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Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum:
Finding my joy again- Cyclocross

bikinpolitico

Oct 5, 08 20:18

Post #1 of 11 (439 views)

Finding my joy again- Cyclocross	Can't Post

Well, after feeling completely burned out on triathlon for about 2 months and thinking about quitting, then having a great year end race to get my juices flowing again (more on that here: http://forum.slowtwitch.com/...m.cgi?post=2011864), I've finally found my inner joy again, and its name is cyclocross.

After a free cx clinic at Mellow Johnny's, I did my first race this weekend and was it ever fun. While I was in excruciating pain the whole time and got my head handed to me (though avoiding last place), I was excited to do another race by the end of the day. It was a total blast and a nice break from tri training. I really liked the higher intensity pace and metal problem solving aspect to the race.

The only thing I can't imagine right now is doing it for 60 minutes. My race was only 25 minutes, and I was happy to be done when it was over!

Anyway, I'm just happy to have found the joy I seemed to have lost recently in triathlon and recharge the batteries. I'm looking forward to more dirt, mud, and beer!

http://AustinBikeBlog.org
Your one-stop resource with everything you need to know to use a bicycle for your everyday life.

rroof

Oct 5, 08 20:28

Post #2 of 11 (433 views)

Re: Finding my joy again- Cyclocross [bikinpolitico] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Pretty darn fun, isn't it!

Bethca' didn't know that expensive Zipp tubulars could be abused like that ...

:-0
____________________________________
Fatigue is biochemical, not biomechanical.
- Andrew Coggan, PhD

allenpg

Oct 5, 08 20:40

Post #3 of 11 (422 views)

Re: Finding my joy again- Cyclocross [bikinpolitico] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Don't worry. Once you get the barriers down, 60 minutes is nothing. I find the 4s races too short. Keep it up...you'll get better and have a more enjoyable fall. Too bad you guys don't get the mud like the PacNW or the snow we'll likely have up here (if not, below freezing temps). Check out YouTube for some good videos for inspiration and subscribe to CX Magazine. You won't even think of tris next year...well, maybe Xterra.

http://www.extrememomentum.com
http://www.midwesttimetrial.com

Trauma

Oct 7, 08 3:00

Post #4 of 11 (311 views)

Re: Finding my joy again- Cyclocross [bikinpolitico] [In reply to]	Can't Post

You get used to the extra time. Velonews has some great instructional videos on their Velonews TV section about gear, mounts/dismounts/carries, common mistakes, and race starts. But ultimately the more cross you ride the better you'll be. I started half way through last season and I still suck, but I'm sucking less and less each time.

But it's a great cap on the season, where you can race without worrying about results, just having lots of fun, and to recharge the competitive batteries.

Adam

Euro-Sports.ca/The Foodery Team member

bikinpolitico

Oct 7, 08 8:48

Post #5 of 11 (256 views)

Re: Finding my joy again- Cyclocross [Trauma] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I had seen the videos at Velonews before. They're good, but you need to practice which is why I was glad I did the clinic before my first race.

I'm not too worried about placing, but I actually did not find the barriers to be the hardest part. I think remounting smoothly and getting in good enough shape to handle the higher intensity is more my weakness.

http://AustinBikeBlog.org
Your one-stop resource with everything you need to know to use a bicycle for your everyday life.

BigShark

Oct 7, 08 9:33

Post #6 of 11 (227 views)

Re: Finding my joy again- Cyclocross [bikinpolitico] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Anyone in the St Louis area--there is a free cx practice series every Tue & Thurs evening at Forest Park. Stumbled across it last week while I was running.
Brad

ATX TRIHEAD

Oct 7, 08 10:24

Post #7 of 11 (195 views)

Re: Finding my joy again- Cyclocross [bikinpolitico] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Are your racing tuesday nights at the Dirt Derby?

Tell Stack I said hello

bikinpolitico

Oct 7, 08 10:45

Post #8 of 11 (173 views)

Re: Finding my joy again- Cyclocross [ATX TRIHEAD] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm going to try tonight but work may get in the way. I planning on doing the Dirty Derby in the coming weeks if not tonight. I'll say hi.

http://AustinBikeBlog.org
Your one-stop resource with everything you need to know to use a bicycle for your everyday life.

rayhuang

Oct 7, 08 12:35

Post #9 of 11 (117 views)

Re: Finding my joy again- Cyclocross [bikinpolitico] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I am addicted to cross so dont take this as a negative post, but the one thing about cross is cleaning the grass and mud out of your shoes and hubs/spokes!!

Check out this pic from Sunday. Gorgeous cool day, hadnt rained in days, but a mud pit and muddy ditches we had anyways!! Counter this with the gnarliest patch of hard as a rock, bumpy, rocky,debris strewn off camber, tilted on top of a mound singletrack section! What a unique course. We had ot go in and out of a ditch 6 times (x9 laps). Thats 54 times ditch diving in one hour. Brutal.

... ... ... ... ...

http://www.raysracingadventures.blogspot.com

bikinpolitico

Oct 7, 08 12:50

Post #10 of 11 (96 views)

Re: Finding my joy again- Cyclocross [rayhuang] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Cool pics.

http://AustinBikeBlog.org
Your one-stop resource with everything you need to know to use a bicycle for your everyday life.

Katy

Oct 7, 08 12:52

Post #11 of 11 (93 views)

Re: Finding my joy again- Cyclocross [bikinpolitico] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I felt exactly the same way- burned out on tri, but fell in love with cx. I'm down to 1 bike right now and it's my cross bike. They will have to pry it from my cold dead hands. Sadly. in my 3rd race of the season I broke a peice of bone off my thumb and sprained the ligaments on both sides. Hoping to be back racing by November.
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Awww, Katy's not all THAT evil. Only slightly evil. In a good way. - JasoninHalifax
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