I may regret this but...

[Steve vRS]

...I've gone and committed to a CX race!

First race ever so let's see what happens!

It's the Todmorten War of the Roses! I'll be in my PH jersey of course. If I'm last I'll take it off so as not to dishonour the smilie.

Steve

[BadgerBenji]

Enjoy, it's a cracking venue, the cobbled climb is ridden by few and is a trudge for the rest. You should have Gaz from this forum for company, he's spoken of doing it, he's even cleaned his bike

[Steve vRS]

I've watched a vid of the climb. In true PH style, I'll just have to get there first so it's not too slippery!

Steve

[TSCfree]

Nice one Steve, what's the worst that can happen... Enjoy!

[Steve vRS]

If nowt else, it's training for the Cheshire Cat!

Meat and potato or steak and kidney pies Si?

Steve

[TSCfree]

Absolutely! Got to be meat and tattie

[gazza285]

Question answered then as to where you are racing...

I'll be there, I'll be racing in my Huddersfield Star Wheelers kit, as that's my BC registered club. Wear some waterproof socks if you have any, and bring a full change of clothes.

Are you racing in the Novice class, or are you manning up and going in the proper race?

If you are in the novices I'll get there early and give you some moral support, whilst wearing my PH top.

[gazza285]

BadgerBenji said:

Enjoy, it's a cracking venue, the cobbled climb is ridden by few and is a trudge for the rest. You should have Gaz from this forum for company, he's spoken of doing it, he's even cleaned his bike

I've cleaned my bike for Ripley on New Year's Day, I'll be cleaning it again for Todcross.

[Steve vRS]

I'm going in at the deep end and entering the vets class which I think go off with all the other classes. I'll be in my winter PH top and will wear waterproof socks and overshoes!

Steve

[tuffer]

I have just entered my first race, Tedworth House on 1st Feb. Entered the vets, expect to bring up the rear and hope not to get in anyone's way.

[gazza285]

Vet 40s race with the juniors and seniors, with a full hour of "fun", the V50s race with the girls for 40 minutes. I'm in the vet 40s.

I wouldn't bother with overshoes, you'll just knacker them while you are carrying the bike. Big studs in your boots will help, there's some slippery slopes to climb.

[Steve vRS]

I have mountain bike type shoes so they'll have to do. What sort of tyre pressures do you recommend?

[gazza285]

Depends on the tyres, but I'll be running my Continental Twisters at 35psi*, and the Racing Ralphs on my spare wheels at 30psi*.

• This does not include the start line adjustment, where half the field decide that they need to let 5psi out.

[Steve vRS]

Are they tubs or clinchers?

[gazza285]

Clinchers. There's not much to pinch flat on at Tod, so as low as you dare.

[Steve vRS]

My saddle is at the correct height for efficient pedalling but too high to easily swing my leg over for quick mounts and dismounts. Should I lower it for Sunday?

[gazza285]

You have tomorrow to learn the step through dismount and the running remount. Keep the saddle at the correct height for pedalling.

[Rob_T]

Sounds like you need to buy a remote dropper post like a KS lev or rock shock reverb. People may scoff at the idea on a cx race but I say let'em scoff. It makes too much sense not to!

[BadgerBenji]

gazza285 said:

You have tomorrow to learn the step through dismount

Don't bother the cowboy is far easier and most of the european pros use it as well, the step through belongs in the bin labelled retro

[Steve vRS]

BadgerBenji said:

gazza285 said:

You have tomorrow to learn the step through dismount

Don't bother the cowboy is far easier and most of the european pros use it as well, the step through belongs in the bin labelled retro

I'm looking for CX race tips, not scenes from Brokeback Mountain!



Steve