Mark Taylor said:

So how come the US women managed to be competitive at cross Vegas , yet the men were not ? Thoughts?

I was at CrossVegas.  Unfortunately, I got there toward the end of the women's race, so I missed their start and the entire wheelers-and-dealers event.   

To me, the American women weren't as competitive as I'd thought they'd be.  KFC was racing well, which was surprising to me. but the others were off the pace a bit.

With the men, Powers was definitely a disappointment.  During the race, he was bathed in sweat, far sweatier than his competitors, and while he clearly didn't have the form he needed to be in the top ten, he seemed to be giving everything to move up, while the guys around him were, relatively speaking, just riding it in.  I saw him after the race, and  said he didn't feel like he was able to go hard--banged up and sick.  

Hyde raced like he was Powers of five years ago--go gangbusters at the start and then see if he could hold on.  I don't know why he went for the holeshot and tried to kill it on the sandpit.  The Belgians were hot on him, and he was bound to go backwards.  As he did.  

The rest of the Americans don't have the fitness, but more importantly, don't have the competition.  While some say that Belgian dominance is about doping, but at the same time, they have awesome competition at home.  And home for them is a country the size of Massachusetts.  We have a much bigger pool of riders, but they have no problem getting everyone to the pool.

I also think that American men's cross is lacking depth at the moment.  It was deeper several years ago, when Tim Johnson, Jonathan Page, Ryan Trebon, Barry Wicks, Todd Wells were racing at the peak of their games.  It would have been interesting to see CrossVegas as a World Cup then.  No, they wouldn't have dominated, but I think they would have been closer.

fridays

I want to head out, but I don't want to get my bike dirty before KMC

Anyone going to Hippo CX I can hitch a ride with? It's rainy, / muddy.  This is when CX becomes fun (for me).

F 30spt. 12:30p re: Hippo CX
Hi ScottK, am going to Hippo CX tomorrow, 8:55a start; course opens 7a so, plan to dept. bkNY @5:30a; plan to overnight in SoJersey for Caffienated CX next day (could take u to NJT in Trenton for return). -harryB 718-740-8680 / hbolick@gmail.com

ps. GoodLuck &PLENTY FUN 4ALL @KMC this wEnd...-h4;-)

JillWhite said:

I want to head out, but I don't want to get my bike dirty before KMC

Come on Jill. A CX bike without dirt is like champagne without a toast.

I was excited to go to Caffeinated Cross this morning but I've been sick as a dog in the last 48 hours (nasty flu) therefore I'm going to remain in bed instead

harry bolick said:

F 30spt. 12:30p re: Hippo CX
Hi ScottK, am going to Hippo CX tomorrow, 8:55a start; course opens 7a so, plan to dept. bkNY @5:30a; plan to overnight in SoJersey for Caffienated CX next day (could take u to NJT in Trenton for return). -harryB 718-740-8680 / hbolick@gmail.com

Thanks for the ride and racing to Hippo CX, Harry!  Had a blast.  

http://mikestemphotography.zenfolio.com/p514385900#h3da6cf32

http://mikestemphotography.zenfolio.com/p514385900#h2aa9f4b4

Harry and i bowled out of NYC at 5:30am to get to the joint, ride the course a couple of times, and then CRUSH our respective events (Harry, 4/5 40+; Scott, Cat 5).  Even more important than getting the slot and rolling 2nd for the first half (before the the real CX racers started passing me) and finishing 19/ ~50, was drinking beers and heckling starting at 10am.  Chick Fil A as a post ride meal was the cherry on top.  

the last lap of the men's superprestige at Gieten is a pretty fun battle to watch:

Click here for the vid cued up to the last lap

here's the full thing:
https://youtu.be/I07rjmodtTY

http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/bik/5803557705.html

Thinking about picking this up. Any thoughts?

 Would love to drok 2k on a brandy new Giant, but since I have a spare ultegra groupset (minus cx crank) and some pretty solid alloy wheels laying around seems like a solid start to build something up for cheap.

SeanMiles said:

http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/bik/5803557705.html

Thinking about picking this up. Any thoughts?

 Would love to drok 2k on a brandy new Giant, but since I have a spare ultegra groupset (minus cx crank) and some pretty solid alloy wheels laying around seems like a solid start to build something up for cheap.

I don't  know anything about that game but as far as building up a bike Do you have spare cantilever brakes too? Will also need new bb I think? Those kind of things can add up 

You don't have to drop 2k on a giant they have one model that's ~1200. Also consider redbeard now sells specialized? 

@SeanMiles
Someone was selling their 1 year old pink Trek Crockett frame at bicycle habitat for $350, so maybe offer that guy less.  Also, checkout eBay.  I got a sweet deal on my Trek Boone there.  Cx is fun!

I would definitely checkin w/ redbeard -- but as long as that craiglist post is legit -- those treks are fantastic frames.

I have some old canti brakes I could sell you.

Don't think about it too much. CX season is in full swing, and will be over fast. If legit, and a good deal for you. Go for it.

@eloy thanks for posting that video. That was exciting to watch.

thanks

yeah, i'd have to get cantis, a new crank, bb, and tires. unfortunately the 1200 option has mechanical disc brakes otherwise i'd be all over it

That trek comes with a bb 

Do it!

Plus the fork seems uncut by looking at the picture which can be an advantage if you want a good bike fitting.

JillWhite said:

That trek comes with a bb 

it comes with sram gxp and he said he has ultegra cranks which I think are different BB standards?  not sure though... 

crockett seems to be BB386 (if this article is relevant, 2015 disc brake frame might be different bb)? http://road.cc/content/review/170207-trek-crockett-9-disc

in any event redbeard would be able to get you whatever adapter you need. i think you'd need this one to go from BB386 to Ultegra Hollowtech II crankset: http://wheelsmfg.com/386evo-adapter-for-shimano-cranks.html. see also 
http://wheelsmfg.com/complete-crankset-bb-adapter-guide

SeanMiles said:

http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/bik/5803557705.html

Thinking about picking this up. Any thoughts?

 Would love to drok 2k on a brandy new Giant, but since I have a spare ultegra groupset (minus cx crank) and some pretty solid alloy wheels laying around seems like a solid start to build something up for cheap.

I'd see if you can get the owner to drop the price.

Obviously, seriously check out the frame when you see it.  bring a bright flashlight, run your fingers over every frame tube, pull the fork and inspect the steerer as well.

The cranks are easy to come by.  So, too are bars, stem, post, saddle, tubes, and tires.

@SeanMiles Post spec for what you need, I'm sure people have enough excess gear to build you a bitch'n Camaro. 

Tomorrow:

6:30 am. Prospect Park. Secret location.

You bring your cyclocross bike, I bring cone and barriers. We practice skills and drills, and get good at it.

Come looking sharp.

I'm out of town this week

no.like.

Any practice tomorrow??

the boss.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq0ruTYPPaM

Yes. tomorrow.
6:30am, prospect park. you know the location.

You bring your cx bicycle, I bring cones and barriers. We practice and get awesome at it.

Also, come looking sharp.

Examples:

it is still dark, so running a bit behind, will be there shortly.

we jumped and crashed and did hot laps