Great Lakes - My first cross race...

Finally did it. I have a report with lots of pictures out on my blog here: http://psimet.blogspot.com/2008/10/chicken-has-been-served.html

Picture gallery is here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/psimet/sets/72157608227504987/

All in all a great race. Lots of fun. One of the hardest things I have ever done on a bike.

Knobbies and dirt suck, but racing in October rocks.

I ended up "40th" out of "67". :rolleyes: I plan on doing better this week. We'll see.

jbernaeyge, and mjh2 were both there and both did better than me :eek:...no seriously...:rolleyes: shocker right??!

Supergirl was back and I now know her secret identity.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3294/2960472942_88656fd64a_o.jpg

congrats! this looks like you were having a great time! ;)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3243/2960472606_7ab6402c44.jpg?v=0

it was a blast. i will admit it was a little more challengeing the my mtb races as the endurance part.

thats what i get for riding a single speed. looking forward to racing with you guys on sunday

im starting to think gears would be nice

I ended up "40th" out of "67". :rolleyes: I plan on doing better this week. We'll see.


Man, I think we both did well considering we started towards the back behind some folks that I wouldn't say are strong riders.

My goal for Bartlett will be to start farther up in the scrum and finish in the top 35% of riders.

yeah starting in the back sucked. i use some of my mtb tactics to get to the front.
we all show try and team up next week and train towards the front

yeah starting in the back sucked. i use some of my mtb tactics to get to the front.
we all show try and team up next week and train towards the front

Yeah.

Thinking back on it, I think it would be better to start up front and go max effort at the gun. I think if I had spent the race slowly sliding back I'd have placed better than trying to pick people off one-by-one.

I told you it looked like a lot of fun! :D

Wow.

:thumb:

Bah ! Back in my day this is what the trail and barriers used to look like and
we loved 'em. http://www.freedomcrowsnest.org/forum/images/smiles/whip.gif

Our home event was held on the first day of gun deer hunting and we were thankful just to race!

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc54/biffbradford/cycling/cross/DSC04887_hf.jpg

Just kidding! Actually, the last part was true.

Nice job though. The 3's up here were all saying things like "this course is kicking my a** ! ",
so you're not alone.

:thumb:

i love that look on your face. it never gets old.

nice job. later.

A lot of people claim they know the real Super Girl.

Did you know Super Girl plays tambourine on Edgar Winter's "Frankenstein"?

True story.

congrats to psi for battling like only a true lycra super hero can.

I have two questions.
1. are trials bikes allowed?
2. if yes, was anyone riding one?

congrats to psi for battling like only a true lycra super hero can.

I have two questions.
1. are trials bikes allowed?
2. if yes, was anyone riding one?

Technically any bike is allowed. Cross is good like that. Lots of people on mtn bikes. Cross bikes are more efficient on the majority of cross terrain. You'd end up right with a mtn bik through a lot of the technical stuff, but end up flying past them on all of the open sections.

Congrats!!!! I love the pictures! Looks like great fun. It looks like you didn't have much mud. I'd like to do the St. Charles one but that weekend is impossible for me. Keep us informed!

Turns out my team is "running" the St Chuck's race. You should make it. It's worth it....seriously. Just ignore my bruises....

Where and when is the St. Charles race? Looks like something I might get into....

Flyer (http://www.chicrosscup.com/CamptonCross8copy.jpg)

http://www.chicrosscup.com/

Turns out my team is "running" the St Chuck's race. You should make it. It's worth it....seriously. Just ignore my bruises....

My hip bruise is just now almost gone from the practice session! HA

That looks like fun!


Not!


But I still want to do it. Damn knee.

That looks like fun!


Not!


But I still want to do it. Damn knee.

Just think for a minute, it would give you an excuse to build another bike. :D

Just think for a minute, it would give you an excuse to build another bike. :D

I am starting to become a firm advocate that cross bikes need to be low rent workhorses. Inputflangeman has a high end Ridley cross bike that he has already cracked the top tube on during a wreck.

I have heard more and more stories of high end rigs just getting demolished. I'm not saying they don't have their place, but with cross being so violent anyway it is one form of racing where I agree that the high end stuff is for those in the higher ranks (who can actually dismount and remount and ride off-camber without hitting the deck).

I love my rig for this reason. I trashed the paint just in the last few weeks. I have old 32 spoke 3X Shimano 600/Open 4 CD rim wheels....just a f'n work horse.

Don't know where I was going with this.....

oh yeah, I guess i am saying that building a cross bike for CC wouldn't be much of a challenge and wouldn't give the rest of us the High-Carbon buzz that we usually get seeing CC's pictures.

BTW - CC - cross bikes make GREAT commuters.....just sayin...:D

Cat 1 'crossers don't crash.

Period.

:lol:

You're funny JT1!

No I don't need another bike. Do I?

Well maybe ?


Does Cervelo make a cross bike?

:)

I am starting to become a firm advocate that cross bikes need to be low rent workhorses. Inputflangeman has a high end Ridley cross bike that he has already cracked the top tube on during a wreck.

I have heard more and more stories of high end rigs just getting demolished. I'm not saying they don't have their place, but with cross being so violent anyway it is one form of racing where I agree that the high end stuff is for those in the higher ranks (who can actually dismount and remount and ride off-camber without hitting the deck).

I love my rig for this reason. I trashed the paint just in the last few weeks. I have old 32 spoke 3X Shimano 600/Open 4 CD rim wheels....just a f'n work horse.

Don't know where I was going with this.....

oh yeah, I guess i am saying that building a cross bike for CC wouldn't be much of a challenge and wouldn't give the rest of us the High-Carbon buzz that we usually get seeing CC's pictures.

BTW - CC - cross bikes make GREAT commuters.....just sayin...:D

Which is why I still don't quite get the use of high-end carbon rims in cross. But, I guess, if you can afford to trash 'em, go for it!

PSI and MJH2, are you using cross bikes or converted road bikes?

Great job on the race...and the report. Almost makes me want to get out there and give it a try. All I have is my carbon Trek and based on the comments, it could be history real quick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rVrSjTLo9o

This needs to be done around here.

Full cross bike. I bought a Fuji cross pro last December for commuting and possible cross racing. Rode it all year as a commuter. Converted to race about a month ago.

I picked it up for something like $1,300 and it came with mostly Ultegra and some DA. I robbed some of the DA and put some used Ultegra on it, ditched the wheels after breaking spoke...etc....

MJH2 made a fraken-cross on the cheap that rocks. All around I feel like you can get a great cross bike for around $1,000. You can piece one together cheaper depending on what you already have.

Imagine it set up for racing....this is the commuter configuration. Fenders and cross top levers are gone...

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/2364/fujicrossprofm6.jpg

Full cross bike. I bought a Fuji cross pro last December for commuting and possible cross racing. Rode it all year as a commuter. Converted to race about a month ago.

I picked it up for something like $1,300 and it came with mostly Ultegra and some DA. I robbed some of the DA and put some used Ultegra on it, ditched the wheels after breaking spoke...etc....

MJH2 made a fraken-cross on the cheap that rocks. All around I feel like you can get a great cross bike for around $1,000. You can piece one together cheaper depending on what you already have.

If I had to do it all over again, I'd have probably gone with the performance brand (or some other such cheapness) frame/fork... simply for the cable routing (and the non-funky rear wheel spacing). I thought I'd use that bike mostly for prairie path and "around town" fun, though.

STI's seem to be about the most expensive part. Even at that, I'm not sure that they're THAT much of an advantage of bar-ends depending on how you set them up. Anybody with a beater Mt. Bike/hybrid/road bike is probably well on the way to being able to put together a competent cross ride.

PSI and MJH2, are you using cross bikes or converted road bikes?

Great job on the race...and the report. Almost makes me want to get out there and give it a try. All I have is my carbon Trek and based on the comments, it could be history real quick.

RJBTrek- if you want to give it a go and are willing to race in something OTHER than 4b, you're welcome to borrow my ride.

I used the Nashbar Cyclo-X frame, and went from there. I think it's really more of a light tourer than anything (cables routed on the down-tube), but I don't think it's holding me back any. I added parts from my old road bike, and old Mt. Bike parts I had sitting around. I bought a few more odds and ends... boom. Cyclocross bike.

This was my first race as well, but it seems that until fairly recently this was the way a lot of people entered the sport.

I was already contemplating a new frame but that seems like a waste of money unless the bike is holding me back... which it's not. There's probably more time to be gained by learning to better dismount/re-mount.

RJBTrek- if you want to give it a go and are willing to race in something OTHER than 4b, you're welcome to borrow my ride.

I used the Nashbar Cyclo-X frame, and went from there. I think it's really more of a light tourer than anything (cables routed on the down-tube), but I don't think it's holding me back any. I added parts from my old road bike, and old Mt. Bike parts I had sitting around. I bought a few more odds and ends... boom. Cyclocross bike.

This was my first race as well, but it seems that until fairly recently this was the way a lot of people entered the sport.

I was already contemplating a new frame but that seems like a waste of money unless the bike is holding me back... which it's not. There's probably more time to be gained by learning to better dismount/re-mount.

WOW! Thanks for the offer. I'm contemplating getting a cross bike but have also been looking at a Trek Madone 5.5 as well. I have yet to convince myself that I would ride cross enough to invest in a bike just for that. I was considering converting my Trek 5000 for cross but not sure that would work real well.

RJBTrek- If it's any consolation, there were a bunch of guys out there on Mountain Bikes yesterday. Many of whom blew right past me on the concrete. I'm not sure that a properly converted cross bike would hold you back.

I'll be racing 4b at St. Charles. If you want to borrow the bike for one of the early Masters races or the 4a, let me know. It's got SPD pedals. I'm sure I can dig up some extra cleats (or switch mine over quick).

Hi Psi!

Strong work on Sunday.

Here's my list of chicross blogs. In no particular order.

Your Peoria blog reader


http://herdingbats.blogspot.com/

http://jeffunderscorekao.wordpress.com/

http://killjoy.squarespace.com/blog/

http://jbhancock.blogspot.com/

http://gofasterjim.blogspot.com/

http://ponyshop.blogspot.com/

http://www.beverlybike-veepak.com/

http://www.qgd3.com/blog/

http://velosnaps.wordpress.com/

http://thebonebell.com/

http://www.halfacrecycling.org/

http://ikymagoo.dotphoto.com/

http://onefingspeed.blogspot.com/

http://daveinmotion.wordpress.com/

http://www.perpetualmotion1.blogspot.com/

http://psimet.blogspot.com/

RJBTrek- If it's any consolation, there were a bunch of guys out there on Mountain Bikes yesterday. Many of whom blew right past me on the concrete. I'm not sure that a properly converted cross bike would hold you back.

I'll be racing 4b at St. Charles. If you want to borrow the bike for one of the early Masters races or the 4a, let me know. It's got SPD pedals. I'm sure I can dig up some extra cleats (or switch mine over quick).

Thanks for the offer. I've been sick all week and would not be in any shape to do a cross race. I did get the Madone so my Trek 5000 could be converted. What do you think about that? It's carbon.

Here are some shots of the kids from Bicycle Heaven rocking the Campton Cross course today...

MJH2 and Psimet through the haipin twisty/turny section:

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/cylowe97/2008%20Campton%20Cross/DSCN4638.jpg

Psimet getting hollered at but good by one of the rowdy bunch near the playground:

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/cylowe97/2008%20Campton%20Cross/DSCN4667.jpg

MJH2 flying along late in the race:

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/cylowe97/2008%20Campton%20Cross/DSCN4689.jpg

Psimet's dream girl in hot pursuit:

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/cylowe97/2008%20Campton%20Cross/DSCN4677.jpg

Post race posing:

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/cylowe97/2008%20Campton%20Cross/DSCN4699.jpg

More pics can be found here (http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/cylowe97/2008%20Campton%20Cross/).

Awesome man...those pictures ROCK! Thanks! I heard the cowbell and the cheering every single time through there. You have NO IDEA how much that picks you up when you're past redline and can't see straight.

:beer: :thumb:

Thanks for coming out and snapping the pictures! That course was insane... Nowhere to rest, really.

Best course of the year. Great race.

Best course of the year. Great race.

Allright Mayo....you gotta introduce yourself next week.....cape or no cape. I'm starting to think you're a SCW....:D

Psi,

I snuck by you on the last lap.

http://ikymagoo.dotphoto.com/CPViewAlbum.asp?AID=5601855&IID=204538757&Page=7#

compare pic 250 to 252.

btw here are my lap times for the 4as (6 laps) vs those for the 4bs (5 laps)

4a: 6:07, 6:00, 6:02, 6:05, 6:08, 5:57

4b: 6:43, 6:19, 6:15, 6:08, 6:12

Flan


flan

Yeah I figured you did, but just don't remember seeing you. Next time call out and I'll give you a line....maybe...;)

Couldn't call out 'cause I had a dollar bill between my teeth (in right hand in pic)

Whew! Tough day of 'cross'n at Northbrook! Not only was it cold and windy, but the fields were large and the course was crooked ... it was all tilted to one side or another.

Looked like MJH2 had a killer start ... 1st into the stairs? 5th on lap 2?

Psimet hanging tough in the low 20's.

Couple quick pix:

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc54/biffbradford/cycling/cross/IMG_9931.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc54/biffbradford/cycling/cross/IMG_9876.jpg

More later after I get some heat back into my bones. BRrrrrrrrrrrrr.

It was brutal. I just didn't have it. Felt empty. The cold messed with me bad - I've lost a lot of fat and I just can't regulate body temp worth a crap anymore.

The course was SOOoooooo non-technical except for 1 turn which I wrecked on during pre-laps. That messed with me for the whole race.

MJH2 - well....I'll let him tell his story. Let's just say he JUST left my shop.

J-Dub - Much thanks on the cheering and updates. I heard every single one. I couldn't look for fear of falling/mis-stepping. They helped out a lot. That guy who was on me was on me for almost 2 full laps. I held him off until the big hill on the back side and then he was gone.

I ended up 22nd. Still a good day considering I think we had some cheese eating ringers and some more of the Chicago crowd showing up because it was closer (crappy weather and we still had 55 listed as FINISHING, and I know at least one who dropped out :eek:)

Love to see the shots j-Dub. Mrs. P has a camera fart so we've got nothing. BTW - just have to point out that in that pic I am in front of Supergirl and Bob from Beverly. That's all that matter. ;)

Ride report:

Basically I suck bad at bike racing.

Tomorrow, after I've had a chance to sleep off the disappointment, wash off the blodd, and decide whether to buy a new bike or fix all the jacked stuff on the old one, I'll post a more full race report.

Wilke- I forgot to tell you that I had some DVD's for you. They're ended up getting loaned elsewhere, but I'll make sure they get to you!

Epic day. I still think they should have set the stairs on fire.

Can't wait to get to the video ... I've got luke from CBR.Com crashing ... Oh yeah! :bike:


http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc54/biffbradford/cycling/cross/IMG_0047.jpg

That's how I close out a top 10 run.

Is it me, or does it look like the rear wheel may already be out of true in that shot?

You do the analysis. Here a crop of the photo just prior to that one, 1/6th of a second before.

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc54/biffbradford/cycling/IMG_0046.jpg

Still looks straight to me, but it was hard to tell your wheel was taco'd until you pulled it out of the frame.

I still say you taco'd it when you threw it.