Cyclocross Clutter
#177
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My frame came yesterday! I started stripping off the old components from the Raleigh, and it turns out that I need a new bb. Also, the 60cm frame may be a tad big (58 road bike, but sometimes I think that is small). Luckily, I have a good FSA carbon setback seatpost that I turned the other way...looks funny, but will keep me well within my "road fit" and provides more room to adjust fore/aft as needed. Other than that, things are looking good. I may take off the 53 and go with a 46/39T up front, but I'll make that decision after a few practice runs.
This build is really fun...I can't wait to give it a go on the hill in the park near me.
Good luck to all racing today down in Jackson park!
This build is really fun...I can't wait to give it a go on the hill in the park near me.
Good luck to all racing today down in Jackson park!
#179
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Hill? In Illinois?
BIG turnout at Jackson Park. Must have been 100+ cat 4's. Not one crash on the barriers. Saw a number of other spills, but not there.
Weirdest thing to me - how did a jersey from a small team I rode for out of Milwaukee in 1991 (Art Crafters / Team Milwaukee), show up in a Cat 4 cyclocross race in Chicago, in 2009???
Goodwill ??
Shot almost 2,000 pics.
BIG turnout at Jackson Park. Must have been 100+ cat 4's. Not one crash on the barriers. Saw a number of other spills, but not there.
Weirdest thing to me - how did a jersey from a small team I rode for out of Milwaukee in 1991 (Art Crafters / Team Milwaukee), show up in a Cat 4 cyclocross race in Chicago, in 2009???
Goodwill ??
Shot almost 2,000 pics.
Last edited by John Wilke; 09-20-09 at 04:26 PM.
#180
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Hill? In Illinois?
BIG turnout at Jackson Park. Must have been 100+ cat 4's. Not one crash on the barriers. Saw a number of other spills, but not there.
Weirdest thing to me - how did a jersey from a small team I rode for out of Milwaukee in 1991 (Art Crafters / Team Milwaukee), show up in a Cat 4 cyclocross race in Chicago, in 2009???
Goodwill ??
Shot almost 2,000 pics.
BIG turnout at Jackson Park. Must have been 100+ cat 4's. Not one crash on the barriers. Saw a number of other spills, but not there.
Weirdest thing to me - how did a jersey from a small team I rode for out of Milwaukee in 1991 (Art Crafters / Team Milwaukee), show up in a Cat 4 cyclocross race in Chicago, in 2009???
Goodwill ??
Shot almost 2,000 pics.
Did I mention that I applied for an upgrade?
#182
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#183
So what did YOU do to it?
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Pictures? 2000 pictures? Did you catch any of me? I was the fat dude wearing blue on the iron horse MTB in cat 4b. :-)
I'm just happy I didn't come in last. ... and I got a dollar.
I can now say I understand the appeal of CX. I'll be there in dekalb.
There were 76 riders in Cat4b. Unless there were some DNF's I was 75th ;-) I think.
I'm just happy I didn't come in last. ... and I got a dollar.
I can now say I understand the appeal of CX. I'll be there in dekalb.
There were 76 riders in Cat4b. Unless there were some DNF's I was 75th ;-) I think.
#184
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Do 5 races. Upgrade to cat 3 if you wish.
I'm going to have to rethink cat 4. I've never been in a race where things didn't space out after 1 lap or so. Today we rolled around in a procession until half a lap to go. Feel like I didn't race. interesting course but rather obsessed with hairpin bends - lots of them, with not enough space in between to get up to speed.
I'm going to have to rethink cat 4. I've never been in a race where things didn't space out after 1 lap or so. Today we rolled around in a procession until half a lap to go. Feel like I didn't race. interesting course but rather obsessed with hairpin bends - lots of them, with not enough space in between to get up to speed.
#185
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Pictures? 2000 pictures? Did you catch any of me? I was the fat dude wearing blue on the iron horse MTB in cat 4b. :-)
I'm just happy I didn't come in last. ... and I got a dollar.
I can now say I understand the appeal of CX. I'll be there in dekalb.
There were 76 riders in Cat4b. Unless there were some DNF's I was 75th ;-) I think.
I'm just happy I didn't come in last. ... and I got a dollar.
I can now say I understand the appeal of CX. I'll be there in dekalb.
There were 76 riders in Cat4b. Unless there were some DNF's I was 75th ;-) I think.
Hey, after THREE WEEKS of dry, it's raining!
#186
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Do 5 races. Upgrade to cat 3 if you wish.
I'm going to have to rethink cat 4. I've never been in a race where things didn't space out after 1 lap or so. Today we rolled around in a procession until half a lap to go. Feel like I didn't race. interesting course but rather obsessed with hairpin bends - lots of them, with not enough space in between to get up to speed.
I'm going to have to rethink cat 4. I've never been in a race where things didn't space out after 1 lap or so. Today we rolled around in a procession until half a lap to go. Feel like I didn't race. interesting course but rather obsessed with hairpin bends - lots of them, with not enough space in between to get up to speed.
I submit the upgrade request shortly after the first race report I heard. If it's approved, I'll have the option of a 45 min early race (30+), a 45 min afternoon race (cat 3) or a 60 minute late afternoon race (1/2/3). All of which are chock full of guys who will crush me and force me to dig deeper to attempt to avoid embarrassment. And, I won't have to worry about any more of this pre-registration nonsense.
#187
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There was some good racing though, you know. Pro 1/2 Ben Popper got a good start and was leading with good margin over the barriers on lap one. He dropped his chain when he remounted, got caught and eventually placed 2nd to Scott McLaughlin (SRAM Factory Team). In the 4a race, some guy took off with a big lead and looked like he was going to hold it, but on the last lap he got caught and passed by TWO riders! bummer
Last edited by John Wilke; 09-20-09 at 07:12 PM.
#188
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There was some good racing though, you know. Pro 1/2 Ben Popper got a good start and was leading with good margin over the barriers on lap one. He dropped his chain when he remounted, got caught and eventually placed 2nd to Scott McLaughlin (SRAM Factory Team). In the 4a race, some guy took off with a big lead and looked like he was going to hold it, but on the last lap he got caught and passed by TWO riders! bummer
Getting stuck at the back of a 75 rider field that gets completely jammed up at every bottle neck? Not so sure I'd like to do that if I can avoid it.
#189
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The placings for the 4a seemed correct. 30+ and 40+ were all over the place.
Even though I finished in the top third, I still ended up rolling along - maybe passing about 2 people per lap.
The race was won in the scramble for the front line. I don't know if anyone in the top 10 didn't start on the first row. Then it was a case of whether it would be the guy in 7th or 10th who would mess up the sandpit and let the leaders get away. Races where the results are decided in the first 20 seconds aren't for me. Not saying it's a bad course, just that this was one for sprinters.
MJH2, you'll be glad to know that the ChiCrossCUp are now introducing a late fee as well. $35 for a CX race is getting a bit rich for me. USGP is cheaper. I'm going to have to check out MO, IA and WI scenes. Having to win your race in order to earn your entry back is a bit daunting. I'll do a few more CHi races but half at most. Carpentersville, St. Charles and Bloomingdale are the only ones that entice me now.
Even though I finished in the top third, I still ended up rolling along - maybe passing about 2 people per lap.
The race was won in the scramble for the front line. I don't know if anyone in the top 10 didn't start on the first row. Then it was a case of whether it would be the guy in 7th or 10th who would mess up the sandpit and let the leaders get away. Races where the results are decided in the first 20 seconds aren't for me. Not saying it's a bad course, just that this was one for sprinters.
MJH2, you'll be glad to know that the ChiCrossCUp are now introducing a late fee as well. $35 for a CX race is getting a bit rich for me. USGP is cheaper. I'm going to have to check out MO, IA and WI scenes. Having to win your race in order to earn your entry back is a bit daunting. I'll do a few more CHi races but half at most. Carpentersville, St. Charles and Bloomingdale are the only ones that entice me now.
#192
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The placings for the 4a seemed correct. 30+ and 40+ were all over the place.
Even though I finished in the top third, I still ended up rolling along - maybe passing about 2 people per lap.
The race was won in the scramble for the front line. I don't know if anyone in the top 10 didn't start on the first row. Then it was a case of whether it would be the guy in 7th or 10th who would mess up the sandpit and let the leaders get away. Races where the results are decided in the first 20 seconds aren't for me. Not saying it's a bad course, just that this was one for sprinters.
MJH2, you'll be glad to know that the ChiCrossCUp are now introducing a late fee as well. $35 for a CX race is getting a bit rich for me. USGP is cheaper. I'm going to have to check out MO, IA and WI scenes. Having to win your race in order to earn your entry back is a bit daunting. I'll do a few more CHi races but half at most. Carpentersville, St. Charles and Bloomingdale are the only ones that entice me now.
Even though I finished in the top third, I still ended up rolling along - maybe passing about 2 people per lap.
The race was won in the scramble for the front line. I don't know if anyone in the top 10 didn't start on the first row. Then it was a case of whether it would be the guy in 7th or 10th who would mess up the sandpit and let the leaders get away. Races where the results are decided in the first 20 seconds aren't for me. Not saying it's a bad course, just that this was one for sprinters.
MJH2, you'll be glad to know that the ChiCrossCUp are now introducing a late fee as well. $35 for a CX race is getting a bit rich for me. USGP is cheaper. I'm going to have to check out MO, IA and WI scenes. Having to win your race in order to earn your entry back is a bit daunting. I'll do a few more CHi races but half at most. Carpentersville, St. Charles and Bloomingdale are the only ones that entice me now.
When did the late fee start? I get that prices will rise as sponsors cut back and insurance goes up in these hard economic times. Seems a shame that the rising costs won't be offset by the (seemingly, anyway) increased rider numbers?
I may have to make more trips up north, too... Cheaper racing, a much more laid-back vibe, and races that don't conflict with watching the Bears!
#193
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The randomness I was referring to was the race for the first row. Of course, that's usually the only thing I get right at a race.
When did the late fee start? I get that prices will rise as sponsors cut back and insurance goes up in these hard economic times. Seems a shame that the rising costs won't be offset by the (seemingly, anyway) increased rider numbers?
I may have to make more trips up north, too... Cheaper racing, a much more laid-back vibe, and races that don't conflict with watching the Bears!
When did the late fee start? I get that prices will rise as sponsors cut back and insurance goes up in these hard economic times. Seems a shame that the rising costs won't be offset by the (seemingly, anyway) increased rider numbers?
I may have to make more trips up north, too... Cheaper racing, a much more laid-back vibe, and races that don't conflict with watching the Bears!
"In Heaven there is no beer ... that's why we .... OH! Hey, what's for breakfast???"
Last edited by John Wilke; 09-21-09 at 06:54 AM.
#195
Genetics have failed me
#196
Genetics have failed me
I signed up for the Dan Ryan woods at the Beverly Country Club. Should be a good time.
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#197
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The randomness I was referring to was the race for the first row. Of course, that's usually the only thing I get right at a race.
When did the late fee start? I get that prices will rise as sponsors cut back and insurance goes up in these hard economic times. Seems a shame that the rising costs won't be offset by the (seemingly, anyway) increased rider numbers?
When did the late fee start? I get that prices will rise as sponsors cut back and insurance goes up in these hard economic times. Seems a shame that the rising costs won't be offset by the (seemingly, anyway) increased rider numbers?
I would really like to see payout linked with attendance. $185 total to the Elite field when 404 people attend at an average of $25 or so a head (after insurance and bikereg fees). Do the numbers. Nobody begrudges promoters making a healthy profit. But there are good reasons why the quality of elite racing in Chicago is pretty poor - making it a bit more worthwhile for people to travel to the better-attended races would help.
The late fee was made up by the cross cup committee. I let them know that this contravened USAC rules - all extra fees must be clearly advertised in the USAC-approved flyer. They didn't charge the late fee at JP, but they are now going to amend the flyers. I think the only fair thing to do would be to donate ALL late fees to World Bicycle Relief.
#198
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it was so fun!
you run up it, coast down it, & ride under it!
the creators call it the orange crush flyover, but everybody else calls it the "flying rhino-ver" after the group that was instrumental in it's creation, the flying rhino cycling club.
from what i hear, not really... but i hope it makes it's way to a few more races, particularly the night race in 2 weeks (it'd be awesome with christmas lights on it) & the halloween race... which will be worth the trip by itself due to our shop's promotion!
you run up it, coast down it, & ride under it!
the creators call it the orange crush flyover, but everybody else calls it the "flying rhino-ver" after the group that was instrumental in it's creation, the flying rhino cycling club.
from what i hear, not really... but i hope it makes it's way to a few more races, particularly the night race in 2 weeks (it'd be awesome with christmas lights on it) & the halloween race... which will be worth the trip by itself due to our shop's promotion!
Last edited by 3MTA3; 09-22-09 at 03:16 PM.
#200
nom nom nom
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Doing my first race/practice tomorrow. Cross miss and out's at estabrook park. I'm pretty excited!