Cyclocross Racing - first race

Santa cross in socal. 16th of 50 or so in the 4s. Good times. Pictures to follow. Probably would have done better if I wasn't having trouble clipping in and my rd kept slipping. One guy on the course said I needed to work on my handling but I had "a good motor". I heard other people say of was the hardest course of the series and the fastest race they did... Lots of sandbaggers.

Good job ***!
Road Cycling, Cyclocross, Wood Flooring........you do it all!
What pedals did you end up with BTW?

Good to see you had fun at the race. I was there too, being the idiot that crashed near the front on that first off-camber section and jammed things up a bit. The course was one of the more fun ones all season I think.

Good job ***!
Road Cycling, Cyclocross, Wood Flooring........you do it all!
What pedals did you end up with BTW?

I used the eggbeaters.


Good to see you had fun at the race. I was there too, being the idiot that crashed near the front on that first off-camber section and jammed things up a bit. The course was one of the more fun ones all season I think.

How did you place?

That was a fun course, and that little crash at the beginning did bottle things up a bit. I got around by running through the middle cause a lot of guys were just standing around. Someone was telling to get moving. I passed tons of people on that infield section, anytime there was a straight powered down it at about 400 watts. The backside climb I thought was pretty easy, I passed a lot of people there but got repassed in some of the tight turns in the trees.

Overall I felt that physically it was nowhere near a full effort, I never felt tired or worked but I just don't have the handling to place well. The power file for the ride bears this out.



Entire workout (180 watts):
Duration: 37:30
Work: 407 kJ
TSS: 41.9 (intensity factor 0.819)
Norm Power: 229
VI: 1.27
Pw:HR: 5.22%
Pa:HR: 3.58%
Distance: 7.006 mi
Elevation Gain: 1142 ft
Elevation Loss: 1130 ft
Grade: 0.0 % (12 ft)
Min Max Avg
Power: 0 564 181 watts
Heart Rate: 95 200 177 bpm
Cadence: 1 128 78 rpm
Speed: 1 27 11.3 mph
Altitude: 873 929 894 ft
Crank Torque: 0 705 196 lb-in

http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/4430.jpg

Where is the mud?? JK nice job on your first Cyclocross!

Where is the mud?? JK nice job on your first Cyclocross!

There was some mud...

http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/4431.jpg

Nice job! Now share the details about your bike in the thread I created a bit ago ;)

How did you place?


I ended up passing a decent number of people post-crash and finished in 7th, way back off of 6th. Pretty much how the second half of the season went for me. Decent start, but then I do something dumb and end up within sight of a podium finish but not able to get there.

I think I saw you before the start but in the Platinum kit I just assumed you weren't racing 4's...

Santa cross in socal. 16th of 50 or so in the 4s. Good times. Pictures to follow. Probably would have done better if I wasn't having trouble clipping in and my rd kept slipping. One guy on the course said I needed to work on my handling but I had "a good motor". I heard other people say of was the hardest course of the series and the fastest race they did... Lots of sandbaggers.

my goodness i know what you mean, this was my biggest issue in my first two races.

Oh and I should add that at some point I noticed my leg was dripping blood but I have no idea when or how I got it. Now that everything is dried and cleaned up I can see there is a huge gash across the inside of my left calves.

You should shoulder the bike on a runup like that.

You never felt tired or worked? Then why didn't you win the race? Were you too busy looking at your power numbers?

I missed that race cuz I got a cold. I even pre-paid. I even bought a new fork for my bike.

Arg.

You should shoulder the bike on a runup like that.

You never felt tired or worked? Then why didn't you win the race? Were you too busy looking at your power numbers?

If you read what I wrote, I said my handling sucked. I blasted past people on the straights and the climb, but constantly lost position on turns and fumbling around to clip in. I passed nearly everyone around me, the next group of people was way up the road. The little crash or robot's near the beginning really split the field up right from the start.

'Never felt tired or worked' is a bit of a stretch, but the point is that I had a lot more in my tanks but just couldn't take advantage of it due to my lack of tecnique. And I wasn't looking at my power during the race, numbnuts.

Also, regarding the runup, I did shoulder it most of the time, what you are seeing in the picture was me putting it down cause I was at the top.

I ended up passing a decent number of people post-crash and finished in 7th, way back off of 6th. Pretty much how the second half of the season went for me. Decent start, but then I do something dumb and end up within sight of a podium finish but not able to get there.

I think I saw you before the start but in the Platinum kit I just assumed you weren't racing 4's...

What kit were you wearing? My wife took lots of pictures, I'll try to find some of you.

'Never felt tired or worked' is a bit of a stretch, but the point is that I had a lot more in my tanks but just couldn't take advantage of it due to my lack of tecnique. And I wasn't looking at my power during the race, numbnuts.Ride harder next time.

What kit were you wearing? My wife took lots of pictures, I'll try to find some of you.

I was one of the Mafia Racing guys - grey w/red tartan skinsuit and a blue bike.

Was there another crash behind me in that off-camber? I figured mine wouldn't have split the field too bad since I fell pretty far off the line (all the way into the fencing)

Ride harder next time.

What part of I was slowed down by lack of technical skills cornering and clipping in is unclear? I rode as hard as I could when I could, but time spent fumbling to clip in is time not spent hammering. I was constantly passing racers only to have some of them repass me in turns. I can't go 100% effort through the turn if I am focusing more on getting around the turn. The whole point I was making in my original post is that I could have ridden harder, but for my lack of technical skills. Got it?

I was one of the Mafia Racing guys - grey w/red tartan skinsuit and a blue bike.

Was there another crash behind me in that off-camber? I figured mine wouldn't have split the field too bad since I fell pretty far off the line (all the way into the fencing)

http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/4432.jpg

I like your kits :thumb:

The LaGrange guy behind you to your left finished 3rd, and the guy in green behind you to your right I passed coming out of the infield on the last lap. I don't know how many crashes there were at the start. I saw a guy down into the barriers (must have been you), but was pretty far back so couldn't see much. As far as I could tell what happened was everyone kind of got confused and was spread all over the width of the course there and so everyone pretty much stopped. I know I was completely bottled up for about 5 seconds until I saw an opening down low and pretty much had to run it. I started on the second row but lost tons of places right at the start due to not being able to clip in until almost the end of the pavement.

There was some mud...

http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/4431.jpg

Your arm goes on the inside of the saddle, between your body and the bike, on a briefcase, which is the type of carry you are using.

Your arm goes on the inside of the saddle, between your body and the bike, on a briefcase, which is the type of carry you are using.

Thanks, still learning :)

had to edit this. I saw your previous post about saying that you were setting the bike down at this point.

Thanks, still learning :)

I figured as much. Hopefully it came off as instructive rather than insulting. I guess it wasnt so bad as you did not call me numbnuts.

One of us. One of us. One of us.

Next time always be out of the saddle powering and frothing at the mouth angry.

glad you wrote this up as I was curious how your foray into cross racing went. Is there more races left in the socal cross scene?

I figured as much. Hopefully it came off as instructive rather than insulting. I guess it wasnt so bad as you did not call me numbnuts.

It did, I appreciate it. I know next to nothing about cyclocross... just what I picked up listening to teammates who do it, a 20 minute session two weeks ago with a teammate showing me how to mount and dismount. Inclded a 30 second primer on carrying ;)

The other guy... sheesh, I know how to go all out, but my physical conditioning far outweighs my technical ability and thus every time I had to slow down to navigate something, or clip in, or whatever, provided sufficient recovery that I never felt tired. I don't understand why that is such a difficult concept to grasp. I should add that I had very consistent laps and near the end I was picking off guys that were dropping like flies.

had to edit this. I saw your previous post about saying that you were setting the bike down at this point.

Yeah, I would show the next picture in the sequence but I have a really stupid look on my face and I'd rather not share :p


glad you wrote this up as I was curious how your foray into cross racing went. Is there more races left in the socal cross scene?

This series was over today, but I think there are a few races in January (http://www.crossfever.org/).

The Simon Burney cyclocross book is not too bad, but I imagine you are switching over to base miles and probably wont be racing the January races.

Getting good technique is hard and it is especially hard to keep good technique when you are near AT. I am sure you will be an A by next year with your fitness and some practice.

glad you wrote this up as I was curious how your foray into cross racing went. Is there more races left in the socal cross scene?

That was the last race of the series, there's a mini series of 4 races in January:

http://www.crossfever.org/

2 are pretty far away, bakersfield and san luis obispo.

That was the last race of the series, there's a mini series of 4 races in January:

http://www.crossfever.org/

2 are pretty far away, bakersfield and san luis obispo.

San luis opispo is about the same distance from me as this race was, but bakersfield is pretty far away.

The Simon Burney cyclocross book is not too bad, but I imagine you are switching over to base miles and probably wont be racing the January races.

Getting good technique is hard and it is especially hard to keep good technique when you are near AT. I am sure you will be an A by next year with your fitness and some practice.

I'm finishing up my "base" and start adding in more intervals in January, so it will be perfect. My first road race is feb 1 and I plan to hit the early season hard and get my upgrade out of the way.

Heh, nice ***! Keep at it!

I'd love to try cross at some time, but it won't happen for a bit due to funds. Might be able to get an SS/FG cross rig next year. Doubt it though!

Glad you enjoyed yourself :)
You probably cut your leg with a brush on the pedal or chainring while trying to clip in. Same thing used to happen to me everytime I tried mtbing. I kept missing and I'd notice that something burned when I was showering and I eventually realized that the location denoted missed clip ins...

http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/4432.jpg

I like your kits :thumb:

The LaGrange guy behind you to your left finished 3rd, and the guy in green behind you to your right I passed coming out of the infield on the last lap. I don't know how many crashes there were at the start. I saw a guy down into the barriers (must have been you), but was pretty far back so couldn't see much. As far as I could tell what happened was everyone kind of got confused and was spread all over the width of the course there and so everyone pretty much stopped. I know I was completely bottled up for about 5 seconds until I saw an opening down low and pretty much had to run it. I started on the second row but lost tons of places right at the start due to not being able to clip in until almost the end of the pavement.

Tell your wife that's I like the photo despite the look of suffering I'm working with in it. :thumb:

I don't think I'd ever seen the LaGrange guy, or the PAA guy that won before today.

Are you thinking about racing any of the Cross Fever series? I'm skipping Bakersfield and maybe San Luis Obispo but will definitely be at Long Beach and the location TBA one. No Cat 4 group there should make it interesting.

Tell your wife that's I like the photo despite the look of suffering I'm working with in it. :thumb:

I don't think I'd ever seen the LaGrange guy, or the PAA guy that won before today.

Are you thinking about racing any of the Cross Fever series? I'm skipping Bakersfield and maybe San Luis Obispo but will definitely be at Long Beach and the location TBA one. No Cat 4 group there should make it interesting.

She said thanks. I'll probably do the SLO race... I like vineyards and its close to me. I don't know if I want to drive all the way to long beach right as the road race season is about to start. Last year I burned out a bit on driving all over California.

Santa cross in socal. 16th of 50 or so in the 4s. Good times. Pictures to follow. Probably would have done better if I wasn't having trouble clipping in and my rd kept slipping. One guy on the course said I needed to work on my handling but I had "a good motor". I heard other people say of was the hardest course of the series and the fastest race they did... Lots of sandbaggers.

***, great job on your first cx race. I was the guy at registration.

-Tak

***, great job on your first cx race. I was the guy at registration.

-Tak

Hey thanks, it was good to meet you.

I'm finishing up my "base" and start adding in more intervals in January, so it will be perfect. My first road race is feb 1 and I plan to hit the early season hard and get my upgrade out of the way.

You Californians. I will probably be finishing base2 Feb1 and battling the stiff winds around here.

Good luck on the upgrade. Those Cali cat 3 crits are fast

You Californians. I will probably be finishing base2 Feb1 and battling the stiff winds around here.

Good luck on the upgrade. Those Cali cat 3 crits are fast

Thanks, I'm more of a long road race kind of guy, not super agressive for crits.

Anyway, figured out what was wrong with my RD... The master link in my chain was binding; it would bend to go around the chainring or cog but not straighten out all the way, causing a kink the next link over to compensate, which on occasion was causing it to skip. I worked it both directions a few times and now it moves freely, and I rode it this morning and no skipping.

More pictures (http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/407/santa-cross-mens-4-pictures)

I like this one...
http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/4485.jpg

thats the best you could do in beginners ? hahaha.

thats the best you could do in beginners ? hahaha.

f u. How did you do?

hey now, dont get snippy. i wasnt at the race. i had other things to do. i dont spend my entire life riding bikes just so i can finish 16th in a beginners race haha. dude, my monthly miles is lowering than your daily miles, HAHAHA and i did better than you in my first and only bike race EVER !! i dont even have a fancy jersey like you and my legs are like pencils.
but seriously, lets not get personal. i admire your effort and applaud you for showing up and racing. the important thing is that we all get better and faster and enjoy our pursuits.

hey now, dont get snippy. i wasnt at the race. i had other things to do. i dont spend my entire life riding bikes just so i can finish 16th in a beginners race haha. dude, my monthly miles is lowering than your daily miles, HAHAHA and i did better than you in my first and only bike race EVER !! i dont even have a fancy jersey like you and my legs are like pencils.
but seriously, lets not get personal. i admire your effort and applaud you for showing up and racing. the important thing is that we all get better and faster and enjoy our pursuits.

So what was your placing in your first race? Every race is different, you can't compare them, and I've already said, constantly, that I lack technical skills. My total cross "training" time is about 20 minutes.

my place was better than yours :) of course, i honed my "technical skills" on the 12 miles a month i average.
dont worry though, i am not saying i am better than you. lets not argue. like i said before (in private) i am honoring your request, and my acceptance, to put any animosity behind us and move forward.
good job on your first cross race. i wish i could have made it, sounds like a fun race.
maybe we can battle at the southridge mountain bike races. i plan on doing those.
now i am off to do some running sprints at the local track

my place was better than yours :) of course, i honed my "technical skills" on the 12 miles a month i average.
dont worry though, i am not saying i am better than you. lets not argue. like i said before (in private) i am honoring your request, and my acceptance, to put any animosity behind us and move forward.
good job on your first cross race. i wish i could have made it, sounds like a fun race.
maybe we can battle at the southridge mountain bike races. i plan on doing those.
now i am off to do some running sprints at the local track

In the last 5 years, I've done about 20 miles offroad. I'm sure I would have placed much better were it not for the stupid decision to try new pedals right before the race, and then when I was having trouble getting into them, stubbornly not switching back. I went from the second row at the start to about 40th place by the first corner. But I clawed my back up through the field, and with the exception of the leader from the singlespeed race, I was never passed. The Kenda guy in the picture and I kept trading places as I would always outclimb and outrun him on the flats but would flub a corner or spend 30 second trying to get clipped in and he would come back around.

As I said, each race is different, and just because you got a higher place in a some other race doesn't mean jack. For what it's worth, I got second place in my "first ever" race.

I likely won't see you at the mountain bike races, I don't plan on doing them this year, except for maybe the local one that my team sponsors. For someone that only rides 12 miles a month, you have an $8000 road bike, a cross bike, and a mountain bike? Something doesn't add up.

For what it's worth, looking at the results from Palos Verdes, there is only a single rider that placed higher than me (better than 16th) that has no team affiliation or points from other cross races in the series. I'm going to assume that's you. Therefore, I bow down to your 1 place higher than me :lol:

Awesome job in your first race. It's making me wish we had more races around here, but alas. I'll just have to run amok in the rain and power down some single track until I puke.

Arizona needs more 'cross racing.