August is Cyclocross Base Training Month

The cross-monkeys are hard at work making this year the CXbest ever.  The series calendar is holding steady.  We've got several generous sponsors lining up to give the Arkansas Super-Prestige points series its first cash purse.  We'll be rolling out the finalized calendar, series rules, and prize schedule in the next couple weeks.

These hot months are a great time to get low- to moderate-intensity mileage done.  The better your tanline in September, the better your performance in December.  Carry plenty of water and salt.  Wear a cabbage-leaf under your helmet to keep your head cool and sunburn-free.  Be happy in the swelter.

Series schedule...are we there yet?

We're getting very close to finalizing the series schedule.  CLICK HERE to see the calendar as it currently stands.


View >2012 Arkansas Super-Prestige in a larger map

Tubeless experiment, part 1

I've had a keen eye on the Michelin Mud 2 ever since seeing this photo of Adam Craig's rig a couple years ago, with Mud 2 tread glued to Dugast tubular casings:

cyclingnews.com

The Mud 2 is widely touted as good for tubeless conversions.  Time for a little summer project....

NoTubes "29er" rim strip

The Mud 2 measures 34mm wide,
even though it is listed at 30mm

Setting up a tubeless conversion isn't most people's idea of a good time, but this one went smoothly and mostly hassle-free.  My first ride, which included some rocky/rooty trail at Allsopp, and a Pfeiffer Loop, went fine at 40 psi.  I'll post a follow-up after trying some lower pressures and riding this set-up a lot more.

Here are some numbers for you gram counters, weighed on our digital kitchen scale:
Velocity A23 rim 450g
Cloth rim tape 17g
NoTubes "29er" rim strip 61g
Michelin Mud 2 tire 332g

2012 Arkansas Super-Prestige dates

Pencil the dates in your calendar. Save the ink for another month or so.  Details are still being ironed out, but it'll be good.


View >2012 Arkansas Super-Prestige in a larger map

June update

Opening weekend
There's been a slight juggling of dates for this fall's cyclocross season.  The opening weekend of the Arkansas Super-Prestige will be October 13 & 14 with the Night Race followed by Reservoir Cross.  If you were there last year, you know it will be pretty flippin' cool whether you're racing or watching.  There will be prizes, merchandise, and $800 up for grabs.  Watch this space for more details.

Showdown at Sundown/Ruts n Guts
The opening weekend was moved up a week to allow Arkansans to race in Tulsa the following weekend.  They offer quite a bit of cash, so it attracts really good racers from a wide area, which in turn attracts large fields across all categories.  Highly recommended.

Tubeless experiment
A lot of people coming to CX from mountain biking are interested in going tubeless.  In the next month or so, I'll be trying out a set-up with:
1) Velocity A23 rims
2) Stan's No-tubes rim strips
3) Michelin Mud 2 tires
and I'll be reporting on my experiences.

My oh my how time has flown.  The AMBCS season is in full swing, the temps are hitting the 90s, and le Tour starts in a couple weeks, which means that fall is coming!

Low-cost chainwatcher

If you're going to run a single chainring next season, here's an idea:

From mudandcowbells.com

It's been too long...

...since I've posted here.

Things I'm sort of meh about:
1. The new disc brake CX bikes
2. CX at Sea Otter
3. Sven Nys being all coy about whether he'll race Worlds in Louisville

Things I'm totally stoked on:
1. Riding the mountain bike
2. Riding the road bike
3. Our mild spring

Just a reminder, things are slowly percolating toward this fall's CX season.  We've got some dates lined up (look to your right) and the series calendar and rules and prizes are all shaping up.

You don't need a cross bike to race cross...but now's a good time to shop for a cross bike, when people are still trying to fund their summer bike stuff by selling off cross stuff.

One more thing I'm stoked on is this photo of Merckx racing CX.  [He didn't need a cross bike; just slapped some knobbies on his road bike.  These days you're lucky if you can squeeze 27mm slicks under your road bike.]

Photo: @peterbsully