Cyclocross - What went wrong in this RACE???

I found this video clip from a Cyclocross event from a few years back. From what I hear, you really need to have a lot of endurance and stamina to do one of these events. Well, I have a question. In the beginning of the clip, why do so many bicyclists slip and crash in the same spot. Do the tires have anything to do with it, I mean, I would imagine so? It almost seems like they are going over a patch of black ice. Thanks because I am thinking of doing an event like this in the summer and I could use all the advice I can get. Here is the link.

http://www.burlysports.com/video/19614

because its a steep downhill section that is extremely muddy.

I was in that race.

Your analogy to black ice is appropriate. The course in that section was grassy, down hill and off camber. We'd had enough rain recently to keep ground conditions wet without being sloppy. So what happens is that the ground becomes greasy in consistency-- hardpack underneath with a sticky, slippery wet top compounded by grass.

Tire tread is obviously a factor, so is skill, speed, momentum, etc. That's part of what makes cyclocross so fun-- luck is the largest single determining factor.

I found this video clip from a Cyclocross event from a few years back. From what I hear, you really need to have a lot of endurance and stamina to do one of these events. Well, I have a question. In the beginning of the clip, why do so many bicyclists slip and crash in the same spot. Do the tires have anything to do with it, I mean, I would imagine so? It almost seems like they are going over a patch of black ice. Thanks because I am thinking of doing an event like this in the summer and I could use all the advice I can get. Here is the link.

http://www.burlysports.com/video/19614

I dont think they run cyclocross events in the summer, it is usually a fall so that the weather conditions do play a big part in the race.

the answer to the topic is

nothing

I dont think they run cyclocross events in the summer, it is usually a fall so that the weather conditions do play a big part in the race.

"Greasy" mud. I think that was Estacada 2005 0r 2006. Race cross and find out why it's so hard to stay upright.

Cyclocross = Autumn, by strict tradition. Summer is for road racing.

Thin slick mud over wet grass on a downhill with an uncambered sharp corner at the bottom. You'll notice that mountain bikes were going down also.

As for endurance and stamina, those are different things. Cross races don't last more than an hour, so the endurance demands are very different from most bike races.

Ron