GrantSeltzer said:

Recommendations for knobby 30mm tires?

@David Yang Excellent! That'd be great, thanks David!

GrantSeltzer said:

@David Yang Excellent! That'd be great, thanks David!

NP - btw looked through my cache of tires and found 2 very skinny looking 32s and one very skinny looking 30.

btw, Vittoria does make some of their cross tires in 31 width - - if you are actually serious, I would highly recommend their terreno wet -- it is a great cyclocross thread for all conditions: https://www.biketiresdirect.com/product/vittoria-terreno-wet-g20-gravel-cyclocross-tire?fltr=3769+4195

I will point out, that everyone around you in a race will be in 33+ tubeless w/ modern threads (terreno wet, mix, donelly pdx, mxp) and that could likely make a difference.

As a note for anyone else, if only one set of wheels/tires:
Donelly PDX is the one to run (33 tubeless)
If those are hard to find, the Vittoria Terreno Wet or Challenge Baby Limus are good alternatives for the "one set of cyclocross tires for a full season"

So after testing with David, it seems preeeeety tight with Ritchey 32s. I was thinking maybe if I get 31 tires with a tread pattern that are just on top instead of including on the sides that it could fit better. I was also thinking if I get rims that have a narrower internal width that it'd afford me enough space to be somewhat comfortable. And i'd set them up tubeless of course. Not sure why the photos aren't uploading.

on one hand, bring/race what you have, in the other: you will want the side knobs — ie finding a cross bike, or setting up the hard tail, might be a better spend of time & money. 

eloy said:

on one hand, bring/race what you have, in the other: you will want the side knobs — ie finding a cross bike, or setting up the hard tail, might be a better spend of time & money. 

I was hoping to avoid using a hard tail, but out of curiosity, do people ever use them?

+1 for the terreno wet/mix tires. Been using them the past few seasons and they're great in everything but the super muddy and wet stuff. Another option you can look into is getting a secondhand pair of 650b wheels. Smaller wheel will let you run a bigger tire.

But there are a few races that are more mountain bikey that people run hardtails at. If i remember last year Bubble Cross and Beast Cross had a bunch in my field

You will see way more MTB hardtails on a cyclocross race than transformed/adapted road bikes.

Caveat that both MTB and road bikes will be at a disadvantage against cross/gravel bikes on cyclocross tires/treads run at the right pressure.

Team, here's a calendar of cyclocross races close by to Brooklyn/NYC.

There are a few other races not mentioned here (barely) -- but these are in my radar.

One notable bit is Falkorburg moving earlier in the season, making a DCCX/Falkorburg weekend possible. For my current fitness Sept 10 feels super close, but heading into Charm with only 2 races also feels risky, so I might hit one or both of those.

If bold I am planning on being there.

• Sun Sep 3 NCC Hydra Cross 
• Sat Sept 9 DCCX  
• Sat Sept 9 Kissena Cyclocross Season Kick Start Clinic
  
• Sun Sep 10 Falkorburg Cross  
• Sun Sep 10 Bubblecross
• Sun Sep 17 Pineapple Crush Cross - PACX Series Race #1 
• Sat Sep 23 Carpenter Cross (PACX Series)
• Sun Oct 1 Newtown Cyclocross p/b the CCAP and Team 26 
• Sat/Sun Sep 30/Oct 1 Charm City Cross (UCI)
• Sat/Sun Oct 7/Oct 8 Croton Cross 
• Oct 8 NJBA CX Cup Race, Bulldog 'Cross Presented by Cycle Craft 
• Sat Oct 14 Crossasaurus Awesome 
• Sun Oct 15 HPCX 
• Sat Oct 21 Twining Valley 
  
• Sun Oct 22 Cooper River 
• Sat/Sun Oct 28/29 Really Rad Festival of Cross (UCI)
• Sat/Sun Nov 11/12 NOHO CX 

Croton Cross reg is officially open! Really close to NYC and really fun vibes, let's do it up! Can we do team tents?

https://www.bikereg.com/crotoncross

Update:
For those of you very new to this, there's an "open" category that I don't remember them having last year! Description is: "Not sure what this USAC thing is all about? Just want to give "an obstacle course on bikes" a try? This is for you! Starts with the Singlespeed/Tracklocross field."

Category is avail both days and starts before Cat5 race if that makes a difference.

Also don't forget about this sweet CX Race Calendar Greg put together.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1r7fzXmO8bc7e7bCTLUqWvUXw3VN-uXRvulGXCExfzDw/edit#gid=3683764

Realized HPCX is the weekend after and super close to NYC as well, registering for the 3/4 race to commit. Anyone doing masters races??

The open category has been the answer, for some events, on how to allow trans or non-binary athletes to compete, on top of the new UCI/USAC rules that do not allow trans women to simply race the women's field. While it is better than nothing, this could be interpreted as a step backward, and has some shortcomings (like is it really inclusive?) 

Interesting, not sure if I should be reading between the lines, but thought this is just a play to get more "off the street" riders who came into the sport through non-USAC gravel/adventure/grandfondo type events.

Ugh... Cat 5 at 4:30pm?! 

GregHoge said:

Ugh... Cat 5 at 4:30pm?! 

I know it's either that or like 6am lol. If enough KCCs sign up for late day races, I'm happy to hang out at least one of the days.

NJCX Cup kicks off September 10th too with Bubblecross. I want to race this one but need to figure out ride logistics since my wife is out of town with the car (my race is at 3:15 if anyone is looking to carpool).


https://www.bikereg.com/bubblecross

Matt Budofsky said:

NJCX Cup kicks off September 10th too with Bubblecross. I want to race this one but need to figure out ride logistics since my wife is out of town with the car (my race is at 3:15 if anyone is looking to carpool).


https://www.bikereg.com/bubblecross

Dude, how are you not in the 4s??

The folks going to CrotonCross, are you doing Saturday, Sunday, or both? Gonna start by registering for Saturday now, but if everyone is also going Sunday I'll sign up for both!

Both for me, but be mindful of start times so best to coordinate with folks in your field.

the standard is to do both days, I plan to be there both. Almost everyone that will be racing, will be racing both days. 

@David Yang  I was going to do one race as a 5 to get my legs underneath me and then upgrade but could be convinced to upgrade now and roll the dice for bubblecross

I signed up for Saturday cat 4 , Croton

I'm looking at housing for Charm City Sept 29- Oct 1. Who is interested in going?
 

Matt Budofsky said:

@David Yang  I was going to do one race as a 5 to get my legs underneath me and then upgrade but could be convinced to upgrade now and roll the dice for bubblecross

Do the earlier race, I may do 4s or masters that morning.

PatrickGrehan said:

I'm looking at housing for Charm City Sept 29- Oct 1. Who is interested in going?
 

I am already signed up for the 8:15 masters race both days, and as mentioned have a hotel reserved (2 queen beds) closed to the race. Let's coordinate and head out there together, will be fun!

@David Yang I can do that! If I could grab a ride that would also be much appreciated (I can provide gas and post race snacks)

I flatted on lap one of Bubblecross (tubeless!!! 😢) but it was still the best time. From getting to hang out with Matt, watching Eloy and Pat duke it out on the course, getting caught in very authentically Belgium downpours, to catching up with old friends in the community… cyclocross really is an ideal in the sport. I just wish it were closer to home…

Someone caught a picture of Dave and I at the top of the muddy run up from yesterday. Totally authentic

• Sun Sep 3 NCC Hydra Cross 
• Sat Sept 9 DCCX  
• Sat Sept 9 Kissena Cyclocross Season Kick Start Clinic (DONE)
  
• Sun Sep 10 Falkorburg Cross  
• Sun Sep 10 Bubblecross (RACED)
• Sun Sep 17 Pineapple Crush Cross - PACX Series Race #1 
• Sat Sep 23 Carpenter Cross (PACX Series)
• Sun Sep 24 Sturdy Cross (PACX Series)
• Sun Oct 1 Newtown Cyclocross p/b the CCAP and Team 26 
• Sat/Sun Sep 30/Oct 1 Charm City Cross (UCI)
• Sat/Sun Oct 7/Oct 8 Croton Cross 
• Oct 8 NJBA CX Cup Race, Bulldog 'Cross Presented by Cycle Craft 
• Sat Oct 14 Crossasaurus Awesome 
• Sun Oct 15 HPCX 
• Sat Oct 21 Twining Valley 
  
• Sun Oct 22 Cooper River 
• Sat/Sun Oct 28/29 Really Rad Festival of Cross (UCI)
• Sat/Sun Nov 11/12 NOHO CX 

Let's go race bikes!