Cyclocross racing in Aus

[sidathensgold]

I noticed overseas that cyclocross season is back on. Got me pondering, is there any cyclocross racing in australia, or victoria for that matter? I would assume that the reason for its absence is both the need for mud and the need to purchase a whole new bike. But it looks like fun, n i'd be keen to give it a go. Anyone got a cyclocross bike, who rides off road? Anyone know of clubs or races?
Feel free to just chat about the whole sport too, maybe i should try and organise a race over summer?

Cheers, Lewis

[DaGonz]

I noticed overseas that cyclocross season is back on. Got me pondering, is there any cyclocross racing in australia, or victoria for that matter? I would assume that the reason for its absence is both the need for mud and the need to purchase a whole new bike. But it looks like fun, n i'd be keen to give it a go. Anyone got a cyclocross bike, who rides off road? Anyone know of clubs or races?
Feel free to just chat about the whole sport too, maybe i should try and organise a race over summer?

Cheers, Lewis

like this... (http://singlespeed.smugmug.com/photos/199718700-L.jpg) ?? ;)

MWMTB (http://mwmtb.com/cms/) have been doing cross races in sydney for about 12 months. Summer is a bad time to be doing cross races for lots of reasons, mostly inability to carry water bottles. It's a pretty full on 20/40/60mins depening on format though.

In summer, we'll undoubtably be doing cross races as part of the sort track series though (15mins + a lap). We've had up to 7 riders on CX bikes up here for a given race, not huge numbers but we're building interest.

You don't *need* a cx bike to race 'cross, you can race it on a mtb but a good cross course will favour a cross bike (with bitumen etc...) we've (as in manly warringah) been offering a seperate category for 26" guys.

It's a hell of a lot of fun, but probably one of the hardest formats I've ever done. It involves a bit of road tactics, dirt skills, and a lot of fitness. Being able to get off, clear a barrier, run up the hill and jump back on really makes life interesting ;)

If you're in NSW, keep an eye on the Manly Warringah website for races. Probably longer format races next winter and intertwined with the short track racing during the summer.

If you're in VIC, I heared there were some people trying to get it going but it might be a bit sparse. For ACT get in touch with Mal from Mal adjusted who might be able to point you in the right direction.

HTH

ed: if you are able to organise a VIC race and it happens to line up with something, or not clash at least I could be convinced to come down ;) National 'cross series anyone? :)

Cheers
Gonz

[craigb]

there was 2 people doing cyclocross in melbourne. One of them only held one race the other was http://www.deluxebicycleclub.com/home.php im unsure if he is going to do something again or even if he had manny people turn up. dan hale at shifterbikes.com raced his singlespeed cross bike very successfully in cross country racing and if you ever had the chance to see him in action you would have been blown away by his skills. im taking my s/s cross bike to the 12hr in a few weeks and plan on doing a few laps on it.

[DaGonz]

A few galleries of photos of the racing up this way courtesy of the Alchemist:

http://singlespeed.smugmug.com/gallery/2269317#118523458
http://singlespeed.smugmug.com/gallery/2375851#124466879
http://singlespeed.smugmug.com/gallery/3531706#199717318

Cheer
Gonz

[Corty]

The CX bikes are definitely out there (and their riders too). I saw a guy a few weeks ago coming down from the upper section of the Stromlo DH course on one!!:eek:

I'd love to own one, if someone could just add another day to each week....*sigh*

[alchemist]

This guy?

http://forums.farkin.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=79546&stc=1&d=1188247622

[tjb]

That dude is out there! Who could it be ;-) ?

[Mr Pants]

Obviously a nutter.... lycra with a full face :eek:

[tjb]

Obviously a nutter.... lycra with a full face :eek:

I hadn't questioned his sanity until you pointed out his clothing .....

[alchemist]

He's not that silly - he's got armour and baggy shorts on.

[Mr Pants]

Looks blahdy strong though, bet he snaps BB's every other week....:rolleyes:

[GrubNut]

awsome stuff :D:D:D:D

[sidathensgold]

dan hale at shifterbikes.com raced his singlespeed cross bike very successfully in cross country racing.
Of course, ive raced that guy a couple of times, he's a gun! Ridiculous how he manages it tho. Ill hav a chat to him next time i see him.

like this... (http://singlespeed.smugmug.com/photos/199718700-L.jpg) ?? ;)

MWMTB (http://mwmtb.com/cms/) have been doing cross races in sydney for about 12 months. Summer is a bad time to be doing cross races for lots of reasons, mostly inability to carry water bottles. It's a pretty full on 20/40/60mins depening on format though.

ed: if you are able to organise a VIC race and it happens to line up with something, or not clash at least I could be convinced to come down ;) National 'cross series anyone? :)

Cheers
Gonz
That looks like sweet fun!
Maybe next year ill try and get one going. Finding an appropriate venue may be a struggle, as well as getting those barriers built. But it would be a good laugh. Ill let everyone know when and if i do.

Cheers for the input folks!

Ratta

[craigb]

i would'nt be holding my breath to see Dan at a race any time soon. He's pretty much a fixy man now. i can see his reasons for giving up xc racing and i feel the same way now there is only certain clubs i ENJOY racing with. if you actualy look back threw the race results and lap times he was fast enough to be racing elite and placing. Maybe we can get a group ride going once a month along the yarra trails or somewhere else where we can get all the cx riders out and about

[DaGonz]

if you actualy look back threw the race results and lap times he was fast enough to be racing elite and placing. Maybe we can get a group ride going once a month along the yarra trails or somewhere else where we can get all the cx riders out and about

There's probably alot of race courses out there these days that would be pretty quick on a crosser. Our faster guys can place in B grade short course and keep up with A grade on what is a realtively smooth course, for a mountain bike with suspension. It's no worse than riding a fully rigid mountain bike really, except with narrower tires, and I'm constantly surprised by how much grip I get out of mine

If you want actual racing, you're better off tieing in with someone that's doing short course, the format is similar really, and I would think the mtb set in AUS would "get it" more than the roadie fraternity. In terms of barriers, Dunk made ours up out of old curtain packing cases or some such. I think regulation says they're supposed to go to the ground (ie without any gaps) but meh :) A couple of long planks with some poly tube bolted to the back, knock a stake through the tube into the ground to keep 'em up, Bob's your uncle :)

Cheers
Gonz

[climbo]

I've tried to get a race going up on the Central Coast but ran in to venue hassles. I do have a plan for late summer/early winter though to hatch an underground race at a cool little venue I have found. It's in Kariong which is just off the F3 freeway and has a pub across the road from the park.

Up here, Gosford council will not let you race in any of the parks, most of which are the ideal location for a CX race. I figure screw it, just get the word out, have a few people show up for fun and run it without any official entries. Race in the twilight and grab a beer and a feed after.

Would you guys be interested in coming up for something like that?

[tjb]

Hmm, bikes are starting to appear in shops .... I spotted this tasty number yesterday in CBD.

Now, I reckon a race in Sydney Park at St Peters would just rock!

[alchemist]

It would, but the $10,000 deposit is a bit steep at the moment.

There may be a little summer series or two in Sydney...

[tjb]

It would, but the $10,000 deposit is a bit steep at the moment.


Are we talking a bike or a house here !?!

[alchemist]

Nope, bond to make sure you leave the park in an orderly state.

[DaGonz]

Hmm, bikes are starting to appear in shops .... I spotted this tasty number yesterday in CBD.


And apparantly not many in the country at the moment. maybe a few more next year

Cheers
Gonz - who's not trying very hard to resist