Michigander Cross

Comment

Comment by Ron van Diepen on September 9, 2010 at 9:47am

All good stuff, thanks! Guess I'll race Cs and see how the season unfolds! See you at the races.

Comment by Surly Bastard on September 9, 2010 at 9:04am

Randy/Paul, I don't think we'll do that badly in the Bs this year. What would really help is if some of the top Bs moved up to the Elite class, so we could at least wiggle into the mid-pack, but that probably won't happen! Over here I always recommend that first time racers like Ron start out in Cs to have some fun first. And Paul, you're right, time isn't always as important as the pace and the pressure put on up front. For FNGs just have fun, get some results, what the hell, it's 'cross.

Comment by Paul Steigerwald on September 9, 2010 at 8:51am

I am in the same boat as Randy. I fully expect to get beaten up at every B race this season, but I am more interested in improving than getting podium spots. I didn't do great in the C class but I did OK and I am ready for something different even if I will be a bottom feeder in the Bs.

Surly Bastard makes a great point too though Ron, you might do a race or two in the Cs and compare lap times with the "average" B racer to see what is realistic. It isn't just a longer race, those B guys are just faster.

I just started mountain bike racing this spring and I found out the hard way that I while I have the fitness, I just don't have the skill and experience for anything but the Beginner class, Surly is right about being "in" the race. I tried the first race in the Sport class and I was chewed up and spat out, not fun at all. Cross is WAY different than mountain bike racing though...

Comment by Randy Arellano on September 9, 2010 at 8:37am

I moved up mainly b/c of the "honor system". I had been racing C's since 06. Last year I was finally able to get some good results, and placed in a bunch of races, so I felt it was time to move up. Because the C race is mainly for beginners, I didn't feel right staying down in C and placing in front of others who are inexperienced CX'ers or people who come out to give CX a try. Besides, even though I know I'll be whipped pretty bad this year, moving up is really the only way to get better.

Comment by Surly Bastard on September 9, 2010 at 8:37am

Ron, I think you might find that 30 minutes will be more than enough. Try it. If you're sitting there at the finish line waiting for the second place rider to arrive, wishing you could ride another couple of laps or eat a Big Mac, then you'll know you should move up. Being "in the race" is more fun than watching the pack accelerate away from you.

Comment by Ron van Diepen on September 9, 2010 at 8:24am

OK thanks Randy - makes some kinda sense. So, what was your motivation to move to "B" then? Get away from crazy, outta control, newbies like me? Basically, I'm trying to decide if I should be in "B" or try and ride a full season of "C" first! I like the 45 min vs. 30 min races...

Comment by Randy Arellano on September 9, 2010 at 7:32am

Ron,
The CX-1/2/3/4 classification are USAC categories for cyclocross. They're much like the Road categories (Cat1/2.. so on). But whereas Cat5 is the beginner level on the road CX-4 is the beginner level in 'Cross. The "A"/"B"/"C" race classification is a more "general" way most races are run. Race promoters pretty much can label their A, B, or C races to include which ever respective CX categories they believe can race. I don't believe there is a "hard & fast" rule on it (maybe there is & I've just not seen it). But from what I've generally seen (and what Tailwind uses), "A" races are typically CX-1/2, "Masters" races are typically CX-1/2/3, "B" races are typically CX-2/3/4, and "C" races are typically CX-4 only.

As far as dividing up the racers, that is pretty much up to the race promoter, I believe. I know the last few years racing in Tailwind's C races we've had big turn out, so Robert divided up the C class by age (since there is only CX-4's in C races). Master's races were divided up by age as well Master's 35+ & 45+, much like road racing. The A & B races were not divided, so they raced in one group.

Comment by Ron van Diepen on September 9, 2010 at 5:36am

Can someone explain the racing divisions? I did a few "C" races last year ('09) but saw that there were "CX-4" under both "B" and "C". Other than the length of the race, what else differs? The "B" races lumps "CX-2, -3, and -4" together. Does everyone race as one group in the "B" race or is broken down into the respective categories?

Comment by Paul Steigerwald on September 8, 2010 at 5:21am

Cameron, that sucks about your meniscus! Does this mean I can borrow your carbon tubular wheels for the season? Just kidding man, I hope you get well soon.

Comment by Surly Bastard on September 8, 2010 at 4:53am

Yeah, we saw you on that cross bike going the other way. That's our (twice weekly) Crazy Bastard Cyclocross Gang ride. We roll out of Townsend Park at 6 (after the time change 6:30 and bring lights). We ride Tuesday and Thursdays all fall and winter. We'll also be having practices on Wednesday. We've got a blog you can check out at something like crazybastardsblogspot. You're welcome to join us. I'll post the link here later.

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