Hello! This is Nabetaku.
The lingering summer heat is still going strong, isn't it?
We finally had a sunny weekend after a while—did everyone get out for a ride?
As for me, I headed to Fureai Park Hourai to race in the first round of the Tokai Cyclocross! This might just be the latest race report ever. Sorry about that!
The 2016-2017 cyclocross season has finally kicked off.
There are all sorts of bicycle races, but cyclocross is my absolute favorite.
I’m grateful to be racing in Category 1, but since the Tokai Cyclocross field is full of tough competitors, I’m aiming to place in the top 25% for every race this season. Please cheer me on!
Now, the course this time was mostly flat but featured many complex corner combinations. I had thought it might turn into a high-speed circuit-like stage, but thanks to the rain that had been falling for days, the waterlogged soil was churned up by our cyclocross block tires, and by the end of the pre-ride, the surface was a muddy mess. It was supposed to be a race where the key was how fast you could navigate the slippery terrain.
I thought I had it in the bag, but as the daytime temperatures rose, the water in the mud evaporated, turning it into a sticky sludge. As time passed, it transformed into a course that required a significant amount of power...
That made it a very difficult course for someone with my climber’s build, and perhaps due to panic, I fell twice, dropped my chain once, and even got leg cramps, finishing with a disappointing result of 23rd out of 31 riders. My biggest failure wasn't the ranking, but the fact that I didn't enjoy the race.
I don’t race to "win." I race because I "want to have fun."
Racing is actually really fun, you know!
The next race for Tokai Cross, the second round, is a bit of a wait until November 6th at Wild Nature Plaza, which is famous for its sandy undulations. SimWorks plans to have a booth there as well.
Seeing the riders churn up the sand as they race is incredibly cool, so I highly recommend you sign up and give it a try. You'll discover the charm of a new kind of cycling! Plus, the food at the BUCYO COFFEE booth, which is at every race, is delicious.
If you don’t race but think it looks interesting, please come out to cheer for your dad, boyfriend, or friends. If you have any questions, I’d be happy to sit down and discuss them with you at the shop, so I look forward to seeing you there.
Now, the cyclocross season started earlier this year, but it’s definitely not too late to start now! Cyclocross bikes are perfect for touring and gravel rides during this best time of the year.
My Sunday Morning Ride might start mixing in some off-road sections soon, too. I'll post an announcement in advance!
By the way, this Sunday is the All-city FUN MEETING NAGOYA!
I’ll be participating as a representative for the Circles staff. Think of it like an extra-curricular version of the Sunday Morning Ride! The pace will be nice and easy.
You can test ride All-City cyclocross bikes, so if you think they’re slower or "mushier" than road bikes, please come and try one out. Modern cyclocross bikes actually handle on-road riding really well.
I’ll announce the available test bikes on Instagram and Facebook later!
Among the parts for cyclocross, the ones I prioritize most are
Tires and
Tubes.
Setting your cyclocross tire pressure low allows the tire to deform, giving you better grip on rough terrain.
However, the scary thing about low pressure is pinch flats. To prevent this, tubular or tubeless setups are often used in cyclocross.
Even though clinchers are thought to be unsuitable for cyclocross, you can maximize your protection against pinch flats by using latex tubes that match your cyclocross tire width!
I use them in races. They are a perfect match when used with Challenge clincher tires!
Another benefit of using clinchers with latex tubes is the ability to instantly change your tires depending on the course.
Of course, you can change tubeless tires too, but clinchers are something everyone is used to, and I think they have the edge in terms of lower risk. You also avoid the hassle of adding sealant and seating the bead with a high-pressure pump...
Naturally, it doesn’t quite beat the ride quality of tubulars, but it makes a dramatic difference in performance. It’s an item I highly recommend to those who have been using standard butyl tubes until now, so please give it a try!
For those who prefer tubulars, you can't go wrong with Dugast. At Circles, we of course carry all types and all sizes!
For mountain bikers in the final phase of their season, we have 29-inch and 27.5-inch Dugast tires in stock, so I recommend using them as your ace in the hole.
I've compiled all these recommended items on our homepage under "Staff Picks," so please take a look!
The weather looks a bit gloomy, but we are looking forward to your visit today!