Proper training

I've been on leave from MBR for the last couple of weeks which has allowed me to train properly. Today I rode over to Mitcham Common to do some specific cyclocross training — 5 long starts with a recovery period on the singletrack, some specific skills training including a dismount (over a log, no barriers available) and then 4min, 6min, 8min and 6min intervals. It's hard to explain quite how beneficial training off-road at race pace can be. At the end of an interval, when your tyres start sliding out on the corners, that's the point when yo become a better rider. Whereas at first you might tense up and dab a foot on the floor, the more you practice at speed, the better you become. Not only do you learn to go faster because of the physical training effect, but you learn to maintain your speed too. Ideal.

Music Monday

Yuck - The Base Of A Dream Is Empty from Yuck on Vimeo.

Rollapaluza Halloween Cyclocross Video

I made a video of the Knog Rollapaluza Muddy Hell cross race on Saturday night. The best thing about it is the music, by Bush Tetras. The footage itself is a bit meh... I just need more practice, and starting at an almost pitch black bike race was not ideal. Next time I'll try something where there's a bit more light.
All the filming was done with my Canon 7d, shot at 720p 60fps, some of it played back at 24fps for true slow-mo. I edited it in Premiere Pro, which I'm in the very early stages of learning. I can kinda do the basics, but I need to work out how to do the more complex things like colour correction, and do it all much quicker.

Geoff Waugh — Selectism

World famous bicycle snapper Geoff Waugh has a show at the excellent Look Mum no Hands on Old Street, starting tomorrow. Check out Geoff's latest work from Koppenberg Cross on Monday — we went together and seeing his slideshow has got me feeling slightly inferior, the's got a great eye. This is brilliant.

Koppenbergcross 2010 - Images by Geoff Waugh

National Trophy Round 2, Chantry Park, Ipswich. BEST. RESULT. EVER.

At the time of writing it looks like I came 23rd on Sunday at the National Trophy in Ipswich, which is far and away my best result ever. Really, that result is entirely thanks to the better grid position I got after scoring points (well, a point, singular) at the first round in Wales. In Ipswich I started on the third row, eight per row, so I didn't have to fight so hard on lap one to move past slower riders. It's actually quite interesting to me — if you always end up in 31+ position, it's really difficult to do a breaktrough ride as you will always be starting from the back. The minute you score a point and get recognised by the system, you're away, and life all of a sudden becomes much easier. In cyclocross, success really does breed success.
I used Kevin's Dugast Rhino's at Chantry Park and bloody hell do they grip. No way could I lean the bike over like that on my other tyres. It's a real shame as they cost £150 per pair. At least I should be receiving £10 prize money from Sunday to put towards the outlay!
(both photos by Luke Webber for British Cycling)

20101031-Cyclo-Cross-National-Trophy-Round-2-647, originally uploaded by britishcycling.org.uk.

Sven Nys is terug — Koppenberg 2010

Sven Nys ist terug — Koppenberg 2010, originally uploaded by Andy Waterman.

I went to the Koppenberg Cross yesterday to shoot photos for Cycle Sport Magazine. Sven Nys won on a heavy heavy course. The mud was revolting — two bike changes per lap revolting. Still, what's bad for the racers is good for the photographers. The shots here are just a few of many, I'll let you know when the photo feature is due out.

One of the most interesting things about going to a cross in Belgium is the fans. There are thousands of them, and unlike in this country, where the only people who turn up to bike races are other bike racers, and occasionally their families, in Belgium they are just common or garden sports fans. There are a lot of characters too, out for the frites, and beer...

For now, check out the last lap, where Sven raced the hardest part of the course on a flat tyre. The descent off the cobbles was somewhere I shot and you can see how off camber and hard going it is in the clip. Definitely a day to be behind the lens!

Oh yeah, I neary got run over by Ian Field on the first lap when he got knocked almost into the ditch by Radomir Simunek Jr. Check the pic — there's some serious elbow action going on there.

Why is the US cross scene so much cooler than the UK's?

Saw this over on bianchista — I wish more talented photographers and film makers would show up to UK races and shoot stuff like this. C'mon where are you?

Cross Crusade Race #4 PIR from Burk Webb on Vimeo.