Neo:
Run what you want, just take off bar ends. Of course, if you opt to do a UCI race (jingle cross), then things are a little different -- from what I can tell.

Did the bandit cross yesterday....awesome. Felt like a time warp back to last year. I instantly remembered the pain and suffering and the high. I found I rode smarter and my mounts and dismounts came back instantly without any practice. I am still not fluid but I found I moved up on all riders near me when I hit those sections.

We start riding cross from the shop on Tuesdays with the whole crew starting next week. I am doing a cross ride out of the shop on Thursday. See you there.

RJB - you should come out.

No bar ends? I wonder why that is. they're 10 seconds to take off, it's not like I use them, I just like to not have the small end of bars ready to punch my sternum.

From USA Cycling:
One other note: cyclo-cross is a mass-start race, and according to US Cycling Federation rules, bikes used in mass-start events may not have objects that protrude forward. This means no bar ends in USCF sanctioned cyclo-cross races. Remove them before race day and save yourself an unpleasant surprise at the start line.
https://www.usacycling.org/news/user/story.php?id=1144

I'd tell you to "not crash," but that was me on my back in turn 3 of my first CX. Replacement grips are fairly cheap, may be a good way to keep from getting a circle scar somewhere on your body.

Go have fun, it really is a blast.

Sounds good and I can use the practice. However, I'm resting this week. I've been dieting and working very hard for the road race this weekend coming up and am just plain tired. I knew I was in trouble on the warm-up lap...my legs felt like stone. I was ticked when the young girl in green passed me up and even more pissed when her mom passed me too!!!! I was a bit slow on the remount but survived.

Just announced today that three time World Cyclocross Champion Erwin Vervecken will be racing in Madison in the Planet Bike Cup September 26th and 27th.

https://cxmagazine.com/erwin-vervecke...e-usgp-weekend

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erwin_Vervecken

CHECK OUT THIS INTRO: https://www.cyclocross.be/

Time to get your 'cross on!

Wow! I get to race the same course as Mr. last lap kick.

This guy is my favorite cross racer. It was my privilege to be able to attend the 2007 CX worlds and watch Erwin come from way back to outkick Jonathan Page for the title. It was the hardest, most exciting race I have ever seen. I still get dizzy thinking about it.

Bandit cross tonight in barrington.

Yeah? ... and it didn't happen, or what?

Next week now, oh boy. Chequamegon on Saturday, Chicago's Jackson Park on Sunday. I blew off this weekend's triathlons to stay fresh for the long, arduous 'cross season. Man, 16hrs of driving next weekend?? I've got some slide shows running on the web page. Will keep refreshing those along the way.

Yup...it happened. I am in much better shape for cross than I realized. Hells. yes.

I just bought a cross frame/fork (Redline conquest pro) for $150 I'm going to strip my old Raleigh of all its usable parts and now I have questions:

Disclaimer: I don't really care all that much about cross (yet), in fact, I've never raced. But it looks like a hell of a good time and I'd like to do it because...well, it beats sitting at home, or riding a trainer. If I don't like it, I ahve a nice commuter I can ride around in mud. yeah.

1) Tires: what's a decent pair for the races around here (Chicago)? most parks seem like hardpack, but after a few hours of racing and a little rain...??? I've no idea how to read the terrain to purchase a tire. suggestions?
2) Brakes: I know nothing about cantilever brakes. Can I get away with a $20 pair of tektros?
3) My crank is a Rival 53:39. Can I get away with the 39 and run a normal road cassette 12-23/25?
4) Anything I need to know about chains? well, besides cleaning it often?

besides bring cased meat products and brewskies to the races is there anything else I need to know?

wow, after looking at these questions, I'm glad botto is not from 'round here.

...yeah!

1) Michelin mud on the front and jet on the back. I swap in a 2nd mud onto the back if the course has some greasy off cambers where more grip is required. The only really important choice on a cross bike is tires and pressure. Pay a lot of attention to this and adjust for each course as appropriate.
2) Tektro brakes are good. They'll require some adjustment and will squeal a bit but stop fine. The wider TRPs or Pauls have better modulation and more clearance, but clearance has not been an issue in Chicago.
3)39T is fine. Replace the large chainring with a cheap chainguard from BBG. You will fall and have a good chance of impaling your calves on the exposed chainring. I have the scars to prove it. Leave the derailleur on as a chainkeeper. 12-23 or 12-25 cassettes will work great with a 39T. If you're good at repeated short high intensity efforts (which I think you are) you probably won't need the 25T, but most people will.
4) You got a good frame. Keep your chain clean and wash your bike every weekend. Cross is hard on equipment and by doing this you'll typically find loose chainring bolts, cranks, derailleur pulleys, bent hangers etc a couple of times during the season.

Main rule - find your happy place and then go harder. Enjoy.

+1 to Carlos....

Mine -
1) Michelin Mud 2's - can't beat them for around here on a clincher.
2)Tektro CR720 - cheap and work great.
3) I have been running a 46/36 this year I am running a 46/38. I use the 46 usually in 1 spot on each course. For Lansing last year I used it for the whole course. Your 39 will be OK but as a road rider your forte will be moving up on the fast flat sections - the spots where I love having gear. Run your 39 and ditch the 53. If it's too little you can always buy a 40-something to replace it with or an out and out cross crank for around $100...at psimet.com of course... Cassette - I ran a 12-25 for just about every single race last year. I put a 12-27 on for 2 races I believe thinking that it would allow me to spin up some of the steep sections...all it did was slow me down enough to lose position. You could rock a 12-25 with that 39 easy.
4) regular road chain. I prefer a KMC DX10 - because they're cheap and are quiet and last quite a while but don't break the bank. You will run through them fast with cross. I ran through 2 or 3 last year but that was mainly due to sand. You can get them for a great price at psimet.com...

You will love cross and become addicted. I started last year for the same reasons you site. Now I am addicted.

ASLO - cross rides out of our shop on Tuesday's and Thursday's at 6:00
4

Ha! Addicted to something called "cross" has so many..um..connotations. I've seen the pictures...I'm very comfortable with who I am. Thanks you very much. I just want to play around on the weekends. don't tell my wife.

You already shave your legs and dress up in lycra costrumes every weekend...this is just the next step.

....oh and our wives have already figured it out.

prob right. man, she plays it off really well, too.

My damn wrist hurts and I have little strength (for instance, pulling a brake lever is very difficult). My intention is to line up Sunday and take one lap but I don't know if I can do it.

I won't "race" a single race this year.

Good that you're on the bike...bad that you're not 100%. Don't push it if you can avoid it.

not on the bike much, hardly at all really. Went around the block a few days in a row but it's not any fun. With the season ending, there's not much motivation to train and it doesn't seem like I'll be commuting again until next spring. All in all it's been a bummer.

Not quite right ... but getting closer:

4a's filled for Jackson Park.

You Chicago boys take your 'cross seriously !

No. We just register quick (not that I'm registered... I'm racing the Ronald Reagan crit this weekend).

I may end up in 4b if I'm not still hacking up a lung by Sunday am.

So if you forget to show up, can you just say you have no recollection of ever signing up?

No. But I'm contemplating trading missiles for an upgrade.

To anyone doing Jackson Park. Some experiences from last year:

Surprisingly non-aggressive start. Lots of newbies. No problem to elbow your way to the front if that's your thing. A good start is always important but not quite as important here as other races.

Couple of very rough ruts - chain drop could be an issue. make sure you have those chainkeepers, derailleurs in order.

Fast course. 1st half quite technical - well designed - 3 sets of barriers, pinwheel, off-camber, chicanes etc. Watch out for transitions to/from pavement. Saw a couple of people bite it on these - not pleasant. Might be an idea to keep just a couple of yards off the wheel of the guy in front of you. First race of the year and many people are going to mess up the off-camber and other technical obstacles.

You'll need a lower gear than you might expect, some slow transitions to some short steeps. Remember to downshift in advance.

2nd half was very fast. Punch it for all you're worth. Plenty of time to recover later. Lots of people will run out of gas on the last lap. Give it everything with 5 minutes to go and catch all those dozy riders. Caught 3 people at the line last year who were just rolling in all casual-like. Maybe a dozen overall on the last lap.

That said, there is supposed to be a surprise obstacle and I expect that they will put something in to break up the second half of the course and slow people down a bit.

Most important: enjoy