a few questions about cyclocross

lizzylad84

just looking for some info on cyclocross.
im seriously thinking about taking up cx early next year and just looking to see what race experience fellow boardsies had before taking up cx.
what type of bike spec is required, race schedules etc

basically a crash (no pun intended) coarse on everything cx

The tax man

I started racing taking part in CX last year after getting the bug watching the Rathfarnham CX race. I had no off road racing experience prior to my first race. I just hit the Phoenix Park after getting my bike to get used to riding in mud and dialing in dismounts and remounts.
Ideally you'll want to get hold of a CX bike or frame that'll take disc or cantilever brakes. In the B races you'll even find the odd mountain bike racing.
Great friendly atmosphere at all the races. Well worth getting into.

Upcoming season dates.

nak

League racing finishes up in December, with nationals early January. Most people race on the road or XC MTB. I haven't done any racing this year (last year track and crits), my husband does the A race and has never done any other form of bike racing.

As long as you can handle yourself cycling in a group, you will be fine. It's painful for everyone.

Alek

I have exactly the same story as The Tax Man Got hooked on this after watching Rathfarnham race the last year, haven't missed any local race since (at least voluntarily ). No previous racing experience either.

Its tough. You will suffer and question yourself "why have I actually signed up for this" on the third lap. By the time you finish you'll be more than happy you did

As long as you can handle yourself cycling in a group

Maybe I'm picky on words, as I know what you mean, but I always found cycling in a group off-putting, in the sense you are part of it in road racing or even group rides. In cyclocross, you are on your own, you cycle against the group (well, except for the start)

lennymc

if you are taking it up early next year you will miss most of the season. It really is great fun tho!

nak

Alek wrote: »

Maybe I'm picky on words, as I know what you mean, but I always found cycling in a group off-putting, in the sense you are part of it in road racing or even group rides. In cyclocross, you are on your own, you cycle against the group (well, except for the start)

It was more for the start of the race, and being comfortable with passing people/being passed. There is a certain amount of race etiquette too especially when it comes to the more technical sections - if you know you can't /don't want to ride something, then don't push past those who can right before you get to it, don't scream at people to get out the f**king way etc. You also have to know when to hold your line if it's not a suitable place for someone to pass you.

I would advise learning the rules re pits/mechanicals and feeds too, as they don't really explain them at the races. I nearly got DQ'd from a B race the first time I had to change a wheel.

Tenzor07

If you come to one of the races in the next few months you will see what CX racing is all about...

Also do a search around on Youtube for CX vid's


Anything more specific you need to know?

silver campaign

The tax man wrote: »

I started racing

Upcoming season dates.

Just looking at the calendar there. I'm an A4 rider and Im hoping to do the Connaught CX League this year. Where can I find any info on the Fixx races? Do they have B races?

Also, where can I look into the rules for Pit changes, length of races (time or laps or both), what do I do after I get lapped etc?

Tenzor07

silver campaign wrote: »

Just looking at the calendar there. I'm an A4 rider and Im hoping to do the Connaught CX League this year. Where can I find any info on the Fixx races? Do they have B races?
Also, where can I look into the rules for Pit changes, length of races (time or laps or both), what do I do after I get lapped etc?

Follow Fixx supercrosscup on Facebook for race info..

The B race is usually for A4 car road riders, though you get a good number of A3's and lapsed A2's hunting for glory also..

Which rules for pit changes?

B races are anywhere from 45 to 70 mins depending on your fitness really..around 7 laps for the B's

After you get lapped you go wash your bike and watch the A race!

nak

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Follow Fixx supercrosscup on Facebook for race info..

The B race is usually for A4 car road riders, though you get a good number of A3's and lapsed A2's hunting for glory also..

Which rules for pit changes?

B races are anywhere from 45 to 70 mins depending on your fitness really..around 7 laps for the B's

After you get lapped you go wash your bike and watch the A race!

I have seen A1s sandbagging in the Bs and S1 mountain bikers!

You are still in the race once you get lapped until the winner crosses the line. I have been lapped 2 maybe 3 times before and still had to carry on to the bitter end.

Alek

B races are anywhere from 45 to 70 mins

Did it ever happen? I thought that average estimated time for B race is around 45min and after the first rider finishes, it can be max his time + 1 lap?

nak

Alek wrote: »

Did it ever happen? I thought that average estimated time for B race is around 45min and after the first rider finishes, it can be max his time + 1 lap?

Yes, most of the races I have done have been around an hour.

re the mechanical side of things, if you have a mechanical and can't fix it there and then, you have to run/walk/ride to the pits, swap your bike/wheel and then carry on. Say if you were just past the pits, you would have to do a whole lap, you can't double back on the course. Food and drink are aren't allowed either (except beer hand-ups - I wish).

lennymc

I remember having to run 3/4 lap with a bike on me shoulder.... Oh how I hate/love cyclocross!!

@nak - saw a retweeted pic of the new bike on twitter yesterday - looks brilliant. Best of luck with it

martyc5674

Are there any of these races in munster?

nak

lennymc wrote: »

I remember having to run 3/4 lap with a bike on me shoulder.... Oh how I hate/love cyclocross!!

@nak - saw a retweeted pic of the new bike on twitter yesterday - looks brilliant. Best of luck with it

Thanks, love it, just need to get the tubs glued up now. Hilly cyclocross sportive on the 20th, so got a 32 on the back for now - don't think it would be a good idea in the mud. Even if I come last, the bike still looks good.

SuperSean

Tenzor07 wrote: »

After you get lapped you go wash your bike and watch the A race!

Do they have stuff at the races to wash the bikes that everyone can use?

Tenzor07

SuperSean wrote: »

Do they have stuff at the races to wash the bikes that everyone can use?

Yea some races they do, certainly at the champs in the pit area, though people sometimes bring there own portable washers..

nak

SuperSean wrote: »

Do they have stuff at the races to wash the bikes that everyone can use?

Sadly not at Fixx league - they did have a guy from Donnybrook Landscaping using a jet wash 2 seasons ago. Most of the races were dry last year, so didn't require much washing.

nak

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Yea some races they do, certainly at the champs in the pit area, though people sometimes bring there own portable washers..

There was communal water at the champs, but each rider/club had their own jet wash/pit b*tch.

Tenzor07

nak wrote: »

There was communal water at the champs, but each rider/club had their own jet wash/pit b*tch.

You calling me a b*tch? :eek:

StevieGriff

martyc5674 wrote: »

Are there any of these races in munster?

De Ronde in Cork are in the works of setting a league up out of the new Tramore Park according to their Facebook page.
And have heard of rumours of one potentially starting in Killarney too, but all heard those rumours last year too.

nak

Tenzor07 wrote: »

You calling me a b*tch? :eek:

I have also been on pit duty, it's a highly undervalued service.

silver campaign

Thanks for the info.

So you race X number of laps rather than a crit where you race 45 minutes then X number of laps?

Does no food and drink mean you can't even bring a bottle of water on the bike? Whats the point of that?

Tenzor07

silver campaign wrote: »

So you race X number of laps rather than a crit where you race 45 minutes then X number of laps?

Does no food and drink mean you can't even bring a bottle of water on the bike? Whats the point of that?

Yeap, number of laps are pre-set...

Ermmm..well now, CX races are done at like 110% effort, no rest, no drafting, no downhill, no coasting so if you get time to eat and or drink then you're just not trying hard enough.
Also having a bottle cage is not allowed, and would get in the way when you have to shoulder the bike anyways..

Alek

Does no food and drink mean you can't even bring a bottle of water on the bike? Whats the point of that?

Everything is possible in B races - I've seen bottles and cages in Rathfarnham. However the race is too short and intense for eating/drinking in my opinion.

Just finish your coffee and have a handful of jelly babies 15mins before the start.

no drafting, no downhill, no coasting

Ah c'mon. You can't really ban drafting - do you remember the straght bit in Swords in Jan? Headwind was quite tiring Seen some coasting in Rathfarnham too, in the A race, and I mean top 3! :P

Tenzor07

Alek wrote: »

Ah c'mon. You can't really ban drafting - do you remember the straght bit in Swords in Jan? Headwind was quite tiring Seen some coasting in Rathfarnham too, in the A race, and I mean top 3! :P

Not really going to give you a huge benefit like in road racing, would be broken up too much by the nature of the course, i.e. tight turns, run ups, boards..

A major part of the Rathfarnham race was on road anyways, not so in other courses..

Maybe in some spots though as you mentioned..

nak

Alek wrote: »

Ah c'mon. You can't really ban drafting - do you remember the straght bit in Swords in Jan? Headwind was quite tiring Seen some coasting in Rathfarnham too, in the A race, and I mean top 3! :P

Drafting is allowed, the pros do it.

Raam

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Yeap, number of laps are pre-set...

Ermmm..well now, CX races are done at like 110% effort, no rest, no drafting, no downhill, no coasting so if you get time to eat and or drink then you're just not trying hard enough.
Also having a bottle cage is not allowed, and would get in the way when you have to shoulder the bike anyways..

You can have a bottle cage. In some races, the first lap or so is timed and then the amount of laps to race are then set as a function of that. Not seen that happen here though.