Wednesday Cyclocross training rides start Sept 8

[Lister Farrar]

There's only 8 of them, so get ready now. A cross bike is ideal, but a mountain bike, or touring bike with some cheap cross tires (~$20 ea) is fine. A cross bike also makes a great winter/rain bike, a light touring bike, or commuter, so you won't regret having one (get one with fender eyelets to make putting fenders on and off easier) .

Sign up for the list so you get the location each week by email.

The races are generally 45-60 minutes with multiple laps of a short circuit. The circuits have less rocks and roots than mountain bike races, usually a sand pit or two, lots of twisty fun turns, plus mandatory dismounts which will do wonders for your agility and ability to accept pain and mockery. Especially the boys. Especially if they miss on the re-mounts.

Come get dirty and fit! All welcome. There's absolutely no grief from the fast guys as they lap you. I rode one with Una, my 11 year old, and got nothing but cheers from the fast guys passing us, as they did, often.

From the organizer:
From: underground cross [mailto:crossclub@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, August 30, 2010 5:47 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: Introducing VCX 2010

- VCX 2010 -
$20 cash money for the 8 event training series

September 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th

October 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th

(NB - the meeting spot and time will be emailed out on the Monday before each week's ride. Please gather only at the meeting spot and at the time stated. Even if you are smart enough to figure out where that week's ride will take place, please do not show up at the training site while we are setting up. Its just a heat score if you do. We will have 2 neutral laps for everyone to familiarize with the training circuit each week.)

VCX 2010 = a series of supported training rides
In 2010 we will be running the series as "training rides" insured through Cycling BC. Read we don't keep track of results and the competitive elements of the rides are there only to improve the quality of training.

Wrap Up Party
The series fee covers the expenses related to putting on the series of training rides. In 2010 all the proceeds will be used to put on a proper season wrap up party in late October on the Halloween weekend. Details of the wrap up party to be released closer to that time. It'll be a good one!

VCX 2010 Insurance
Everyone is welcome at our events! However, given the number of people coming out every week, we now will have insurance for the supported training rides which means there will be licensing requirements for those wishing to take part. Riders with racing licenses will just need to pay the normal one time $20 series fee and sign a waiver form. Any non-license holders will have to join Pro City cycling club and pay $10 extra on top of the series fee to make certain the rider is insured.

You can do the rides without paying any extra:

- If you have purchased a full UCI race license for 2010 for EITHER Road OR Road with MTB

- If you have purchased a Cycling BC citizen license for 2010

For those that do not yet have any Cycling BC affiliation or license:

- You can purchase 1 of the license options mentioned above or…

- You can purchase a Club Associate Membership ($10) which will allow you to ride only in the organizing club’s events.
(If you are planning on participating in another clubs' events or in any races, you can purchase a citizen race license and not pay for anymore one-event membership at races!)



Not sure what type of Membership to purchase?
Alright, well with all that business out of the way. Hope everyone is doing swell and pumped for cross season.
See y’all in a little over a week’s time.
-Drew

Description and pricing of Cycling BC licensing options: http://www.cyclingbc.net/buy-your-race-license

[4827north]

Lister,

thanks for posting this. That confirms Sep 8th! Show of hands... whose thinking/planning/pontificating about doing a few of these? I know I am. Gavin's convinced me that it is a blast! Watching the UCI pros do it on NBC Universal Sports has me wanting to give it a go... see you out there Sep 8th!

[gav_eaton]

I'm definitely in for these - they are an absolute blast!!

As Lister mentioned, they are open to all ages and abilities. You honestly see everything from kids on mountain bikes to world/national champions like Alison Sydor and Geoff Kabush (who usually show up for a couple of these).

Great way to practice some skills for the Cross in the Rock races, and lots of fun to tear around a wicked course with lots of other cross addicts!

Just one extra reminder, though I see Lister added it - make sure only show up the weeks venue a few minutes before the start time. The locations are usually 'unsecured' and our presence is not always appreciated, so be respectful at all times.

Plus if we are ever asked to leave a location (even mid-session) - you must do so immediately, with asking questions, and with causing a ruckus One bonehead tried to pick a fight with an upset park user last year - not the best way improve the reputation of cyclocross!

This is a really great series put on by Drew and gang, and we must keep to the rules if we want it continue.

Hope to everyone out!

[EricS]

I'm in with my son Logan and a couple of other friends. This cross thing is exploding! Sweet!

[Paul C.]

Sounds like fun> Now that I have my new GIANT CX winter road bike ,I am almost ready for a CX race.....now, do I take my nice new blue fenders off or leave on? I"m thinking leave on for the "trainingcx rides" then take off when I am peaking for the XonRocks October 30/31 races. And my road tires vs. Cx tires. How would road tires be on the Victoria Mystery CX rides?? I guess changing tires once a week to knobby Cx tires will be good practice, if I ever get a flat this winter!! See you in the mud....Paul C.

[Roland]

Take your fenders off. If you kick your front fender into the tire, you'll go over the bars. Since cross involves a lot more low speed turning, this is a lot more likely than on a road bike. Check your toe overlap with the fender installed.

You'll want cross tires, especially once it gets a bit wet. Having an extra set of wheels is a lot easier than changing tires twice a week.

[Lister Farrar]

Ditto Roland. You'll get fast after the first time removing and replacing fenders. Tires too, but another set of wheels is nice. Cx tires are also bigger. Even if it's dry, road tires will be prone to pinch flats.

On another point, the riders all finish at the same time. So a beginner might do 3 or 4 laps, while the leaders do 7 or 8. You can even take a lap out out and catch your breath and jump back in and give 'er again.