Given your comments about your back and age, be militant with back support work. Best to see your physio, but front and side planks, extensions, etc. cross can be rough on your back, and such prevention is worth it's weight in gold.
I read Vittoria is making some.
I tried finding these Wednesday practices on the forum but didn't come up with anything. I'd love to attend one of them or a clinic if there was something close by in North Jersey.
I'll update the first post with some more info on practices. These are Wed Worlds I know about but there are more out there...Otto's Farm (http://www.mtbnj.com/forum/threads/cross-practice.13112/), Holster in Clifton, Randall's Island (NYC).
this does happen, was a little lack luster last year, i think i went once. Otto's has more of a crowd. NOT MUCH FARTHER FROM YOUI didn't go last year but the year before there was one at Chimney Rock by the roller hockey rink. Anyone know if this is still going on?
What did you wish you knew before entering your first CX race?
Another thing is to be a little more outgoing and make some new friends. There's a ton of like minded people at these races. And the more friends you make at them, the more fun you'll have, and the more likely you'll keep coming back.
You are one of the main reasons i'm now selling every bit of cyclocross equipment I own...I tried to fight your black cloud, but I have given up. Your curse has vanquished me.
CX folk LOVE SS. They are just as fanatic as the mountain SS peeps. Many events have SS specific races which are easily the most fun race of the day often with many costumes and beers being consumed.Do people race ss cx often? Im not super fast riding ss, I just have been on a ss bike binge lately and enjoy riding all the things at one speed. Slow. Also, I understand in spirit I should "ride what I got" but am I at a huge disadvantage riding with caliper brakes?