Where to ride my ‘cross bike

[Adam J.]

Hi everyone,

I’m new to D.C. and looking for places to take the ‘cross bike out. Basically somewhere I could do a little race practice. Maybe some singletrack or some park space I could make up my own little loop on. I’ve got my own PVC barriers.

I haven’t raced in a couple years, so you all don’t want me at the starting line just yet. I live in Petworth, and the closer the better, but I’m realistic about having to do a bit of driving.

Thanks!

Adam

Topic

[KayakCyndi]

@dcv 69659 wrote:

Cyclocross with commuter bags and blinkies. Jason and Matt were on road tires, definitely not recommended. The course is tougher than it looks in the video, there are a couple of super steep climbs by the 14th St bridge.

Silly fun and I still made it to work in time for my 9am conference call. Next task of the day is pedal shopping. Single-sided road SPDs do NOT work for this!

[CPTJohnC]

Not trying to hijack this thread, but I’m curious: If someone were interested in trying out cyclocross for the first time, would this be an appropriate venue? if not, any suggestions?

Also: Bike choice: drop bar commuter hybrid with disc brakes, (complete w/ Rack, fenders, and other accessories – Kona Dew Drop) or MTB (a couple of options, both w/ front suspension)?

[GuyContinental]

@CPTJohnC 69667 wrote:

Not trying to hijack this thread, but I’m curious: If someone were interested in trying out cyclocross for the first time, would this be an appropriate venue? if not, any suggestions?

Also: Bike choice: drop bar commuter hybrid with disc brakes, (complete w/ Rack, fenders, and other accessories – Kona Dew Drop) or MTB (a couple of options, both w/ front suspension)?

This would be a great choice- non-technical and very representative of an actual CX course BUT expect to walk/run/scamper up some of the hills (which is part of CX). For bike choice, most important would be tires- it’s just no fun with slicks (right Matt?). Might want to try the MTB with knobbies first.

[CPTJohnC]

@GuyContinental 69670 wrote:

This would be a great choice- non-technical and very representative of an actual CX course BUT expect to walk/run/scamper up some of the hills (which is part of CX). For bike choice, most important would be tires- it’s just no fun with slicks (right Matt?). Might want to try the MTB with knobbies first.

Thanks! MTB it would be, then (besides, I don’t know how many times I’d want to shoulder 37 lbs of commuter hybrid plus accessories)

[vvill]

It was a surprisingly tough course! And poor GuyContinental had a tough morning with his bike/RD. Of course, my bike handling realllly sucks and I almost went down once even on wide rims with 32s. If that course was taped out I would’ve crashed into the tape many, many times. My rear tire was slipping on some climbs though (file tread is a bit worn) – I do have a nicer CX tire at home but I don’t really want to ride it on pavement too much.

You don’t have to shoulder (you can just push your bike). Agreed with GuyContinental, the tires are most important, and either hybrid/MTB is fine, just don’t overestimate your skills.

That climb by 14th St wouldn’t be so bad if it only didn’t start at a 90 degree turn…

@KayakCyndi 69666 wrote:

Silly fun and I still made it to work in time for my 9am conference call. Next task of the day is pedal shopping. Single-sided road SPDs do NOT work for this!

I only just made it with tie on to my 9am presentation! 😎 But I didn’t need a coffee for it.

Nashbar right now has Candy 2s for $50, and entry-level Eggbeater 1s for $35/Mallet 1s for $30 and free shipping on >$50.

GuyContinental rueing his bike luck, dcv off for another lap, and slow GW Parkway traffic:

“speed section”

[GuyContinental]

@vvill 69689 wrote:

Nashbar right now has Candy 2s for $50, and entry-level Eggbeater 1s for $35/Mallet 1s for $30 and free shipping on >$50.

Damn, you just cost me $35… they got me with the red anodizing.

[MattAune]

@CPTJohnC 69673 wrote:

Thanks! MTB it would be, then (besides, I don’t know how many times I’d want to shoulder 37 lbs of commuter hybrid plus accessories)

Some of the Hills are definitely not rideable with slicks, the grass wasn’t even wet this morning. Also, the run ups are nice and smooth with no stairs, no shouldering necessary. Cindy is displaying the perfect technique in her picture.

[KayakCyndi]

@vvill 69689 wrote:

Nashbar right now has Candy 2s for $50, and entry-level Eggbeater 1s for $35/Mallet 1s for $30 and free shipping on >$50.

Tempting but given that I’d have to buy new pedals for three bikes and new cleats for two sets of shoes I think I’ll find some double-sided SPDs. Also I like the platform/SPD combos I have on the Masi and Ogre as both get ridden in something other than cycling shoes frequently.

Nasbar has the Shimano Deore XT PD-M780 Mountain Pedals on sale for $66. Would those work?

[TwoWheelsDC]

@KayakCyndi 69694 wrote:

Tempting but given that I’d have to buy new pedals for three bikes and new cleats for two sets of shoes I think I’ll find some double-sided SPDs. Also I like the platform/SPD combos I have on the Masi and Ogre as both get ridden in something other than cycling shoes frequently.

Nasbar has the Shimano Deore XT PD-M780 Mountain Pedals on sale for $66. Would those work?

M520s can be had for $35 on Amazon (or directly through Nashbar). I put a set on my road bike to use with my winter shoes and I have no complaints so far, particularly given the price.

[KelOnWheels]

@GuyContinental 69662 wrote:

Ha! I totally missed that. I like to think that he was our one and only spectator.

I think I saw you guys taking a break – about 7:30ish?

[GuyContinental]

@KelOnWheels 69698 wrote:

I think I saw you guys taking a break – about 7:30ish?

Us? Break? No way, despite photographic evidence to the contrary, it was pedal to the metal for four laps…

[ShawnoftheDread]

Nashbar right now has Candy 2s for $50, and entry-level Eggbeater 1s for $35/Mallet 1s for $30 and free shipping on >$50

Enabler!

[Rod Smith]

I was really late but I went there anyway. Arrived around eight but everyone was already gone. I tried to ride part of the course. I couldn’t ride up the steep banks or even push my bike up them. I think I would have done better if I’d removed the trailer. :confused:

[americancyclo]

So I was about 24.5 hours late. I was surprised how steep some of those hills are. My MTB commuter did just fine on 26×1.5 tires although a bit more tread on the corners would have been nice. Got in a lap and a half before I had to head in to work, but I may just head back there at lunch for a few more laps!

[vvill]

@americancyclo 69741 wrote:

So I was about 24.5 hours late. I was surprised how steep some of those hills are. My MTB commuter did just fine on 26×1.5 tires although a bit more tread on the corners would have been nice. Got in a lap and a half before I had to head in to work, but I may just head back there at lunch for a few more laps!

If you do it on Wed, there’s a lunch group that does laps there.

[Author]

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