MJH2

Started this thread to keep our cross banter from further distracting those following the Crash 4 saga from Winfield. To recap the cross noise from there:

Mayo broke a wrist and Supergirl's 2009 tour is in doubt.

Flanders upgraded to 3's, challenged Psimet to do the same, and wants everybody in costume for halloween. He also thinks Psi has nice legs.

Psimet has a cheerleader costume fetish and can't get his mind off of cross, even though the road season is FINALLY starting to heat up around here.

Did I miss anything?

Now, to carry on the conversation... Psimet- I'll consider the 3's if Beverly Bob does. If he races 4's, I'm racing 4's. I'm racing where Bob races.

I would race where Flanders races but I've got no shot of keeping up with him. Think I beat him once last year (Lansing) and I'm fairly certain he has not yet forgotten the verbal abuse I meted out in the process. I'm not sure my fragile ego could handle the payback that I'd completely deserve... All season long.

Unrelated to that, some of the chicrosscup races have already applied for permits and are listed on the USAC web page.

Psimet2001 

Ahhhh.....cross. Can't believe I wasn't sure I liked it when I started it last year.

I think I am thinking a out it because my road formjust isn't where I want it to be.

jbernaeyge

damn i do love cross now. i got my cross season all planned out.

RJBTrek

This is inspiring...I was considering getting a cross bike or new wheels. I was given the advice, "Forget new wheels, cross is FUN". Now that I have to get a new wheel (mentioned in the Crash 4 thread) I may have to re-think the wheels I get.

MJH2

Get cheap wheels. I don't think my Ultegra/Open Pro's have cost me any positions in a race.

Then get a cheap cross bike. Like, if you can't afford one, buy an old hybrid and make it work. I don't see why somebody who really wants to get into cross around here can't do so for $300.

RJBTrek

That's because you are young and strong...I need every advantage I can get!!

Porkchopwi

Or run an MTB with CX tires... that's my solution for 2009 (ran MTB tires last year). I'd be in the middle to back anyway and as stated, this dicipline seems to be more about fun and alcohol hand-ups.

MJH2

Only in Wisconsin, my man. They've disqualified folks for that here. We're not allowed to have any fun.

I think a 29er with CX tires won't put you at any disadvantage. But, what do I know... I like junky, heavy aluminum frames and bar end shifting.

Psimet2001 

Cross is Cross. Get out there and do it regardless of what you have to ride.

I personally think you learn so much about handling and falling, etc. .....maybe that's why I don't really care much about the bump and grind in the road packs.

I helped sell a cross bike last night. You missed out on that deal for sure. NOS Blue Cross frame and fork went for cost. Yowza!

I have cross on the brain.....now...to go find a winter/insulated cheerleading uniform that will fit a short and fat man.....

Psimet2001 

...in celeste.....

John Wilke

In Heaven, there is no beer .... that's why we drink it here ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpyzM...eature=related

(and if you're real nice ... we'll even set you on fire! )

MJH2

The Frankie Yankovic version of that song is way better (but I couldn't find a video with bikes).

Even so, that song pales in all respects when compared to the true classic "Who Stole the Kiszka".

RJBTrek

Well yes and no. If I don't have a bike that would come close to working for cross, I would be discouraged. I was considering using my Trek 5000 road bike but the brakes only allow a thin slick tires Given that people are all over the course with cross tires, the ones I have would not work. I don't have a MTB bike. Hence my looking for a cross bike (54).

MJH2

Do it on the cheap, man. Ride something like this bad boy:

https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/bik/1259729959.html

Don't like the flat bar look? You could convert it to drop bars, brake levers, and some sort of indexed, non-STI shifting for another $100 or so if you're thrifty.

We've got a guy on our team who took an old steal Schwinn road bike (with better tire clearance), bought a nashbar cross fork and is running a canti up front and regular road brake in back. Seems to me an ok setup as the mud around here is not as bad as people like to fear.

carlosflanders

You forgot to mention that I spotted you a lap at Lansing (In the 4Bs I always rolled around in last place until space opened up on the 2nd lap, then tried to pass as many as I could). It was also my 4th race of the weekend.

You had a better chance of beating me at Whitewater, the beach and the hill were taking its toll on me then. Well, officially you did beat me because the judges missed you getting lapped..

Otherwise, I'm going to upgrade to the 3s sometime during the season, would like to get some top 10s in the 4s first. The other thing is that the 3s race way too early for me, I'll have to get up at 5 am or so on Sundays to make it in time. Maybe just do the elite race and count how many times I get lapped.

Psi does have nice legs.

Most importantly, Cross is all about the engine. You can throw as much moolah as you like at a bike an dequipment, but it won't make you go more than a couple of seconds faster. I've often raced faster on my heavy singlespeed, just because I was forced to go hard instead of shifting down. The biggest advantage is to be gained from training skills - smooth through corners without losing momentum and smooth over barriers and remounting.

It's also most important to note that the Chicrosscup courses are highly non-technical, well-groomed and have no mud of significance. You can race on just about anything, don't really need to worry about clearance or be fussy about brakes. Try to make sure that your bike fits you and pay attention to your tire pressure. The Wisconsin courses are a bit rougher and require a bit more pure cross. A hardtail MTB should also do fine on them though.

80s roadbike should work fine for cross with some minor adaptations. Cross on!

MJH2, if you beat me I'll give you a big hug. I know you like huggies!

carlosflanders

btw, if you go to the ICA website and click on the tab for the chicrosscup, it shows a google map with dates and places of next seasons cross races. Start planning now.

I'm going to do all the Saturday races in WI as well, Mondays have been hard for me at work recovering from Sunday's exertions.

https://illinoiscycling.org/index.php...splay&pageid=8

https://wicycling.org/index.php?optio...d=11&Itemid=10

Wiswell

Start here:

https://www.teamsportswear.com/person...r/category.php

https://www.teamsportswear.com/product/4434

Don't forget the briefs!

nixternal

LIVESTRONG SHISH BOOM BAH!

MJH2

Oh, I forgot nothing. I may not have mentioned a thing or two... But I forgot nothing!

I'd have had a much better shot at beating a lot of folks at Whitewater had I not walked my bike up the hill on the second lap. I was as quick as anybody through the sand... mostly because my protective layer of blubber allowed me to ride IN the lake where you in-shape wussies opted to stay dry.

But I digress... I'm almost sensing a "Beat the Flanders" challenge here. I'm man enough to fail at any challenge. How long are you staying a 4, again...

On a serious note, I've got an extra bedroom if you and Ms. Flanders and Doggie Flanders ever need housing on one of your cyclocross weekends. I'm in 60134, so within an hour of almost every CX race.

carlosflanders

Thanks for the offer MJH2, just might take you up on that one of the days.

I'll stop the smacktalk because it usually ends up with me eating crow at some stage.

Mrs F is the real huggie monster, just in case you are huggie-deficient at any time.

jbernaeyge

what size cross bike. i got an 09 scott team cx for sale size 54

Mayonnaise

working on a huge race this year that will replace Lansing. If it all comes together it could be one of the best races of the year. Big prize list, great course (golf course), beer, food, fun. Hope to have the permit within a week or so.

you guys are gonna love it.

jbernaeyge

wow what a tease. any tentative date

MJH2

If I were a betting man, I'd say around 11/15 at some place called Indian Lake.

I think that might be a secret (except for having just been posted on the cyclocross magazine site).

Mayonnaise

damn, how'd they get it already?