Cyclocross

"Skunk" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have been cycling a couple of years and for some (strange) reason am
attracted to cyclocross. I'm just a leisure cyclist and am 40+. If I
entered local races, does anyone know if there's aveteran class where
I'd be okay to come last week in, week out or is it very competitive.
And could I compete on a mountain bike or do I need a specialised bike,
and would a cyclocross bike double as a commuter. And am I right in
thinking races last for 1 hour and not on a number of laps. Also I'm a
bit of a chicken when it comes to off roading, am I right in thinking
that the downhill bits wouldn't be that rough or are fairly short. Any
comments appreciated.

I've only ever done it twice (on the same course) they are out and out
races, I think all adults go together and they are different class prizes
according to age. Expect to get a pasting unless you have a cross specific
bike rather than an MTB. They are good fun even if you don't take them too
seriously, but many involve some running around muddy woods with the bike on
your shoulder. The Schwinn?Merida?Kona (or whatever it is called
now)/Newnham long distance events are aimed at a wider range of riders but
are a long way away (Wales/Devon)

I think you may have missed the main season for CX this year (Oct-Nov) but
IMBW

Quoted message said:

I have been cycling a couple of years and for some (strange) reason am
attracted to cyclocross.

Yes, that is s strange thing indeed ;-)

Thre's a British Cycling cyclocross calendar at

http://www.bcf.uk.com/calendar/2004/cyclocross.html

Have a gander at that and see if there's any events to suit.

Cheers, helen s

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Skunk said:

I have been cycling a couple of years and for some (strange) reason am
attracted to cyclocross. I'm just a leisure cyclist and am 40+. If I
entered local races, does anyone know if there's aveteran class where
I'd be okay to come last week in, week out or is it very competitive.
And could I compete on a mountain bike or do I need a specialised bike,
and would a cyclocross bike double as a commuter. And am I right in
thinking races last for 1 hour and not on a number of laps. Also I'm a
bit of a chicken when it comes to off roading, am I right in thinking
that the downhill bits wouldn't be that rough or are fairly short. Any
comments appreciated.

I don't think anyone will mind if you are last everyweek, it'll mean
they arn't.

Skunk <[email hidden]> wrote:

: I have been cycling a couple of years and for some (strange) reason am
: attracted to cyclocross. I'm just a leisure cyclist and am 40+. If I
: entered local races, does anyone know if there's aveteran class where
: I'd be okay to come last week in, week out

It's fine. One of the good things about cross is that since it's round
(short) laps you don't get the depressing experience of watching a
road race bunch vanish out of sight at mach 10, leaving you to ride
the next 50 miles alone. Cross is much more beginner friendly.

Cross bikes make great commuters. Get some clip on mudguards for
the commuting (eg RaceBlades)

Arthur

--
Arthur Clune PGP/GPG Key: http://www.clune.org/pubkey.txt
It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness

Skunk <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I have been cycling a couple of years and for some (strange) reason am
attracted to cyclocross.

It does have its merits; race start times are very sensible (typically
11am to 1:30pm), especially when compared to time trialling; you don't
have motor traffic to contend with on the course; admittedly, you may
get a bit chilly, wet and muddy, but proper changing facilities
(sometimes with showers) and refreshments are often laid on. Plus,
races are relatively short, and you aren't battling with the elements
for too long!

Quoted message said:

I'm just a leisure cyclist and am 40+. If I
entered local races, does anyone know if there's aveteran class where
I'd be okay to come last week in, week out or is it very competitive.

There's usually always a vets' category (the race itself is usually a
mixed field with juniors and senior women too, and sometimes the
senior men as well), with a wide spread of abilities - definitely no
shame in being last, as 'cross can be quite demanding, and just
finishing is an achievement in itself! Also, you're bound to come up
against riders of similar ability, and will tend to find yourself
racing against them; likewise, other sub-groups of riders of similar
standard will be fighting out their own 'races within a race'.
Finally, but pretty important, it's fun - I tend to finish low down
the field in all my races, but thoroughly enjoy it!!

Quoted message said:

And could I compete on a mountain bike or do I need a specialised bike,
and would a cyclocross bike double as a commuter.

Mountain bikes are welcome in all UK events except the National
Championships and the National Trophy (a season-long points-based
series) events, but courses are aimed at cyclocross bikes which are
often lighter and with skinnier tyres, which sometimes puts MTBs at a
disadvantage - particularly ones with suspension, which tend to weigh
more, especially once they've bicked up a bit of mud. If you've got a
touring bike fitted with cantilever brakes, that would also make a
good beginner's machine (STI/Ergo or bar-end gear levers are also
preferable); adding knobbly 'cross tyres and losing the mudguards,
racks, lights, bottle cages, etc. gives you a decent starting point.
Conversely, you can buy a 'cross bike and use it on the road [1] too
(I used to use a 'cross bike as a trainer) - just add road tyres and
fit mudguards if preferred (though you may need P-clips and/or
zip-ties). Also, not all 'cross frames have water bottle fittings, so
you may need clips for bottle cages too. If you want a purpose-built
bike, recommendation for a good starter's 'cross mount is to look at
the 2nd-hand market (the Sales message board at www.cyclo-cross.com is
a good place to start, as are the small ads in C+ and CW), as I don't
know of any cheap brand-new options now that Peugeot no longer make
their 'cross bike.

Quoted message said:

And am I right in
thinking races last for 1 hour and not on a number of laps.

Depends how fast the race is; the usual standard is 1hr + x number of
laps, x depending on how quickly the leading riders are completing
laps.

Quoted message said:

Also I'm a
bit of a chicken when it comes to off roading, am I right in thinking
that the downhill bits wouldn't be that rough or are fairly short.

Both. Courses usually (or at least are supposed to!) cater for 'cross
bikes rather than MTBs, so don't expect the riders to have machines
fitted with suspension ('cause it adds to the weight, even more so
when your bike's caked in goo!); this means that descents tend to be
shorter and gentler.
Apologies for the lengthy post - hope it is of use to you.

Regards,
David E. Belcher

[1] Cyclo-cross bikes have been raced in Paris-Roubaix before now, and
some top off-roaders in the not-too-distant past have ridden road
races on their 'cross bikes fitted with slicks (I've seen a photo of
Caroline Alexander doing just that, no doubt there are others too).

Cheers for that. No worries about the length of the posting, just the sort of stuff I wanted.
I'm enthused.
If you see me next year don't throw too much mud in my face as you pass.

Just a p.s.
why cantilever brakes. Is it because they get rid of the mud easier?

Skunk said:

Just a p.s.
why cantilever brakes. Is it because they get rid of the mud easier?

Yes. They are less prone to getting clogged up.
Bikes will tend to have big clearances all round, and higher BBs too.

John B
veteran of two cyclo cross events (and one time organiser of South of
England Championships)