Great Amy is back! Amy should be a permanent GCN presenter as she is naturally confident in front of the camera, plus a wealth of knowledge in a different discipline.
Great vid,Conor.Thanks for bringing Amy back again.She rocks!😁I think Cyclocross is cool,and,fun.However I`d be worried about getting my bike filthy with all that mud,and,grit,and,hoping mud,and,grit didn`t ruin my components,nor the bike for that matter.Thanks again to You,and,Amy for showing us the basics of riding 'Cross.😀👍🚴🚴♂🚴♀
Great to see Amy back. Hopefully we get to see that exceptionally tall human covered with mud. Cx skills are used daily on the road after you learn them. I always do a cx dismount when doing a coffee stop.
Great video Conor, you are so brave taking on this amazing new challenge. Everyone will agree with me, we need more Amy on GCN. Good luck this weekend, finishing will be an awesome accomplishment.
loved the video. especially now that the world cup cyclocross has begun.. thank you for supporting this sport. hope it wil catch on in the USA as well. maybe as a hybrid with gravel.. but i guess well have to wait and see.
The CX scene is definitely growing in the States with the USCX series and some great talent like Clara Honsinger, Andrew Strohmeyer & Eric Brunner coming through! 🇺🇸💪
Worth noting that only UCI races mandate 33mm tyres. Most local leagues don't care. Go too wide and it'll be much slower than 33mm anyway, so it's diminishing returns above about 38mm.
Just the other day, I was riding a quiet gravel cottage road. There was a small (~14”) tree trunk across the road. There was also a walker approaching. So of course, I executed a seamless dismount, hop, and remount. I’m sure the walker was very impressed. LOL
So regarding the racing, cx racers do at the start what road racers do at the finish, elbows out giving it 100% power. In fact when demonstrating a start Amy put down so much power she lifted the front wheel.
@@gcn used to, but the courses near me are all very tight, so I can get by with one ratio. Got tired of messing with chain lengths and gearing. Keep it simple, and you'd be surprised how well a SS rider can do against geared riders, not even factoring a broken derailleur!
I have never tried CX but my brother did, he fell off and injured himself I think that was his first ever CX race, and after a couple of months his injury was better so he did another CX race and fell off and injured himself again in the exact same part of his leg.
MTBs are allowed in the lower categories (4 & 5). Tire width doesn't matter there either. Some brands still make dedicated cross bikes (higher bottom bracket, twitchier geometry) but a lot of newer bikes at cross races will be gravel bikes. The bike industry is definitely getting away from cyclocross and moving more toward gravel, which is a bummer. ☹️
One thing that you forgot, is to make sure that your shoes will take spikes. There were some bits of this video when racers were having trouble getting up a muddy hill.
@@Paganiproductions84 On the MTB we have dropper posts on most bikes. I tend to lower the saddle only by a cm or so through bumpy pedal trails. That‘s the height I would set on a CX bike.
Just a dumb question - what groupset do you use on a cyclocross bike? I've watched cyclists mix their components with road and mtb specific parts. Some I saw used gravel-specific parts. Is this a personal preference or are they mixing parts to suit the particular race they're participating in? Cheers!
It really depends on rider preference. Some bikes come with a 1by groupset for the ease of use but will suffer from the mud getting stuck on the chainring wich can cause the chain to fall of. The 2by systems usually come with smaller chainrings like a 46-38 chainset. Shimano makes a road looking groupset thats specific to CX/Gravel like the ultegra rx groupset or just the shimano grx wich is both 1 and 2 by . While sram usualy uses there 1by axs systems. Most important is a rear deraileur with a clutch that keeps the chain tight on the front chainring(s).
Either go 46x36 or 1x. As an amature, if you have the choice I'd suggest going 1x, since a front derailleur clogs up the mud and most of us don't have a spare bike. I switched my chainset for exactly that reason for this winter. I did fine on a 2x for 4 years now though.
I think this sport is still quite misunderstood. For your local races, the level varies greatly and the barrier to entry is way lower than most people think. If you can bring some friends or family along for support, its really a lot of fun for everyone involved. Ps: I only started cx at 25 and years on still cant properly bunny hop. A lack of cx specific skills really shouldnt keep anyone from entering these races
God no! CX is my idea of hell. Firstly, I hate mud. Secondly, I love flowing, mind-clearing rides that challenge my legs and my lungs, but don't leave me stressed. Thirdly, I hate falling off. And finally, did I mention that I hate mud?! Each to their own, but all the reasons I cycle (gravel and road) are contrary to what people seem to take from CX. And I hate mud. I really, really do!
Are you going to give CX a try this winter? 👀
Highly unlikely due to the fact it will be Summer here,when youse have Winter.😊
I already have. I'm not great at it but it's really fun!
Might get back on the horse after a few years off the cx course…
Off road or in circles? First, yes. Second, if you come spare bike and wash he one off dirt while I'm riding another, why not?
Absolutely not. It is ridiculous and a waste of time.
Great Amy is back! Amy should be a permanent GCN presenter as she is naturally confident in front of the camera, plus a wealth of knowledge in a different discipline.
Any is sooooo good!
Always a treat to film with Amy! She smashes it 🙌 Can you think of any other videos we should shoot with her?
Follow her in a (belgian) race
This video was the one i've waited for. Thank you for bringing back Amy. Her laugh is still contagious. Thanks again GCN ❤
What other videos should we do with Amy?
We love shooting with Amy! Can you think of any other videos we could so together?
@@gcn I would like to see a cx video in the mud
@@gcnriding in the sand!
Testing a few different brands of CX bikes in one video would be nice
Amy is an absolute star. Her enthusiasm for cycling is plain for all to see. Really enjoyed this video. 👍
Connors willingness to be taught makes these quite enjoyable.
He's an open book! Still some way to go ... 👀
3:30 Conor’s frame is big enough to have 2 full size bottles, and still be a comfortable carry. Awesome to have another Amy episode. ❤
Conor could go cylco-packing with his frame space 😂
Always nice to see Amy helping out!
Great video! Great to see Amy again. Hope she comes back for more!
Great vid,Conor.Thanks for bringing Amy back again.She rocks!😁I think Cyclocross is cool,and,fun.However I`d be worried about getting my bike filthy with all that mud,and,grit,and,hoping mud,and,grit didn`t ruin my components,nor the bike for that matter.Thanks again to You,and,Amy for showing us the basics of riding 'Cross.😀👍🚴🚴♂🚴♀
We love filming with Amy! Cross can certainly take its toll on a bike! Nothing a good clean wouldn't fix! 👉 th-cam.com/video/AncXRMRxWJM/w-d-xo.html
Amy's wry observations on Connors's skills are always fun 😀😀
First three races coming up in November! Very excited. Great content from Amy, solid tips. Throw Conor into some races!
If you watch out for this weekend you might get a happy surprise 😉
I love that Rochester Cross (2022 version) is now the example of a muddy Cx course!
Great to see Amy back. Hopefully we get to see that exceptionally tall human covered with mud.
Cx skills are used daily on the road after you learn them. I always do a cx dismount when doing a coffee stop.
Turn your notifications on and you might find a muddy surprise this weekend 🔔
Great video Conor, you are so brave taking on this amazing new challenge. Everyone will agree with me, we need more Amy on GCN. Good luck this weekend, finishing will be an awesome accomplishment.
Great to see scenes from the race in Rochester NY! I ride around the trails near the course very often
Awesome! Do you ever go to the race?
She's a fantastic presenter and explainer! Really like her in this video!
Super content again gcn and Connor! Amy ROCKS as an expert!/tutor! Lets have her as a regular presenter!
Cyclocross is awesome! My favourite biking discipline by far
Love Amy. More Amy.
loved the video. especially now that the world cup cyclocross has begun.. thank you for supporting this sport. hope it wil catch on in the USA as well. maybe as a hybrid with gravel.. but i guess well have to wait and see.
The CX scene is definitely growing in the States with the USCX series and some great talent like Clara Honsinger, Andrew Strohmeyer & Eric Brunner coming through! 🇺🇸💪
Enjoyed this Conor and Amy!!!
Worth noting that only UCI races mandate 33mm tyres. Most local leagues don't care. Go too wide and it'll be much slower than 33mm anyway, so it's diminishing returns above about 38mm.
I really want to give cyclocross a go LOVE AMY!!!
The skills used in CX sound useful, even if you are not planning to ride CX specifically.
Just look at Tom Pidcock! Those cross skills come in handy for those downhills 💨
Just the other day, I was riding a quiet gravel cottage road. There was a small (~14”) tree trunk across the road. There was also a walker approaching. So of course, I executed a seamless dismount, hop, and remount. I’m sure the walker was very impressed. LOL
Thanks Conor , Amy and crew...cross is a blast , even at my age !
You're never too old for cross! 🙌 How long have you been racing?
@@gcn 2 yrs. I’m 66.
2 yrs , I'm 66 @@gcn
Time for a GCN Presenter Cyclecross race or ride!!! Either way it will be fun 😂🎉
I think we should show Si's technique to go over barriers in Cx. This clip never gets old. 😅
Hahahahaha that is a GCN classic
Give The People What They Want 👐
So nice to see Amy again. Connor is awesome too. Don't think I'd ever try CX.
Give it a go, what's holding you back?
@@gcn Am in Australia 🦘🌏
So regarding the racing, cx racers do at the start what road racers do at the finish, elbows out giving it 100% power. In fact when demonstrating a start Amy put down so much power she lifted the front wheel.
Good observation!
There a backwards bunch... sprinting at the start of the race 😵💫
Definately type 2 fun with the heart rate pegged at max +/- 5 for the whole hour.🥵
LOVE AMY 💚🤍🧡!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm ever so grateful that I race singlespeed cross, way less to think about!
Perhaps that's he next stage for Conor! Do you change your gear ratio every game?
@@gcn used to, but the courses near me are all very tight, so I can get by with one ratio. Got tired of messing with chain lengths and gearing. Keep it simple, and you'd be surprised how well a SS rider can do against geared riders, not even factoring a broken derailleur!
Great to see Amy again.. helping Manon & Chloe (🥰) with the gender balance at GCN!
Fun video. Maybe I'm alone, but I still have no desire whatsoever to take a mud bath on two wheels. Enjoy the variety of combined gravel and road.
Get Amy the new Inflite CFR!
I have never tried CX but my brother did, he fell off and injured himself I think that was his first ever CX race, and after a couple of months his injury was better so he did another CX race and fell off and injured himself again in the exact same part of his leg.
Falling off is a right of passage in cross... looks like conor is pro then 😂 Is your brother sill riding?
@@gcn It's actually a "rite of passage". Is no-one at GCN literate?
so good Amy is back! Does cyclocross now only allows gravel bikes or do they also use MTBs?
MTBs are allowed in the lower categories (4 & 5). Tire width doesn't matter there either.
Some brands still make dedicated cross bikes (higher bottom bracket, twitchier geometry) but a lot of newer bikes at cross races will be gravel bikes.
The bike industry is definitely getting away from cyclocross and moving more toward gravel, which is a bummer. ☹️
If you like this, check the gems from the archives: Emma does cyclocross. But Amy is great too!
One thing that you forgot, is to make sure that your shoes will take spikes. There were some bits of this video when racers were having trouble getting up a muddy hill.
How would you easily clip in and out with spikes on the sole of your shoes?
conor need to squat to fit into the frame?
A broken hip 5 yeas ago keeps me from taking the kinds of chances CX brings.
When is your first cross race Conor? Amy is a great teacher.
Turn those notifications on and you might get a treat this weekend 🔔
I'd like to see an xc runner up against a roadie on a cx course, both on bikes for a couple rounds, then one with the runner only running.
Would you set up your CX bike with the saddle slightly lower than on a road bike to have more room to shift your weight?
Yes we do the same with mtb riding center of gravity schould a a bit lower than on the road .
@@Paganiproductions84 On the MTB we have dropper posts on most bikes. I tend to lower the saddle only by a cm or so through bumpy pedal trails. That‘s the height I would set on a CX bike.
@@chrisridesbicycles my bikes dont have any droppers
I only ride cyclocross... 24/7 baby!
If it's 24/7 how are you watching this now 🤯
@@gcn one word, Dynamo 😅
😂
Just a dumb question - what groupset do you use on a cyclocross bike? I've watched cyclists mix their components with road and mtb specific parts. Some I saw used gravel-specific parts. Is this a personal preference or are they mixing parts to suit the particular race they're participating in? Cheers!
It really depends on rider preference. Some bikes come with a 1by groupset for the ease of use but will suffer from the mud getting stuck on the chainring wich can cause the chain to fall of. The 2by systems usually come with smaller chainrings like a 46-38 chainset. Shimano makes a road looking groupset thats specific to CX/Gravel like the ultegra rx groupset or just the shimano grx wich is both 1 and 2 by . While sram usualy uses there 1by axs systems. Most important is a rear deraileur with a clutch that keeps the chain tight on the front chainring(s).
Either go 46x36 or 1x. As an amature, if you have the choice I'd suggest going 1x, since a front derailleur clogs up the mud and most of us don't have a spare bike. I switched my chainset for exactly that reason for this winter. I did fine on a 2x for 4 years now though.
What handlebars has she got on that bike?
Canyon Hover Bar. Now discontinued. See the GCN video on the latest update of Canyon’s Cross bike.
I think this sport is still quite misunderstood. For your local races, the level varies greatly and the barrier to entry is way lower than most people think. If you can bring some friends or family along for support, its really a lot of fun for everyone involved. Ps: I only started cx at 25 and years on still cant properly bunny hop. A lack of cx specific skills really shouldnt keep anyone from entering these races
Around here at the local race, if you wreck someone will hand you a beer. I like that.
The IronMan Competition should require swimmers to carry their bikes, then ride, then run, if they can.
If Conor sticks his elbows out at the start, he should be able to keep at least half the field from passing him!
I tried it once and my heart rate was through the roof and unable to keep up
but I don't want to get dirty
Connor riding his gravel bike? Way to show they can be used for more than road and gravel..
God no! CX is my idea of hell. Firstly, I hate mud. Secondly, I love flowing, mind-clearing rides that challenge my legs and my lungs, but don't leave me stressed. Thirdly, I hate falling off. And finally, did I mention that I hate mud?!
Each to their own, but all the reasons I cycle (gravel and road) are contrary to what people seem to take from CX. And I hate mud. I really, really do!
Wait until they find out about mountain biking
Who likes donuts?
Nah, keep those choppers away from it ! ;)
She’s a cutie
If somebody else cleans and maintains your bikes and your clothing, sure. But that's not me. And it's not most of us.
Cyclocross is a gateway to mountain biking.
At Elite level it tends to be more a gateway to the Road.......
A gateway? Anyone can do any riding.
That just doesn't look fun at all. All the bad things of gravel, road and MTB all in one.
As JFK said, we do not do it because it's easy, we do it because it's hard.... 😊
@@inz_uzi JFK would not have ridden X
CX is just triathlon without the swimming, unless it's very wet. A good ride spoilt.
What happened to Jeremy?