NorCal Discussions - Cyclocross Magazine2024-03-29T15:34:27Zhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/group/norcal/forum?feed=yes&xn_auth=noGood race to begin with?, SS good for starter? Train in Marin?tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2013-10-15:1198434:Topic:1489822013-10-15T17:17:33.090ZMike Woodhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/MikeWood
<p>Sorry for overloaded title. </p>
<p>Anyways been enjoying doing some more serious training on my road bike lately and wanted to try something competitive (read: organized, challenging) and fun. I prefer shorter faster efforts than endurance and did dabble a bit with 'cross as a teenager back in the U.K. (am 45yo now).</p>
<p></p>
<p>SS biked have an appeal and by the looks of things many of the courses around here are suited to it right? Been watching craigslist for 56-58cm SS but there's…</p>
<p>Sorry for overloaded title. </p>
<p>Anyways been enjoying doing some more serious training on my road bike lately and wanted to try something competitive (read: organized, challenging) and fun. I prefer shorter faster efforts than endurance and did dabble a bit with 'cross as a teenager back in the U.K. (am 45yo now).</p>
<p></p>
<p>SS biked have an appeal and by the looks of things many of the courses around here are suited to it right? Been watching craigslist for 56-58cm SS but there's been nothing - guess I should've looked a month ago before the season started. Am also wondering if most people stick with canti brakes here since half the season is dry races? </p>
<p></p>
<p>Last question has to do with finding places to train and I live in Corte Madera and bike commute to the City. Might be nice to use the 'cross bike as a rain bike - not sure how that works on SS though. Also for hitting the trails the gradients seem like they'd be hard on a SS bike. Are there flatter areas open to public? I've MTBed around Tam/Coastal/China Camp/Big Rock none seem like they'd be fun on a SS and sort of rough for any cross bike (esp. Coastal and Tam single tracks).</p>
<p></p>
<p>I plan on checking out Candlestick this weekend to see what the classes are like and whether this would be a good place to do a first race.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Mike.</p> Riding in East Baytag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2011-06-26:1198434:Topic:942522011-06-26T03:40:56.947ZTim Darwickhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/TimDarwick
Anybody in the East Bay interested in hitting up some rides? I still haven't figured out all the good loops/spots around the area, so it would be nice to have some actual locals to lead the way.
Anybody in the East Bay interested in hitting up some rides? I still haven't figured out all the good loops/spots around the area, so it would be nice to have some actual locals to lead the way. oakland course thoughts?tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2010-10-19:1198434:Topic:708322010-10-19T05:16:07.272Zandrewhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/cyclocross
hey norcal folks,<br/><br/>curious to hear your thoughts on the race and venue here in this smaller, more intimate group. <br/><br/>
i had fun in oakland with the rain and new venue, despite two flats and a mechanical. i was sure thankful for the neutral support. <br/><br/>i know a bunch of you on this list - including promoter tom. share your thoughts!<br/><br/><br/>
hey norcal folks,<br/><br/>curious to hear your thoughts on the race and venue here in this smaller, more intimate group. <br/><br/>
i had fun in oakland with the rain and new venue, despite two flats and a mechanical. i was sure thankful for the neutral support. <br/><br/>i know a bunch of you on this list - including promoter tom. share your thoughts!<br/><br/><br/> Carpool to racestag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2010-09-30:1198434:Topic:689942010-09-30T02:45:56.374ZTim Darwickhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/TimDarwick
Hey all,<div><br></br></div>
<div>I just moved into the Berkeley area (all the way from the Right Coast!) and I'm looking to get out consistently to some races. Unfortunately, my move did not include the car, so I'm pretty limited in the transportation realm. Thus, I am looking for some people to carpool to races this season. Of course, I will help out with travel costs. If you will be heading out to a race and want some company, please get a hold of…</div>
Hey all,<div><br/></div>
<div>I just moved into the Berkeley area (all the way from the Right Coast!) and I'm looking to get out consistently to some races. Unfortunately, my move did not include the car, so I'm pretty limited in the transportation realm. Thus, I am looking for some people to carpool to races this season. Of course, I will help out with travel costs. If you will be heading out to a race and want some company, please get a hold of me!</div>
<div><br/></div>
<div>Cheers,</div>
<div><br/></div>
<div>Tim Darwick</div>
<div>tjd5043@gmail.com</div>
<div><br/></div> BASP - Night racetag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2009-11-12:1198434:Topic:455582009-11-12T04:15:47.096ZFTMhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/FTM
Time for another trip up from SoCal and time for me begging for info: tire and gearing.<br />
Was wondering what I might expect from the course.<br />
Tires File or Fango?<br />
SS Gearing high or low?<br />
<br />
Any and all info will be appreciated. Hopefully I'll be well enough to race, the flu has kicked my ass. I just got back from Portland where I didn't race the SSCXWC but had a blast being a fan/heckler without worrying about prepping/warming up for a race - kind of fun. Either way I'll be there but hopefully it…
Time for another trip up from SoCal and time for me begging for info: tire and gearing.<br />
Was wondering what I might expect from the course.<br />
Tires File or Fango?<br />
SS Gearing high or low?<br />
<br />
Any and all info will be appreciated. Hopefully I'll be well enough to race, the flu has kicked my ass. I just got back from Portland where I didn't race the SSCXWC but had a blast being a fan/heckler without worrying about prepping/warming up for a race - kind of fun. Either way I'll be there but hopefully it will be on a bike. Lion of Fairfaxtag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2009-10-12:1198434:Topic:420852009-10-12T04:51:11.839ZFTMhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/FTM
I'll be bringing my SS up from SoCal for next Saturday's race in Fairfax and was wondering if any of you might have some info on the course - gearing, tire choice?<br />
<br />
I'll bring quite a variety of gearing in my toolbox but won't have much pre-ride time before the 3pm start. As far as tires I have tubs in the FMB SSC Sprint (file tread) and Challange Fango variety and Michelin Mud 2 for clinchers.<br />
<br />
Thanks, and hope to see some of you there.<br />
~Geoff
I'll be bringing my SS up from SoCal for next Saturday's race in Fairfax and was wondering if any of you might have some info on the course - gearing, tire choice?<br />
<br />
I'll bring quite a variety of gearing in my toolbox but won't have much pre-ride time before the 3pm start. As far as tires I have tubs in the FMB SSC Sprint (file tread) and Challange Fango variety and Michelin Mud 2 for clinchers.<br />
<br />
Thanks, and hope to see some of you there.<br />
~Geoff Soquel High Course - SS Gearing??tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2008-10-21:1198434:Topic:137312008-10-21T01:30:02.946ZFTMhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/FTM
Well, I was supposed to hit up McLaren for my first NorCal race of the season but that didn't work out so next Sunday will season debut. While I have spent more hours than I'd like to think about cheering on my daughter at her various softball tournaments held at this fine educational institution, I have not yet had the honor of wanting to die in that special way that only cross can make me feel.<br />
<br />
So, anybody care to clue me in on what type of terrain I should prepare for? I'll bring a few…
Well, I was supposed to hit up McLaren for my first NorCal race of the season but that didn't work out so next Sunday will season debut. While I have spent more hours than I'd like to think about cheering on my daughter at her various softball tournaments held at this fine educational institution, I have not yet had the honor of wanting to die in that special way that only cross can make me feel.<br />
<br />
So, anybody care to clue me in on what type of terrain I should prepare for? I'll bring a few freewheels but would like to get it pretty close to start with.<br />
<br />
Thanks,<br />
Geoff<br />
<br />
Yes, I'm bringing a costume. Bay Area Super Prestige #1!!!! Are you in?tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2008-10-16:1198434:Topic:131152008-10-16T20:30:49.517Zwood boogerhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/woodbooger
It looks like the crusher called McClaren is going to be even more interesting this year.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>"We're going to shorten the topside of McLaren this year because....we've been invited to race on the football field adjacent to the start/finish zone. We've taken 500 meters from the topside and replaced it with 500 meters of football field grass. That's also where the 50 meter long "Super Quad" lives - those 4 new ex-floor joists - now 12" high barricades. 4 in a row and<br />
then a short distance back…</b>
It looks like the crusher called McClaren is going to be even more interesting this year.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>"We're going to shorten the topside of McLaren this year because....we've been invited to race on the football field adjacent to the start/finish zone. We've taken 500 meters from the topside and replaced it with 500 meters of football field grass. That's also where the 50 meter long "Super Quad" lives - those 4 new ex-floor joists - now 12" high barricades. 4 in a row and<br />
then a short distance back into pine tree alley and the start/finish zone.</b><br />
<br />
I have a sneaking suspicion that the distance between barriers in the "super quad" may decrease as you go through them. I can't wait to see someone try and hop them!<br />
<br />
Bring the pain. Laguna Seca CCCX/NCNCA Cup course for 10/12?tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2008-10-10:1198434:Topic:122482008-10-10T16:44:59.096Zwood boogerhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/woodbooger
Anyone have info on the course details or exact location?
Anyone have info on the course details or exact location? Race reportstag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2008-10-03:1198434:Topic:116592008-10-03T18:42:04.777Zmorganhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/morgan
I'm not racing this coming weekend, but here's my race reports for Lion of Fairfax and CCCX #2:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.hahaha.org/blog/morgan/?p=115">http://www.hahaha.org/blog/morgan/?p=115</a><br />
<a href="http://www.hahaha.org/blog/morgan/?p=125">http://www.hahaha.org/blog/morgan/?p=125</a><br />
<br />
Now, before you click on them; I suck ass. Well, I just upgraded, and in my new field I suck ass. So don't expect much from my reports. But I had fun. Mostly posting them to, ah, get this group going.<br />
<br />
So, did…
I'm not racing this coming weekend, but here's my race reports for Lion of Fairfax and CCCX #2:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.hahaha.org/blog/morgan/?p=115">http://www.hahaha.org/blog/morgan/?p=115</a><br />
<a href="http://www.hahaha.org/blog/morgan/?p=125">http://www.hahaha.org/blog/morgan/?p=125</a><br />
<br />
Now, before you click on them; I suck ass. Well, I just upgraded, and in my new field I suck ass. So don't expect much from my reports. But I had fun. Mostly posting them to, ah, get this group going.<br />
<br />
So, did you race last weekend? How did it go? Racing next weekend?<br />
<br />
My next races are maybe 10/11 Livermore and probably 10/12 CCCX #3.<br />
<br />
Morgan