Racing etiquette?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Erik Nordenson on March 27, 2011 at 6:38am

Don't get caught up with the do's and dont's Go to some local races and get a feel for the atmosphere in total. You will learn soon enough. ENJOY IT and have fun.

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Permalink Reply by Greg Ferguson on March 27, 2011 at 6:41am

do a group ride BEFORE your first race

 - join a "practice" cx session somewhere, anywhere

watch a race or three (before yours, the weekend before yours, whatever)

hold your line - don't move laterally when riding with others, esp. unpredictably, suddenly.

pre-ride the race course, several laps, before your race.  to learn the course, the corners, the gears, tire pressure etc.

the start is key and it is chaos.  watch a start or two.  be ready.

 

have fun!

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Permalink Reply by Chris Mayhew on March 27, 2011 at 7:05am

You got some good advice for sure. Hit up your local practice and you'll learn a lot very quickly. Plus you need to experience the rules vs just hearing about them on the internet.

 

Definitely start riding with other people if you can. A lot of the same etiquette from road is the same for 'cross, more or less.

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Permalink Reply by Chad Hartley on March 27, 2011 at 8:31am

Do:  Race your butt off and have fun.

Don't: Mimic Bart Wellens at 1:00 of this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=salfFYuinwY

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Permalink Reply by Aaron J on March 27, 2011 at 9:01pm

Thanks to all for the info.

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Permalink Reply by Cyclocross Magazine on March 28, 2011 at 2:21am

aaron,  you might also enjoy our "rubbin' is racing" article in Issue 11 of Cyclocross Magazine in print.  Lots of good stuff in that issue, including some on this topic.

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Permalink Reply by Jeremy Darrow on March 28, 2011 at 5:45am

I assume you'll be racing 4's? If that's the case, HAVE FUN, focus on enjoying yourself and learning about 'cross racing. Maintain a good attitude and make friends with your competitors and HAVE FUN. Try to take something away from each race and HAVE FUN.

 

I'm preparing for my second season of racing and I expect to learn a lot more this year than last year simply because I'll be more prepared to notice what the heck is going on around me. I plan to have even more fun than last year.

 

While racing, don't move from one side of the course to the other unpredictably. But, in my experience a shout from behind of "Hold your line" in 'cross racing usually means "I can't get it together to pass you so sit up and make it easier for me". Don't be a jerk about it but don't let all the cat 3 and 4 pros out there push you around. It's 'cross racing and you paid your entry fee too. You're learning, but you have the right to defend your position in a reasonable way. Ride YOUR race as hard as you can, HAVE FUN,  be responsible but don't be a pushover.

 

Have a great season and HAVE FUN!

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Permalink Reply by Mark on March 28, 2011 at 7:11am

Keep your hands on the bars. That's pretty much it.

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Permalink Reply by Chris Mayhew on March 28, 2011 at 1:28pm

Everyone had their hands on the bars here too:

http://www.cycle-smart.com/blog/2009/10/05/the-crash-heard-round-th...

 

Taking your hands off the bars is egregious. You can still be a jerk and not have your hands off the bar.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_abeQimvg_6U/S8icLOSjqgI/AAAAAAAACD4/lA-EI...

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Permalink Reply by curt k on March 28, 2011 at 7:56am

I just did my first season of the Chi Cross Cup last year. Great stuff. I could highly recommend IIT's cx beginner's clinic in August. I *assume* they'll do it again, it seems to be an annual thing.

 

Jeremy Powers and Randy Warren headed it. It was really helpful before my first race to have instruction geared to rank beginners and to practice things, such as starts. That was sort of an anti-etiquette lesson -- it was more about how to *not* be too accommodating/intimidated in that mad start. They had us practice bumping into each other, getting shoulders in, elbows, etc. It's not that this was encouraged behavior, it was more that this might happen and if you don't want to live in fear or fall, then it's good to be used to it. Very helpful.

 

Another etiquette tip I picked up there is to not throw your bike out level to the ground when going over a barrier -- keep it rubber side down.

 

I think more than etiquette per se having some decent practice in technique helps you move with the race.

 

Oh, and I found that when yielding to someone lapping me (happened a lot) stopping was bad technique, it confused someone, so instead I'd move out of the way and clearly give them the best line.

 

But like everyone said, it's mostly just great fun with not a lot to worry about beyond that.

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Permalink Reply by Aaron J on March 28, 2011 at 10:12pm

Thanks again for the input.  I do plan on having fun and not taking it too seriously but I will not be a pushover either.  If you want to get ahead of me, you will work for it.

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Permalink Reply by Cyclocross Magazine on March 28, 2011 at 11:16pm

you made the big time!  thanks for the interesting topic.  keep it up and good luck with everything!

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