Really wanting to try cyclocross

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10-15-11, 09:48 AM

#26

caloso

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Quote:

Originally Posted by misskaz

I spectated a couple races before actually doing it. I wish I had just signed up and done it; I'd have 3 races under my belt instead of 1 now.

I don't know if it's possible to emphasize this enough: if all your bike riding is typically on pavement, riding on grass/mud will kick your ass. I spent lots of time practicing barrier technique (and yes I'm glad I can do a "proper" dismount/remount) but I needed to be working on cardio fitness. Do intervals. Ride as hard as you can until your lungs are screaming at you and you get tunnel vision and think you might pass out or vomit -- because that's what the race is like. I wasn't even trying to go fast, just trying to survive. I barely did.

I HATED every minute of my first race but somehow I'm disappointed I'm missing two weeks of races in a row and can't wait to try again. CX is weird like that.

Good point about moving off the pavement. My first race was about half on an unmown soccer field. How hard could it be to ride across nice thick grass? Pretty damn hard. Like green velcro. So, I would recommend doing grass sprint intervals. I just invented this for myself, but you get the idea: On the local soccer field, I hop on the bike at the goal line, SPRINT all out across to the other goal line, dismount, carry my bike around the goal, remount, and SPRINT back. Repeat ad vomitum.

10-15-11, 01:37 PM

#27

Andy_K

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Quote:

Originally Posted by misskaz

I HATED every minute of my first race but somehow I'm disappointed I'm missing two weeks of races in a row and can't wait to try again. CX is weird like that.

BikeSnob once wrote, "Cyclocross is the opposite of sex--if you're doing it right it hurts, and it's only fun before and after." I would add that it also always lasts longer than you want it to.

As for the conditioning comments, while I agree that conditioning is more important than being able to dismount properly, I strongly suspect that it's too late to make much of a difference in that respect for this year. The best you'll do is figure out how low tire pressure helps you on grass. Skills can be picked up quickly. Fitness takes months.

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10-15-11, 02:16 PM

#28

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I've never done it, but it looks bad a**!

10-17-11, 09:41 AM

#29

bmck

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Definitely practice your remounts. Even if you feel like a badass in your practice sessions, practice them some more. Because once you've been anaerobic for 30 minutes, the ground starts to wobble and your bike gets a whole lot taller.