Rich

Wow...are you going to be competing in both?

Rich

Rich

Here's me at Rainham, I don't know why I'm smiling, I was dead on my wheels!!!



Doesn't the Bikeforums jersey look great!!!

Rich

zlj75

Hi guys. I should have ordered one of those cool bike forum tops. Doing my second race this weekend, finally got my bike a little more squared aways, especially in the tire, and gearing department. Am going to 12x26, 38x46...rode first race in 12x26, 42 front, did not like the 42 that much. Good luck in your weekend races. Zach

Born2mtb

Hey Rich,
that doesn't look like the cyclocross bike that I seen posted before. Still looks nice though.

Rich

Thanks Born,

Yeah, I sold my Alan Cross bike a while back and am racing my Kona Hei Hei. The shame of it is is that I can't race any premier cross events in the UK (cross bikes only).

Still, never mind...I'll spectate at the final round of the National Trophy, and take some photo's of riders in pain...Muwwhahaha!

Rich

zlj75

Hi guys. Rode my second race on Saturday, it was pouring rain, which made a fast course very technical...which suited me fine. I felt great and before I knew it was on the last lap, and heard the announcer say that the two guys, who were right in front of me, were battling for third and fourth place, I could not believe it because I still felt good. I was able to reel in one of them, and pass the guy I was riding with to take 4th place!!! A bit better than my 30th place two weeks ago. The big differences between the were, better gearing 38x46 by 12x26, and I was far more relaxed...I actually was able to breathe this race. Thanks for all the advice! Zach

Rich

Hey Zach,

Good work fella!!! You'll have to take pole position in the cross forums now!!!

Are you racing again soon?

Rich

Rotifer

Congratulations! I finished second again. It stinks when you get out all by yourself and don't have anybody to race with. Aside from when I started lapping the rear of the field, I didn't see anyone the entire race - makes it hard to keep up the pace. I guess I'm a mental weenie.

zlj75

Hey Guys. Good work on the second place finish Rotifer...it sucks when you are stuck in no man's land!! I am going to try to race in Vermont next Saturday, but still need to work on the logistics. Was thinking it would be cool if I had a Bikeforums jerseay to wear...oh well.

zlj75

https://www.photoreflect.com/scripts/...um=0&adjust=-1

here's a crazy link to a pic of me running a barrier, let me know if you can actually follow the link.

Rotifer

Worked for me, cool pic. I have some from yesterday but haven't had time to mess with them.. I'll post one when I can. Thanks, by the way.

Rich

Great photo mate...

I'm going to be spectating at the final round of the National Trophy, but the added bonus is that I'll have a camera.

Will post some shots up here.

Keep up the great results guys!!! Rotifer....I guess the only thing you can do when you're in second place is try and catch up and pass as many end tailers as possible....

zlj75

Hey Guys. I got hosed last weekend but it's my fault. I left last Saturday's race positive that I came in 4th place, but I never checked the official list...well, they posted the results yesterday and I wound up finishing 3rd!!! So my one and only podium finish and I did not even get to enjoy it...oh well.

Have to try and make sure it was not a fluke by racing in Rhode Island on Sunday. Hope you are all doing well. Rotifer, have fun with the Swede!!

Rotifer

Congratulations man, and thanks Rich. Yeah, cross races can be a little confusing - I definitely won't rest on my laurels next time I am out in front. Oh, and thanks for the Swede - I'm fortifying her with Guinness as we speak.

zlj75

Swedes love Guiness and cross racing...they live for them!!

What class do you race Rotifer?

Rotifer

In this series we have A's, B's and Masters ... I've been racing B's. It's been 2 years since I raced at all so I used that as an excuse to race B's. After the last race, I think the guy who won and I should probably be in A's. Next year ... after I have a season of mt bike racing under my belt. You?

zlj75

We have A, B, and C...I ride C. Up until three weeks ago I had never raced anything before, though I ride a cross country MTB everyday, and occasionally moonlight on the road. CX has been great so far, hopefully I can get in three more races this season, with two more good C performances, maybe I'll try a B. Hopefully I am able to make it to the Rhode Island race on Sunday...concert on Saturday night may make it a little tough. Talk to you soon.
What MTB class do you ride?

Rotifer

I rode sport in my last mountain bike race but will probably move up to expert next year.

zlj75

I should start racing MTBs next year, something to train for...am planning a five week Euro bike tour which I'm sure would mess up a race schedule. I teach so I'll have the summer off!!

zlj75

Heading up for my third race tomorrow morning...two hour drive for a thirty minute race...I should bump myself up to B's just to get an extra 15 minutes, nahh, we'll stay with the C's. Good luck with all your races this weekend. Zach

zlj75

Hi Guys. Had a pretty good race last Saturday, felt okay, course was techical with lots of barriors, 8 of them...those sucked. In my lowly old C race I took 10th out of 32, but I was aiming for top 10, so it worked out well. Another race this Sunday...can't wait. Hope you all had good races. Zach

Kev

10th out of 32 that is great!!!! Congratulations!

Rotifer

Good job man. We have a race this Sunday - I skipped the state championships to spend time with my son. Final race in our series so I hope to do well. European tour? Cool, I had a great one a few years back .. memories.

stridercc

I did my first cross race two weeks ago. I raced in the juniors cat. The best way to discirbe it would be to say it was "interesting". Going into the race I figured one of two things. 1) The other juniors would be out there doing this just for a fun early season work out, like myself, or 2) Would be hard core cross racers. I found out the hard way that the two other racers, there were only three of us ,were hard core cross people. Even though I got third I was still pretty happy because I only lost because I beat myself. On all the straights I was clearly the strongest rider, but on the tecnical stuff I sucked big time. For the state championship next weekend I have been practicing my mounts and cornering, and hope to do better. It was a fun time even though I did come in last, hey I still won a chain cleaner, and I can't wait till next weekend.
-Matt-

Rotifer

Nice job strider. If you are having trouble in cornering, it may be your tires. Play with tire pressure and talk to people about what tire selection. I'm also rather bold about walking up and squeezing other racer's tires. I haven't been slapped yet ... I flatted yesterday and it turned out that my rear whell was toast. I didn't have a spare so couldn't finish. Ended up 3rd overall in Bs anyway, can't complain. Well, I would have wrapped up 2nd place handily but, there's always next year.