building work in the outdoor velodrome. It was an absolute mud fest and one of the guys from my team managed to win it on a singlespeed cross bike with the third place also a singlespeed...that's how muddy it was. I managed to roll part of my rear tub off the rim but still was able to finish 9th. Here is a video of the first lap if anyone is interested.
I don't mind the prices but think we just need consistnency,
That probably says it better than I have! See you on Xmas eve - it's on the forum, it'll be a Rob classic. (People being washed away in swollen rivers, overgrown footpaths and MUD!) 9.30 at Bishopston Community Centre, I think but check the details.
Rode Crossmass V40. Nice course but I had a pinch flat on Lap 2 riding down the bridge due to the rungs! Rode a lap with a flat front tyre, including descending the steep side of the bridge (on the rim!), caught a lip and went down hard, so discretion being the better part of valour, I bailed after two laps. Looking at the results, my hope of a top 20 place was well-founded 🙁 .
Probably won't ride any more as unlikely to register four finishes. Need some tubeless or tubs I guess. Bah! At least yesterday's road races went better.
Tired, sorry I missed you and there were a lot of punctures and mechanicals. I went for pre-planned bike swaps for the first time ever which seemed to pay off. 8th in V40 but took points for 7th. Literally just bought some tubs (as in collected off the seller at Berko).
aP it was a very breathless "Hi are you aP off singletrack?!" Through the off camber up-downs, then had to dive into pits right after V40 for the women's race so couldn't make a proper introduction. Hope the bridge didn't cause you too many headaches!
Was there yesterday too, keeping the bottom half of the senior field warm. Really enjoyed the course. The bridge definitely added some interest.
I'll spare you the details from Welsh League round 11 since the course was obviously dire and the race was too expensive. It was all so badly organised and overpriced I was surprised when anyone apart from me showed up.
Interestingly, BC were there testing bikes for mechanical doping.
I'll spare you the details from Welsh League round 11 since the course was obviously dire and the race was too expensive. It was all so badly organised and overpriced I was surprised when anyone apart from me showed up.
😀
Interestingly, BC were there testing bikes for mechanical doping.
😯
David-Jey was that at Mountain Ranch? Famous for it being HORRENDOUSLY muddy. I'm still unsure how the Welsh league works? How are some rounds chip but others aren't and therefore the pricing varies as does on line entering? It seems a whack way of working.
Central league you always have to pre enter before midnight Tuesday the week before the race £16 (15 plus BC £1 fee on everything) if you have affiliated to the league or £17.50 otherwise. IF you enter on the day I think it is about £20.
We have chip timing at every race with LIVE racing results, which is fab. Crashtestmonkey loved watching me on line have a battle at a race a few weeks ago!
I heard rumors there was a Welsh race on 31st December is this correct? Where and do I need to enter online?
I'm still unsure how the Welsh league works?
We all line up at the start and pedal (or occasionally run) as fast we can until somebody wins.
Ha ha thanks for that there wee input 😉 I meant as in some races are chipped others aren't, prices vary, online entry varies.
some races are chipped others aren't, prices vary, online entry varies
And the problem with this is.....? It's as simple as: check BC website, find race, either enter in advance or turn up with a tenner* if its entry on the day. Checking directions to a venue I've not been to before, or deciding how many pairs of gloves to pack, causes me more logistical headaches.
Given that you race central league, why are you even so bothered how welsh league is run?!
*all unchipped races are still consistently a tenner, which is very good value compared to what other bikes races/events cost.
There is no problem. It was a valid question. Sorry I struck a nerve there I thought it was a valid question as they all work differently. I was interested in Welsh league as I raced that CX league back in the 90's and it hadn't changed much so it was just a query, as it wasn't easy to follow. Don't worry I shall leave it there and ask someone else about 31st instead. Thanks.
Crashtestmonkey- yes, that was me, i heard you gasp it then you were off.... I was out with the trainee comm to see how the course was riding out there. Was a long day yesterday, got there at 7:40, left at 4...
We had a lot of discussion over the bridge.
david jey - MemberI'll spare you the details from Welsh League round 11 since the course was obviously dire and the race was too expensive. It was all so badly organised and overpriced I was surprised when anyone apart from me showed up.
Interestingly, BC were there testing bikes for mechanical doping.
😆 Someones feeling a bit grumpy about cross season ending!
Course looked fun in the pictures. Strava suggests you had a good result?
Can't believe the bike checking, guess they had some new toys and wanted to test them. Probably get more results breathalising this time of year!
Ferrals come across the border! We have 3 central league, 2 Wessex league and Western league love
Crossed
not sure about the dolls head...
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Given that you race central league, why are you even so bothered how welsh league is run?!
because she's Welsh, has a Welsh club (of which she was one of the founding members) as a second claim, and was 3rd Senior female in the Welsh National Champs? Is everyone involved in the Welsh League so defensive and reluctant to take feedback? We'll be competing in races hosted by 5 different Leagues this year, so are interested to compare and contrast how different leagues run. Weirdly some of them even [i]invite[/i] feedback in order to develop and improve 🙄
We had a lot of discussion over the bridge.
The feedback on the FB page is overwhelmingly positive, but there were a few crashes one of which created a logjam in the womens/V50 race and I can see it being a real concern if you were responsible for safety. I hope they include it next year, though I can see the steep side being made more shallow.
HAhahaha, that's brilliant 🙂
Just to clarify: I'm not involved in the Welsh League, by which I mean I don't lift a finger to help with running things. I just turn up and race.
I do however appreciate that an awful lot of folk do an awful lot of running around to make these races happen, and they are doing it for the love of the sport and not much other reward. And when that's the case, these people deserve praise and (bearing in mind that they are working with limited resources and time, and therefore an appreciation that not every detail might be perfect) constructive criticism. A lot of what I've seen on here, and elsewhere, recently isn't exactly what I'd call constructive criticism.
Up in the NE have two leagues. CXNE and NECCL. The former is BC, chip timed, gridded and very professionally run on courses that meet all the official design criteria. The latter (of which I'm secretary and organise a race) is far more informal. Courses are marked just enough, we use singletrack and mtb tracks when appropriate. Griding is based on reputation. Run under the TLI this makes it far cheaper. £10 for a licence. £7 per race. Get 5 from 8 rounds in and you get a finishers prize. Rather than have big prizes for league and race winners we re distribute the income from the year to all who raced. It normally covers your entry fee to 3 races.
Could be an option for others wanting informal racing. I think there are just over 20 CX races in the NE through the season. CXNE, NECCL a couple of one offs and a round of the nationals. Some superp talent coming through on the back of this! One of the CXNE juniors won the Koppenberg CX!
https://www.velouk.net/2016/11/01/news-win-for-mein-at-koppenberg/
A lot of what I've seen on here, and elsewhere, recently isn't exactly what I'd call constructive criticism.
all fair points and appreciate you defending their hard work, but M-C was asking genuine Qs about the league, not bashing it (she's planning to come back for a NYE race there when I'm working, hence the Q). We have full chip timing in both local leagues (we overlap Central and Wessex regions) this year, they are managed differently and Central has live timing online and on a laptop and flatscreen on-site which has proved very popular and saves the commies/organisers being badgered by 300 riders for their placing. We both raced the Welsh Nats, and we've also entered Tang's Lovecrossed and the Boxing Day race on Kenilworth Common in the Midlands so it's interesting to see what's done differently, what works better, how courses and fields compare etc.
Jonba we had a summer series this year which was pretty much a one-man-band organisation and 'low rent' - gridding was a free-for-all based on honesty and actually seemed to be good natured and self policing. The fields are small enough for it to be Juniors, Men, and women with no sub categories. It's on the same site but the course varies every week, and they usually manage to get the placings on FB before the next round. No BC points, no prizes, no league position just hot, dry, dusty racing.
OK so I'll answer the original question to the best of my knowledge: chip timing is in its infancy in Welsh League and this is the first year it's been used to any great extent (yes I know, 2005 called etc etc).
My understanding is that it has been left down to the individual organisers of each round whether they use chip timing or not. Welsh Cycling have their own chip timing system and so this has been used for some rounds, but some organisers have sourced their own timing provider.
It's been about a 60/40 split between chip timing and the judges writing numbers on a clipboard this season. Bar the odd teething problem (it took about 48 hours for the results to emerge for a couple of the chip-timed rounds) results have been available same day for the chip timed rounds.
That's my understanding too, I think GR considered it for MM, but as not everyone was using decided to hold fire.
Which New Year's Eve race? If you're talking about the GOwer Riders organised one at Penyrheol, please be aware it's a fun race, dont think we got results beyond 1st,second, third, think last year we just raced for half an hour, proper fancy dress is compulsory, if I remember rightly all youth, adult and junior went off together with a Le Mans running to the bike start. The course is short and less able racers were encouraged to take shortcuts last year. It's brilliant fun but just wanted to make that clear in case you were thinking it was a proper league style race. I will probably come and heckle, maybe race - think I have my Santa outfit still with last years mud on 🙂
Munqe-chick ... its an unofficial race being organised. So I not too sure if posting details on here would be the best/safest thing. Its pretty much out there for those who have done the Welsh league this year ... I`m pretty sure if you know somebody they will pass details onto you.
ps.
We not all grumpy in the Welsh league (probably just those born on the wrong side of the bridge)
Ha Ha Mooman thanks. Yes I shall speak to the club then. Thanks for that! I was born right side of the bridge so all okay 🙂 see you there. Festive 500 around 2 CX races in that period is going to be fun!
Mooman my inside info has now told me it's been cancelled.
If you're talking about the GOwer Riders organised one at Penyrheol, please be aware it's a fun race, dont think we got results beyond 1st,second, third, think last year we just raced for half an hour, proper fancy dress is compulsory, if I remember rightly all youth, adult and junior went off together with a Le Mans running to the bike start. The course is short and less able racers were encouraged to take shortcuts last year. It's brilliant fun but just wanted to make that clear in case you were thinking it was a proper league style race. I will probably come and heckle, maybe race - think I have my Santa outfit still with last years mud on
Ooh, just added something else to the Xmas break diary! 😀
I understand that the Herne Hill New Years Day Madison Cross will be on again on the 1st Jan.
There's also a new Boxing Day event in south-east London, can't find the details at the moment, though.
There's a fun looking one in Newbury too! 3 difference races so a sprint fastest lap, a devil race (elimination) then a shorter CX race and combined times! Shame I'm off back to Cardiff and now no longer a CX race 🙁 guess I'll have to schlep up the Garth for fun instead 🙂
It's a good laugh Jon. Last year:
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The only fancy dress available to me is my wife's elf costume! 😳
Steady now, Jon...
I'm helping the organisers of the New Years Day race in Newbury that Munge-chick mentioned above, it's going to be great fun with a Cx sprint time trial, an elimination race and a normal but short xc race, points will be awarded based in your finishing position of each race and your final position will be based on you total points.
To add a little more fun I hear that a foam machine has been booked...
More information and online entry is here http://my1.raceresult.com/64947/?lang=en
Munqe-chick - Member
Mooman my inside info has now told me it's been cancelled.
I been ill last week or so - so not spoken to anybody. Will check with the Boss whats happening now.
Anyone doing the Boxing Day CX at Kenilworth? Or got top tips! Never been before saw it on FB looks cool so me and crashtesmonkey are off to burn off some mince pies and christmas cake 🙂
Anyone else still racing? Or just us in Central league it's all gone a bit quiet!
I raced Rockingham yesterday (V40), loved the course and no bike breakages between me and my daughter 🙂
Anyone else still racing?
I'm marshalling at Tangs Cotswold http://www.lovecrossed.co.uk on 29/01/17, come and jump my boards:
[img][url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5770/30509779924_9beaeaded7_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5770/30509779924_9beaeaded7_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/Nu3ACm ]Two 9" boards for the local cyclocross race.[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/martinddd/ ]martinddd[/url], on Flickr[/img]
race and then enjoy the mens worlds CX on a big screen in a 16c hall 😀
Jase if you mean the Central round at Corby I raced V40 too, and MC raced wimmin. Glad to finish with bikes intact (that course killed all 3 of ours last year) but it took bike changes to do it - my decent bike has Sram which seems quite fragile so I've started relying a bit more on my pit bike with Tiagra 🙄 Small field too, lots of people put off by the weather.
edit; Qwerty, MC and I have already entered. We're doubling up with saturday and sunday races the next 2 weekends 😯
Anyone else still racing? Or just us in Central league it's all gone a bit quiet!
I rode NDCXL rd10 on Saturday just gone at the fantastic-as-usual Browtowe course which is a great mix of grunt and skill. It's the final round organised by my team this Saturday and then we're all off to Luxembourg so I'm very much finished!
You're certainly finished as a senior LS.... 😉
x
(Rich)
😆
Yes Corby.
My daughter had to change her bike on last lap due to amount of mud she'd accumulated and moved up a place from 3rd to 2nd as a result.
I unfortunately only have 1 bike. Interesting what you say about SRAM as I've always fancied 1x and assumed it would be better in crappy conditions compared to a double ring set up. A friend is on 1x11 SRAM and had problems yesterday, ended up running the last part. I had difficulty shifting using 105 2x10 but nothing that wasn't manageable.
Anybody doing the Yorkshire series?
Final race this Sunday, which will be my 3rd race but first on a proper 'cross bike.
I don't know if the newer 1x specific Sram mechs are more robust, but my bike came with (short cage) Rival which I converted to 1x. A limited sample size but I've snapped 3 mechs and hangers in the same number of races that MC has lost 1 Shimano and I've yet to snap the Shimano on my pit bike (my pit bike was my commuter until it was hit by a car and technically written off due to a hole in the seatstay, nothing special and I'm happy enough to ride it around a field!).
It may be something as simple as having a longer cage giving more room for the mud to pass through or I've just been unlucky.
I've snapped 3 mechs and hangers in the same number of races that MC has lost 1 Shimano
😯 I've snapped one mech in the last 8 years!
Something's set up wrong there or you're going far too long before changing bikes. I've found SRAM to be no more or less durable than Shimano.
I've snapped one mech in the last 8 years!
kind of glad it is just me then, means there's hope!
Something's set up wrong there or you're going far too long before changing bikes
last year (2 mechs in 8 races) was our first year racing and we fell into it so I only had 1 bike. This year (1 mech on the 4th race of the season?) I thought I only needed the 1 bike 🙄 , now I'm using 2 and going with pre-planned changes!
Short-cage non-clutch Rival, so the same mech it was initially specced with when it was 2x and I think chain length is good by road standards (big/big +2 rule plus another one for mechanical sympathy, I'm the sort of person that can't ride behind someone cross-chaining as it makes me ill). Might be that a longer cage (either clutched or not) gives more room for the mud/grass to pass through before it reaches critical clog?
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Short cage is better as it's further away from the mud, long cages pick up more so the extra space is more than negated. Big/big +2 is fine, you don't need the extra link.
Are you doing a single bike change in the race or are we talking a change every lap if required? How's your mechanical sympathy when changing gear under pressure? Are you avoiding the mud as much as possible or just ploughing straight through it?
Basic questions but the answer will be in there somewhere!
Anyone else still racing? Or just us in Central league it's all gone a bit quiet!
Website up & running & entry now open for the European Singlespeed CX Champs at Stanmer Park, Brighton; over the w/e of 18th/19th Feb. 😀
Basic questions but the answer will be in there somewhere!
no offence taken, I'm a CX noob and it all helps. Have gone from considering the pit bike a post-mechanical emergency to pre-planned with pit crew cleaning the incoming bike (which I appreciate is what we should have been doing from the start, but like I said we never set out to race a CX series so 2015/16 was totally winging it*, 16/17 we are a bit more organised). I'm a low power high cadence spinner so struggle to 'plough straight' through mud and know that "green is good" but again as a noob I'm sure me being on the 'right' line is by coincidence as much as design.
*despite winging it with one bike MC won 15/16 Central League women's overall but is too modest to mention it 8)