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Having decided to dabble my toes again after entering the final race of last season in March, I've already started this season with the Trilogy CC Summer-cross event in Dundee (on my gravel bike, thankfully it was bone dry). Sitting watching some videos on YouTube and getting excited for the mud and the off-cambers again!
I'm another year older and wiser so just want to focus on consistency this year, use the racing to build fitness for next year, rather than hurting myself trying too hard to get fit for the start if the season! I think my race-craft is actually reasonably OK at the moment, but my fitness will always be distinctly 'mid-pack'.
First race of the Scottish season is Brechin 21st September, I'll probably still be on the gravel bike as I share wheels between gravel and CX bikes and have a few big gravel rides left to squeeze in this year. Bulk of the races are late October and November then I hope to take a break, maybe try the Festive 500 for a bit of endurance, then see what the Super-quaich series looks like in the new year.
For only the second time ever I'll actually be racing a CX bike, my old Kinesis which started life as my gravel bike. The last race I had 40mm mixed tyres on it which clogged badly so looking forward to racing it with some 33s.
Still on canti brakes and old hand-me-down finishing kit and drivetrain. It has served me well as a winter gravel bike though so I'm sure I'll get another season out of it, although unless I'm prepared to fork out for new wheels I think I'll be running tubes.
What's everyone else got lined up?
I can't wait, only my second full season and I'm raring to go (Wessex League). Pre season cross training started a few weeks back and I'm itching to get racing (2 weeks to go till round one). Target is to make it into the upper midfield/back of the leaders this year. Also hoping to make at least 2 national trophy races with eldest daughter, her in u14 and me in vet40 (decidedly low mid->back in the national races)
nixie, have you ridden Clanfield before? Nearly destroyed me in the mud one year - it's a beast
Pre season cross training started a few weeks back and I'm itching to get racing
This is one of many reasons/ excuses that I've dialled back any serious competitive aspirations, I wasn't willing to commit to proper training! Weekends and occasional week-days off are still all about going long which leaves me a bit knackered for the intensity.
I am doing a once-weekly 10 mile TT which with warm-up and the usual spirited ride home again works out as a decent 30-45 minutes at threshold, give-or-take. One of my pals in the category above seems to have gotten very fast from just doing team TTs on Zwift so fingers crossed!
Since I organise the TTs I'm going to move them to a more rolling, punchier course to try and emulate a CX race a bit more.
Need to do more low back work, I could feel the burn after a few laps going hard in the last race, was a good burn rather than a mechanical damage sort of pain but I still had to back off.
nixie, have you ridden Clanfield before? Nearly destroyed me in the mud one year - it's a beast
I have yes, twice for CX and twice for XC. Round 1 last year was hot and bone dry then the later national/Wessex race in December was an absolute mud bath. Was very glad the 40s went out early for that one as the course deteriorated rapidly and by the time my daughter raced in u14s it was horrendous (she ended up on track longer than my race and was the only one without a pit bike). Your right though it's a tough event, very challenging and no let up in the power demands.
One of my pals in the category above seems to have gotten very fast from just doing team TTs on Zwift
Zwift TTT is a great way to gain fitness, sadly clashes with our CX training or I'd do these more.
Need to do more low back work,
I also have that problem, lots of core exercising at the moment as it's become a limiting factor.
I'll race the NW as per, looking forward to it. Done a lot of TTing over the past few months which is usually good for the cross legs - that'll do for the training tbh, not really capable of training on top of races in the winter. The Derby and Bradford trophy races are close enough, will enter depending on how things go.
Have one of the new challenge flandrien tubs which I think I'll try on the rear - slightly faster tread than a baby limus.
My 14yo daughter has decided to call it a day, which is a bit disappointing as she did the hard bit of moving up from U12, which doubles the race length to 35/40 mins, and is just generally stronger on the bike. Not really sure of her reasons so just left it at that - her race could be a bit desolate, usually just five in her category with the top two being outstanding. But I don't even think it is that, tbh.
I would love to get back to Racing Wessex League Vets, last year was aborted due to family disasters, unfortunately this winter looks to be have similar challenges.
I've given up on the idea of "proper training" instead it's going to be winter Turbo sessions, Road riding with mates and if I manage to squeeze in riding two rounds I'll be content.
Have one of the new challenge flandrien tubs which I think I'll try on the rear - slightly faster tread than a baby limus.
Have already picked up some Vittoria Terreno Wet, on the basis that I find Vittoria tyres quite predictable for seating tubeless and will be swapping tyres regularly, the Wets will be the race tyres and rest of time I'll just be wearing out my old 40mm Terreno Mix on training rides.
Done a lot of TTing over the past few months which is usually good for the cross legs - that'll do for the training tbh, not really capable of training on top of races in the winter.
I've given up on the idea of "proper training" instead it's going to be winter Turbo sessions, Road riding with mates and if I manage to squeeze in riding two rounds I'll be content.
Glad I'm not alone in this thinking, mistakes in previous seasons have been trying to train too hard or taking it all too seriously, I'm clearly not equipped for that so using the races as training with maybe a mid-week over-under session will be the way to go I think.
Glad you have events to work towards, looks like the Notts & Derby league has shrunk again.
(I marshall our club event in the series, which seems to have gone off the calendar)
I'm going to miss too many rounds to finish the local league. Mixture of work, holidays and other races. But as the national champs is on my doorstep I'm going to do the ones I can and hopefully get spot on the grid.
Having missed last year as well (just fancied a break) I'm going to be starting at the back until I can get some results. Feels too warm to be thinking about this though!
Going to get my feet wet with my first crack at "proper CX"! I've done a few summer CX races, and bloody loved it.
I'll be in the Wessex league vet 40s, so might be with some of you lot. I'll try not to crash into you - my cornering isn't great!
I've not done much training, just group rides - going hard on these. I'm not taking it seriously, total novice. But I am excited and looking forward to it.
My son (10) had shown quite a lot of interest when I was building up a CX bike, or watching CX. So we've bought him a secondhand CX bike, and he'll be having a go too.
@barrysh1tpeas I'll be in the Vet40s. Orange Forme or black Hup with Sotonia kit.
Where are you based? If your son is showing interest there are a fair few youth clubs around that can help him learn the skills. We (Sotonia) run one in Southampton Sports centre on Saturday mornings if that is close.
We're in Salisbury (SRAM), so not too far away. I'll bear that in mind! We have been doing a bit of training, messing around on the field.
Funny enough, Orange Forme Calver here too!
Cool, good choice :D, I will look out for you. If yours is the calver pro carbon version then collar me at a race and I'll show you the improved mech hanger (the stock one is a little flawed).
We have at least one who comes from Salisbury who also has links to SRAM.
Does anyone include running, into there CX prep/training?
I do not. Not that I have time to worry about that now
I do, not as a specific running for CX but because I also like to do a bit of running. I aim for 1-2 runs a week in the 10k range but at the moment only seem to manage one. I've noticed lots of riders who are not good at running or who avoid it. Being comfortable on your feet opens up options as well. Clanfield nat trophy last year there was a section over the top back of the course where there was a difficult switchback, followed by difficult cross camber of a 100m or so then off bike climb. Conditions meant I was struggling on the switchback and then getting back on for the camber. For me it was quicker to shoulder the bike and run the off camber and remount after the climb.
Hard no to sustained running if you don't already do it - asking for an injury and tempo running makes no difference to cross on most courses. Rare to get prolonged running in a cross race, although it can happen with our UK weather.
Short sprints and run-ups (with bike) are difference-makers, though - so some cautious practice of this would be good. Obviously don't go down to the local park with the bike and belt out sprints if you're not conditioned to it, work your way in. e.g. A classic interval structure for cross when you're in condition is 30 secs ride hard dismount 30 secs run hard remount 30 secs easy - repeat x10. Start something like that but with a 30 secs trot at first and a prolonged rest interval.
I do no running year round but find anything really short on foot is a strong part of course for me - big sprinty legs. But I also find the transition back to riding in a race can be cripplingly hard - one of the hardest things in any cycling discipline, actually. Some sort of practice in this area does take the edge off.
Does anyone include running, into there CX prep/training?
I do not. Not that I have time to worry about that now
I try to keep a very base level of running up, as much because any sort of running/jumping in and out of the saddle brought on quite painful symptoms in my hips in previous years, largely down to being such an ineffective runner!
Also like garry_lager I've been surprised how strong my running portions are, partly because I've run Time ATAC pedals in previous years which seem to clog far less than other brands (regularly passing other riders as they stamp the mud out of their cleats) but also because I've just put a bit of practice in to the remounting.
Also - last race I did I think everyone was just being a massive wimp, I was up to my ankles in what was probably AT LEAST 50% cow shit/50% mud, but still running and passing lots of folks who were clearly trying to keep their shoes clean 🤣
Might see you at a few SCX, had hoped for a fairly full season but they've switched up the race day schedule this year and looks like gap between most of the kids races and Vet 40s might be too long to be hanging around. Will see.
Might focus on doing SQ in the new year since they don't tend to have any kids races attached.
Might see you at a few SCX, had hoped for a fairly full season but they've switched up the race day schedule this year and looks like gap between most of the kids races and Vet 40s might be too long to be hanging around. Will see.
Might focus on doing SQ in the new year since they don't tend to have any kids races attached.
Yeah I'm struggling with those timings too, our wee one tried his hand at the under 8s at Strathallan SQ and seemed to enjoy it, or at least wasn't violently opposed to doing another. Realistically I think he can only do the relatively local ones and mum take him home whilst I stay and hang around for 5 hours until my race. Not the worst thing in the world I guess, not sure how mum will feel about me being away for the whole day though.
I'm not even bothering entering the national trophy in Falkirk (a lot of money to potentially get pulled after two laps! 😆) so might take him along for the kids races, soak up the big event vibe then head home.
Are you still in the prime of your life racing the seniors 13thfloormonk? They only use the 80% rule for UCI categories, not V40 and above.
It's certainly a tough proposition - you could be a good rider in your regional series and only see 2/3 laps in a national senior race, such is the speed differential of a professional rider at the front.
Are you still in the prime of your life racing the seniors 13thfloormonk? They only use the 80% rule for UCI categories, not V40 and above.
Argh dammit, I'm V40, no excuses now! 😂
I've signed up for Brechin.
I don't do any specific cross training, I really don't want to come last, oops!
I'm bricking it! 😂
I don't do any specific cross training, I really don't want to come last, oops!
Your weekly smash-fests with the Clarion boys appear to be all the training required!
We've changed our weekly TT to a more rolling course with a lot of very small punchy hills, am hoping staying in the big ring and keeping it rolling over all of them whilst blowing out my arse will be good race- specific training.
After that I've got four or give weeks of no racing until early Nov so will focus a bit more on some quality turbo sessions.
I've a local loop I can smash around for an hour, I'll try to do that once a week. It's about 3km with a couple of climbs, and can be quite greasy, and lots of fun.
Adding this to run a couple times a week, a weights session once or twice a week and my weekly club gravel ride.
And I'm off the booze and trying to go to bed at a sensible hour every night.
I'd ideally be a couple of kilos lighter, but hey ho.
That should hopefully be enough to get me ready.
🤞
That should hopefully be enough to get me ready.
Worked for you last year!
I'll be a bit rusty on the specific skills, am enjoying the road bike a lot right now so mid-week will still be roadie smash-fests of sorts (we're doing midweek TTs and I get to choose the course so am suggesting something twisty, rolling and with multiple punchy short hills, should be perfect).
Am juggling my days off in the next few weeks to try and cram in one last totally counter-productive big gravel ride, then will start dialling back the distances and maybe use weekends for sort of Z2-out, Z4 home type rides just seeking out mud and nastiness.
Up until last week this all seemed a bit premature but the seasons have suddenly changed, it's wet, windy and there are leaves on the ground 😎
It is Autumn all of a sudden! First Wessex league race is this Sunday. Suddenly feeling very unprepared 🤣
You and me both! August is always a crap training month with kids at home.
First one done. That was a great day out. I had some anxiety about it, my cornering definitely needs a lot of work. I was making up spaces on any section I could put some power down, and losing time into the series of hairpins.
Next week booked up!
Was good to meet you yesterday @barrysh1tpeas. Apologies if I was a little incoherent, it took me quite a while to recover to a normal state after the finish! That course does expose weaknesses, this weekends at Fairthorne has a lot less elevation change but they do try to make up for that with lots of corners and a nice wooded section. Did you avoid the lap 1 crash at the hurdles?
I had a tough race, a bad choice of grid position and poor start meant I got squeezed towards the gate post and then got stuck in the train downhill. It took a good 3 laps before I started to relax and corner better but by then I was in a gap on my own.
My daughter went much better. The u14 girls had a larger than normal field and the fitness/power work she has been putting in seemed to show up as she had a very close battle with another of our club's girls (who last year was in the far distance). She was very happy with the result.
Yes, good to meet you too. Sotonia had a good number of riders. You are a much bigger club.
I was a few riders back from the crash, looked nasty though! Landed on his head.
That's excellent for daughter! Good start to the season.
My lad (u12) crashed out on lap 1. There was a left hand off camber slight descent back towards the start, I think he was just over confident, over cooked it and tried to brake - through the tape, otb and winded himself! But he's keen to get back on it next week, and hopefully an easier course for him. He blamed me and the bike 🤣 but I took him back to the corner later in the afternoon and got him to ride it a few times, and got him to slow it down!
Ouch, glad to hear the crash hasn't put him off. Again Fairthorne's kids course was a lot easier than Clanfield last year.
Are you still in the prime of your life racing the seniors 13thfloormonk? They only use the 80% rule for UCI categories, not V40 and above.
Hmm, £38 entry fee plus the cost of a racing license. I think I remember doing this maths last time and deciding against. Plus it seems like you're not guaranteed an entry, so although I guess you would get your entry fee refunded you've still paid for the racing license... Only reason I'm still tempted is that it's the only race this year when my son and I both get to race in our respective categories without a six hour wait in between!
I had a tough race, a bad choice of grid position and poor start meant I got squeezed towards the gate post and then got stuck in the train downhill. It took a good 3 laps before I started to relax and corner better but by then I was in a gap on my own.
I'm impressed you're worrying about grid position and starts, I don't think I'm good enough yet that it matters, I don't even get gridded! 😆 I do seem to move up pretty fast though, people seem too polite at the start and it seems quite easy just to cut through the pack. Not sure if I need to dig deeper and try and stick with a bunch further up-field or not, but I need to work on my warm-ups first, I tend to start fast, fade badly, consider stepping off, recover, finish strong. Need to work on that third lap dip!
Me and the boy cp racing this weekend at the first round of the Notts and Derby league. He's super excited!
I've been that distracted building his first 'proper' road/cx bike and supporting him doing events that I may have neglected my own prep, but that gives me a nice excuse for being at the back.
Don't build the bike the day before the race, Don't build the bike the day before the race, Don't build the bike the day before the race, Don't build the bike the day before the race, Don't build the bike the day before the race....
oh.
Plus it seems like you're not guaranteed an entry, so although I guess you would get your entry fee refunded you've still paid for the racing license...
Fields in the Masters 40+ NT races have been abysmal in the last couple of years, so I don't think there's much chance of you missing out.
I'm impressed you're worrying about grid position and starts, I don't think I'm good enough yet that it matters
I'm firmly mid pack but it definitely matters. Sure its the same elsewhere but most of our courses have a pinch point quite early. Really important to get there as quick as possible or you can be loosing loads of time. This weekend I failed to notice padded fence post of the left where the track thinned. I'm not keen on getting squeezed in the middle after an incident a few years ago and thought I was being clever taking the high left line, till the comms pointed out the post! My warm ups are massively compromised at the moment as pitting for daughter in the race before. Need to work on this....
Plus it seems like you're not guaranteed an entry, so although I guess you would get your entry fee refunded you've still paid for the racing license...
Fields in the Masters 40+ NT races have been abysmal in the last couple of years, so I don't think there's much chance of you missing out.
I think I'm seeing why, £37 to enter, £50 for British Cycling membership and £40 for the racing licence. Somewhat discouraging to the have-a-go heroes 🙄
Very much so. I already had BC membership but coughed the race license fee to try the Clanfield NT last year, it was discounted IIRC because of being right at the end of its validity period.
I saw in the regulations that there was a £10 'surcharge' on the day for turning up without a valid licence. I would gladly take that hit but it seems a bit of a risky ploy!
That's largely moot nowadays, anyone who is a BC 'member' or above gets a provisional racing licence which covers them for league-level events. For NTs you need a full racing licence, the day licence isn't applicable and it would (or should, this is BC we're talking about) get picked up on entering the event.
IIRC you can't enter on the online system unless you have a full race license.
Bit of a plug for a pal who's just released a series of CX coaching vids. Like & Subscribe!
Hmm, £38 entry fee plus the cost of a racing license.
The first round of the Welsh series is fairly local to me, at Pembrey on Sunday. It's £19, which is reasonable enough, plus £8.50 for parking, which isn't. It's also forecast to be torrential rain for most of the day, there's no entry on the line and BC online entry closes tomorrow. Also, two members of my family and several colleagues have been in bed with a bug within the last week. All separately, obviously. I hope.
I've raced so many times over the years that I know I don't need to do this event, but if I don't then I'm unlikely to do another race this year. The second race is two hours drive away in Hereford (in England!) and there are only five events listed so far. If I miss out the first two events, I'm unlikeley to be bothered with the wetter and colder last three.
I should man up, it will only be 50 minutes of suffering through a typhoon!
The first round of the Welsh series is fairly local to me, at Pembrey on Sunday. It's £19, which is reasonable enough, plus £8.50 for parking, which isn't. It's also forecast to be torrential rain for most of the day, there's no entry on the line and BC online entry closes tomorrow. Also, two members of my family and several colleagues have been in bed with a bug within the last week.
This is why my wife gets annoyed with me getting all excited about CX season again, I've missed pretty much every third race I've entered over the last 5-6 years due to various things, usually minor tweaks, injures or bugs. Glad to support local organisers though @ the occasional £20 a pop.
Not a fan of the BC/National Trophy model though, unless they're already over-subscribed with the serious fast boys and girls, why put off the weekend warriors? I guess maybe the extra cost of putting on a national level event needs covered..
Not a fan of the BC/National Trophy model though, unless they're already over-subscribed with the serious fast boys and girls, why put off the weekend warriors? I guess maybe the extra cost of putting on a national level event needs covered..
Race numbers are down across the board in cycling events afaik - (along with every other IRL social activity one could name). Fees for these national events may need a recalibration if the days of over-subscription are long gone. Saying that, you do see some great courses - I've only done a few and some (not all) were really good, which is what you are looking for I guess.
It is steep in context of cross racing, but still feels pretty reasonable (imho) compared to events at the more casual end of cycling.
There are a lot more facilities that the NT event have to provide. Warmed rider well fair etc.
I'm coming round to the idea of the National Trophy race, I would be racing almost immediately after my son in the U10 race which would be fun, and the licence would be half price as it's after July (will also save me a £5 day licence for every other Scottish race I enter).
On a slightly related note, does anyone understand the kids age categories? Our son was 8 in August but depending on the race (pump track races seem different from CX) he is either categorised as 'Under 8' (pump track) or '10 and Under' for CX, despite there being an '8 and Under' category.
I've emailed both organisers and got quite confusing responses but I don't want to waste either of their time with it, just curious really..
There are two cutoff points for ages. One in Jan and the other end August/1st September ISH. CX uses the aug/sept one and MTB the Jan one. For my daughter that meant u12 CX then next MTB season she was u14 on the big bad course. Her club mate has just started u14 CX with her BD 1 day after the cut-off!
There are two cutoff points for ages. One in Jan and the other end August/1st September ISH. CX uses the aug/sept one and MTB the Jan one. For my daughter that meant u12 CX then next MTB season she was u14 on the big bad course. Her club mate has just started u14 CX with her BD 1 day after the cut-off!
I don't think this is correct anymore. I think for the 25/26 cross season BC have simplified the age categories to be simply based on year of birth.
Under 8 born in 2018 or later
Under 10 born in 2016 or 2017
Under 12 born in 2014 or 2015
Youth – born 2010 to 2013
Youth – Under 16 – born 2010 or 2011
Youth – Under 14 born 2012 or 2013
Junior – born 2008 or 2009
Under 23 – born 2004 to 2007
Senior born – 2003 or earlier
Vet 40+ born between 1976 and 1985
Vet 40 born 1981 to 1985
Vet 45 born 1976 to 1980
Veteran 50+ born 1975-1966
Vet 50 born 1971 to 1975
Vet 55 born 1966 to 1970
Vet 60 born 1965 or before
Vet 65 born 1956 to 1960
Vet 70+ born 1955 or earlier
Vet 80+ born 1945 or earlier
Not according to the technical document (found here https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/cyclocross/article/bcst_rulebook_and_constitution). From that here are the age categories for CX (page 101).
First race in the NW yesterday - Leverhulme park which is fast and wide open, big turns, but some technical stuff in the woods with a biggish (for cross) loamy descent. Loads of rain and thin surface mud but course felt fast, so ran the terreno wets tubeless, no changes. Also benefit from my race being the first adult race of the day, so course is nearly as good as it can get on the day.
Some nerves on the start line with it being the season opener, like there's a possibility this could be terrible, but ended up fine - good start, went well out in the open park and ok-ish through the turns (which were easy tbh). Came 17th in the end. Worst thing by far was the run back up from the descent, just tragically bad - got passed by many men. Was lacking studs on one shoe which didn't help, but room for improvement there to put it mildly.
Next race in 7 days in Wythenshawe park Manchester, which was a fun intricate course last year.
Wessex CX round 2 yesterday at Fairthorne Manor. I was gridded well on the third row but had a horror start. Not really sure what happened but foot didn't clip in and I struggled to get moving. Lost loads of places then once I did get going there was an OTB crash right in front of me resulting in massive speed loss. At that point I got angry and hammered the next half a lap trying to recover places. Did a lot of overtaking powering up the various inclines until the slippy wooded section which is pretty much single file. Then followed a lap of many silly mistakes that cost quite a few places including my foot getting clipped from behind which undid all the work I had put in 3 corners before. Had 3 or 4 big moments where I nearly ended up on the floor before I calmed down a little. 26th at the finish, annoyingly lapped 3 corners from the end. Had the pace bar lap one for better than that and I think I could have caught the next few riders with an extra lap.
U14 girls had another good field. Daughter had a good start this week and left her target rider behind. She was strong throughout the race and was contending for 4th until that later laps. Finished 5th and on the podium which she was very happy about.
Nice work gents, helps keep the motivation high here while I wait for our first round this Sunday!
Sounds like our course (Brechin) could still be relatively fast and grassy, with a sand trap. I don't want to fork out for any more tyres if I can help it so have a choice of brand new Terreno Wets in a 33mm, or my part worn Terreno Mix in a 40mm. The latter appeals if only because I have an opportunity for a big gravel ride the following day and I would rather not be changing tyres if I can help it! For this reason will still be on gravel bike rather than CX bike I think.
I was gridded well on the third row but had a horror start. Not really sure what happened but foot didn't clip in and I struggled to get moving.
The quality of my start is probably my strongest point, if only because so many people in my field just seem too hesitant or too polite! However Cameron Mason is showing up at Brechin on Sunday and somehow I'll be in the same field despite being in the older age category, so that could be a fast start! 😆
Road TT tomorrow eve, probably a wee run on Thursday, openers on Saturday which will also serve as a wee skills refresher and a shakedown for the bike as I'm still rebuilding wheels 🙄
Being less polite/more aggressive at the start is on my list of things to work on this year. I was surprised how many I clean rode around on the straights or gained the place by stuffing it up the inside before the door was closed.
An onboard has been posted now from Sunday for a rider 2 rows behind me. Looks like I bogged down from wrong gear choice then got swamped.
Race 2 for me and my son, at Fairthorne Manor along with @nixie
I got caught on the wrong side of that OTB at the start. I am still new, and nervous ,and just let loads of people go. I find the starts very stressful tbh. A big area to work on.
But once the first lap was out of the way, I was going well. Having tons of fun overtaking people! I was a bit crap through the woods, it was very slippery, wet and rooty, but as it was single file I just tried to keep it smooth and right side up. Then on the grass I was giving it some beans. That really was a lot of fun, and near the end I thought I could maybe catch you nixie, I saw you on the other side of the tape.
Finished 28th, and happy with that!
Son completed his race without crashing, and not last, those were his two goals! He had a blast, and can't wait for next week.
You had very similar lap times apart from the start so yes you may well be coming past soon. It's the Southampton banks this weekend though the current building work means no long off camber as the fence is too close.
You don't need to worry, I'm pretty bad at handling!
I watched a video on YT from last years, that looks fun! Some tricky bits. The young lads whipped up those banks, the rest got off and ran.
Me too, I loose loads of time in the corners then pull it back under power.
The banks aren't too bad, though I get to ride them a fair bit so maybe biased. The trickiest up bank isn't on the course this year, that's the one down by the old concrete boating lake (area being used for grading soil during construction) and the tricky long off camber sadly won't be there. That is replaced by a reasonably steep down bank onto the top left cricket pitch and a slippy up. It's probably worth throwing studs in your bag if you have some as if you climb that one on foot you may need want the traction.
How were the races today?
Pretty good one here in Manchester - it rained incessantly yesterday, like all day heavy. Yet the park today you wouldn't have said was all that muddy by cross standards, didn't change bike. Twisty fun course in Wythenshawe with many tricky off-camber corners, which isn't usually my cup of tea.
But it seemed like one of those were you could ride a strong start a long way into the race - it was hard to move up. So I banked a good start and ended up battling with two guys who are usually quite a bit stronger than me, really good race. Corners were asking questions of everyone, ended up going steady in and hard out which didn't feel fast but was reliable for maintaining grip. Finished 16 out of 57 auld fellas, which is a good result for me.
Bit of a break for us now with the 3peaks and trophy race weekend after. May enter that one as it's in Derby, so not too far away.
Missing the good natured battles with the NW old guys 🙂. Boys aren't racing now, Mrs has a worn out kneecap which can't handle running and race pace, and we've moved a bit more into the hills - so hard to get motivated to drive to a city park rather than just pedal from the door. Will probably do the odd one when a favourite course comes up.
Lad is helping with 3 peaks sign on and we'll probably pop over for some MTB based supporting.
First legit race of the season for me, round 1 of the Scottish season at Brechin. Predominantly fast grassy course (I like fast grassy corners it turns out) with some fun steep banks to descend and two loose loamy walls that typically required you to jump off and run unless you got a very clean run-up and nailed the gear choice, which I only ever managed on the practice laps 🙄
Put in my usual over-enthusiastic start, moved up a few rows (starting from the back) but clearly had gone too hard as couldn't keep it up and was treated to the rapidly-becoming familiar sight of didn'thurt casually passing me once I'd had to back off slightly, not to ve seen again!
After that it was all downhill really, I really enjoy fighting for positions in the corners and playing with some 'creative' lines trying to pass folk but the legs are a long way off what's needed to make the moves stick. By halfway round I was just surviving ☹️
Early days though, I haven't even touched the turbo this year and only rebuilt the CX bike this week so lots of room for improvement!
Oh and my wife and son spent more time cheering for Cameron Mason than me I think, at least this might justify the cost of a TNT subscription for the winter months 😎. Good fun getting lapped by him. Multiple times 🙄
Well done 13thfloormonk, there wasn't much between us position wise.
I so wanted to quit a few times today and am quite proud of myself that I didn't. Once after the practice laps where I felt awful (recovering from a cold and cough), again after watching a rider going over the bars at the start (he looked like he'd seriously hurt his shoulder) and lastly at about 30 minutes of racing where I went too deep battling for position with a couple of riders, my legs felt like they were filled with cement and my lungs felt raw.
The real highlights today were:
- Catching up with folks I've not seen for a while (especially 13thfloormonk)
- Great course, and pleasant weather
- Close racing
- A brief chat with Cameron Mason, what a nice guy
- A free millionaire shortbread 🤣
Well done nixie, great finishing position.
I felt like I went backwards a bit yesterday. Legs felt flat. But, It followed a week of illness. I felt disappointed with myself, but I’m new to it and had a crap week so not going to be too hard on myself.
That stupid little bank got in my head too! It was dry so ridiculous, but it was steep enough to screw with me.
Now the thing I’m wondering. How to negotiate being in good form/fitness over winter, whilst also working in an office with minging people, lots of whom seem to always be ill! It’s fine for them, they just sit on the sofa at weekends! How to navigate this tricky one…
Thank you, very happy with that though it was so, so nearly 17th. I put in all the work over 2 laps to close the gap and got in front on the uphill towards the woods. He then managed to sit on my wheel for half a lap until the final climb past the gazebos and despite me going all in on that climb he just got far enough along side to cut in as we went around the next corner. I should have run him out to the tape on the corner before with hindsight or perhaps pushed home my speed advantage at the point I overtook. Still I had a good race, much better start and I worked hard anywhere I could get the power down. Power felt go throughout though had a breathing issue on lap 3 or 4 that thankfully cleared. Made the wrong tyre choice opting for baby limus rather than the schwable all rounds. There wasn't much in it on the grass but the baby limus was really sketchy on the gravel and felt like I was loosing time nursing them through that.
Daughter had another good race again finishing in 5th. She beat both of her targets comfortably but just got lapped by the U16 open winner a few corners from the end so officially was 1 lap down on the top 4. The next u14 girl up the road seems to have faster 1 lap pace but not such good endurance as her pace drops off in each race. My daughter tends to loose a bit on lap 1 then consistently get faster. Some points to work on there and hopefully she can close up a bit more on the front.
Now the thing I’m wondering. How to negotiate being in good form/fitness over winter, whilst also working in an office with minging people, lots of whom seem to always be ill! It’s fine for them, they just sit on the sofa at weekends! How to navigate this tricky one…
I had a good winter last winter (albeit no racing) after getting a private flu jab as soon as they became available. Will be doing same again this year.
That stupid little bank got in my head too! It was dry so ridiculous, but it was steep enough to screw with me.
That was a fun little bank, can see how it could get in your head though. My first attempt down it was interesting as I took the alternate line out the other side to the right and ended up in the massive rut!
getting a private flu jab as soon as they became available
I will also be doing this. Doesn't help with colds but I've avoided flu for the last few years.
Be good to see you Mick - appreciate it is hard to do just one or two of any race series. Woodside cycling centre out towards Keighley is on the calendar in December - not sure if it is open yet but it sounds like a dedicated CX/MTB facility, so should be a good track.Missing the good natured battles with the NW old guys 🙂. Boys aren't racing now, Mrs has a worn out kneecap which can't handle running and race pace, and we've moved a bit more into the hills - so hard to get motivated to drive to a city park rather than just pedal from the door. Will probably do the odd one when a favourite course comes up.
Lad is helping with 3 peaks sign on and we'll probably pop over for some MTB based supporting.
Mixing it up a bit this year with my lad and he's just moved up to under 12 so some very quick kids! North West league handily has a U10's cat so after a very respectable 11th in his first outing in U12s at Holmepierrepoint/NDCXL we went to Wythenshawe for rd2 of the NWCCA league as a few of you have. What a great fun looking course! Amazing it held up so well after the rain on sat. I guess the ground is still a sponge from summer. I was a bit gutted not to be racing this one 🙁
Anyway he did great and got his first ever podium - 3rd in U10 🙂 Also took fastest lap in his category but he didn't seem as impressed about that as I was!
Congrats to your son on the podium and fastest lap.
Two unrelated questions:
1) What's the ideal 'hail mary' workout if I have three weeks until my next race? Since I've done a reasonable amount of threshold recently and tonnes of sort of 'junky' Z2/Z3 miles I'm thinking I just go all in with 30/15 intervals to try and sharpen the top end a wee bit. Or do I go race specific and do some sort of over-under workouts to mimic the race duration and effort... Will only be one workout a week at the moment so I don't over do it.
2) Anyone else considering a TNT subscription just for the CX months? £31 a month for e.g. December/January seems reasonably easy to swallow, especially if I got more than just WC races. I'm too lazy/law abiding/tech-illiterate to do anything fancy with VPNs or streaming or anything like that, i just want it on my TV homescreen!
My 2 eldest are 3 races into the season ow, 1st and 2nd round of the NWCCA and 2 rounds of the Hope Supercross in Wyke.
First round of the NWCCA at Leverhulme Park didn't go too well for the eldest in U14 as he'd been ill and subsequently had the following Monday and Tuesday off school, but he rode round to take 12th. For the middle one in U12, this was his first proper 'cross race since crashing at Wythenshaw Park last year and banging his noggin - put him off for the rest of the year, he managed a very reasonable 6th place.
We did head up to the first U14 race at Wyke, but the eldest pulled out after 1.5 laps as promptly puked up a load of phlegm and subway sandwich, then slept all the way home!
Last weekend we went to Wkye for the final round of the Supercross, the middle one went first in the U12 race and had a blinder in the mud, his favourite conditions to take 2nd place. The eldest in the U14 said he was feeling about 85-90% and put in a great ride to take 5th.
The next day and in totally different conditions it was the 2nd round of the NWCAA at Wythenshaw Park, the eldest went in the U14 race and had a 2nd row gridding due to his ill fated 1st round, but got a great start only to have a crash on the off camber and got wrapped up in course tape, dropping him out of the top 10, a spirited fightback and some quality riding saw him take 4th place, which he was pretty happy with to be fair. The middle one then went in the U12 race and had an absolute blinder, even hopping the mini hurdles to take 2nd place.
Two unrelated questions:
1) What's the ideal 'hail mary' workout if I have three weeks until my next race? Since I've done a reasonable amount of threshold recently and tonnes of sort of 'junky' Z2/Z3 miles I'm thinking I just go all in with 30/15 intervals to try and sharpen the top end a wee bit. Or do I go race specific and do some sort of over-under workouts to mimic the race duration and effort... Will only be one workout a week at the moment so I don't over do it.
4 x 8 min @108 - 112%. Grind your adversaries into dust through total war of attrition.
They are good, but honestly I'd do whatever intervals I felt like I could complete well. In principle you should be able to do something like 5x5 any time, just the power will vary according to what condition you're in. In practice these are very hard and I find I need to progress into them with easier work before I'm doing them properly - ymmv. V short high power intervals are probably 'easier' to do standalone.
End of the day a cross race is 45 - 60 mins effort = ftp. It spikes up and down with the course but most of the field aren't throwing in mighty digs each lap. Building consistent hour power is really good for cross imho.
4 x 8 min@108- 112%.
Brutal! I've done these a few times, they're much harder than you'd expect
Yeah, I never managed a 4x8 all the way through, probably all the reason I need to start doing them!
Going forward I still feel I need to sprinkle in some intensity, which sort of points me back to over-unders again 🤮
All a moot point right now as I spasmed something in my hip just doing some warm-up exercises yesterday morning, par for the course for me preparing for CX season! 😂
Last time I was racing and vaguely competitive in V40, it was all based on volume with a session of intervals / Zwift crit race once a week, gave me a nice base to last the hour and pretty much the same pace and the ability to kick as required, it is however a long way back from where I am at the moment.
Just as well the kids are decent 😆
Another weekend another Wessex round, this week it was Reading (8 in row with no break is nuts, 10 if doing Clanfield Nat Trophy!). I've only raced here once before in my first ever race 2 years ago and it was as good a course as I remembered. Lots of roots and some good power sections. I was happy to find I could still clean Hilly Mc Hillface though was still slow on The Chute.
This weeks start was awful, I could not get my right foot engaged and the pedal/shoe was so slippery I was effectively 1 leg pedalling till it engaged. It's a horrible feeling as the field comes streaming past. After that it went well, I do not get why so many hug the racing line in the early corners. On the first and second hairpin I retook a significant number of places first by riding clean around the outside and second stuffing it up the inside and effectively blocking those in the queue. Then the lower wooded singletrack section with some lovely overtakes around the outside on alternate lines, almost felt like those I was passing were stood still. Had good power from the bottom on the climb through the gazebos and finish line into the top woods again finding I could ride past people up the hill. It took nearly 2 laps to get back on terms with my club mate who was gridded next to me then a further lap to get away (he is much fast of the sketchier downhills). On the my lap I clocked the leaders while down on the bottom field and put in an extra effort to exit the lower woods before them. The rider I'd been having a close tussle with wasn't so lucky and had to give way to them in a twist section. I was desperate not to get lapped and for that rider not to follow the leaders through so finished with a full gas sprint (way off the racing line to give room). Nearly made it onto the lead lap with the winner finishing 1-2 wheels ahead on the line. I think I gave him a bit of a scare and have spent a reasonable amount of time consider if it was the right thing to do! In hindsight I think I was ok as was off the side out of the way and was myself racing for position.
I do not get why so many hug the racing line in the early corners. On the first and second hairpin I retook a significant number of places first by riding clean around the outside and second stuffing it up the inside and effectively blocking those in the queue
It surprises me how slavishly people follow the racing line also, I made any number of places up in my race just by taking outside lines or slightly muddier lines than everyone else. I sometimes wonder if I'm doing something naughty or breaching some sort of etiquette but as far as I'm concerned if it's between the tapes it's fair game!
As for stuffing it up the inside, I do wonder how obligated the guys you have just passed are to let you back in to traffic but I guess if you're technically 'ahead' at the apex of the corner it's on them to avoid the collision?
I guess if you're technically 'ahead' at the apex of the corner it's on them to avoid the collision?
I've been on both sides of it and don't see it as any different to running someone out to the tape. In this case I didn't make any contact (that I remember) and made the apex before those to my right. I've also tried in the past where the corner is question resulted in a dismount and getting back into the line was difficult (and ultimately probably slower).
There is a video from the race where the guy I was gridded along side (black/blue giant) does something similar (but skids and does make contact). That clip should have started at 44 seconds but doesn't when embedded.
There is a video from the race where the guy I was gridded along side (black/blue giant) does something similar (but skids and does make contact). That clip should have started at 44 seconds but doesn't when embedded.
I'll give that guy @44s the benefit of the doubt, I think he just got a bit excited and screwed up his own corner trying to make it right. Generally though imo round the outside is fine...you're not messing with anyone who may be in front of you doing that...indeed I often go round the outside at the start for the reasons mentioned...keeps you out of trouble mainly.
In general I do have bit of a problem with dive bombers down the inside though...if you do get past someone ahead it's almost certainly because you've disrupted their line, so imo it's usually a dick move. Particularly at the start just accept that it's a procession, OK take advantage round the outside if everyone gets snarled up on the inside, but don't do the snarling, give the person in front the apex. Just pedal harder if you want to overtake.