Cyclocross Racing - Winchester Apple Harvest Cross, 10/18/09

Who's in? I see RacerMike. SpongeDad, you know you want to race.

Looks like a mix of terrain, and at least one steep hill.

too bad this is the same day as wissahickon or i would have considered it. it sounds like a fun event and all the work the promoters are putting into make it sound even better.

I'm in.

My first 'cross race ever.

I think I'm going to do 2 races. Only 69 people registered so far in total and these guys are doing a lot of work to get this race on the calendar. Having it the day after Granogue is probably hurting them some, but I'll do my part and race twice to help them out. Thinking Cat4 and maybe 3/4 35+45+ right after.

I think I'm going to do 2 races. ..... Thinking Cat4 and maybe 3/4 35+45+ right after.

I could be talked into doubling up, but I'm still a few years shy of Masters. Maybe I'll do the B and C races - that also gives me an hour in the middle to recover.

Any pictures or pre-race videos of the course?

I have a lot of family stuff next weekend, so will need to wait till midweek to decide.

Mike, Crack, you should both take it very easy in the Cat 4 race if you're going to do 2 in one day. In fact, if you would ride behind me and take out bdcheung as he comes by, my chances of not getting lapped will increase substantially. After all, that's why they call it cyclocrossderby. (It would give new meaning to "team tactics.")

You would have to be so far OTB to take me out, it may not be worth the effort!

I think I'm going to tailgun this one, as it's my first ever cross race and I would hate to ruin someone's day by riding too slow, falling too much, or generally getting in the way.

I'll throw rocks at ya all as you come by if that helps. :P

I haven't seen the course layout, but the park has a decent BMX track that has some nice events, hopefully they'll use part of that.

bdcheung: my first cx race was Charm City and I took that approach, starting at the back of the field instead of my rightful spot just about dead center. Since the sprint is at that the start, I didn't want to be int he way, but after the first half lap it was spread out and I was racing as hard as I could. Hyattsville was my 2nd race and started in my assigned spot (kinda, they had some issues getting people to conform); turned out it wasn't that big a deal.

Any pictures or pre-race videos of the course?

For an overhead (switch to satellite view):
http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/va/winchester/822124622664027019

For venue photos (though the course isn't marked):
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Winchester-VA/Winchester-Apple-Harvest-Cross/84252221883#/album.php?aid=125630&id=84252221883


Mike, Crack, you should both take it very easy in the Cat 4 race if you're going to do 2 in one day. In fact, if you would ride behind me and take out bdcheung as he comes by, my chances of not getting lapped will increase substantially. After all, that's why they call it cyclocrossderby. (It would give new meaning to "team tactics.")

How many beers are in it for me?

Looking at the hill in the photos, I'm wondering if I should bring my mountain bike (gears, woo hoo).

I think I'm going to tailgun this one, as it's my first ever cross race and I would hate to ruin someone's day by riding too slow, falling too much, or generally getting in the way.

Don't worry about it. I started this season (three events completed) and the back of the pack is a real hodgepodge of skill and fitness. Falling is just part of the event. If you've done any racing, mountain or road, you'll be fine.

Don't worry about it. I started this season (three events completed) and the back of the pack is a real hodgepodge of skill and fitness. Falling is just part of the event. If you've done any racing, mountain or road, you'll be fine.

Thanks for the link. They're not using the BMX track at all obviously. Some of the hills in the center section are pretty darned steep, but trails are decent. (I live only about 3 miles from the park)

bd dont start in the back. as a roadie you will still have more fitness than a lot of the racers. there isnt an OTB in a cross race either. you should find it surprisingly easy.

... surprisingly easy.

You're doing it wrong. :lol:

bd dont start in the back. as a roadie you will still have more fitness than a lot of the racers. there isnt an OTB in a cross race either. you should find it surprisingly easy.

U think I should stage as far forward as possible then?

^^^ Yes. Getting a good start is critical. Think of it like a really technical crit.

My first super technical crit I staged at the back and tailgunned it because I:
a) wasn't sure of my own bike handling abilities through some of the more technical (off-camber chicane) sections;
b) wasn't sure of anyone else's skills and didn't want to get taken out (granted the damage is worse at 25mph on asphalt than at 18mph on dirt/grass/mud); and
c) wasn't gunning for a win.

Regardless

I will pre-ride the course from 8am until whenever we stage

and

do my best.

And don't worry about slowing others down - if they have it, they will get around you.

definitely start in the front. its a totally different race when you do that. its not like a crit where you can easily move up. depending on the course you could be a minute behind after just 2 minutes if there is a gnarly bottleneck right away.

definitely start in the front. its a totally different race when you do that. its not like a crit where you can easily move up. depending on the course you could be a minute behind after just 2 minutes if there is a gnarly bottleneck right away.

Definitely true. I started at the back at Hyattsville, and there were early turns on some small hills that I could easily ride, but had to wait / put a foot down while the crowd cleared.

Bi-otches - I'm in.

Actually, as I will once again be laboring to not get lapped, I guess that makes me the bi-otch.

I think we're not allowed to have beer at this one. Damn responsible behavior.

... not allowed to have beer at this one.

:eek:

:cry:

Where'd you see that? Not that I'm doubting, just didn't notice that posted.

From the Bikereg page for the race:

Jim Barnett Park is an alcohol free park. NO ALCOHOL ALLOWED! Violators risk prosecution by the Winchester City Police Department as well as race disqualification by the race director.

Not sure what it says about me, but I spotted that one right away.

I'm in.

My first 'cross race ever.

I'm in as well and it is also my first cross race! Been meaning to get out to a cross race this season but have been booked solid with non-cycling responsibilities on the weekends.

See you out there--I'll be in the Lanterne Rouge kit for the 9am 4s.

Weather for the 9am race is looking like 35 degrees and raining.

should I plan on wearing what I normally wear to commute in this kind of weather? (of course I'd bring every piece of cycling clothing I own)

Do I smell a top 20 finish (assuming only 19 others show up)?


Come on freezing rain.


I may bring 2 changes of clothes - one to pre-ride the course and then change and sit in the car until call up. Gotta remember full finger gloves.

well i'm showing up, and so is my buddy, so that's 3.

I think I'm keeping a change of clothes in the pit :)

Weather for the 9am race is looking like 35 degrees and raining.

should I plan on wearing what I normally wear to commute in this kind of weather? (of course I'd bring every piece of cycling clothing I own)

That depends what you wear to commute.

You're only racing for 40 minutes - it's before that really matters - wear whatever will keep you warm and dry AND let you warm-up properly. Last weekend (chilly but dry), that was knee warmers and a long jersey over my race jersey.

During the race, with the dismounting, running, and re-mounting, you don't want anything loose that will snag. I'll probably warm-up in heavy tights, heavy jersey, and a rain jacket. Race in long medium weight jersey and shorts, and then change into street clothes after.

Commuting I wear bib tights, booties, underarmor top, SS jersey, and balaclava. Oh, and lobster gloves.

id just wear a long sleeve skinsuit come race time

What, you don't think the lobster gloves would cut it?

I may buy some waterproof booties. I have toe covers, which are usually all I need in the cold, but wet feet just bite.

I'm in.

My first 'cross race ever.

did you sign up for dccx yet?

cat 4 (if thats your group) is getting fairly close to full...

you know I didn't even think about shoe covers. what I have definitely won't work for cross so what do people recommend for mud/water/warmth?

dont worry about shoe covers. you are racing less than an hour. Just bring a few pairs of socks so you can change into dry ones after preriding the course.

Yeah, even with booties, you're going to get wet. And they will get in the way. Just accept the fact that your will be cold, wet and miserable, no matter what. That's all part of the game.

Have a set of clothing to warm up in, a set to race in, and a set to change into after wards.

Yeah, even with booties, you're going to get wet. And they will get in the way. Just accept the fact that your will be cold, wet and miserable, no matter what. That's all part of the game.

Have a set of clothing to warm up in, a set to race in, and a set to change into after wards.

suffering, FTW :thumb:

What, you don't think the lobster gloves would cut it?

I may buy some waterproof booties. I have toe covers, which are usually all I need in the cold, but wet feet just bite.

i wouldn't try to wear anything over the shoe

but you could try goretex or similar socks.

Weather is still looking pretty nasty.

Okay, if were not allowed to drink in the park, is there a bar nearby? Or at least an IHOP? Beer or waffles, but I'm gonna need something after this one.

You can have my bronchitis

I'm pretty sure that bronchitis isn't as good as beer or waffles.

You're gonna race with bronchitis? I salute your tenacity.

are you not going to granogue, spongedad?

No - I debated it, Part of me wanted to, but I think I'd be more of a roving obstacle in that race. I was thinking of going just to watch with my kids, but the weather is going to be too crummy for that.

I want to do Granogue and some other MAC races next year. I have a few friends who ride in the Philly/NJ area and it would be great to do some races with them. Maybe go up and do Granogue and Wissahickon.

It's funny. I thought I was going to do 2 races this year, and now I'm totally sucked in.

cross is boss like that

Looks like pretty solid rain all day tomorrow; should make it interesting. B and C (if I'm up for it) for me, with cider and fire in between.

I'm hooked.

Course was really pretty good considering all the rain. There were short patches of deeper mud, nothing like Ed Sander. I can definitely say that my handling skills have improved to "average". Had 2 solid laps right in there with Racermike and Crackmonkey, but then started to lose contact.

Then, the first, big run up totally popped me. After that, the lapping was inevitable. In the beginning, everything was a limiter - but steep hills / run-ups are starting to distinguish themselves as the area that needs work.

edit - Looking where you want to go, and not at the stakes you're about to hit, really does improve cornering. Whodathunk?

I took out a stake. Oxygen debt plus focusing on the yellow tape is a bad combination.

p.s. How gnarly was that muddy singletrack uphill section? My back tire barely kept it down every time up it. I debated running up it but managed to ride it each time. Also, WTF is up with the guy who won??his margin of victory was like 3 minutes. Sandbag much?

I heard he rode up the big hill.

He thanked me for pulling to the side when he lapped me - so at least he was polite.

He rode up the run up?

That's what people were saying after the race - I didn't see it. Would have been damn impressive.
Between that and the 3 minutes, I'm not feeling bad about getting lapped. Hopefully, I'll knock that one off at DCCX next week.