wayyyyyyyyy back in '09 I built this thing and raced it on a mostly grass/mud/big ass tree root course outside the Trexlertown Velodrome. it was part of the MAC cross series. I think I placed 74 out of 80 something, which I was happy with since I've never raced anything aside from running in my entire life. Had I started out in a spot other than the back of the pack I think i would have done better.
havent had the time to do another race since.







there I go (where the eff is everyone?)

it is not clear if my raleigh technium olympian was spec'd as a cross bike, originally, but it's basically a 700c with canti mounts and bar end shifters... (suntour xc)

i've built a bianchi AXIS II (rare canadian model ?) that is an authentic mid-range vintage cross bike. it's now my good friend's. another one of my friends has a bianchi volpe (much like the equinox above) but i never liked the look of the bike, compared to that axis II that's probably better spec'd.


my dream bike definitely remains one of those old, steel, maybe red, authentic cross bike with a flat-crown fork ! or maybe even a unicrown fork would do the trick.

PLEASE notice the fast back + canti hanger on the bianchi ; it's just beautiful

Update - survived the clinic. I didn't crash, puke, or die, so I'm apparently doing it wrong . Despite heavy rain all afternoon, it cleared up, and there were only a few spots that started to get muddy. We didn't use any singletrack, but with the clay soil we have here it would have made a mess of the trail to ride on it.
This was a group effort by the LBS, a local race team, the cx series organizer, and Raleigh USA. There were ~35 attendees, about a third were women. Good cross section of age, ability, cycling background, and type of bike.
Interestingly, the most common C&Vish rides there were Bianchis, I think I saw about 5 various cross/hybrid models.
I was kind of nervous driving over (usually ride since the park is only 4 miles away, but didn't want to ride home in the foggy dark with no lights), but everyone was very laid back and friendly.
No race this weekend for me due to brother-in-law getting married, but I'm going to try next weekend.

I didn't survive the clinic. Blew up my vintage knee running up hill. We will try again next season. Loads of fun. My bike is newer (96-97), but it was the only steel one there, so I am calling it vintage enough.

Ugh, that's a bummer! How bad is it - ie issues with walking or normal riding?

Can't bend it all the way, or take any lateral pressure at all. Still well swollen on the front/inseam side after 5 days of ice and elevation. Pretty much toast. Off to the doc I go this week.

Let's hope it's not your ACL...

That is my fear, but it is done either way, so no sense worrying about it. There are only two "knee" guys in the state, so I am in line to see one of them. Out-of-town business is heavy, so even if they have to do something invasive, it is going to be a couple of weeks. Regardless, I am sure the CX season is out, commuting for a while is out. Eitherway, by the time I am back in the saddle, we will be huddled down for winter. Assuming I get a bit more mobile, I at least have time for the mountain of bike projects that have piled up.

I figure I'll update the thread now that I actually survived a race: the venue was right in downtown Cleveland, beautiful day. I put in a race report here: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...9#post13246199

A couple pics of the park and skyline:


I accomplished my primary goal of finishing the race, and managed to get 25th of 31 in the open Men's C. I had pulled off the Brooks saddle and my old Ultegra/MA40 wheelset, and added a set of cheap 8sp takeoff STI levers along with Cinelli gel cork wrap (just amazing, it's the only tape or grips that don't give me numb hands).
The pro photographer captured me hitting the token mud crossing:

Definitely going back for more next weekend...
And of course N+1 fever has already struck again...

The LS is soooo nice!

Cross is pretty fun, especially after going through the road season like strict regimen.

You have all inspired me. Im going to the LBS for some nobbies right now! Thank you for this post.

Consider this: '89 660 SSCX. (It was originally gray, like your top one, but now it's been repainted in white appliance enamel).







41x19 ratio. The 19t cog is from an old 9-speed Ultegra cassette. The 17 and 19 are riveted into a single unit and I dremeled off the 17. Then a bunch of 9 and 10-speed spacers gets a pretty precise chain line. The 41t chainring is a Rocket Ring from Harris Cyclery (nice to have a little Sheldon on the bike, RIP).

The brakes are Raleigh branded Mafac knockoff centerpulls. I bought them on eBay a few years ago for a song but never had a bike to put them on. The tires are Kenda Kwick knobbies. They're labeled as 30mm but they look a bit narrower than that to me.

I made some tweaks this morning and took it out for a casual ride with the wife. So far, so good. I think I'll do some dismounting/remounting practice in the park later this afternoon.

Cool! More the merrier, just don't drink all the beer .