difference between cyclocross and dirt crit?

[fastdogs]

I was riding at castlewood this weekend and they were having a bike race. I found out on a local board that this was called a "dirt crit". It looked like a marked course in a grassy area and down the singletrack flat part of grotpeter, and maybe (from some of the photos and the wet clothes) a creek crossing.
I was thinking when I watched some of it that it must be cyclocross, but now I've learned it's a dirt crit. I looked like most riders were on mountain bikes (mountain bike tires at least) but I saw a couple of narrow tires.
Is there a difference?
There was also a loose dog that kept going onto the course, looked very dangerous.
vickie

[Zen]

It may depend on how they time the course.
in CX, the race is determined by the average lap time.

If the first three laps are, say 5,7,and 6 minutes each then the average lap time is 6 minutes.
Based on a 45 minute time allotment the race is a 7 lap race.

(I think this is right, I only learned this yesterday)

Then there's the matter of obstacle crossings. The 'dirt crit' didn't involve any, did it?

[spokewench]

Cyclocross has barriers that force you to get off your bike; dirt crits may have hard places to ride, but they do not intentionally put barriers in to make you dismount.

[bike4ever]

fastdogs -

You did see the final of the Short Track dirt crit series. You should have popped by and watched - we had a blast. Because of the terrain of this particular series, many chose cyclocross bikes. Those that used their cyclocross bikes had to dismount prior to the creek crossing. Some also weren't able to clear the few logs on the other side of the creek (Lone Wolf).

If you are interested in watching some cyclocross, Team Revolution will be having training sessions Monday nights in Forest Park. Pop by and check them out: http://stlrevolution.com/teamrev/

[fastdogs]

I watched some of it, but could only see the grass part and where they come up the hill, across the bridge, and back down onto grotpeter. I didn't know where the course went, or how to get back in there to watch the creek crossing part. But it was fun to watch anyway, wish I'd have been there for the kids races. I saw the photos posted, looked like everyone had a blast. What were all the bikes lined up under the alpine shop canopy? There were cars with bikes parked all the way up to the bridge, were they people who had raced earlier? Did the loose dog cause any problems?
vickie

[Zen]

Those that used their cyclocross bikes had to dismount prior to the creek crossing. Some also weren't able to clear the few logs on the other side of the creek (Lone Wolf).


Depends on the rider, i guess.
I watched cross racers ride over log obstacles ( a stack of three, i think) and thru water crossings.

[bike4ever]

Zen - the creek crossing was about 18" deep. The logs came as you climbed up a hill after crossing the creek. Folks were saying that it wasn't easy to remount after the creek and get enough speed up to clear the logs on the climb. I think it was just the setting.

fastdogs - Pfoodman (sponsors of event) allowed shops to show case their products. I was the only shop there - all the better for me. We were just showing some mtn bikes with blow out prices - I want the 2009 product and need to move inventory.

[fastdogs]

"mtn bikes with blow out prices "
that's what I suspected. I averted my eyes and made myself not look as I went past.
vickie

[bike4ever]

oh but you should have looked!!:D