Cyclocross Season

Harrybelafonte

Have wanted that for an age, club colours too.

Peterx

Lovely grassy course today in Castlebar. CX racing is great and with a little bit of imagination a tough tricky course can be hewn from the most innocuous looking grassland. A hill helps though and one was helpfully in situ.
The kiddies had their race on a twisty slippy piece of fun in the lower corner of the course and then the seniors had their chance. The B race was led out in impressive style by a man on a fat wheeled MTB. Someone asked "Who is that?", to which the proudest voice ever proclaimed "That's my husband, and my son is in second place!" The jousting continued and the wife, in between her duties as diligent timekeeper, let us in on the sad state of husband's bowels ans sure enough his pace slackened appreciably on the later laps and the merciless efficiency of a man on an actual CX bike took the victory.
The A race approached. Being a lover of the gridding I loitered near the startline and only 3 lads were called out for gridding and I slotted in thankfully on the second row, beside Paddy Clarke on an MTB. Unfortunately for him, Tim O'Regan was last having missed out on the loitering part of CX racing. As it happens he didn't need it but sure every little bit helps.
Off we went and my big regret of the day is not having a camera on board for the first 40 seconds of carnage as lads fell over the place on the first three corners and one lad even jack-knifed his MTB on a slightly off-cambery bit. After that I found myself in 3rd with Paddy close by. Into the tree turn of slippiness and out again, around the copse of bushes and then the sloggy return up the grassy slopes and sure enough Tim was moving through the field.
For the first 10 laps (of 14) we had a good battle but then he got ahead and pulled a good gap out and that essentially was that. I wouldn't get back and started making a few mistakes on corners where earlier I had been making time.
Great to have a close race though while it lasted and thanks again to Mayo cycling league, Padraig Marrey and all the others who made it a great day out. The setting on the lakeside is stunning, as were the views over to Croagh Patrick, A mountain I have had the pleasure and pain of running up against Padraig for many years.

tl;dr - Mayo put on a good grassy CX race in very pictureque conditions. Tim O'Regan won.

nak

Proper Belgian style cross in Belfast today; loads of mud, sand, steps, run ups. Had a lot of fun. Probably the slowest A race I've seen so far, good few DNFs and field was really spread out.

RobFowl

nak wrote: »

Proper Belgian style cross in Belfast today; loads of mud, sand, steps, run ups. Had a lot of fun. Probably the slowest A race I've seen so far, good few DNFs and field was really spread out.

Bit grumpy about it tbh, thought part were unridable but not even capable of running. All those I saw in parts had to hold on to poles to avoid falling on parts of the course.
Never thought I'd say this but was simply dangerous and fecking stupid in places.
First even cyclo cross race I felt I wasted my time travelling to and riding.

Raam

PICS OR GTFO!

nak

RobFowl wrote: »

Bit grumpy about it tbh, thought part were unridable but not even capable of running. All those I saw in parts had to hold on to poles to avoid falling on parts of the course.
Never thought I'd say this but was simply dangerous and fecking stupid in places.
First even cyclo cross race I felt I wasted my time travelling to and riding.

I loved it, was worse for the guys in the A race and everyone I spoke to thought it was a proper cross course. Glad I put studs in my shoes today, they were needed.

St Anne's is the most dangerous course I've ridden, that place scares the sh*te out of me.

RobFowl

nak wrote: »

St Anne's is the most dangerous course I've ridden, that place scares the sh*te out of me.

St Annes doesn't bother me at all and is probably my favourite course.....

Tenzor07

nak wrote: »

St Anne's is the most dangerous course I've ridden, that place scares the sh*te out of me.

Ah Nak, it's brilliant, no other CX course like it, nice and technical!

nak

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Ah Nak, it's brilliant, no other CX course like it, nice and technical!

It's more of a mountain bike course than a cross course with the drop offs. I do like some sections of it, but it is very intimidating. Know a few experienced A racers who are also scared of parts of that course. Ballawley is a pure cross course, plenty of technical stuff in that.

The Ulster league is following the UCI rules this year making the courses 3m wide, no singletrack so riders are able to overtake at any point on the course. I think it makes for better racing.

I thought yesterday's run up was bad until I saw this:
http://www.vier.be/veldrijden/videos/francorchamps-samenvatting/246240

umami

RobFowl wrote: »

Bit grumpy about it tbh, thought part were unridable but not even capable of running. All those I saw in parts had to hold on to poles to avoid falling on parts of the course.
Never thought I'd say this but was simply dangerous and fecking stupid in places.
First even cyclo cross race I felt I wasted my time travelling to and riding.

I'm a bit baffled by your opinion on this race. I thought it was anything but dangerous and was the most enjoyable 'cross race I've done this year, north or south. I'd add to that by saying it was also a superbly run event by VC Glendale.
It was a tough challenging course with areas that needed to be run due to lack of traction on slopes/ off-camber, but that's what you want on a course. Essentially a proper 'cross course - as stated by the winner of A race, Glenn Kinning, on his FB page so don't just take my word for it. The steep off-camber muddy banks were slippy for sure, but with full length studs and a bit of technique then there was no problem. It was a course that separated he wheat from the chaff and maybe got the better of you on a bad day.

RobFowl

umami wrote: »

I'm a bit baffled by your opinion on this race. I thought it was anything but dangerous and was the most enjoyable 'cross race I've done this year, north or south. I'd add to that by saying it was also a superbly run event by VC Glendale.

Certainly had a bad day but thought keeping the off camber decent was simply stupid given the muddy conditions. Almost everyone I saw had to hold on to the posts to avoid falling when turning. In near 30 years racing have never before packed because I thought it was unsafe.

We'll agree to disagree but I certainly won't be wasting my time or money returning to that course.

PS also did not see any medical cover.......

nak

RobFowl wrote: »

PS also did not see any medical cover.......

Don't recall seeing any at the other races I went to in Ulster. Were there any injuries? Didn't see any myself, just muddy bums. My husband crashed on the tarmac, but he is fine and used to crashing. Thought the off-camber twisty descent was quite like the Swords course.

Remember watching a pro race in Hoogerheide a couple of years back and a lot of the racers were having to slide down a hill covered in ice on their bums holding onto their bikes as they couldn't even run it. Hope we never have to do that.

Raam

A vid from the race (not mine).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jupsrcyRKiM

RobFowl

nak wrote: »

Don't recall seeing any at the other races I went to in Ulster. Were there any injuries?.

Medical cover never needed until it's needed !!!

nak

RobFowl wrote: »

Medical cover never needed until it's needed !!!

True, thought it would have been a requirement at all races. Better to have bored medics than none at all.

Raam

http://www.cyclingireland.ie/downloads/cyclingirelandeventsafetycode1.pdf

3. First Aid/Medical Cover
All open events (as per Cycling Ireland’s General Administrative and Technical Regulations - “A race open to holders of
full licences and/or restricted licences where appropriate and/or one day licences (excluding holders of club licences)
which have been approved by the Cycling Ireland”) require, as a minimum, first aid personnel to be in attendance. The
Safety Officer must assess the level of first aid required, steps to be considered include:
• Is an ambulance required or are trained First Aiders sufficient;
• Is it best for the ambulance/First Aiders to follow the participants or be placed at strategic locations?;
• Brief first aid personnel (a First Aider is a person over 18 years old who holds a first aid certificate) on route details,
likely hazards, event duration;
• Ensure that first aid crew are easily contactable and test communications prior to the event start;
• For mass-participation events ensure that participants are issued a “helpline” number;
• Advise local hospitals of the event;
• participant numbers, nature of the event etc.;
• Ensure all marshals are aware of the first aid/emergency contact number;
• Ensure that contact numbers for local hospitals, ambulance support crews are to hand.

umami

RobFowl wrote: »

Medical cover never needed until it's needed !!!

It's a CI event so the race regulations would require a minimum number of first responders on the course (as deemed necessary by the commissaire), no? I can't imagine any CI commissaire being negligent in that regard.

Raam

RobFowl wrote: »

Almost everyone I saw had to hold on to the posts to avoid falling when turning.

Are you talking about the bit coming down the bank as can be seen in the vid?

umami

RobFowl wrote: »

Almost everyone I saw had to hold on to the posts to avoid falling when turning. In near 30 years racing have never before packed because I thought it was unsafe.

We'll agree to disagree but I certainly won't be wasting my time or money returning to that course.

In the vid above that Raam posted, from 3:40+, you'll see a lot of the A riders didn't use posts, and those that did it did so more for leverage than for anything else... again long studs & good technique mitigated the "danger".

RobFowl

Raam wrote: »

Are you talking about the bit coming down the bank as can be seen in the vid?

Yep

midonogh

Another great day out up North. Beautiful location, right up against the Belfast mountains
As you would expect with Glendale the kids races were well attended with a very interesting twisty course through the woods. My two found it harder than usual but had a great time.

Definitely a very different course from others I have ridden. I had no technique for the off camber descent, but then nobody around me seemed to have either. Very, very muddy and as the laps went on my bike got heavier and heavier. On 3rd lap I dropped the bike on the drive side as I slid down the off camber descent. The as I was going up the small incline in the woods towards the end of the lap the chain clogged up in the cage and pulled the derailleur into the spokes. The tell tale sound of the mech hanger snapping brought an end to my day.

Its a course I would love to try again if it has not been torrentially rained on for 3 of the previous 4 days.

Great atmosphere, lots of supporters, abundance of tea and sandwiches. I believe it was the first event that Glendale had done and they went about it with great enthusiasm.

DKO

It looked like an interesting course, look at this vid to see how to deal with off camber stuff, in case its not been seen before. It has it all this course. Hope the link works.

http://vimeo.com/110623675

Tenzor07

Well now it's official, next SuperCross race will be on the 21st of December, so you'll all have to delay the Christmas drinks and eating for a few extra days!

RobFowl

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Well now it's official, next SuperCross race will be on the 21st of December, so you'll all have to delay the Christmas drinks and eating for a few extra days!

Any location yet?

Tenzor07

Can't say for sure now, but defo won't be St. Anne's

Alek

There is no race 7th Dec?

Tenzor07

Nope, round 4 is the 21/12

Alek

I was hoping for 2 races in December for a very short while

Raam

Hear the power numbers, then cry.

http://www.behindthebarriers.tv/cross-talk/shimano-presents-cross-talk-with-sven-nys-part-i/

RobFowl

Connacht cyclocross league has races on 30th Nov and 14th Dec. Only a 2 hour drive from Dublin......

Alek

Connacht cyclocross league has races on 30th Nov and 14th Dec. Only a 2 hour drive from Dublin......

Don't have a car... but thanks, I'll look into this

nak

Alek wrote: »

I was hoping for 2 races in December for a very short while

Race in Balbriggan on the 28th December.

25sean

is that the one on the beach!!

Serious gaps in the calendar now... something is needed between now and the 21st...

How hard would it be to organize cross marnock if we all chipped in?? keep us ticking over...

Alek

Race in Balbriggan on the 28th December.

Cool! Thats something more within my reach

Where can I find more details? Tried googling to no avail.

25sean

Belfast was good.. but slippery.. a test of skills, running and most importantly, determination...

Catholic marching band on Falls road during the race added a nice soundtrack

okane1

Peterx wrote: »

Lovely grassy course today in Castlebar. CX racing is great and with a little bit of imagination a tough tricky course can be hewn from the most innocuous looking grassland. A hill helps though and one was helpfully in situ.
The kiddies had their race on a twisty slippy piece of fun in the lower corner of the course and then the seniors had their chance. The B race was led out in impressive style by a man on a fat wheeled MTB. Someone asked "Who is that?", to which the proudest voice ever proclaimed "That's my husband, and my son is in second place!" The jousting continued and the wife, in between her duties as diligent timekeeper, let us in on the sad state of husband's bowels ans sure enough his pace slackened appreciably on the later laps and the merciless efficiency of a man on an actual CX bike took the victory.
The A race approached. Being a lover of the gridding I loitered near the startline and only 3 lads were called out for gridding and I slotted in thankfully on the second row, beside Paddy Clarke on an MTB. Unfortunately for him, Tim O'Regan was last having missed out on the loitering part of CX racing. As it happens he didn't need it but sure every little bit helps.
Off we went and my big regret of the day is not having a camera on board for the first 40 seconds of carnage as lads fell over the place on the first three corners and one lad even jack-knifed his MTB on a slightly off-cambery bit. After that I found myself in 3rd with Paddy close by. Into the tree turn of slippiness and out again, around the copse of bushes and then the sloggy return up the grassy slopes and sure enough Tim was moving through the field.
For the first 10 laps (of 14) we had a good battle but then he got ahead and pulled a good gap out and that essentially was that. I wouldn't get back and started making a few mistakes on corners where earlier I had been making time.
Great to have a close race though while it lasted and thanks again to Mayo cycling league, Padraig Marrey and all the others who made it a great day out. The setting on the lakeside is stunning, as were the views over to Croagh Patrick, A mountain I have had the pleasure and pain of running up against Padraig for many years.

tl;dr - Mayo put on a good grassy CX race in very pictureque conditions. Tim O'Regan won.

Was meant go race this but crashed on some road ice on the way to sign on. I'm grand besides some road rash.
Instead of taking the bike to the race, I took my camera - photos below

http://s884.photobucket.com/user/okane2010/slideshow/Castlebar%20CX%20Race

nak

Alek wrote: »

Cool! Thats something more within my reach

Where can I find more details? Tried googling to no avail.

No details yet, just a date and venue from the organiser. Course hasn't been used in years afaik.

midonogh

nak wrote: »

No details yet, just a date and venue from the organiser. Course hasn't been used in years afaik.

Some around here will know better than me, but I don't think that Balbriggan has been nailed down yet. Will be great if it goes ahead

RobFowl

midonogh wrote: »

Some around here will know better than me, but I don't think that Balbriggan has been nailed down yet. Will be great if it goes ahead

Fairly sure you're right !

Peterx

okane1 wrote: »

Was meant go race this but crashed on some road ice on the way to sign on. I'm grand besides some road rash.
Instead of taking the bike to the race, I took my camera - photos below

http://s884.photobucket.com/user/okane2010/slideshow/Castlebar%20CX%20Race

Crikey. Get well soon, your loss was our gain though. You took some great shots of the slippy tree turn.

Esroh

Alek wrote: »

Don't have a car... but thanks, I'll look into this

. The GoBus or City link from Dub Airport or city centre would get you to Galway for 24 e return. They will take a bike( you would have to call). 15 min over to Dangan on bike.
Both companies have a bus an hour both ways

Alek

I wonder if they would let me and the bike back on the bus after a muddy race ;-)

nak

Alek wrote: »

I wonder if they would let me and the bike back on the bus after a muddy race ;-)

You never know. We don't have a car either, if you have a licence, got a car for 2 days to go to race in Belfast for €42 at weekend. I take a fair bit of stuff to cross races including spare wheels as using tubs. Use a Go Car for Fixx races, they have mini vans. Or see if anyone will give you a lift - cheaper for both parties.

The tax man

Alek wrote: »

I wonder if they would let me and the bike back on the bus after a muddy race ;-)

You're well able for a long cycle. Back to back 200kms with a CX race thrown in between for good measure. I'm sure you could squeeze it into the Audax calendar. Lights mandatory. : )

Alek

As possible for me as throwing a few CX races into RAI solo

Aramicon

This new Cyclocross race will be held in and around the Dangan Sportsgrounds on the North end of the NUIG campus (head out past Newcastle on the N59 and take the right turn into the Dangan Sports Centre) this Sunday the 30th as part of the Connacht league.

It's the first time a race was organized here so a few unknowns but with there's a lot of variety in the lap (2km+), with lots of trees, some steps, a tough rooty bank to run up, riverside paths, off-cambering, etc. A lot of thought went into the course so it should be a good one.

Sign On 9:30-10:30, Kids race at 10:45 and Adults at 11:45.

Alek

I know that cyclocross season is in full bloom, but what happens when it ends? Are there any races organized in the, ekhem, summer?

I guess it is not too early to think about a gravel grind race when its warm and dry, in one of the mountain parks - in example Hellfire club? I guess there is not too many dirt roads in Ireland...

nak

Alek wrote: »

I know that cyclocross season is in full bloom, but what happens when it ends? Are there any races organized in the, ekhem, summer?

I guess it is not too early to think about a gravel grind race when its warm and dry, in one of the mountain parks - in example Hellfire club? I guess there is not too many dirt roads in Ireland...

Rest and then road, track or MTB racing for most. One race this summer in Rathfarnam, that was a first.

There are a lot of fire roads in Wicklow/Dublin mountains.

Alek

So far I'm not into other racing than CX and don't really fancy changing this... Just wondering if there would be interest in "dry CX" and if someone would organize such race

QueensGael

you could change out the tires to a skinny pair, et viola! you're ready for crit racing