Discussion: How awful would it be?

...to try a cyclocross race on a regular mountain bike?

My question exactly. Dee said it's fine, & really I don't have much choice. But am I going to look like a nut coming to tri event in a bikini? :-)

Well, don't you end up carrying the bike a lot? Lighter is better.

I happen to have my old touring bike back. It would be a great cross bike if you're keen to try it out. We just need to change the tires.

It's not a problem at all to ride a MTB. The only categories where they don't allow it are the elite senior and master 1 categories since they're the serious racers. In all other categories there are always a few people on a MTB with skinny tires. Lighter is definitely better and there is always some sort of obstacle to force you on/off the bike each lap, but some courses are actually better suited for the MTB if they're full of twists/turns.

Let me know if you're going to try one Bash. I can't race this weekends race, but am hoping to do a few in October before I leave for Taz. If you're going to come out and race then I'll make sure Kristen comes along (she's also expressed some interest in trying it) and we're there to cheer you along.

Cross races are the best IMHO because there is no attitude with the racers and always lots of people out to cheer everyone on.

Which races are you doing? I was thinking of trying one of the Hardwood Hills Wed. night races - the first one I could do would be Oct. 5.
http://www.pulseracing.ca

'Bent, I think we'd also have to change the seat, pedals and possibly play with stem height, etc. It would likely be easier to go with my own MTB. But I don't have any skinny tires.

Tiny, let us know which races you go to. Logie is keen to go to them also but is frustrated that they are not all housed on one website. He will have to get the dust off of his cross bike.

Bash, forget the Wednesday night races (although I'm sure they are good practice). Cyclocross is to be experienced on the weekend in my opinion. For me half of the fun of this racing is the atmosphere in the park with spectators out and about cheering people on and ringing the cowbells.

I may do the Durham cross on the 9th and definitely one of the days in Toronto on the 15-16th and then hopefully the Baseball Cross as well. After Taz I was also hoping to do the Riverdale Cross.

Where do you find info?

P.S. For a newbie, I'm not sure that spectators are a positive feature!

They're all listed on the OCA website:

http://www.ontariocycling.org/race-schedule/all-ra...

There's not a lot of info for each race usually, but there's also not a lot to know. Probably any questions you have I can answer via email.

P.S. Spectators are awesome. It's not a cross race unless there's a cowbell. :(

OK... I'll think about the 9th since our family is doing Thanksgiving a week early this year.

Let me know when you'll be racing Riverdale and I'll be there avec bell du vache.

Bash, I was going to sign up for the 4 series Wednesday night too. I still think I will since they give you pointers and stuff before hand & then maybe I won't look so foolish at one of those weekend races.

The only problem is, I can't make it till the 3rd Wednesday night. But I was thinking the same thing... the fewer witnesses, the better! I might get brave enough to try the event on the 9th though.