STXC - Short Track Cross Country

[Alex]

Has anyone done short track cross country here? I'm interested in any experiences/thoughts/opinions about it.

[Pickettt]

Think cyclocross without getting off your bike

[BFloFoxRider.]

i heard you go on a smaller scale xc course, around a half mile and do laps for a half hour.. after the half hour they give you like 5 laps and whoever is the fastest sprinter basically... well thats what i was told at least..

[mtnbikej]

Originally Posted by BFloFoxRider.

i heard you go on a smaller scale xc course, around a half mile and do laps for a half hour.. after the half hour they give you like 5 laps and whoever is the fastest sprinter basically... well thats what i was told at least..

That is a good description.....but from what I understand, they start pulling the slowest and lapped riders one by one as the race progresses.

[Pickettt]

Exactly, it's a road bike crit...in the dirt, on mountain bikes

[BFloFoxRider.]

yes i forgot to mention that... If you get a certain length behind the pull you off the course and race over.. basically you better be the one out front grinding or the guy in second drafting on his rear tire

[allison]

Makes me nervous... I'm doing my first one as part of the Keyesville Classic Stage race on 3/15. Should be interesting after DH racing.

[autoduel]

You'll be fine, seeing as you've been racing almost every weekend. For Keysesville, I think it's 15 minutes + 2 laps. Lots of spectators nearby cheering you on.

[allison]

Originally Posted by autoduel

You'll be fine, seeing as you've been racing almost every weekend. For Keysesville, I think it's 15 minutes + 2 laps. Lots of spectators nearby cheering you on.

Are you making the trek up to race Vintage?? You'd do well also!

[Bryguy17]

short track races are fun, to an extent. If you're okay with doing longer rides and races, you'll be fine.

basically, its a set amount of time going around a short course (the ones i've done have been 1/4mi and 1/2mi respectively). the time depends on what class you're racing in. After the leader passes the finish line after the time limit, its 2 or 3 laps (or whatever they say) and the first over the line wins.

its great fun though, because theres usually people cheering you on, telling you how you;re doing, handing you beers as you pass, etc

plus, since you go around the course so many times, you begin to learn the perfect lines to take and end up hauling arse through the fast sections by the end

[reflux]

They hurt.

relux
Veteran of 2 stxc races

[BrewMaster]

Hmmm... STXC actually sounds like fun. Are you allowed to sharpen your bar ends?

[emfc]

This does sound fun

[tkblazer]

just hope its not anything like the sea otter ones...



i watched the pro womens race in 07 at sea otter and it looked painful.. some of those crazy bubbs like andy, justin, neil , klutter and jose would probly like that crap

[autoduel]

Originally Posted by reflux

They hurt.

relux
Veteran of 2 stxc races

yeah, it might get nasty when mountain bikers who never ridden in a pack start rubbing shoulders in the corners.

My 28 spoke radial laced wheel would probably survive the DH race without a wobble, then get destroyed in the STXC when someone falls on it. I think I'll bring some spares.

Originally Posted by BrewMaster

Hmmm... STXC actually sounds like fun. Are you allowed to sharpen your bar ends?

My bar ends are short, but thick! So watch out.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Bryguy17

its great fun though, because theres usually people cheering you on, telling you how you're doing, handing you beers as you pass, etc

That would be an interesting race!

It looks awesome: you have the jostling of 4x or a road criterium with the strategy and fun (er, pain?) of cross country.

I'm thinking of trying my hand at it at Fontana:

FOX Racing SHOX Downhill National Series - Fontana National

That or cross country.
Or Super-D.

[Bryguy17]

Originally Posted by Alex

That would be an interesting race!

oh yes it was. we were even passing beers to our rivals (it was a close race for the team omnium, but it didn't end up helping).

so many shenanigans at college races

[kanga]

Originally Posted by autoduel

You'll be fine, seeing as you've been racing almost every weekend. For Keysesville, I think it's 15 minutes + 2 laps. Lots of spectators nearby cheering you on.

It's actually 15 minutes then 3 laps, not 2.... I'll see you there! (don't know what I'm racing yet though)