Mountain Biking - Some race pics

Sorry its a CX race so they aren't too exciting, but it was my first race this season and my first CX race ever. It went pretty well, I finished ahead of a Seven Mudhoney and a Specialzed Stumpjumper SWorks M5. Results aren't up yet so I'm not sure of my overall rank however. But I raced B's and felt it went ok for my first CX race. The Stumpie felt really sluggish on the grassy and flat sections, where the CX bikes were able to fly. I made up for it in the downhills. Definately time for a CX bike though, in these races its not like an MTB can really ride anymore of the course than a fast, light CX bike can!

Anyways, onto the pics.

It went pretty well, I finished ahead of a Seven Mudhoney and a Specialzed Stumpjumper SWorks M5.

Just because they have a better bike, doesn't mean they're a better rider. They might be a noob with heaps of cash and just bought an awesome bike because they can.

Not having a go, just saying so because it happens so much here.

But well done anyway. Be sure to post the results when they're up.

If you don't want to shell out the $ for a CX bike, a 1.3 CX tire will make a huge difference in the grass. Personally I'm super happy with my Kona Jake the Snake, it's a great bike for not a lot of coin.

If you don't want to shell out the $ for a CX bike, a 1.3 CX tire will make a huge difference in the grass. Personally I'm super happy with my Kona Jake the Snake, it's a great bike for not a lot of coin.

Do they still make those? I haven't heard that name in years. Had a buddy that wanted one.

On topic, Seely: Congrats on the race whatever you end up placing. I think bringing a MTB to a CX race is pretty ballsy(or maybe just financially prudent;) ). There was a section of pasture in a MTB race I rode in that just seemed to sap the energy right out of you. I think I was riding 2.0's or 2.1's and I felt like I'd have been better off sitting still. Stupid grass!

Just because they have a better bike, doesn't mean they're a better rider. They might be a noob with heaps of cash and just bought an awesome bike because they can.


Yeah they were definately not good riders, its just kinda fun to pass the guys on $4,000 bikes with a $1,600 bike ;)

what is CX?? Does he mean XC?? Cross Country? Explain for me guys...

Cyclocross...

Cyclocross

gotcha.... i just woke up... so ya know, my brain isnt functioning at its fullest yet :)

what is CX?? Does he mean XC?? Cross Country? Explain for me guys...

It's where you ride across a golf course, vandalize the place, and then brandish a knife when confronted by golf course employees.

It sounds like your cup 'o tea!

Sorry its a CX race so they aren't too exciting, but it was my first race this season and my first CX race ever. It went pretty well, I finished ahead of a Seven Mudhoney and a Specialzed Stumpjumper SWorks M5. Results aren't up yet so I'm not sure of my overall rank however. But I raced B's and felt it went ok for my first CX race. The Stumpie felt really sluggish on the grassy and flat sections, where the CX bikes were able to fly. I made up for it in the downhills. Definately time for a CX bike though, in these races its not like an MTB can really ride anymore of the course than a fast, light CX bike can!

Anyways, onto the pics.

Good race! I was just curious if you could hop over those wooden blocks according to CX rules. I've never done one of thoses races myself, and wouldn't it be faster to hop over the obstacles?

Also, are CX courses mostly consist of smooth, grassy sections with obstacles? Or is it rocky and technical like cross country??

THanks

Ming

Yo man, it's the rider not the bike, and you proved it! :D Good job.
.

Good race! I was just curious if you could hop over those wooden blocks according to CX rules. I've never done one of thoses races myself, and wouldn't it be faster to hop over the obstacles?

Also, are CX courses mostly consist of smooth, grassy sections with obstacles? Or is it rocky and technical like cross country??


If you can hop the barriers on the bike it's legal. Uphill barriers are usually run, especially if it's sloppy.

CX courses, like XC courses, vary by region in terms of tech. They usually incorporate some pavement, some flats and a number of run-ups, with barriers sprinlked in for good measure.

CX Nats in Napa, 2002.

http://www.petefagerlin.com/images/cx2002/andy.jpg

http://www.petefagerlin.com/images/cx2002/damn_hikers.jpg

http://www.petefagerlin.com/images/cx2002/barriers.jpg

http://www.petefagerlin.com/images/cx2002/victory.jpg

http://www.petefagerlin.com/images/cx2002/ballbreaker.jpg

Good race! I was just curious if you could hop over those wooden blocks according to CX rules. I've never done one of thoses races myself, and wouldn't it be faster to hop over the obstacles?

Also, are CX courses mostly consist of smooth, grassy sections with obstacles? Or is it rocky and technical like cross country??

THanks

Ming

You are allowed to bunny hop the barriers, but you've got to be very good, and in practice not many do so. The barriers can be up to 16 inches in height (I believe), and are often too close together for convenient sequential hops. Look at Seely's barrier pic and try to imagine bunny hopping the second that quickly after you've cleared the first. That said, the few that can bunny hop the barriers can save substantial time.

Seely's course looks smoother and flatter than those I've raced (a grand total of 5 races on 4 courses so take that for what its worth). The courses I've raced on have had sections that have been rocky, loose, and steep to some degree, though not as severe as what you'd be likely to see in a cross country mountain biking race. I have had a shallow water creek crossing, and in one race we had to run 50 yards or so on each lap through knee deep mud. (No way to ride through on anything short of a bulldozer.)

There were a few "downhill" sections with one sandy climb about 200 yards long, and quite deep. The pics are mostly from the spectator area around the starting gate.

Results are in... I finished 19/28

OK, so from what I've gathered, it seems like cycle cross racing is a version of downgraded cross country racing with more unridable sections.

I guess if the course isn't as technical as XC, one can run semi-slicks and expect to be much faster overall :)

You learn something new everyday..

Ming

OK, so from what I've gathered, it seems like cycle cross racing is a version of downgraded cross country racing with more unridable sections.

Study more.

Google even.

Yeah they were definately not good riders, its just kinda fun to pass the guys on $4,000 bikes with a $1,600 bike ;)

;)

Continental makes a 1.5" nob tire that may do the trick for racing your mtb in a CX race. 390gms. and about $40 a pop though. The Cross Country Pro model, I think.

Maybe give those a shot? Way less $$ for the moment than a new crossbike.

Yeah I have a set of cheapo Kenda semi-slicks that are going on for the next race. I think I'm actually going to run my singlespeed (if I get it put back together). Part of the problem was I forgot to inflate before leaving and raced on 38psi like I do on the singletrack :D

OK, so from what I've gathered, it seems like cycle cross racing is a version of downgraded cross country racing with more unridable sections.

Ming

You got it. The course is often a field, and for lack of natural obstacles they like to throw in those hurdles/barriers like in the pics. This forces you to dismount. The series here also likes sand traps. I can, and did on a few laps, ride the deep sand, but it required so much energy and was so slow that I felt it was faster to dismount and run it. This seems to be the case quite a bit in CX, at least around here, where some sections *technically* are rideable but for the amount of effort + time it would take its not worth it. With all the dismounting/mounting I really think it may be faster to ride a singlespeed setup.

With a SS, you won't botch shifts and throw your chain on the rapidfire dismount-run-remount slamfest.

I've seen guys that bunny hopped all the barriers and still get beat by some guys who did not. Practice.practice .practice.

Nice going!