Cyclocross Racing - 3 races, 3 crashes.

Yesterday I put my face down in some loamy soil.

It's the same thing every time, the front wheel washing out going around a corner. Is there some general tip for cornering? Like 'keep your weight off the front wheel' or something?

Yes, practice, practice, but I'm just curious if there's any rules of thumb.

Check tire pressure, and keep your weight over the rear wheel. My washouts are mostly due to tire pressure (had two yesterday).

Check tire pressure, and keep your weight over the rear wheel. My washouts are mostly due to tire pressure (had two yesterday).

Funny, I had two as well; going into the right-hander just before the 2nd barrier and run-up at Golden Gate Park.

Stay loose, don't death grip the bars.
Adjust speed before you enter the turn.
Apply heavy pressure to the outside pedal if coasting through the turn.
If you feel the front sliding steer into the turn, the opposite of counter steering.
Always LOOK through the turn where you want to go.

Yeah, I went into it too fast and it was just a tricky turn with loose stuff on top of a relatively hard pack and if you go too wide it turned into a bit off-camber. Sucks cause I was on two guys in the bell lap and could have contended for two places higher (and kept my overall series standing).

Funny, I had two as well; going into the right-hander just before the 2nd barrier and run-up at Golden Gate Park.

Mine was the sharp right-hander after the fire road. For the last few weeks you could take it wide, and apex without incident. By the time 35A's raced yesterday it was a slick sand pit. We had more contact than a WWF wrestling match! It was an effing free for all.

Stay loose, don't death grip the bars.
Adjust speed before you enter the turn.
Apply heavy pressure to the outside pedal if coasting through the turn.
If you feel the front sliding steer into the turn, the opposite of counter steering.
Always LOOK through the turn where you want to go.

All good advice, choosing the correct line is also an important part of it. I like to think of myself as someone with decent technical ability and I still crash just about once a race. If you're pushing hard to make up time in the technical sections its bound to happen, at least you know youre trying hard.

Been there done that. How about 5 crashes in 2 races? :lol: All on the corners. :cry:

I'm definitely going to work on cornering drills during the preseason next August-September. As well as all the other 'cross skills I need to work on. Thanks for the tips everyone.

Most people already know this, but I learned the hard way through a lot of fishtailing and crashing: brake before the turn, not in the turn, and stay in the saddle to keep the weight on the back wheel.