Cyclocross Racing - first race of the season

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.
somnambulant
09-03-08, 10:30 AM
It's that time of the year, people! The first races of the season are coming up. Let us know how you felt... Need to practice those dismounts/remounts? Have a good crash? Realize half-way through that your bike needs some TLC? Share your stories!
I sorta had mine last night at our weekly, tuesday night training/clinic/race night. Good to get back out on a proper CX course, although the skills definitely showed their rustiness! I actually snagged on the back of my saddle on one lazy remount.. how embarassing! I placed fairly well though, all the same.
LOTS of newbies out there too, which is always nice to see. Seemed like lots more carbon, too. :)
Aeroplane
09-18-08, 09:55 AM
Total n00bzor here, did my first race last night, wicked, wicked fun.
My remounts/dismounts went way smoother than I thought they would, I even passed a couple people while doing them. I guess practicing in my yard the night before helped.
However, equipment setup needs some work... I was running a 39t front with a 11-32 cassette. Never used anything below the middle gears the whole time, and I dropped my chain 5 times. The last two drops came immediately after one another in the final lap, and I got my chain stuck between the crank and chainring each time. Lost about 6 spots just because of that. If anybody knows where I can get a cheap chainguide, I would be obliged. :)
That said, can't wait until next week! If I get my chain sorted out, I think I might move up 10+ spots.
isotopesope
09-18-08, 10:37 AM
If anybody knows where I can get a cheap chainguide, I would be obliged. :)
are you running a single chainring then?
http://cyclocrossworld.stores.yahoo.net/justchde.html
http://cyclocrossworld.stores.yahoo.net/3rdeyechwa.html
shapelike
09-18-08, 10:56 AM
http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/cyclocrossworld_2019_162957
These actually come on most cheap bikes (think low-end hyrids, etc.) ... if you ask around at a shop you can probably get one for free or at most a few bucks.