Cyclocross Racing - First cross race

so i finally had my first cross race! I entered the beginners category and took 8th place! It was mussy and wet, soooo much fun! here are some pics! I am in the red jersey
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Nice job.
You don't need to put the bike on your shoulder for the barriers.

Nice job.
You don't need to put the bike on your shoulder for the barriers.

+1 and you dont want to shoulder that way either

number plates in cross?

What happens when you swap bikes?

nice, yeah its easier to just luggage carry your bike over barriers, youre not gonna be running with it that long really

There's a lot of MTB's there (not that there's anything wrong with that).

i'd argue that shoulder versus suitcase on the barriers is a matter of preference (although the overwhelming majority of upper cat racers suitcase). i'd practice both and go with whatever you're faster and more comfortable with.

it does look like the saddle is making you cock your head to the side right there, if you move the bike back a bit on your shoulder that should keep it from interfering with your head.

congrats on the first race, and on 8th place. that's a great result.

number plates in cross?

What happens when you swap bikes?It's rude to piss all over a nascent cross series with elitism like this. And kind of ******y, to boot.

i'd argue that shoulder versus suitcase on the barriers is a matter of preference (although the overwhelming majority of upper cat racers suitcase). i'd practice both and go with whatever you're faster and more comfortable with.
<snip>

I think that shouldering the bike is quite a bit slower than simply suitcasing it. Even the guys who shoulder it quickly and smoothly will take longer than just suitcasing it and by then you're over the barriers anyway.

for barriers i personally pick the bike up by the downtube, and the top tube sort of rests at the top of my arm by the shoulder. not really shouldering the bike in the traditional way, but not suitcasing traditionally either. it's fast, comfortable and consistent for me. i'd encourage others to experiment and find out what works for them.

Wow. Tough crowd.

Congrats on taking the plunge. The course looks fun.

Shouldering the bike and clearing the barrier smoothly is a lot faster than suitcasing and hitting the barrier. I find as a newbie I prefer to make sure I do things cleanly. I'll worry about speed more when I've got slow down pat. But what do I know, I'm slow. :lol:

Anyway, you don't know, there could be ten more barriers after the two you see in the picture. ;)

Plus, the guy finished 8th. Cut him some slack.

We're actually trying to help him out (so he can finish better than 8th).

Wow. Tough crowd.

Congrats on taking the plunge. The course looks fun.

Shouldering the bike and clearing the barrier smoothly is a lot faster than suitcasing and hitting the barrier. I find as a newbie I prefer to make sure I do things cleanly. I'll worry about speed more when I've got slow down pat. But what do I know, I'm slow. :lol:

Anyway, you don't know, there could be ten more barriers after the two you see in the picture. ;)

Plus, the guy finished 8th. Cut him some slack.

Not trying to be harsh, but CX is a sport that involves technique, and if this guy wants to make some big improvements then the his carry technique is the first place to start.

Nearly everyone can improve their technique. FWIW I went to a cross clinic last weekend and a dude who has been racing for 20+ years and has some really good finishes at nationals totally revamped his carry, and now he is even faster over the barriers than before. Impressive that he could improve, and that he was willing to change something he has been doing for a long time.

To OP, it is definitely better to change your bad habits sooner than later.

Not trying to be harsh, but CX is a sport that involves technique, and if this guy wants to make some big improvements then the his carry technique is the first place to start.

Fair enough. I was just responding to this:

OP: Hey, I just did my first cross race! It was fun.
First Response: Nice job. You don't need to shoulder your bike for the barriers.
Second Response: Yeah, and your shouldering technique is all wrong.
Third Response: What's up with the number plates?
Fourth Response: Really, fix that barrier technique.

:twitchy:

My perspective: Yes, cross is all about technique, but more than that it's about having fun.

Actually, you misquoted my post. I never used the word 'but'. It's a subtle yet significant difference.

It's rude to piss all over a nascent cross series with elitism like this. And kind of ******y, to boot.

I don't think he/she meant anything by it. I've never seen it either so I would be curious to know myself. Plus, it is a legitimate question about the pit bike. Of course the OP probably wouldn't have one, but upper level guys would and the question of do you have the plate on your pit bike also???

So OP, what would or would you do anything different on your next race?

i didn't know it was quicker to just lug it...i had no idea i thought it was just just as faster if not faster...it felt like i could run a little more freely when i had it shouldered. Like i said i was just out there to have fun and actually ended up having a decent showing. I didn't shoulder the bike ever time i went across the barriers. I noticed by the 3 or 4th lap, i was getting lazy and just picking it up on the top tube. I think the biggest thing for me to get a better result would be my fitness. I'm for sure a cylde. I weigh in around 208 or so. I'm in shape but im sure it couldnt hurt being like 190 or so haha...but i went out there to have some fun and i did that! I feel like i'm already hooked! I mean, it was so much fun goin out there sliding around in the mud!

The one thing i really did like about cross was that everyone, i mean everyone cheered for each other! I liked the fact the Masters and the 1,2,3 guy stayed around with cowbells and cheered me up hills and across barriers! It was even from other riders on the course. It just a nice surprise to having everyone cheering for anyone.

yep thats the best thing about cross. the atmosphere is something else.

yeah, out here closer to the coast, the c men generally are the first race so i try and stick around for the later classes, plus like you said the 'cross atmosphere is a lot more fun to hang out and watch, and the beer helps too ;-) haha

Actually, you misquoted my post. I never used the word 'but'. It's a subtle yet significant difference.

I edited my earlier post to take out the word "but". I don't think the cumulative effect is any better. :)

No harm done. I'm sure everyone individually meant well, and the OP seems to not have minded and perhaps even appreciated the advice (for the record, I would have too). I just hate to see someone who's enthusiastic about their first race get pounced on. I can't imagine it would put him off CX, but it does make this forum less welcoming.

Looks like about 20 guys and you took 8th your first race....Nice!!!
Congrats, and keep the race reports coming.

i am racing again this sunday!!! I can not wait!

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Plow, did you have any problems with this spot - grass/pavement transition? It looks simple enough to get over, but I took a real bad spill on a spot like this last weekend. I was flying along and my front tire slid out on the edge of the pavement. Of all the things to getcha, I wasn't expecting it.

not too much of a problem...it looks worse than what it was. Plus it wasn't at high speeds..That transition was right after a sharp bend.