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connie
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| Location: | Sandy, Utah USA |
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Posted: Tue Jul 22nd, 2008 08:13 pm |
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So Kimber and I are thinking of trying cyclocross for the first time this fall. We're downhillers.... I've never even seen a CX race other than the youtube video I just watched while googling for some info!
What do we need to know?
We both live in Utah and have rigid singlespeed mountain bikes. Hopefully those will work to get started?
Any tips on the running mount/dismount? I've been trying it with limited success... is it just a matter of getting used to it or are there some tips and tricks to it to help?
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karebiker
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Posted: Tue Jul 22nd, 2008 09:29 pm |
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I would look at http://www.velonews.tv/ under the "how to" section they have several instructional clips on dismounting, re-mounting, carrying the bike, and barriers for cross.
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connie
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Posted: Tue Jul 22nd, 2008 10:27 pm |
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| Good stuff! Thanks!
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Shan E.
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Posted: Thu Jul 24th, 2008 12:42 am |
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Hey Connie,
It was great to see you this last weekend. Great work on your racing!
I like to practice cyclocross mounts on the grass. It feels safer somehow. Although next to DH, this is probably no big deal.  Good luck and let me know how the rest of your season goes!
Shan
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connie
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Posted: Thu Jul 24th, 2008 01:52 am |
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Shan E. wrote: Hey Connie,
It was great to see you this last weekend. Great work on your racing!
I like to practice cyclocross mounts on the grass. It feels safer somehow. Although next to DH, this is probably no big deal. Good luck and let me know how the rest of your season goes!
Shan
You too!
That's a good idea actually. For whatever reason, the idea of jumping on my bike while it's moving is scary. I think with my bad knees, I'm afraid I'm going to get tangled up and hurt myself. The "stutter step" described in the video is what I tend to do.
But those videos did help me at least visualize it better - and hopefully between that and trying it on some soft grass I can get the hang of it.
-Connie
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BethWellie
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Posted: Thu Jul 24th, 2008 03:12 am |
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Hey Connie -
Last fall was the first time I ever did 'cross...heck, it was the first time I'd ever seen cross. But it was really easy to catch on and the races are just so much fun that you can't wait until the next one.
You're obviously ridiculously athletic since you're a DH'er, so you'll probably do really well. See if you can find someone to spend a little time showing you the basics of mounts/dismounts...then just get out there and try it.
Don't be afraid of getting off a moving bike - it will feel surprisingly natural once you do it a few times. I still stutter step remounting. Hopefully it goes away this fall, but it seems like most beginners do it.
Good luck...and be sure to post a race report for the first one!
Last edited on Thu Jul 24th, 2008 03:15 am by BethWellie
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connie
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Posted: Thu Jul 24th, 2008 01:33 pm |
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Thanks!
What do you all recommend for tires?
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Shan E.
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Posted: Thu Jul 24th, 2008 02:06 pm |
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Maxxis has some lower profile tires for mountain bikes that would work great: the Oriflamme and the Larsen TT. They are 26x2.0 and 26x1.9 respectively. Any lower profile tire would work.
Also, remember to remove your bottle cage.
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yentna
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Posted: Mon Jul 28th, 2008 04:08 pm |
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Remove to make it easier to carry? How do you drink? Are you just too exhausted to think about drinking?
(I'm nervous, clearly!!!)
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connie
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Posted: Mon Jul 28th, 2008 04:51 pm |
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Judging by the fact that my water bottle stayed in the cage for maybe 10 minutes before I lost it at Sea Otter, I might as well just take them off anyway! 
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velobella
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Posted: Mon Jul 28th, 2008 05:21 pm |
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yentna wrote: Remove to make it easier to carry? How do you drink? Are you just too exhausted to think about drinking?
(I'm nervous, clearly!!!)
yes, too exhausted to think about drinking. Too hard to drink.
Sometimes, on really hot days (our warmest weather is cross season it seems!) People will hand up bottles to racers. Its officially against UCI rules, but most of our racing doesnt follow that stuff.
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karebiker
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Posted: Tue Jul 29th, 2008 12:11 am |
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I've also found that waterbottle cages get in the way when trying to shoulder the bike in cross. In addition to being too hard to think about drinking. I usually drink up before the race and even take a bottle to the start line for one last drink before the gun goes off.
Kind of a mind over matter thing, but just tell yourself you can drink in 45 minutes.... gives you something to look forward to at the finish line. 
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