12strings

First Race Done! I'll second the "what a blast!" sentiment, though I did not pass as many people as abe.

THE RESULT: Out of a field of 50, the computer results posted online says I got 24th. I'm pretty sure this was a mistake by the judges, since I had a fall that knocked the chain off on the first off-camber decent, and thought I got passed by about 30+ riders right there till I got my chain back on. Also, I didn't re-pass anyone after that point except the one person who was right in front of me, who I passed on a climb and he never caught up again. Finally, I was the very last person who wasn't pulled a lap early. (after 40-45 mins, they started saying "last lap" to the people going by, but for those really far behind, they instead said, "You're done!" So I was the absolute last person for finish that final lap, so unless they pulled off 20-25 people who were way behind me, then I got more like 40th, or worse. I know there were people behind me, but I can't believe it was half the field.

Pros:
-Fun,
-challenging technically...lots of off-camber turns and descents,
-Confirming that I'm decent at climbing. out of 3 major steep climbs per lap, I was able to ride up 2 of them, some of which others dismounted. My one and only pass of the day was powering past a dismounted rider. (the third climb was more of a traction issue...almost everybody ran it, even the winner).
-My cornering in general felt good, and I was able to let my rear wheel loose on occasion without losing control.
-Barriers were no problem.

LEARNING POINTS;
-My cardio was the limiting factor. My legs felt really good, even on steep climbs, no real burning to speak of, but my over-all energy level after 2-3 laps was pretty low. I had been sick all week with runny-clogged nose, so I wasn't feeling great physically, but I think fitness also needs help.
-To that end, I think the best thing I could do in the next few weeks for the next one is to go running. the run-ups sapped my energy like no-other.
-Technical sections and fitness are not mutually exclusive...my inexperience with off-camber sections led to a lot of sapped energy manuvering my bike around, so better technique there will lead to saved energy.

definitly fun though, and want to do it again!

12strings

Follow up:

I was riding 30mm clinchers, since that's the biggest my bike will take in the rear. (It's a road endurance bike).

Had them at about 36-38PSI.

Traction was pretty good and predictable on the dry ground, but I felt really shaken up by all the bumping and vibrations. I'll definitely try lower pressure next time, and may put a 33mm in the front where I have more clearance.

msu2001la

Great job on the first races guys.

12string, I definitely agree with you about fitness and technical sections not being mutually exclusive. If you ride a high-tight line in a tricky off-camber section you'll cruise through with little difficulty. If you get late and low, you'll have to slow way down or dismount to complete the section, then have to hammer hard to catch back up with the rider in front of you. I also know when I'm really gassed I start taking way more risks in technical sections, trying to cut corners and otherwise keep my speed up, which can sometimes lead to disaster.

Abe, I was in your race yesterday. I ended up riding the Cat 4/5 and it was a great race. I managed to finish around 35th in that group despite starting mid-field. I got out to a strong start then was able to ride fast through the technical stuff, and hang on to wheels for most of the open power sections. The only mistakes I had in the technical stuff were due to other riders taking poor lines and forcing me too high or low, in which case I was able to dismount pretty quickly and run through, then remount. Also, it was so dusty that I was having a hard time breathing until the pack thinned out a little.

Check out the video below of Sven Nys doing the stairs:
https://www.cxmagazine.com/sven-nys-...-skills-clinic

Abe_Froman

Hah, yeah I was a bit peeved I had my mini-mechanical; I think I may have had a chance to at least finish middle of the pack. I started about 2/3 of the way back in the field...but was consistently passing people until I hopped back on my bike after running through a bunch-up at the top of the hill with switchback around a tree just west of the pavilion, and had to stop and re-seat my wheel. I think I hurt myself pushing so hard the rest of that lap trying to catch up to people....I was gassed lol

msu2001la

Sucks that you had the wheel issue, but glad you got it resolved and the first one is now in the books! I got caught up in a few of those little pileups on the climbs/switchbacks too but managed to dismount/remount pretty cleanly to get around them.

On the stairs run-up were you shouldering your bike and taking the stairs, or running up the grass while pushing? The stairs definitely seemed faster, but I need to practice shouldering my bike a little better so I'm not banging it into my head.

Abe_Froman

I ran up the grass while pushing it. I've got a heavy ass steel touring bike I used. It's got an oval shaped top tube...skinny side down, so it's REALLY uncomfortable to carry on my shoulder!

It's funny...that one little hill with the switchback at the top was the bane of me. Not hard, per se, just unlucky lol. Had my mechanical there, then the next lap I flew up, cut the corner too hard, and ran my kidney into a short broken branch sticking out as I came around lol. I've got a nasty bruise coming in haha.

msu2001la

Yeah, I definitely have a few bruises on my shoulder from throwing my bike up there very ungracefully.

12strings

Musings for 9/20/17:

After my first race, I found I was really winded after the running uphill, so I decided last night to go work on that. I found a road climb that I have used before for training, a .3 mile hill that is a steady 10-11 degrees. I attacked the hill standing at the bottom, then sat and spun for a bit then jumped off and ran up with my bike for about 30 seconds...repeat. Running was the worst...no matter how bad climbing on the bike is, it seemed a relief to jump back on the bike after running for 30 seconds.

At least I know my weakness now...and it's not for lack of past running, just not recently...I played soccer for 16 years, ran track, and have run several 5K, and 4-5 mile races. Bit that was all several years ago.

Also, in case you're wondering, I purposefully did this ride in my running shoes so I wouldn't mess up my spd shoes on the pavement.

*next, and likely last race this year is Oct. 14. Hoping to be better prepared...

Abe_Froman

I think I'm going to do one on Oct. 22. Hopefully thats enough time to work on cardio a bit.

Carcosa

Three races in so far over the past two weekends all on a single speed and I'm addicted. The weekends can't come soon enough. Then they get here and I'm all nerves. Looking forward to one if not two more races this weekend.

Of the three races, I managed 8th in both 4/5 races and 2nd in a SS race.

Unfortunately, I keep wasting call ups as I switch back and forth between categories, which I'll probably do again this weekend as I switch back to SS where I think I have a better chance at a podium. I'm fast on the flats and in the hole shot but really need to work on my confidence in all the technical bits.

Two weekends ago was the home course I've been practicing on for about a month so it went fine. Fast and flowy course with some fun dirt turns.

Sunday's race had a super rooty single track section that I wasn't very quick on and a sand volleyball court that I could not get right. Would have helped to have more time preriding the course but even then there were not many good places to get past people. Staged in the second row so I got stuck pretty much in the place I sprinted to at the start.

I've read the tips for newbies thread in this forum like three times. Can't say enough how some of that helped.

Stuff that has helped me:
- Preriding, warming up and showing up early
- Staging at the line early to get good position
- Putting in the work for the hole shot
- Deciding to ride with a bottle in the jersey (been pretty hot)
- Burning matches in the flats and pavement
- Practicing barriers a ton
- Having team mates with institutional knowledge

12strings

Follow up musing for today:

Still Considering whether or not to try the Masters 35+ race instead of the cat 4/5 race thi/e second time around. Some of those guys look like I could take them. It probably doesn't matter either way, I'll be near, but not at, the back. :-)

redlude97

is there a difference in race length?

12strings

No, just different competition.

Dangerfish

I hope you don't mind me jumping in on your newbie thread.
I did my first race yesterday and was pretty disappointed in how I did, although I DID thoroughly enjoy it. My goal was to not be last. Not only was I last in my Cat 4/5 race, I got lapped! So while everyone else did 6 laps, I only did 5 (and had to force myself to not stop at 4).
I consider myself in pretty good shape. I'm 45, 5'8", 150 lbs. I do 1 or 2 P90X3 work outs every day during the week. I swim with a Masters group 1 or 2 evenings a week. I did a sprint tri in July and found it to not be challenging at all. And I've been riding my CX bike (on the road) 20-25 miles every weekend.
I did 2 practice laps an hour before my race started. I shouldered my bike on a short run up sections with stairs. I ran my tires at 30psi. I don't clip in yet but I have some new Shimano XTR's that I'm going to install. I can see how not clipping in was definitely an issue for me. And I've been to a CX clinic to learn the basics.
Its not like I expected to podium or anything, but LAST!?!?!?! Ugh. What a let down
I guess I need to start riding on trails instead of on the road on weekends. There were a couple of steep sections that really got me winded. I rode up them during my practice laps and during the first lap of my race but after that, I had to jog, walk and then basically crawl my way up to the top of those steep sections. They really kicked my ass.

So I guess my plan for getting better is going to be to spend more time off road instead of on road on. I'm going to go get a bike fit since I have no idea if I have a proper fit or not (riding it just like I purchased it). I'm going to learn to clip in. And I guess I need to be spending time on forums looking for advice.

gregf83 

Congrats on your first race. You can do all of the aerobic training on the road, you just need to increase the intensity during your rides. Have a look in the racing section for a sticky thread on interval suggestions. Find a fast group to ride with on the weekend. Good luck!

JeffOYB

Nah, roads won't do it. Find a CX group and chase them around! that's the very best and worth a drive! i try to stick w better riders for a minute then short cut them and take a breather then try it again.

Or, find a park and make your own course! Ride a tricky route like in your race -- do that a bunch as fast as you can then add in your own barriers. Jumping on and off really ups the octane requirement. then work on doing it relaxed. then gradually go faster.

it's different than road or mtbike.

i find that i like doing anything to keep momentum and flow in the corners. to me the flow of the sport is awesome. it's easy to screw up and lose it, tho!

i had a good race yesterday and stayed with intense skinny riders than me. and i went back'n'forth for the whole race with them! punch counterpunch! ppl said they liked watching and that we were flying! ...i burned matches now'n'then. i'd nail em in the technical then they'd reel me in on the power but even tho technical was my advantage i only felt like i did my corners decently about half the time. ...still not there! takes 100 corners to feel good... and some crashes

keep at it!

(my first race yesterday at the halfway pt i gradually passed several guys even after things had supposedly settled down and felt "way out there", well, over my head, and hit the barriers flying. didn't even brake. and forgot to pick up my bike! well, i shoulda braked. jeez. wipe-out! lame. total error. you don't want errors. you want to ride clean. so my good race was my 2nd one...)

12strings

No problem jumping in.
As mentioned, Aerobic workouts don't cut it for something like cyclocross.
You have to practice going all-out anaerobic, then doing it again before you are recovered. If you feel totally dead after about 5 minutes or less of that, you know you're doing it right!

That's the only thing that I think I did right: 30on/30recover efforts. A few times a week.

In other news, I've got my 2ND (and last) race this Saturday the 14th, hoping to do a bit better, but if it's muddy, I'm not sure my 30mm tires will work too well...we'll see. Should be fun though.

JeffOYB

last? it's not even cold or rainy yet! or slushy! CX has only just begun! ...maybe drive a bit? it's worth it! it really does get more awesome. i'd say until past Thanksgiving for the Midwest. ... once the ground freezes and there's no more loose mud i change my tune totally. coz snow is coming and that's for XC not CX!

PS: IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW YOU PLACE! Last seems kinda awesome. TOTAL POTENTIAL. You can only go up! Well, i guess you could get lapped sooner. And, guess what, if you win a race or two in any category everyone will harp on you to upgrade which means you get to be last all over again. And, guess what, you know what would happen to the winner of the elite event at whatever race you just did if they went over to Europe and did a race? they would get LAST! ...and maybe they'd try harder after that and keep trying until they could pass someone. ...We're all in the same pain boat!

Also: Everyone is different. Find something that works for you. Personally I need to be sweating and worked up BEFORE the start. I need my body to be at race intensity before the start. I should have a trainer but have never used one. I do ride around the local streets and pre-ride. But I should be hitting it race-pace a lot in the warm-up. I should probably do about THREE practice laps -- one slow and pay attention and 2 fast in different places. It's funny -- I don't have much in me so I worry I'm using up my race legs but really I should be hitting it. I do skip or walk barriers or anything generic in warmup coz they're generic and I'm already AWESOME at them. Ha. Maybe I shouldn't. It takes me a lot to warm up. Barriers would jump my heart. And I should ideally get real familiar w the course.

12strings

It's mostly schedule and family limiting me...but 2 races this fall as a start is OK for now...

Carcosa

Hang in there! As long as you're still having fun, keep it up.

I've never done a workout harder than a CX race. That's for damn sure.

Bummer! But anything is better than nothing. Just mark the rest of the races on the calendar and try to squeeze another one in once other plans fall through.

Yesterday was the last race of our local nine race series and I'm feeling pretty good about my first season racing cross (or bikes in general). I'm excited – read: nervous – for our statewide stuff that starts this upcoming weekend though. Hopefully it's run as well and as fun as the local races.

I got six races in and podium-ed three of them. 2nd twice in SS and 3rd in Cat 4/5. Other finishes where two 8ths and 7th.

Now, I have to decide whether to stick to the 4/5 or SS category and praying for the weather to come out of the 80s.