Neal Rogers on the state of cyclocross

The weekly spin: If Van der Poel has broken cyclocross, elite women are saving it

https://cyclingtips.com/2018/11/the-weekly-spin-if-van-der-poel-has-broken-cyclocross-elite-women-are-saving-it/

Like that he used De Vlaeminck comments, to write a somewhat thoughtful piece and that he reached out to Noble, Vos, Compton & Nash.

Wow is it really only 2 weeks to Nationals?

Paging Anthony Clark!!!

Jules said:

Paging Anthony Clark!!!

Anthony Clark, as I am sure you are aware, has become the king of Japanese cyclocross. 

Seems to me like someone is poaching story ideas from @mugwump
https://cyclingtips.com/2018/11/the-geometry-of-bike-handling-its-all-about-the-steering/

Jules said:

Big in Japan!

I’ll raise you
https://youtu.be/NtqxD4LuLfY

Jules said:

Seems to me like someone is poaching story ideas from @mugwump
https://cyclingtips.com/2018/11/the-geometry-of-bike-handling-its-all-about-the-steering/

If you want to post to CT such a comment, and a link, I certainly wouldn't object.

eloy said:

Jules said:

Big in Japan!

I’ll raise you
https://youtu.be/NtqxD4LuLfY

mugwump said:

Jules said:

Seems to me like someone is poaching story ideas from @mugwump
https://cyclingtips.com/2018/11/the-geometry-of-bike-handling-its-all-about-the-steering/

If you want to post to CT such a comment, and a link, I certainly wouldn't object.

Done.

Paul Sherwin just rolled up to the big group ride in the sky...

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/paul-sherwen-dies-aged-62/

Jules said:

Paul Sherwin just rolled up to the big group ride in the sky...

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/paul-sherwen-dies-aged-62/

Very sad news. 

Wow, sad news, I’m sure he packed his “suitcase of courage” for his trip 
it’s strange how I have spent hours  mocking him and Phil’s commenty in the last 5 years, but boy ,he has been the voice of many , many generations of cycling coverage RIP

Mark Taylor said:

Wow, sad news, I’m sure he packed his “suitcase of courage” for his trip 
it’s strange how I have spent hours  mocking him and Phil’s commenty in the last 5 years, but boy ,he has been the voice of many , many generations of cycling coverage RIP

Agreed. 62 seems very young.

a few shots of Sherwen, looking sharp.

-- yes, that's Paul Sherwen leading a cyclocross race, to look sharp you must cyclocross.

Pretty sure i had the cycling weekly with the roubaix picture on the cover 

And also note , those are Adidas road shoes , he's running in 

Maghalie Rochette spends some time with TSH's Luke Batten and Alexis Cartier on the design of the CX Fever cyclocross team kits:
http://tenspeedhero.com/features/cx-fever/

Fuck yeah.

A report by the National Institute of Transportation and Communities on E-Bikes: 

https://ppms.trec.pdx.edu/media/project_files/NITC_RR_1041_North_American_Survey_Electric_Bicycle_Owners.pdf
On a personal note, I used to basically dread e-bikes, but then my uncle "Tío Kilo" -- who got me my first road bike -- traded his Trek Madone for an Orbea Gain, and is riding all over the Pyrenees like nothing at 71 years old (don't tell him I told you his age)

TBD - State of Road Cycling in 2018

TLDR: While not as bad as 2017, long term view is dire as USAC members are racing less. 

https://www.tobedetermined.cc/journal/2018/11/state-of-the-sport-road-racing-in-2018

I've certainly seen this trend hardcore with Kissena, as members, even very active ones, appear to race less and less. Basically: unless we figure some way to shift this trend -- probably by introducing younger riders to the sport -- road cycling dies with us.

The culture of cycling racing in nyc has to change. My experience as a new rider was absolutely terrible. In general, I found this sport to be extremely unwelcoming. My opinion, we change that...we have more people getting involved. 

Dont know TBD riders personally, but they’re not terribly welcoming.

-My opinion

eloy said:

TBD - State of Road Cycling in 2018

TLDR: While not as bad as 2017, long term view is dire as USAC members are racing less. 

https://www.tobedetermined.cc/journal/2018/11/state-of-the-sport-road-racing-in-2018

I've certainly seen this trend hardcore with Kissena, as members, even very active ones, appear to race less and less. Basically: unless we figure some way to shift this trend -- probably by introducing younger riders to the sport -- road cycling dies with us.

Thanks for sharing.  I don't look at TBD's site at all.  Lots of thoughts.  I'll ponder more before sharing.

Joshua Wilson said:

The culture of cycling racing in nyc has to change. My experience as a new rider was absolutely terrible. In general, I found this sport to be extremely unwelcoming. My opinion, we change that...we have more people getting involved. 

Dont know TBD riders personally, but they’re not terribly welcoming.

-My opinion

You're not alone.  Hoping Kissena is different, for the better.  

@mugwump I absolutely love Kissena. Amazing competitors, all around good people and always welcoming. Thank you for having me! 

eloy said:

TBD - State of Road Cycling in 2018

TLDR: While not as bad as 2017, long term view is dire as USAC members are racing less. 

https://www.tobedetermined.cc/journal/2018/11/state-of-the-sport-road-racing-in-2018

I've certainly seen this trend hardcore with Kissena, as members, even very active ones, appear to race less and less. Basically: unless we figure some way to shift this trend -- probably by introducing younger riders to the sport -- road cycling dies with us.

Need to collect thoughts...and respond to this cuz I fit the mold...
tangentially...Interbike is dead
https://www.velonews.com/2018/12/news/interbike-trade-show-cancels-2019-event_482084 

JohnOlsson said:

It may be too early to tell, but it seems a shift toward the gran fondo model is occurring. To me this seems like an opportunity to attract a different type of club member. Perhaps one that is interested in getting their feet wet in racing, but may not be willing to fully commit just yet. Welcoming them, introducing the team dynamics, and 'grooming' them toward the more competitive/frequent races might be something worth exploring. Perhaps with a candidate-based 'limited' membership, or by educating and later inviting riders to race and learn to race (with the club) vs. committing to join right away as a racing member.

What is it about a gran fondo that attracts participants?

Do we want to groom this growing market of granfondo participants into more traditional/ competitive (and frequent) club member racing-types?

Not too early to tell. Clearly, the shift towards less competitive events -- fondos, gravel, rides, MTB -- and towards less road racing is happening.

Want to emphasize that while I labeled them "less competitive" there still are plenty competitive and can include hardcore racing.

What you suggest is appropriate: using those events to bring riders into road racing. And understanding what is it that makes Fondos/Gravel events attractive... can road racing include some of that too?

Also important, is the age demographic..., as we age, it is natural that some of us would gravitate towards less competitive events, less structured training, etc... the solve is simple to state but hard to execute: bring in new younger riders (essentially, we have to pass the torch)

"Not too early to tell. Clearly, the shift towards less competitive events -- fondos, gravel, rides, MTB -- and towards less road racing is happening."

This is where i'm at ,

I have no real interest in racing anymore,
Is there a place in Kissena for those not wanting to race and doing more of the stuff above , with mates ?

Mark

I’d like to think so. There are definitely guys who want to hit the mountain bike trails. Or try out some gravel and Fondos. 

One of the things that attracted me to Kissena from the beginning was the sense of inclusivity. There is no doubt that it’s more fun to ride with friends and teammates. I think the composition of the club changes constantly. Sometimes we’ve had a bunch of people racing the track. Sometimes we’ve had a large women’s tream. At other times these groups have dwindled. This spring we had a nice sized group in the catskills. I bet if we proposed gravel rides we’d see interest.  I see it like a pendulum. its not going to change on its own, but if people want it, it can happen. 

So, given that you are part of the US cycling trend in going off road and less competitive, I think you will find more like minded members with similar interests. Keep posting your rides and they will come. 

By the way, I might be able to go to Cunningham this afternoon if you’re interested 

Mark Taylor said:

"Not too early to tell. Clearly, the shift towards less competitive events -- fondos, gravel, rides, MTB -- and towards less road racing is happening."

This is where i'm at ,

I have no real interest in racing anymore,
Is there a place in Kissena for those not wanting to race and doing more of the stuff above , with mates ?

Agree with Patrick.

Of course there is room in Kissena for all type of riders and for those that want to do these events with friends and teammates. Riding with friends is the best.

While there's plenty of room for improvement, my concern is not about Kissena, which appears to have a healthy and wide membership, we are racing road, cyclocross, some track, and also doing more and more gravel, fondos, MTB, etc...

The concern is about the health of road racing in the United States, which currently is on a negative trajectory.