State Cross Champs Wrap Up
November 15th, 2008 |
Photo: Linda Sone - Women’s 2008 Minnesota State Cyclocross Champion
Best course of the year, worst luck of the year.
The course was fantastic. I had begged Baba to get a sand pit and he served as lobbyist to Hollywood who made it happen. The railroad tie stairs were employed. A triple barrier section and long flat sections into the headwinds all made for a long and tuff day. There was only one single thing I would change on the course but otherwise it was the best course of the year as far as I was concerned.
I had been sick some the previous week and yesterday I was thinking that I might have to take a pass on today. But I woke up this morning feeling OK so I made with the racing.
Ped, the Funkster and I set out for some warm up action when my problems started. Up the climb to the stairs my chain broke which launched me over the handlebars and to the dirt. I was immediately super pissed. There was less than 15 minutes before the start of the race, both my brake levers were twisted, my handlebars were turned down and my HUP jacket was now all muddy. Ray knows how much I like to keep clean.
Ped and Funkster pushed me back to my car where I had a spare chain ready. Ped broke his chain at Green Acres and I have kept a spare on hand ever since just in case someone needed it. I slapped the chain on, adjusted the brake levers and bars and got a quick lap in on the course to check things out. I did not realize it at the time but my rear derailleur hanger was also bent which kept me out of the smaller rear cogs for the whole race.
Everyone was lined up when I got back to the starting line but I found my usual spot at the back. The gun went off and I started to move up in preparation for the first pass through the sand pit. I knew that some other riders would not be able to make it through without a dismount and I did not want to get slowed up too much. I went to the right a bit when we hit the sand and cruised through with no problems. So far so good.
Over the triple barrier section and then a hard left turn where the trouble began. My tire burped around the corner. I had just seconds to decide if I should make a change before we went past the wheel pit but there were no signs of trouble until I was well past the wheels. On the approach to the climb I started to hear the familiar thump from the rear wheel that told me that the bead was working its way off the rim. I backed off and babied the wheel up to the stair climb in the hopes that I would be able to get to the pit before the tire blew. No such luck. Down the hill it gave up and I had to lump it all the way around the flat section until I got back to the wheels.
By the time I got my spare rear wheel in the frame I was over a half lap down. I was really tempted to hang up the race but I just could not bring myself to quit. Last race of the year and a fantastic course. So I just kept at it. The crowd at the sand pit was fun each lap, the crowd on the stair climb was incredible. Lots of cheers and encouragement, totally awesome.
I was able to catch back some guys so I did not have to finish last, but I am still a bit bummed at the bad luck on what could have been a really good day for me.
So, the question is after 2 rolled tires this year (today and Hudson 2) do I go with tubulars for next year or do I need to learn how to corner more carefully in order to prevent the tire from burping off the rim? I got advice to do both today so I am not sure.
Congrats to the 2008 State Champions on what was a cold and fast day.
17 Responses to “State Cross Champs Wrap Up”
I’d go with tublars because if you do get a flat you can still ride sortof fast to the pit.
What kind of tire/rim combo are you running? i’ve been using hutchinsons and DA wheels and had no burping issues. lowest I’ve run though is about 35psi. What psi do you be using?
Tubulars!
And if you’re rocking clinchers, make sure the rims you are using are a good width — a lot of road rims are in the vicinity of 18-19mm; one that’s closer to 21 or 22mm (if you can find it) would be better.
Still, get some tubulars. You won’t regret it.
OK, first off I don’t “rock” anything. I leave that to you younger guys Checkbook.
I have been running Fulcrum R1 wheels with Challenge Grifo’s at 35psi all season.
I read in Cyclocross magazine that if you don’t flat once during the season then you are running your pressure to high. Maybe since I weigh 185 lbs I have been running to low?
Dew’s on the right track - I’ve never rolled a clincher, and I’ve never run lower than 60 psi on clinchers, and I’ve never weighed less than 185 lbs while racing.
Since I like running lower pressure, I race on tubulars. 45 psi yesterday, tad on the high side, but I’d rather not roll/flat.
Seems like I see way, way more rolled tubulars than clinchers. Last year was a tubular roll-fest in the A races. Maybe people learned how to glue better this year. I run down to 30 lbs. front and 35 back and never flat and never roll clinchers in four years of CX racing. Hella a lot less trouble too! Wheels are Neuvation.
Maybe I just need to run another 5 pounds pressure and learn how to ride off road turns better…
@Smithers: you should come mountain biking some time.
@checkbook: maybe I will.
Oh my god. Smither’s night riding at the River Bottoms or better yet Murphy in the afternoon.
hey, let’s not get carried away here.
Bingo
Hold on a second. You burped a clincher? Is that possible? What happens, does the tire come off the rim? Me thinks that might be a tire that’s to large or a rim that’s to small, that should never happen. ANyway like I said tubeless tires with tubless specific rims IMO are a good option. I too have seen many rolled tubulars so…….
@dew: yes, the tire comes off the rim and soon the tube goes psssssst.
at 35psi I assure you that it can happen, and it did happen, twice.
the entire tire does not come off, just the part of the bead where the burp took place.
I see. Go with a DA rim and HUtch tubeless. You won’t be disapointed. If your worried about burping those just get some Fastack and glue the tire bead on the rim.
@dew: company edict from on high: use Shimano, get totally fired.
I think Reynolds makes a tubless road rim or can’t you ride those either. If not then go w/tubulars for sure way better than clinchers.