Newbie question about laps
 

Hi,
I am new to the forums and new to cyclocross, (haven't done one yet, but will on Oct 2 in beginner class)
Just wondering what does it mean when it says the race is 30 minutes + 2 laps? Does that mean after you pass the thirty minutes time you have to go 2 more? Sorry if this is a stupid question.

Mary

30 minutes more or less. Usually the race official times the fastest riders for the first couple of laps to establish an average lap time. They then adjust the total number of laps to equal 30 minutes, more or less. Then they add two more laps. Say, for instance that the fastest riders put in 7 minute laps for the first two laps. The race official may figure 4 laps equals 28 minutes -- close enough to 30 minutes, so let's say add 2 more laps to equal 6 laps total. Different race officials may go about this in different ways, but this is the way I've seen it done.

You got the idea right but remember the 30 minute time will be based on the lead rider. So, as long as you are on the same lap as the leader then you will get the bell for 2 laps to go. But, if you get lapped by the lead rider then you will get the bell sooner than 30 minutes.

I appreciate this post as I am trying my first race next month. Any other advice for the total noobie ??

Advice for a newbie? I would say to just set your own pace the first few races. 30 minutes can seem like a very, very, very long time in cyclocross. There's always the tendency to go like hell the first lap, cross the finish line totally spent, only to realize you have six or seven more laps to go. It can be somewhat demoralizing. Focus on developing good form with your dismounts, carrying techniques, and remounts. You'll get more enjoyment and satisfaction from the experience.

What else? Crashing doesn't hurt as much as you would expect, momentum is your friend, don't death-grip the bars, and practice running up hill a lot. Most importantly though, realize the cosmic absurdity of your chosen recreational activity and don't take it too seriously.

Cosmic absurdity is my momentum.

Om

do some searches...there's lots of good info in this forum. lunacyle's advice is good...just try to do your best for your first races, and dont get discouraged if you dont do as well as you want to. the best way to learn how to race is to race. make sure you warm up really well, and hit the starting line ready to hammer. the starts are fast (basically an all out sprint), so be ready for that. dont eat anything 1.5-2 hours before the race...but you can pop some gels if you want. start hydrating the day/night b4.....and have fun!

Thanks for the advice... and the encouragement. I am looking forward to the race(s).

I haven't raced cx for a couple seasons but I remember the lap rule was very confusing, especially in a race where people are not on the same lap on a short course. I remember getting lapped at least 2 times. Yeah, I'm slow as hell. But no matter how many times you get lapped, as soon as the leader crosses the line and the bell rings, everyone has the same number of laps to go. This gets tricky if you happen to be coming around to the start/finish line either slightly in front of the leader or slightly behind. If the leader crosses just before you and the bell rings, you have the same number of laps to go as the leader. If you cross the line and then the leader is just behind you, the bell rings, and you have to finish the lap you just started, plus one more. The officials are supposed to take into account the number of laps completed in the final placings, but races with lots of lapped riders is incredibly confusing to score. But I guess, when I'm lapped, I'm pretty much out of it anyway so it doesn't matter.

Yeah, cyclocross is a bit chaotic in this respect. It seems like every race is timed a little bit differently. A good bet is to just keep going until the race official tells you to stop. Some of the more thoughtful race officials will yell out "You're all done!", or something similar to each rider crossing the finish line.

Thanks everyone for the wisdom :-) and advice. I did my first 30 minute race yesterday. Whew!! It was a blast and I have a lot to learn. You are right, it was a sprint from the start and I stayed anerobic the whole time. The mounts tripped me up :-( but I will get better! I am female, 43, not many women in the race but I did battle it out with a 12 year old girl who is either really good or I am really bad hehe
She told me it was nice to have competition and she motivated me because I did not want a youngster to beat me ;-) but she crossed the line about 4 seconds in front of me.
Only got lapped on the very last lap by the 3 top guys and it was right at the end of our laps, not sure if that is good or bad but what the heck, this could be an addiction waiting to happen!

I like this sport!

Mary

Good to hear that you survived your race! Keep working on your technique and don't try to ride every portion of the course if it causes you to lose momentum.
Yesterday, at my race, I was stuck in the back at the start but found little holes to move up a few places. Then, there were bottleneck points where guys got stuck in the deep sand. At that point, I immediately dismounted, ran around 'em and remounted.
Also, what I learned yesterday, too, was the course condition can change a whole lot after one or two races have already been ran on the course. I did some warmup laps and the course was mainly hardpacked sand or so it seemed. However, when my race started, all of the hardpack sand sections turned into nice, deep sand, which requires just brute strength to ride through.

dlbcx- which race did you do?

Master 35+ A. I knew I was in trouble when two Nat's champs (one former and one present) show up to put the hammer to everyone! Even D'Alusio got his butt handed to him by Coats and Noble. But, the guy that I thought did well, was Buckwheat. The guy has two young daughters who demand a lot of his time, has his own business and trying to manage a relationship...yet, he still managed to get 10th with no more than 6 hours of training per week.