Some Cyclocross Questions

12barblues

Folks,

First post here on the cycling forum, how you all doing?

I've begun to notice cyclocross lately and would love to give it a go. can anyone recommend somewhere that is cyclocross friendly, good for going for a spin without being a full-on mountain bike trail etc. Anywhere around the country is good as I tend to travel quite a bit.

My second question is this:
I have a single speed piece of crap that I use for going about town, My idea would be to convert this to a single speed cyclocross. can anyone give me some advice (or point me toward some advice) on the best way to do this. I'm thinking a set of drop bars, shorter cranks - and some kind of suitable gear ratio (no idea what this might be at this point), it's currently got a set of racer wheels with 23C tyres on. There's not a whole lot of clearance on the frame, but can anyone advise some thin nobbly tyres that might suit? and I probably need a rear wheel too.

I have a relatively decent MTB and road bike that I love too much to f**k around with, so the single speed is looking like my only option right now,

Any advice would be very much appreciated!! thanks all

Lumen

You can't get really get thin knobbly tyres AFAIK.

That said, if this is just recreational cyclocross an fireroads and the like then 28mm slicks will be fine.

I've seen someone do cyclocross on a Cervelo with Zipps and 23mm slicks.

Tenzor07

Why not head along here http://mtbireland.com/cyclocross/news.php at the weekend to get an idea of what CX is all about?

You have everything from heavy steel tiagra equiped cx bikes to full on carbon with zipp's and Dura-ace..

The only thing you need to practice that's Cx specific is shouldering the bike and mounts/dismounts. Otherwise just go for a spin around the Phoenix park..

Joey Joe-Joe Jr

Bumpity Bump!

I've just taken delivery of my first cross bike and was going to ask a few questions. I found this thread so I thought it might be a good place to start.

I went along to the race in Corkagh Park to have a look and it looked like lots of fun and lots of pain all at once. Sold!
I'm not as fit as I should be, but not as un-fit as I could be... I've done a couple of the duathlon series events in the Phoenix Park and haven't finished last.
I do a little bit of road biking but haven't done any off-road biking before - well not since I was 11 or 12 tearing around fields and woods in Wexford on a Grifter - alas that was many many years ago.
I'm based in Dublin 6 and know there is a group that train in Knocklyon on certain evenings but work and family commitments mean that early Saturday and Sunday mornings are about the only time I can get out.
Are there any specific off-road trails around Phoenix Park or is it okay to just leave the road and see where you end up? Or any other Dublin Parks for that matter.
Are there any MTB tracks that would be suitable for a cross bike?
The Super-Cross Cup Category B races look like a lot of fun, what is the typical race distance and finishing time for those events?

Any other advice or information would really be appreciated.

billy.fish

Next event is national champs....sorry!

http://www.irishcx.com/2011/12/irish-national-cyclocross-championships-2012/

Joey Joe-Joe Jr

Thanks Billy, I'm really looking at next season before I'll be tackling an organized event. Just looking for pointers on getting started for the moment.

What are the typical race distances in the SC Cup?

billy.fish

Ride the nationals B race, enjoy it, distance is as much as you ride.

davey101

Joey Joe-Joe Jr wrote: »

Thanks Billy, I'm really looking at next season before I'll be tackling an organized event. Just looking for pointers on getting started for the moment.

What are the typical race distances in the SC Cup?

Do it, Do it, Do it.....
You will love it and after doing it you will know where's best to ride and how to ride your bike. B race is around 45 mins not sure of distance, A race is usually an hour.
The basics are probably mounting and dismounting, (note the boards at corkagh park) youtube should help you there and try learn to not use your brakes..seriously any time i have had difficulties was because i was braking too much,, I still have difficulties but now they are for other reasons :eek:
Just do it, I promise its all you will think of until next winter...

Joey Joe-Joe Jr

Sure, I'll give it a whirl then, what't the worst can happen?
Best take it easy on the mince pies over the hols...

** removes brakes **

C3PO

Joey Joe-Joe Jr wrote: »

Sure, I'll give it a whirl then, what't the worst can happen?

At worst you'll get to meet a really nice gang of people at the back of the B race!!

billy.fish

And howl abuse at everyone in the Championship race. Sounds good to me!

Joey Joe-Joe Jr

RPL1 wrote: »

At worst you'll get to meet a really nice gang of people at the back of the B race!!

I suspect I'll be quite some distance behind the people who think they're at the back! :eek:

billy.fish wrote: »

And howl abuse at everyone in the Championship race. Sounds good to me!

You're assuming I'll have a breath in my body at that point.

C3PO

billy.fish wrote: »

And howl abuse at everyone in the Championship race. Sounds good to me!

Works every time for me!

Postit

davey101 wrote: »

The basics are probably mounting and dismounting, (note the boards at corkagh park) youtube should help you there....

I'm loving this guys jersey.....where can I get one of these?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTTOBnu7w-k