Let's Talk Cyclocross

Results are up here...

So I am doing my first race this coming Saturday… Doing the Rapha Starcrossed event in Redmond, WA. My cx bike arrives this week so this may well be my 2nd or 3rd ride on the bike so you could so I am going into this a little blind…. Any sage words of advice? How fast do these races tend to go off? I think the biggest worry I have is pacing myself for the 45 mins. Anyone else going to the race?

I did that a few years ago. Fantastic event. Huge turnout. In my event there were 90 riders plus I think 50 single speed riders in a pack that started ahead of us. It was dry for our race but wet later. Part of the course is inside the track and it helped at one corner to go up the track. But when the track is wet, super slick. Like ice. Not super technical. Get to your start early so you have a front position. Many guys ride too cautiously and politely. Take advantage of that. Used to be Vancouver riders were better than the average US rider in a given category. Not really true there are just more of them. My friend and I did quite well. We had to start at the very back of the 90 rider pack. I ended up mid pack and I think my buddy was top ten. And theoretically we were in too high a category. I think we were with cat four but two age groups younger? It is a great event in any event.

So I am doing my first race this coming Saturday… Doing the Rapha Starcrossed event in Redmond, WA.Any sage words of advice? How fast do these races tend to go off? I think the biggest worry I have is pacing myself for the 45 mins. Anyone else going to the race?

These races go off fast!! I raced the MFG race yesterday and there was a lot of pushing and aggressive moves on the first lap.
Start slow. Then build as you get the first laps under you. I got hooked and crashed right at the start yesterday.
There is a huge beer garden and lots of heckling over the barriers.
There also is a clock that tells you at each time you are through the start and finish, the time remaining.
If you are doing cat4/5 there will be strong guys but bad bike handling skills. Look for the best lines on your own and go there rather than follow some guys bad line.

There is a pavement start that is 20 wide that funnels to a gravel first corner. Really fast to sketchy.

I will be racing single speed, so I will not be there at that early. But you need to stay to watch the pro men and women. So fast and smooth. Pm me if you want more info or meet down there. Good choice on the race. It's a great event.

A question next weekend should I race citizen or single speed at Vanier Park? Looks like it will be muddy and I will racing my retro commuter weapon

A question next weekend should I race citizen or single speed at Vanier Park? Looks like it will be muddy and I will racing my retro commuter weapon

Why not both? :D

the thought had crossed my mind and hasn't quite made it out yet

New Brighton [HTML_REMOVED] Vanier this weekend……Then another double in Bellingham the next weekend Oct 5th [HTML_REMOVED] 6th.

http://www.mfgcyclocross.com/series-information/mfgbcp/

Couple more Oct 19th [HTML_REMOVED] 20th: http://vancouversuperprestige.com/Calendar.html

Oh and another Nov 2 [HTML_REMOVED] 3rd: http://cascadecross.com/races/cross-border-clash/

:)

50mm of rain forecast for each race day.

Bring on the mud :)

50mm of rain forecast for each race day.

Bring on the mud :)

Hell yes!!!!

shower time . . .

What time is "day of" registration for new brighton?

It says 9.30 on the CCN site, allow plenty of time. Off to reg for Vanier now pretty excited!