Cyclocross - My First Cyclocross race experience!

So, today was my first cyclocross race. The race was actually what they called a Cyclo Sprint. It was a bunch of fast, short race...hence Sprint. I had no idea what I was getting into and I didn't do any real research on the sport. I just knew I wanted to race. I show up to the race location and instantly feel out of place. Everyone is decked out in full race attire with team/sponsor clothing, all the nice Cyclo gear, and bikes, etc. Here I am, in my Converse Allstar shoes, black socks, a T-shirt and Adidis shorts...I stuck out like a sore thumb. I raced my mountain bike (which I know is acceptable) but I forgot to remove my toe cages, and I didn't bring any tools to do it at the race site. Here I am asking everyone for some pliers or something to get these things off my pedals. I knew I couldn't race with them on. Anyways, no one had the right tools, so I ended up breaking off the cages with a piece of metal i found in the back of my car. I sign in and I'm placed in a bracket with about 15 other racers and I end up winning the entire event! I won a bunch of sweet Zipp gear and got preferred placement for tomorrows race as well!

Looking back on the whole thing I just had to laugh....I know people were like "who is this redneck?" :lol:

I really dig Cyclocross and definitely plan on doing many more races. Just thought I would share. :)

heyy! I'm in West Virginia and I'm doing my first race tomorrow. I've been doing a lot of training for a few months with friends over barriers and all that. I think with this being my first CX race, idk how super hard I'm going to be able to go. I'm going to suck it all in and enjoy the heck out of it though!

never heard of cyclo sprint, sounds like a different setup. how many people total and how long was each "sprint"?

They said that the 'Sprint' style race is not that common, but they are held at various locations around the US. There was about 30 total racers. The Sprint was setup like this; 4-man, LaMans start, 200m with one barrier, all grass. The races were short and fast. Lots of fun.

The sprints were sort of a qualifier for Saturday's races. They were supposed to give starting line priority to people that participated in the sprints, but I couldn't tell it was any different on Sat. I raced the C class and had a blast. Were you there on Sat as well?

No, I didn't make it out for Saturdays race, wish I could have. Yeah, the Sprints were a blast. I also raced in the C Bracket. How did you do on Saturday Jwible??

I think I was 13th in the Cs. The leader nipped me at the line so I was the first person not scored. There were twelve scored riders out of the 46 starters. The race marks my one year anniversary of getting back into competitive cycling.

My rear:
http://ckdake.com/gallery2/gallery/74443-4/_MG_1983.jpg

So, today was my first cyclocross race. The race was actually what they called a Cyclo Sprint. It was a bunch of fast, short race...hence Sprint. I had no idea what I was getting into and I didn't do any real research on the sport. I just knew I wanted to race. I show up to the race location and instantly feel out of place. Everyone is decked out in full race attire with team/sponsor clothing, all the nice Cyclo gear, and bikes, etc. Here I am, in my Converse Allstar shoes, black socks, a T-shirt and Adidis shorts...I stuck out like a sore thumb. I raced my mountain bike (which I know is acceptable) but I forgot to remove my toe cages, and I didn't bring any tools to do it at the race site. Here I am asking everyone for some pliers or something to get these things off my pedals. I knew I couldn't race with them on. Anyways, no one had the right tools, so I ended up breaking off the cages with a piece of metal i found in the back of my car. I sign in and I'm placed in a bracket with about 15 other racers and I end up winning the entire event! I won a bunch of sweet Zipp gear and got preferred placement for tomorrows race as well!

Looking back on the whole thing I just had to laugh....I know people were like "who is this redneck?" :lol:

I really dig Cyclocross and definitely plan on doing many more races. Just thought I would share. :)

You didn't really need to break your cages off. In the old days racers used cages, you just need to loosen them up real good. My first few races I was like you were. I used an old touring bike with down tube shifters and dressed in regular shorts. No worries, cross racers love to see people like that come out to race, it's kind of that grass roots feel that put cyclocross on the map.

Bummer you had to lose your cages, but glad you had fun and won some shwag your first time out.

Yeah, Its was a cool feeling being apart of that race! I thought about racing with the cages, and I even did a few practice laps with them. I did ok with them on, but i felt I would lose that split second struggling to get in the cages. Jwible you planning on doing any other races this year? I thinking about doing the Jim R Miller CX in Marietta, GA This Sunday, November the 7th. (If i can make it there on time.)

I guess in a sprint, those few seconds would be crucial

Yeah, Its was a cool feeling being apart of that race! I thought about racing with the cages, and I even did a few practice laps with them. I did ok with them on, but i felt I would lose that split second struggling to get in the cages. Jwible you planning on doing any other races this year? I thinking about doing the Jim R Miller CX in Marietta, GA This Sunday, November the 7th. (If i can make it there on time.)

The race at Serenbe is close to home. Not sure if I can make it this weekend, but I may try.

Yeah, i'm goin try to make that one as well. I'll be coming from Macon, Ga that morning and I hope I'll make registration.