Got the bike, now what...

[Eden]

Look for places to ride mt bikes that are considered to be "easy" or beginner for mt bikers and they should be manageable on a cross bike. You won't be able to do stuff with heavy duty rocks/roots drops etc, but you can ride single track on a cross bike.
I don't know about out east, but our cross courses out here tend to be a mix of some grass with barriers and some single track - what the proportions are depends on the venue. I was out checking out one today thats probaby 2/3 single track - but very friendly single track - only one place with roots you can't avoid.

[tulip]

Beautiful Bike! I'm so tempted to get one. There's a BMX track a half mile from my house. It's an accredited track; they have pro races there, and it's big. It would be perfect for learning cyclocross.

[Mr. SR500]

Thanks Guys!

I LOVE it! Seriously great work out. Another buddy bought a Specialized TriCross, and the LBS got a couple more in stock including a single speed.

We went to "practice" in Ohio, and learned a bunch of stuff. I've been riding at the local college cross country course, some trails, grass, gravel, pavement, one barrier, and one run up. Doing ok on the dismounts, but the remounts are something else - ouch. I did some technical single track - not fun, I just kept wishing I had my mountain bike. For smoother single track/double track it is a BLAST!

Ohio Valley CX has an active race schedule, I would like to try to race, or at least watch. In-laws in Chicago, so that might work as well.

Great fun, if you are on the fence - get one!

[silver]

You sold the Bianchi!?!?

[silver]

That's a really a hot bike! What 's the gearing on it? But I do not want one myself...I do not want one...I do not want one.

[silver]

oh, since I know very little about Cross bikes....give me a quick primer on the geometric and component differences from a road and tri/TT bike, please

[Mr. SR500]

Silver, Come to the dark side...

Yes, the Bianchi is gone, so no more Campy for me, finally standardized on Shimano 10 speed. Seemed silly to have 2 regular road bikes. The Cannondale is a great rain/backup bike, but adds the ability to cyclocross. It has cantilever brakes and room for fenders if you want.

The geometry is a slack compared to a regular road bike, and super slack compared to a TT bike. My saddle is a bit lower, my handle bar/seat drop is about the same, but typically it's not as extreme, also top tube + stem is a bit shorter then my Madone. My Madone is a 60, the TTX is a large, and the Cannondale is a 56.

I'm currently running a 105 drive train with a 36/46 12/27 combo. Seems to work great.

The awesome thing is about cross bikes is the value, tons of great choices in the $1,500 range. Cannondale, Kona, Salsa, Specialized, Giant, Trek, etc... I lost some weight by running my RaceXLites wheels, and will likely switch to a BB30 crankset and loose another 2/3 lb.

I hope to race for fun sometime, but having a blast on the college's cross county course. 4 laps takes about 48 minutes and is a serious workout. So nice when you don't have time for a 40 mile ride. Your total body is working, dismounts, running, bike control, etc... Great cross training!

Silver, try it you will love it! Number of women is really growing, and Louisville has one of the best courses around!

Check out this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRZOa_E9Qs8