Quote Originally Posted by Gidget506 View Post
Yes, I am calling my bike guy today to discuss. The crank is 170mm - I think I can easily get away with a 155 or 160 - I'm only 5'4". Plus, the tires are 700x34. I guess you're supposed to have 32 or less for competition. So I'll go with some 30's.That might fix the problem. Like you said, it was 28 degrees and you were racing - so you didn't worry about it. And I think most folks don't worry about it.

How was your first race!?!?
Yes, UCI made a rule change for 2011 changing the maximum tire width from 35mm to 33mm. USA Cycling hasn't adopted that yet. My bike came with 32s, and when I wore those out, the 'cross guys suggested 34s which are on it now. Most amatuer racers aren't affected by the rule change, and the wider tires certainly have their use!

The race itself was fun; relatively easy course at an athletic field so it was mostly grass with embankments that they made use of, and they used the sand volleyball pit as a barrier along with some euro style barricades going up a hill, and several sections on the sidewalk.
Great course for a first timer!! The frosty on the grass made it slippery, and lots of people were going down on the turns which were always at the top or bottom of a climb (fortunately, I stayed upright!! ) My body felt fine as far as racing, but I was not prepared for the temperature. It wasn't that cold when I took the dog out before packing up to leave, and I thought I would be fine in what I took to wear. Well, the temperature dropped and the fog rolled in. I have no tolerance for the cold, and suffered miserably for it. Seriously, I could not feel my hands and had to look at them to see if I was shifting because I couldnt feel it; my lungs were on fire from breathing in that subfreezing air. I'm really surprised my legs didn't cramp and that I didn't pull something from being cold, but I guess my knickers and warming up helped with that. When my husband arrived after the race start and found me on the course, he asked "How are you doing? Because you LOOK miserable". I was miserable, but I was still having fun