Cyclo-Cross Season

Tenzor07

Some dates for your CX calendar!

Fixx Supercross Dates for 2014:

September 28th
October 19th
November 16th
December 7th

Venue confirmation to follow.

Casula

Thinking of trying out some cyclro-cross races over the winter. What essential equipment would be required?

Inquitus

Casula wrote: »

Thinking of trying out some cyclro-cross races over the winter. What essential equipment would be required?

A CX bike, not much else beyond your normal winter gear.

Raam

SPD style pedals and MTB style shoes.

Tenzor07

CX Tubs!

Raam

Skinsuit.

Casula

Raam wrote: »

Skinsuit.

Aero helmet?

Raam

Casula wrote: »

Aero helmet?

No, they are too "try hard". Deep section wheels are OK though.

Alek

Balls.

thebouldwhacker

I would love to give this a go this winter, are there many venues outside of Dublin? Is there a cx 'club' or website audax style? How does one enter, turn up and pay or pre register, pay an annual membership?

Cheers.

The tax man

Hope to get out for some of these. Just need to find myself a cx bike.

Raam

The tax man wrote: »

Hope to get out for some of these. Just need to find myself a cx bike.

One of those TI bikes which you have might have clearance, then you just need canti brakes and knobblies. Unless of course, you want to buy a new bike, in which case, don't let me stop you.

Inquitus

The tax man wrote: »

Just need to find myself a cx bike.

Don't we all, not sure on the best way to sell this to the missus.

Raam

Inquitus wrote: »

Don't we all, not sure on the best way to sell this to the missus.

You buy the bike, then deal with whatever grief comes your way when it arrives.

brasshead

Also hoping to give CX a go this winter. On the lookout for a dirt cheap bike.

Was wondering about the pedal system - figured Look pedal systems are out.

The tax man

Raam wrote: »

One of those TI bikes which you have might have clearance, then you just need canti brakes and knobblies. Unless of course, you want to buy a new bike, in which case, don't let me stop you.

Hoping to replace the Felt SS with a cx bike that will take mudguards( for commuting). Have a shortlist including a Bianchi,horribly overpriced but there's one knocking around with a hefty discount.

Nothing my stable would be any use for cx.

countrykid

Very tidy ( as new) corratec in Harry's bikes..
All 105...
Would have bought it but got lucky on here with a swap

countrykid

Also.... For Italian fans...

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/41771/Basso_Devil_Cross_Frameset_2010

nak

brasshead wrote: »

Also hoping to give CX a go this winter. On the lookout for a dirt cheap bike.

Was wondering about the pedal system - figured Look pedal systems are out.

Mountain bike pedals/shoes or flats.

DKO

Are there many venues outside of Dublin?
Last year there were two races in Tipperary, also an Ulster CX series. Would be great to see some clubs around the country start local race series. Hardly outside Dublin, but Swords cycling club organised a series last year in N Dublin which was great.

Is there a cx 'club' or website audax style?
There is the facebook page for fixx cyclocross cup and an website irish cx. The Dublin series details are posted on these pages.

How does one enter, turn up and pay or pre register, pay an annual membership?
Show up and pay on the day last few years i seem to remember, maybe this year could be pre-register as its getting more popular. Check the above sites for details.

Worth a trip up north for the Ulster races also, also very well run and supported. Kids races and support mtb races run up there on the day also.

As I said it would be great if races got off the ground in other parts of the country. CX is a great sport that suits Irish weather, regardless of conditions one can pretty much race and not be frozen and have s cracking time. Plus families amd supporters can easily see lots of racing in safety, unlike on the road, races are short about 1 hour. Everyone gets lap times and finishing positions, so despite the leaders racing away everyone races for the full duration and if the pain gets too much you get lapped and have to ride one less lap :-)

Tenzor07

Pre-reg is available for the CX races, more details will come once the venues are confirmed... Irish CX is the website...

The Ulster races are great and involve a race in the morning for any parents out there bringing children, on MTB's.

I heard rumors of a Southern/Munster series but not sure yet, still another month to the season!!

thebouldwhacker

Thanks for the info!

Pablo Rubio

Just bought this on B2W for winter trainer/commuter and gonna have a crack at a few CX races. Havent done any CX before , but 2 races within 500m of the house so should be handy for a bit of practice.

dragratchet

that is a nice machine!!..if it were me id throw on a bit of black bar-tape to hide the inevitable filth

Pablo Rubio

dragratchet wrote: »

that is a nice machine!!..if it were me id throw on a bit of black bar-tape to hide the inevitable filth

Good call. That red bar tape on it looks crap anyway

Raam

Pablo Rubio wrote: »

Just bought this on B2W for winter trainer/commuter and gonna have a crack at a few CX races. Havent done any CX before , but 2 races within 500m of the house so should be handy for a bit of practice.

Humphries?

countrykid

Pablo Rubio wrote: »

Just bought this on B2W for winter trainer/commuter and gonna have a crack at a few CX races. Havent done any CX before , but 2 races within 500m of the house so should be handy for a bit of practice.

What size is that an what height are you do you mind me asking??

wanderer 22

Anyone know of any cx training sessions taking place in Dublin area?

Tenzor07

Raam wrote: »

Humphries?

These guys stock Focus: Link

Raam

Tenzor07 wrote: »

These guys stock Focus: Link

Ah OK, I saw a Focus of the same colour in Humphries the other week. It's, eh, quite noticeable!

Tenzor07

colm18 wrote: »

Anyone know of any cx training sessions taking place in Dublin area?

Keep an eye on the Facebook page: Link

Or if you're in a club you could organise some training within that club?

Inquitus

Few CX Bike questions, have been looking at the Dolan website on account of the other thread. Looking to do some CX racing, and have fun in the B races.

1. Is groupset important at all?
2. Is being able to shift in the drops important?
3. Is sizing close enough to road sizing, i.e. 54cm = 54cm

Tnx a mil

Tenzor07

Raam wrote: »

Ah OK, I saw a Focus of the same colour in Humphries the other week. It's, eh, quite noticeable!

Yeap, v nice bike, looks better in the flesh..

Raam

Inquitus wrote: »

Few CX Bike questions, have been looking at the Dolan website on account of the other thread. Looking to do some CX racing, and have fun in the B races.

1. Is groupset important at all?
2. Is being able to shift in the drops important?
3. Is sizing close enough to road sizing, i.e. 54cm = 54cm

Tnx a mil

No, no and it depends on the bike.

Tenzor07

Inquitus wrote: »

Few CX Bike questions, have been looking at the Dolan website on account of the other thread. Looking to do some CX racing, and have fun in the B races.

1. Is groupset important at all?
2. Is being able to shift in the drops important?
3. Is sizing close enough to road sizing, i.e. 54cm = 54cm

Tnx a mil

1. well you want something reliable
2. Don't think i've seen anyone in the drops in a CX race
3. yes, though Focus bikes tend to be sized slightly smaller than others for example

Raam

Seems to me that it is the rear mech which suffers the most.

lennymc

Inquitus wrote: »

Few CX Bike questions, have been looking at the Dolan website on account of the other thread. Looking to do some CX racing, and have fun in the B races.

1. Is groupset important at all?
2. Is being able to shift in the drops important?
3. Is sizing close enough to road sizing, i.e. 54cm = 54cm

Tnx a mil

1. No.
2. No
3. yeah.

Go single speed. You wont break derailleurs then.

Tenzor07

Raam wrote: »

Seems to me that it is the rear mech which suffers the most.

Gear clogging up with mud and snapping being most common!

lennymc

Tenzor07 wrote: »

1. well you want something reliable
2. Don't think i've seen anyone in the drops in a CX race
3. yes, though Focus bikes tend to be sized slightly smaller than others for example

i use the drops a bit in cx races - was using them on all of the tarmac stuff last week, and use them in some of the other races with fast flat bits.

Tenzor07

I'd normally turn the bars up so the hoods are quite high... then again i'ma MTB'er used to flat wide bars!

Inquitus

Tenzor07 wrote: »

I'd normally turn the bars up so the hoods are quite high... then again i'ma MTB'er used to flat wide bars!

So it's the like of you responsible for monstrosities like this on done deal?

Raam

Inquitus wrote: »

So it's the like of you responsible for monstrosities like this on done deal?

Jesus Christ! It is common to roll the shifters back a bit since you would spend most time on the hoods.

nak

lennymc wrote: »

i use the drops a bit in cx races - was using them on all of the tarmac stuff last week, and use them in some of the other races with fast flat bits.

Same here and for some of the steep descents in other courses.

Tenzor07

Inquitus wrote: »

So it's the like of you responsible for monstrosities like this on done deal?

Not quite!

Esroh

3 races in Connaght in Nov 2nd ,16th and 30th. Venues to be confirmed , possibly more dates.

Tenzor07

Oh yes, maybe the "Muddy Cup" CX race will be back also.....

Koobcam

How do you go about organising a CX race? I live near the Curragh and that would be a perfect place to hold a CX race, though I don't know if there would be issues with it being a military base. I'm thinking some sort of local league (local as in aimed at people living near by but open to all) would be good. I'd like to try a bit more cx racing this winter but I'm not sure about travelling up to North Dublin every other week

Raam

Koobcam wrote: »

How do you go about organising a CX race? I live near the Curragh and that would be a perfect place to hold a CX race, though I don't know if there would be issues with it being a military base. I'm thinking some sort of local league (local as in aimed at people living near by but open to all) would be good. I'd like to try a bit more cx racing this winter but I'm not sure about travelling up to North Dublin every other week

Secure a venue first by talking to the landowner or whoever manages it. Without that, you have nothing.

Tenzor07

Koobcam wrote: »

How do you go about organising a CX race? I live near the Curragh and that would be a perfect place to hold a CX race, though I don't know if there would be issues with it being a military base. I'm thinking some sort of local league (local as in aimed at people living near by but open to all) would be good. I'd like to try a bit more cx racing this winter but I'm not sure about travelling up to North Dublin every other week

Some of the local lads around the Curragh do train there.. I believe there was also a race organised a few years ago but was cancelled.

Best thing is to liaise with local clubs and riders to gauge the amount of support for the race/timing/course design and marking etc..

Tenzor07

Koobcam wrote: »

but I'm not sure about travelling up to North Dublin every other week

Although... it's only a 30mins drive from the Curragh to say Grangecastle where one of the SuperCross rounds are held..

Koobcam

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Although... it's only a 30mins drive from the Curragh to say Grangecastle where one of the SuperCross rounds are held..

True enough, Curragh does seem a kind of obvious place to hold a race though and with the number of clubs in the area, I'd say you'd get some interest.