It's raining...now what?

[SheFly]

I'm on the injured list, but DH raced today in a downpour @ about 40 degrees. Mud everywhere. He ended up racing the SS cross bike so there would be less to clean later .

In the last race of the day, the rain turned to SNOW! I heard a bunch of the 1/2/3 men's field DNF'd due to the cold. But, this IS what 'cross is all about (maybe not quite snow in October though).

SheFly

[solobiker]

Sounds fun to me

[tjf9]

All of that worry and it didn't even rain! The course was a little muddy from the day before, but mostly still hard ground. Could have used some softening, as I pinch flatted about half way through first lap. I started hiking and managed to miss the pits! Had to walk a full 'nother lap. So I walked a lap and a half and rode maybe a lap. Does that even count?

I still had a good time. First time in team kit, so I feel like a real racer!

[SheFly]

All of that worry and it didn't even rain! The course was a little muddy from the day before, but mostly still hard ground. Could have used some softening, as I pinch flatted about half way through first lap. I started hiking and managed to miss the pits! Had to walk a full 'nother lap. So I walked a lap and a half and rode maybe a lap. Does that even count?

I still had a good time. First time in team kit, so I feel like a real racer!

It counts if you finished!

FWIW - tire pressure in 'cross is a discussion that is very passionate. I run my pressure a little on the high side to avoid pinch flats. I've only ever had one and I've done well over 100 races ...

SheFly

[solobiker]

I think I would like to try this next year. How much actual running do you have to do or does it depend upon the course and my biking ability? I used to run a lot but now my legs don't like to do it too much any more.

[tjf9]

I think I would like to try this next year. How much actual running do you have to do or does it depend upon the course and my biking ability? I used to run a lot but now my legs don't like to do it too much any more.

Almost no running, normally. There is always at least one barrier section where you have to get off and go over barriers (or you can bunny hop them if you know how to do that ) and usually one "run up" that is too steep to ride, so you get off and run up this hill, either pushing your bike or putting it on your shoulder. For many people (myself included) this could better be described as "hike up" since I'm not moving very fast. Out of a 2 mile course, you're off the bike 2 - 4 times, and only for a few hundred feet at most.

YMMV though; my only experience in in Portland area cross racing, and I get the impression that course design has a lot of local variation. Definitely go out and watch a race or two. You might even get over your inhibition and just try racing with whatever bike you have!

[solobiker]

All of that worry and it didn't even rain! The course was a little muddy from the day before, but mostly still hard ground. Could have used some softening, as I pinch flatted about half way through first lap. I started hiking and managed to miss the pits! Had to walk a full 'nother lap. So I walked a lap and a half and rode maybe a lap. Does that even count?

I still had a good time. First time in team kit, so I feel like a real racer!

Congrats on your race! I hope to try it next year so I will keep reading everyone's posts so I can try to prepare myself.