You may have seen the beginning of Lee’s interview with Rob Curtis in his column this past Saturday, but that was only the beginning. Today, Lee continues his interview with Rob Curtis, the wheel-builder behind PSIMET Wheels.
Philadelphia, PA — Nittany Cross, the first two of 14 races in Mid-Atlantic Cyclocross Series, serves as the closest thing to opening day regional ’crossers have to mark the start of a season that for many goes into the new year. On September 10 and 11, local and international competitors from beginner to elite (professional) categories will descend upon the Valley Preferred Cycling Center’s Trexlertown grounds to participate in the frenzied, furiously fun sport of cyclocross.
As you may have read in our previous article on the USA Cycling Board Elections, there are open positions on the cyclocross committee. At Cyclocross Magazine, we recognize the importance of these positions, and because of that, we want to encourage everyone to vote in the elections. Today, we’re presenting our first candidate statement from Brook Watts, who most of you may know as the man who brings you CrossVegas. If you’re running for a position on the committee, email [email protected] with your position and we’d be happy to post it.
On Saturday, a triumphant Todd Wells tweeted, “Just won the Leadville 100 with the 2nd fastest time to Levi, 6:23ish I think!! I’m gonna eat whatever I want …”
Read more to find out what Wells told us about the race.
Want to know what to look for on Cyclocross Magazine this week? Worried you might have missed something last week? Fear not, because we’ve got it all mapped out for you. Every Monday, we have a preview of what’s in store for the week, and we’ll let you know about some of the great articles that you might have missed last week. If there’s any story you’d like us to cover, any burning question you want answered, or any cool racer you’d like to hear from, let us know! Leave messages in the comments, find me on the Cowbell Forums or email molly [at] cxmagazine.com.
Gluing tubulars is tricky business. And writing about it is just as difficult, if not more so. After all, everyone has his or her own gluing style, and everyone will tell you that his or her style is the best one. One of our brave mechanics, Jason Gardner of Jinji Cycles, decided to share his expertise with us.
Oudenaarde, Belgium — The 2011/12 cyclocross season will see Canada’s Craig Richey and Great Britain’s Gabby Day race for the Renner Custom Cyclocross Team. Building …
“It’s not a billboard. It’s just a bike race.”
Cyclocross Magazine’s Joey Mullan has taken it upon himself to interview race promoters all around the country this season to provide you with some insider details on the huge amounts of work that go into planning races and series’, and the people who are just crazy enough to love what they do.
The first promoter we’re taking a look at is Ryan Rickerts of the Cascade Cross Series, which will happen this year from October all the way into February in and around Bellingham, WA.
Zipp Speed Weaponry, the Indianapolis-based manufacturer of world-class wheels and other racing bike components, will once again be the title sponsor of the Midwest-based Zipp OVCX Cyclocross Tour in 2011. According to Mitch Graham, Director of the regional series that encompasses Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, “Zipp is an exciting international company – we’re excited to have them as both a regional neighbor and the OVCX title sponsor. We’re extremely happy that Zipp is expanding their support like this, and that their support will celebrate and benefit the working-class OVCX-racers this season.”
The sheer diversity of our cross community is one of the many things that I love about it. Across the country it’s populated by people who have found their way into cyclocross from so many different backgrounds and for such a variety of reasons. Talking with them, learning their stories, is one of my favorite things to do. I come away from every new encounter with a deeper understanding of the fact that we are truly a unique community.
A short catch-up: I wanted to cycle from Barcelona to Paris… These moments were the crux of the matter, I taught myself some discipline. What happens if you don’t stretch, prepare, feed, or clean properly? Well, lots of things, and few of them pleasant. Each time there was no option but to carry on. I was alone in a foreign country, without much to do except cycle and read and think, and I had a train to catch in Paris. Carry on.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — Hup, hup and away! Shortly after the board and promoters of the Mid-Atlantic Cyclocross Series (The MAC) announced the 2011 schedule, over 1,100 entrants registered for the first two events. With only 30 days until the opening race and some categories close to capacity, the series is poised for great success.
Seattle, WA – Low Pressure Promotions, LLC of Seattle, WA released the details to the newly formed Rapha-Focus Gran Prix today, with an event date …
John Gatch is a do-it-all-er when it comes to cycling. A long time racer, both in road and cyclocross. Announcer for some of the biggest races held here in Cincinnati. Promoter and organizer for the OVCX race, Gun Club CX. He even has a podcast. I was excited to have the opportunity to interview him. Despite his busy schedule, John took the time to answer some of the questions I have always been curious about. He is somewhat of a legend around the cycling community and I hope you enjoy his answers as much as I did.
As you may have read in our previous article on the USA Cycling Board Elections, there are open positions on the cyclocross committee. At Cyclocross Magazine, we recognize the importance of these positions, and because of that, we want to encourage everyone to vote in the elections. Today, we’re presenting our first candidate statement from Brook Watts, who most of you may know as the man who brings you CrossVegas. If you’re running for a position on the committee, email [email protected] with your position and we’d be happy to post it.
There are some moments that are undefinable. There are some days that are just great. And then, if you’re really lucky, there are weekends full of those moments, one right after the other. This was one of those weekends.
Welcome to Part II of our “Director’s Cut” of the ECCC Cyclocross Program. We’ve talked to some of the behind-the-scenes workers who make the Eastern Collegiate Cycling Conference run so smoothly, especially during cyclocross. It’s certainly no easy task, since races aren’t strictly collegiate, and the calendar has to take location, size, elite fields and timing into consideration. It’s make even more difficult (or easy) this year since Nationals are now in January, right when most students will be on winter break. Because of this, the collegiate season will be extended well into December, which could affect students who would like to make it home for the holidays, but who are in contention for top spots in the conference. Last time, we heard from Drexel’s Joe Kopena and Tim Manzella. This week, we talk to Union College alum and New England cyclocrosser Steven Hopengarten.
Want to know what to look for on Cyclocross Magazine this week? Worried you might have missed something last week? Fear not, because we’ve got it all mapped out for you. Every Monday, we have a preview of what’s in store for the week, and we’ll let you know about some of the great articles that you might have missed last week. If there’s any story you’d like us to cover, any burning question you want answered, or any cool racer you’d like to hear from, let us know! Leave messages in the comments, find me on the Cowbell Forums or email molly [at] cxmagazine.com.
Gluing tubulars can be stressful enough, and there are so many different “best ways” of getting the job done. This week, we wanted to look at one question that we hear a lot when talking about gluing up tubulars: when gluing new tires on a wheel that’s been used and glued before, what kind of prep should you be doing? And more specifically, how clean do you want your rims to be before gluing on new tires?
It was one of those rare days this summer in Wisconsin: sunny, 75 degrees, mild winds. I was camping with a buddy in Boulder Junction, home of some beautiful northwoods roads and trails.
My friend was going fishing, and I was headed out on the ride. The training program told me to ride zone 2 for 80 minutes.
When I returned, my friend asked me where I’d been.
The Verge New England Championship Cyclocross Series returns in 2011 with a new focus – to develop and crown the best amateur racers in New England. This year’s Series will crown eight champions – for men, there are Masters 35+, 45+ and 55+, Juniors 10-14 and 15-18 and Amateur (Cat 3). For women, 2011 sees the second year of the Amateur (Cat 3/4) Women’s competition as well as the proud addition of a Masters 35+ contest within the Amateur Women’s race. With the continual growth of the Amateur Women’s field, it became important to add a second category within the race for the fastest category 3 or 4 woman over age 35. Of course, as in years past, there will be races at all events for Category 4 men. Each weekend will also feature at least one UCI-level Elite race that will attract some of the top competitors in the country and the world.
Seattle, WA – August 5th, 2011 — Low Pressure Promotions, LLC of Seattle, WA released the details to StarCrossed presented by Stanley, a brand of PMI today, with an event date confirmed for Saturday, September 17th, 2011 at Lake Sammamish State Park in Issaquah, WA. Registration opens Monday August 8th, 2011 on BikeReg.com.
In Issue 13, we take a look at some “Mud Myths” that, as racers, you’ve surely heard from coaches, old racers, mechanics and spectators. In particular, myths exist about deep carbon rims and their effectiveness when the terrain gets soggy. One of three myths lined up to be confirmed or busted in this issue was, “Does a carbon rim really track better in mud?” We wanted answers, so we took some time in the “CXM Lab” (read: muddy course) with these myths and some serious gear in mind, all for science’s sake.
While cycling may get its good name dragged through the dirt on a regular basis, thanks to a near-constant barrage of doping allegations, typically, cyclocrossers tend to stay off of the “accused” list. However, yesterday a Belgian newspaper reported that Tom Vannoppen has been suspended for two years after testing positive for cocaine. Cocaine, in addition to obviously being a banned substance, is considered a “stimulant” under UCI guidelines, so testing positive for the drug is to test positive for doping.
by Molly Hurford Kathy Sherwin has been popping up on our radar at Cyclocross Magazine quite a bit this past month. First, she took a …
Geoff Proctor truly is a Jack Of All Trades: not only does he manage to stay involved in cyclocross at nearly every level, from junior development to running camps to sitting on the UCI commission to racing, but he also manages a full-time job as an English teacher teaching AP Lit. He’s also responsible for EuroCrossCamp, a hugely successful venture that is now in it’s ninth year. That he had time at all to sit down and answer a few questions for us was amazing, especially since he just finished running his USAC Cyclocross Development camp for junior racers.
Last week, I went out on a ride after work with a good friend of mine (who also happens to be the manager for my team, Rockstar Games/Signature Cycles). We were just riding through an area that I had ridden in the past, and it was darn hilly. At one point, I caught myself wondering when the hills were going to end. Actually, I didn’t so much wonder as say it out loud, whining to Blake.
You already know that cyclocross is good for you — you are informed reader of Cyclocross Magazine, after all — and you certainly know ‘cross is good for your body. It strengthens your legs, and it strengthens your arms and core. It’s good for the heart, and for the lungs, and for the waistline. It’s good for pretty much everything — except the skin of your calves and ankles that your pedals always tear up.
We started each day with early morning strength conditioning—running bleachers, doing plyometric stations with power skips, lateral hops, ab work. Late morning entailed specific cyclocross training on a cyclocross circuit and, in the afternoon, we did some big training rides in the mountains.
This year, you’ll be faster. You’ll train harder and you’re going to maximize every pedal stroke, and in order to do that, your bike has got to be lighter. There are a few easy ways, a few hard ways and ways that cost more than others to make that happen.