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Cyclocross for ages U14/U12/U10/U8
I thought I'd copy the info below to a new thread under its own title. Shout if you're an U14/12/10/8 rider (or parent of a rider) and are interested in cyclocross this autumn & winter.
Mark F
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It's probably worth expanding on the format of the Eastern Cyclocross League races, and how young riders are involved. The usual format is:-
11:00 Vet 45+/Vet 50+/Women
12:00 Under 12
12:45 Youth
13:45 Senior/Elite Vet/Vet
13:45 Junior
U12, U10, U8 all race together on a short lap (typically three minutes or so per lap) in races lasting approx 15 minutes. There are never any hurdles, and the terrain is usually very straightforward with no steep ascents or descents. Some kids are on CX bikes and wear all the gear, most are on MTBs, and plenty are on supermarket bikes. These videos give the rough idea:-
U12 Mistley
U12 Redgrave
U14 & U16 riders all race in the Youth race, lasting 30 mins. This race uses the full-length lap as also used by the senior & veterans races, and typically includes hurdles, sometimes some steps, climbs & descents, and generally more challenging terrain than the U12s race. You can still ride on an MTB of course, but most U14s & U16s do ride CX bikes which are faster and easier to lug up hills or steps or carry over hurdles.
Juniors ride among the seniors in the afternoon race, typically lasting one hour. A change for this year, to rebalance the size of fields, is that veterans aged 40-44 have to race with the seniors in the one hour race, while those aged 45+ race in the 11:00 race lasting 40 mins.
Lots of info here including an introductory guide, and of course our own Mark Wyer is the chairman of the association/league. All the races are extremely friendly and accessible.
See also the league's "What is Cyclocross?" document and this promotional video.
The first event of the season at Basildon is as good a place to start as any. The main course used by everyone (apart from U12 riders) was used for the first time last year. It was regarded as non-technical but it did have a particularly steep long climb. Those with very low gears and/or a good power-to-weight ratio had a happier race than the rest... See video.
If there's enough interest from U14 & U12 riders I'm sure we could put together an introductory cyclocross session before the first event of the year.
Oh, and don't forget the new Thetford CX Enduro event on 2nd Sept. See http://www.easterncross.org.uk/cxenduro2012.htm and http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/80449/Thetford-Cyclo-Cross-Enduro. I understand that it has an U12 race like all the usual league events do, but that the main race is much longer but less technical than the usual league format.
Also, during the autumn & winter Mark Wyer usually coaches CX on Wednesday evenings at Knights Templar School in Baldock, and I mucked in last year to help.
Mark F
-------------------------
It's probably worth expanding on the format of the Eastern Cyclocross League races, and how young riders are involved. The usual format is:-
11:00 Vet 45+/Vet 50+/Women
12:00 Under 12
12:45 Youth
13:45 Senior/Elite Vet/Vet
13:45 Junior
U12, U10, U8 all race together on a short lap (typically three minutes or so per lap) in races lasting approx 15 minutes. There are never any hurdles, and the terrain is usually very straightforward with no steep ascents or descents. Some kids are on CX bikes and wear all the gear, most are on MTBs, and plenty are on supermarket bikes. These videos give the rough idea:-
U12 Mistley
U12 Redgrave
U14 & U16 riders all race in the Youth race, lasting 30 mins. This race uses the full-length lap as also used by the senior & veterans races, and typically includes hurdles, sometimes some steps, climbs & descents, and generally more challenging terrain than the U12s race. You can still ride on an MTB of course, but most U14s & U16s do ride CX bikes which are faster and easier to lug up hills or steps or carry over hurdles.
Juniors ride among the seniors in the afternoon race, typically lasting one hour. A change for this year, to rebalance the size of fields, is that veterans aged 40-44 have to race with the seniors in the one hour race, while those aged 45+ race in the 11:00 race lasting 40 mins.
Lots of info here including an introductory guide, and of course our own Mark Wyer is the chairman of the association/league. All the races are extremely friendly and accessible.
See also the league's "What is Cyclocross?" document and this promotional video.
The first event of the season at Basildon is as good a place to start as any. The main course used by everyone (apart from U12 riders) was used for the first time last year. It was regarded as non-technical but it did have a particularly steep long climb. Those with very low gears and/or a good power-to-weight ratio had a happier race than the rest... See video.
If there's enough interest from U14 & U12 riders I'm sure we could put together an introductory cyclocross session before the first event of the year.
Oh, and don't forget the new Thetford CX Enduro event on 2nd Sept. See http://www.easterncross.org.uk/cxenduro2012.htm and http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/80449/Thetford-Cyclo-Cross-Enduro. I understand that it has an U12 race like all the usual league events do, but that the main race is much longer but less technical than the usual league format.
Also, during the autumn & winter Mark Wyer usually coaches CX on Wednesday evenings at Knights Templar School in Baldock, and I mucked in last year to help.
Comments
Mark F
Mark.
Springfield has steps in the course I recall.
Although he was disappointed that he didn't win any prize money!