In The Crosshairs

Steevo clearing the Charm City natural barrier.

The seventh running of the Charm City Cross happens this weekend in Baltimore’s Druid Hill Park. What started as a one day event with around 300 total riders has quickly grown into one of the premier East Coast events with two days of UCI and non-UCI racing and over 1000 cyclocrossers pinning on numbers. We stopped by race sponsor, Twenty20 Cycling Co., last night to record a course preview with Twenty20 co-owner and C3 bossman, Kris Auer, and C3 stalwart Bad Andy Wulfkuhle.

The preview covers the Saturday race, which according to Bad Andy, will be set up “as close to last year as we can manage, in the dark, at 4 a.m. on race day.” Sunday’s race will be the traditional Charm City course in reverse. Crazy! I know. Keep in mind it is not 100 percent backwards. You will not climb down the steps and the finishing straight will remain the same as last year, absent the asphalt climb.

So you can follow along while watching, here is a rough map of Saturday’s course (click on map for large view).

Saturday's Charm City Course

And here is the video commentary with Kris and Bad Andy.

 

This is what you are looking at for Sunday’s race (click on map for large view).

Sunday's Charm City Course

To get an idea of the set up for Sunday, here is last year’s course commentary with Fulcrum Coaching‘s Dan Tille and JBV Coaching‘s Chris Mayhew. Keep in mind THE COURSE WILL BE REVERSED.

 

Thanks for watching and we will see you at the races.

P.S.-if you see me this weekend and want the super sweet In The Crosshairs SwiftWick socks, recently donned by Jeremy Powers, don’t be shy. Ask. I have PLENTY. They will also be available at the Team Money ‘n’ Stuff tent.

The Season Is Upon Us.

Crikeys. Where did the summer go? Or the spring and end of winter, for that matter. It’s already cross season? Every year seems to follow the same pattern. Wait, wait, wait, wait … and … WAIT!!! I’m not ready, yet! The MAC has already started, MABRAcross Super 8 gets going a week from Sunday, Charm City this weekend. Sort of like the sport itself, there is no easing into the cyclocross season. Once it’s on, it is on.

But it’s cool. We know you all did the work, put in the intervals, got rid of that double-hop, glued the tubulars (with glue AND tape … and not that skinny Tufo stuff), furiously hit enter—from 7:59 p.m. until registered—for the past three or four Sunday evenings, and are totally prepared for another season of lung-searing fun.

JPow explains the ways of the cyclocross.

In what has become a tradition in these parts, the 3rd annual Fulcrum Coaching and JBV Coaching Cross Clinic with Rapha Focus pro cyclocrosser Jeremy Powers kickstarted the season with a weekend chock full of cyclocross goodness. Skills were learned, technique was taught, burritos were eaten, and 50+ dedicated cyclocross racers, both new and weathered, went away with the tools to be faster this season.

Big thanks to Bike Doctor of Waldorf for hosting the free meet & greet with Jeremy Powers, the night before the clinic. Next year, go check this event out. It’s free, it’s a ton of information, and JPow tells some great stories. Also, check out the shop. Truly one of the best in the area and worth the drive from DC. Great inventory and service, and the owner, Chris Richardson, is hands down the most knowledgeable bike fitter I’ve ever talked to.

So here we are. At the start of another cyclocross season. And before we know it, it will be over. But that’s sort of the beauty, right? Fast, furious, done.

But in the meantime, lots of things are planned for the CXHairs this season. Course previews will start back up, videos, photos, interviews should all be here, too. If there is something you would like to see or contribute drop me a line at CXHairs(at)Gmail.

For now, check out the super PRO video rundown of the cross clinic put together by the creator of CrossTalk and president of SuperLuminal Films, Peter Nicoll.

And this ode to the end of summer. Sniff.

Thanks for visiting. Talk to you soon.

Your 2011 Cross Clinic Instructors

The MAC is up and running and already has over 1000 registrants, MABRAcross will open its doors for business this weekend. We know you can’t wait. But does that mean you’re ready?

Are you faster around the cyclocross course this year than you were last year? Did you know that using proper dismounting, remounting, carrying and cornering technique can make you ten, 15, or even 30 seconds faster per lap? Think about that. If your race is four laps long, that can mean you are a minute or even two minutes faster than you were last season without any improvement in fitness.

Do you ever practice your race starts? Are you confident you know the best way to approach this important part of a cross race? If you have the proper technique and strategy you will be better equipped to be in that first group as it hits the inevitable chokepoint in every course. Being up front means a smooth ride and faster times. As your competition bottlenecks behind, you will be in your rhythm creating gaps on those poor souls in your rearview mirror.

I know by now you are thinking, nay saying out loud, “Wow, all this sounds great! I too want to learn how to take minutes off my lap times and get to the front at the start. But how? How do I get there?”

That part, Mid-Atlantic friends and neighbors, is easy. You get yourself to the top cyclocross clinic in the area. The Fulcrum Coaching and JBV Coaching Cyclocross Clinic with Jeremy Powers.

It all happens Labor Day weekend starting with a Saturday, September 3, cross talk and meet & greet at Bike Doctor of Waldorf. Rapha-Focus pro cyclocrosser Jeremy Powers will be on hand to answer your questions about his racing career, tricks of the trade, training advice and anything else you care to ask. Joining Jeremy during this session will be Fulcrum Coaching’s Dan Tille and JBV Coaching’s Chris Mayhew. Dan and Chris have years of experience racing and coaching cyclocross. Come out and pick their brains on the latest gear and training techniques. The Saturday night portion of the clinic is free but you still need to register.

On Sunday, September 4, we get down to business. It’s a full day of on the bike training at Rosaryville State Park in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, venue of the MABRAcross Super 8 opening race, Tacchino Ciclocross. From 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Jeremy, Chris and Dan will be joined by instructors Marc “FatMarc” Vettori and Rusty Williford to make sure every attendee receives one-on-one instruction. Also on hand to help out will be Gunnar Bergey, who spent part of last winter in Belgium at USA Cycling’s elite level Eurocross Camp, racing against Europe’s top talent.

Throughout the day, the full group will receive demonstration and explanation of a certain skill and then break into smaller groups based on skill and experience level. These smaller groups will work on the skill and receive instruction from the coaches.

As if that wasn’t enough to convince you to sign up now, Fulcrum coaching will also provide individual video analysis of each attendee using Dartfish motion capture technology. At the end of the day when the group has reviewed and practiced the essential cyclocross skills, each attendee will be filmed dismounting, carrying and remounting. Detailed, written feedback on form and technique will be sent out within a week of the camp ending.

Finally, did we mention the FULL RAPHA KIT Jeremy Powers will be raffling off Saturday night at The Bike Doctor of Waldorf? Seriously, a FULL RAPHA KIT. You have to look good racing and training and you can’t not do that in Rapha. It’s an extra added incentive to get you to this clinic. Everybody is going to come away from the weekend faster. One of you will also come away just a bit cooler and more fashionable than the rest. (All registrants for the free Saturday evening session will be eligible for the Rapha giveaway. You do not need to sign up for Sunday to win.)

This clinic is truly the best way to get a leg up on the field. Many attendees are coming back for their second and third years, and it’s not just for the complimentary Chipotle lunch. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for you, too. Come on out and join us.

To register, please visit http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=13780. Space is limited to 50 attendees and last year’s clinic sold out.

Check out photos from last year’s clinic here.

Also be sure to follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Fulcrum-Coaching-JBV-Coaching-Cyclocross-clinic/112506545463716?ref=sgm.

If you have any questions about the clinic please do not hesitate to contact Chris Mayhew at chris@jbvcoaching.com or 724.413.7441.

In what has become a can’t miss annual event, U.S. pro cyclocrosser Jeremy Powers (Rapha/Focus) will once again join forces with JBV Coaching and Fulcrum Coaching in a full day cyclocross boot camp. Building on the overwhelming success of the last two years, this one-day cyclocross indoctrination—sponsored by the Bike Doctor of Waldorf—is the perfect way to kick off a successful 2011 ‘cross campaign. Ideal for new and experienced cyclocross racers, Jeremy and a staff of four top-notch instructors will give you the inside scoop on everything you need to know to step up your game.

Fulcrum Coaching's Rusty Williford gives one-on-one instruction.

The 2011 event kicks off September 3 at 7 p.m. with a free Jeremy Powers Meet & Greet and Q&A at the Bike Doctor of Waldorf. The clinic takes place the next day, September 4th, at Rosaryville State Park in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. A short drive from Washington, D.C., and the site of MABRAcross’ Tacchino Ciclocross, Rosaryville’s varied terrain gives clinic participants the opportunity to learn and hone their skills on most surfaces found in East Coast cyclocross racing.

Attendees can look forward to a jam-packed day of technique, tactics and skills, as well as one-on-one instruction from JPow and professional coaches. “Everyone learns something which is my number one goal with this camp,” Powers said after last year’s clinic. “The coaches make our best effort to get everyone nailing the techniques the correct way,” he added. “We hit on the fundamentals of cyclocross so all participants have the tools to get a result in their upcoming races.”

This clinic is designed to help the beginner and accomplished cyclocross racer. With four coaches in addition to Jeremy, every attendee will receive individual instruction tailored to improve their technique, tactics and training. Participants will be divided into groups by experience so beginners are not left behind and experienced racers are constantly challenged to improve their skill set. All coaches, including Jeremy, will work with each group several times as the day progresses.

Jeremy Powers (Rapha/Focus) Addresses 2010 Clinic Attendees

Where most clinics give you a couple hours or a half-day of instruction, the Fulcrum Coaching and JBV Coaching clinic goes all out. Not only do you receive a full day of instruction on all facets of ‘cross racing, a Chipotle lunch, and an end-of-the-day mock race to put all your new skills into practice, but you also get the opportunity to pick Jeremy’s brain at the Friday night ‘cross talk session at The Bike Doctor in Waldorf, Maryland.

Friday night’s cross talk event at The Bike Doctor of Waldorf is 7 to 9:30 p.m. Although the cross talk event is free, you still need to register to attend. Saturday’s clinic at Rosaryville State Park will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To register, visit http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=13780. Space is limited to 50 attendees and last year’s clinic sold out fast.

Check out photos from last year’s clinic here

If you have any questions about the clinic contact Chris Mayhew at chris@jbvcoaching.com or 724.413.7441.

Tille churns Rockburn sand

Rockburn Cross, day 2 of the Howard County Double Cross and race #9 in the BikeReg.com MABRAcross series, takes place Sunday, November 21. Twists, turns, ups and downs make Rockburn a favorite for many cyclocrossers in the Mid-Atlantic. Although there may be a different turn here and there, the word I get from the race organizers is that the course will not undergo any major changes for 2010.

Back with us again for course commentary are the dynamic duo of Dan Tille (fulcrumcoaching.com) and Chris Mayhew (JBVcoaching.com). If you like the work these guys have done on the previews, let them know this weekend. Maybe even buy them a slice of pie. Mmmm pie. Chris will be a sporting a blue JBV Coaching kit and rocking the mic on Saturday at Schooley Mill. Dan will be decked out in the black and orange of Fulcrum Coaching and piloting the XXXL Guru cyclocross machine.

Thanks for watching.

Rockburn Cross

Julie Cool at Schooley Mill

Schooley Mill, the first race in the Howard County Double Cross weekend,  takes place Saturday November 20 in Highland, Md. In its second year, the Schooley Mill “Steeple Chase” is an opportunity for the diesels to get their groove on.

Last year’s course had nice long power sections but also a good deal of ridable mud bog that favored racers that can churn out the watts. With a good drenching in the Mid-Atlantic region this week, the mud should return for an encore performance.

According to the HoCo2xCx blog, the course is undergoing a couple changes, but I have it on good authority it will still be wide open. The barriers are now located near the pits and the climbing sections have been broken up a bit. There is also the “disembowled death spiral” that  I reckon we are all going to have to just experience for ourselves on race day. From what I understand, it’s a lot of swoopy turns at speed.

For this course preview we are pleased to have back in the studio Dan Tille from Fulcrum Coaching and Chris Mayhew from JBV Coaching. They not only give you the low down on getting through the course fast and efficiently, but they also throw in their normal dose of riding tips that are applicable to this race and any other race you may enter. These guys know their stuff. If you are looking for a coach to get to that next level, click on their names above and give Chris or Dan a shout.

Thanks for watching. We will be back tomorrow with the Rockburn Cross preview.

2010 Schooley Mill Course (disembowled death spiral not shown)

The Cincinnati UCI3 International Cyclocross Festival kicks off this weekend with three days of top notch racing. The capper on the weekend is the UCI1 race at Harbin Park presented by Biowheels and United Dairy Farmers. If you ask seasoned racers that have competed across the country to list their favorite races, Harbin Park is without exception at the top of the list.

To give you a look of what to expect and how to approach the Harbin Park course, we asked JBV Coaching associate coach Chris Mayhew and Dan Tille from Fulcrum Coaching to walk us through all the twists and turns. A big thank you to Mitch Graham of Biowheels and Masher’s Media for providing the helmet-cam footage shot by elite racer Phil Noble.

Thanks for watching.

Jeremy Powers Demonstrates the Dismount at the JBV & Fulcrum Clinic

Last Friday afternoon a group of Mid-Atlantic CX diehards welcomed Cannondale-Cyclcrossworld.com rider Jeremy Powers to the DC-region by hitting the single-track trails at Maryland’s Rosaryville State Park. Normally a favorite destination for the area’s MTB crowd, Rosaryville’s smooth and fast trails turn out to be ideal on the ‘cross bike. 

Powers, in town for the JBV Coaching & Fulcrum Coaching Cyclocross Clinic that went down August 28, was coming off a 30 hour training week and a couple hours of sitting on a plane. Needing a little extra time to get his legs going meant that I was just about able to hang on his wheel for the easy first lap and get a little helmet-cam footage. The other folks in the group were Steve Fife (Bike Doctor), Rusty Williford (Fulcrum Coaching), Bruce Buckley (The Bike Lane), Dan Tille (Fulcrum Coaching) and Kate Graham (BioWheels). 

A couple caveats before we get to the video. First, what you see is more or less a warm-up lap. Sure, seeing JPow ripping through these trails would be sick footage, but by the time he was doing that, I was hanging off the back and running into trees. Next time, I’m giving the camera to Rusty. Second, my filming skills are still in pre-season form and the camera angle is not ideal. Too many treetops and not enough action in the center of the frame. Finally, stick around for the end of the clip to see a little bonus coverage of JPow taking some time out of the ride for a session on one of Rosaryville’s skinny sections. 

Soundtrack by The Hood Internet. 

Thanks for watching.

Coach Mayhew rails the off-cambers at the clinic despite the bad wing.

JBV Coaching and Fulcrum Coaching hosted their second annual cyclocross clinic with Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com rider Jeremy Powers at Rosaryville State Park in Maryland, August 28th.

Over fifty participants joined JBV Coaching associate coach Chris Mayhew and Fulcrum Coaching president Dan Tille for a day of drills, instruction, entertaining commentary and friendly competition. Tille, Mayhew and Powers were joined by Fulcrum Coaching’s Rusty Williford and C3-Athlete Serving Athlete’s Marc Vettori.

In the coming days we will have some great posts to share with you from this clinic. Until then, here are some photos to give you an idea of how the day went. Check back every couple days as the set is sure to grow.

The full set of photos will eventually be available here. Below is the appetizer. Thanks for viewing.

Update: My gallery app that should be below doesn’t seem to be working great. You can click here and check out many more shots from the day.

Before we get knee deep into the season, let’s take a look back at the August 21 cyclocross clinic with Jeremy Powers hosted by JBV Coaching and Fulcrum Coaching.

Chris Mayhew Addressing The 'Campers'

I had the opportunity to track down the coaches and a handful of the attendees from the clinic to get their thoughts on what they expected to get from the day and how it panned out. If you are new to cyclocross or even if you have been racing for a year or two, take a look at the responses and consider making a clinic part of your preseason routine. Here’s what the ‘campers’ had to say about their day:  Continue reading »