Psimet2001 

I got chills watching it. Brought back a lot of memories. Especially the sounds.

...needs more cowbell though.

hyunelan2

I'm looking forward to trying this out. My cycling "season" has sucked this year - due to selling/buying houses and moving and all the associated fun that goes with owning a new house. I figure if I try some CX this fall, it will hopefully make up for (in my mind) the lack of riding this summer.

I have my '03 Specialized Sequoia, converted to CX format with 32c tires, and a MTB cassette. Need some different pedals and I'm set to suck at CX. I think the Dekalb event will be where I try. goal: just finish, that is all.

MJH2

CX isn't like road racing. Barring some sort of weird crash, you'll finish.

Set your sites higher. Like, finish without barfing.

Porkchopwi

I'm a ration of 5 CX events this fall.
Got 4 of them picked out and I'm requesting your input in deciding the best bang for the buck (or the one that involves the least suffering -- this means less than Whitewater -- or offers the most distilled/brewed hand-ups from spectators):

11/8 Eastbrook Park CX
or
11/14 Kletsch Park CX

MJH2

I've never ridden my bike at Kletsch Park, but I've fished there plenty. I can't see it being nearly as bad as Whitewater.

I say you should do them both. And bring your tackle. It's probably too late to get any decent Salmon, but you still have a shot at a Steelhead or nice Brown.

John Wilke

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyBjS...e=channel_page

Both on one video!

John Wilke

Messing around while my cold medicine kicks in.

I call it: "Russian Psi" Da.

RJBTrek

very cool!!

RJBTrek

Now that cyclocross season is closing in, a number of us will start cyclocross specific training on Tuesday nights. PSI, you're working in Elk Grove, we'll have the training close to Alexian Brothers 6-7pm. Take Bisner (West side of hospital) past the forest preserve entrance down to Cosman. We normally have Tuesday sprint practice down Cosman. We use the large loop for a recovery/leadout loop from the back of the hospital. Starting Tuesday, in addition to the sprints, they'll have specific training fot the cyclcross riders. Meet at Cosman.

RJBTrek

The bike I have has 35mm nobby tires and they seem large. What tires do run and are you happy with them?

MJH2

I did the first half of the season with panaracers that were 35's. They were fine except in the few muddy spots I ran though (most notably, at Bartlet). I switched over to Michelin Mud 2's that, I think, are 32mm wide. They seemed fine in just about any condition.

Go with the 35's unless you have problems. Even if they're bad, I doubt they'll cost you more spots than beginner technique or cyclocross skills will. If you don't like them after a few races, switch them out.

For us Cat4 types, tire pressure is probably more initially important than tread pattern.

carlosflanders

Yup, Dial in that tire pressure. I ran under 20 psi in one race (by mistake) and it helped me get 2nd place because the ground was frozen turf ripples and it smoothed them out. Did the same thing in another race and lost about 15 places because the tire folded over on every corner and I had no control.

THe chicago courses are very groomed and what mud there is is very minor. I plan on running a Michelin Mud on the front and a Jet (semi slick) on the back - this is a classic combination and will get you through 80% of races without a hitch. Northbrook is the only race where it was worth running a Mud on the back as well - and that's only if it's wet. 32 mm tires are fine for Chicrosscup, but if you go to Wisconsin (and I recommend that you do) some of the courses there are much rougher and 34 mm tires will do better.

I got through the Bartlett mud ok with a Jet, and more than made up the couple of seconds I lost by being able to zoom the rest of the course - it had some very fast sections.

So, you can get away with just about any tire in Chicrosscup races as long as the pressure is adjusted for the conditions.

I have just finally figured out how to run my wheels tubeless, and it definitely makes a difference. A big ride improvement.

MJH2

There was one course last year (I forget where, now) that had a couple of turns that started on the grass and turned onto concrete. Very unnerving as I couldn't get around without completely folding over the tire. One of the fun aspects of cross, though, is that you can usually dial it in great for one section, but never the whole thing. There always seems to be a section you have to ride through with your brain fully engaged.

Even so, this year I'll be riding on the carbon tubulars that have been collecting dust in my garage for a couple of years. Until I wreck them, anyway.

The Bartlett mud did not agree with the panaracer, AT ALL. But, that alone wouldn't have really been enough to ditch them. It's not like I didn't get through there... or couldn't have run through there, either.

I think we're relatively lucky in the midwest with respect to mud and cyclocross. I didn't even see much last year that made me think you couldn't even get by with road brakes. Even Northbrook, I wouldn't say was that horrible.

carlosflanders

Bartlett, DeKalb and Jackson Park had several Grass-pavement 90 degree transitions. Mud tends to accumulate right there, and you often still have mud on your tires. I have seen several people just in front of me wipe out on those turns. I ALWAYS take those transitions very easy, simply not worth trying to force it. Crashing on pavement isn't worth the risk. For safety's sake, it would be great if course designers allowed a shallower angle to transition instead of a sharp turn - not hard to incorporate, even just by making the course a bit wider at that point.

At Northbrook there was a transition from that steep off-camber to a hairpin pavement corner that lots of people wiped out on as well. Lots of mud on pavement and tires made it very slippery and many took the corner too hot - not the course designers fault.

AS MJH2 said, road brakes would have worked on every course - except for the Tour de Groundhog in Springfield where even a derailleur was a disadvantage.

MJH2

Yeah. If you can fit a tire with knobbies on it, you can use it to race cross in the chicago area. It's as simple as that.

John Wilke

Warriors of Cyclocross

Just a trailer. Kind of like a NFL films clip. Lots of Planet Bike cameos.

John Wilke

https://www.fleetfarm.com/mff/catalog...6-In.-Cow-Bell



"I got a fever ... and the only prescription ... is more cowbell!"

https://www.myvideo.de/watch/4189965/...t_More_Cowbell

Mayonnaise

almost done

Mayonnaise

page 2

Mayonnaise

okay guys, you get to see it first. new cyclocross flyer. hope you like it.

please let me know your thoughts.

RJBTrek

Thanks for the advice on the tires. I was training with some guys from Village Cycle team and they also advised for lower tire psi. They said even with dry conditions, it smooths out the course. The simple training was hard!! This will definitely strengthen my legs!!

RJBTrek

My two cents.....I preferred the first one. In the second flyer, you have the golfer as the prominent image and I think it should be the riders.

Mayonnaise

the last image is just for fun. it's a three page flyer for a website to be viewed in the order posted

John Wilke

Pretty funny. I think, if you put a rider going over the barrier prominently in the front, with the P.O.'d golfer in the back, they you've got it! But then, I know, everybody is a critic with their own opinion. I learned that! LOL

Nice job.

RJBTrek

I did not realize it was a three pager...I like the first two and agree with John on the golfer. BUT....that is a nit. It looks good. I like the Super Girl endorsment!!!