Hey ladies. I’ve received a message from Nik Cee (one of the Dirty Deeds Cyclocross organisers) regarding more female participants at the next race. Malachi at Northside Wheelers has very kindly offered to sponsor the whole women’s podium if enough girls race the CX category. At Sunday’s race, there was one lady in the CX category, and three in the open category. Prizes would include a Rapha ‘ladies classic’ jersey for first prize (which is ridiculously stylish, and I want one) plus other assorted goodies.
Conditions of the CX category are that you have a freewheel (and obviously brakes), 700c wheels, and drop bars. Knobbed tyres are recommended, and there are heaps of people out there including Nik, xBBx and Blakey who would be prepared to lend spare ones just to see more females giving CX a crack. V-brakes or cantilevers would be beneficial, but not necessary and I saw heaps of people rolling around with callipers stopping just fine – you don’t really go all that fast when in mud.
All you need to do to finish the race is ride around for the full 40 minutes. You can go as slow as you like, have as much fun as you like, fall into the mud and roll around as much as you like, and stop to have as many beer/baked goods hand-ups/”mid-race dance moves” as you like.
The final race of the series is on Sunday 29 August, and to the best of my knowledge, it will be held at Brunswick Velodrome again. If you don’t already have one, you’ll need a CA permit. If you’re considering it, I’d recommend you get in touch with Brendan or Nik by leaving a comment on the blog or on the forums, else email sugarspokes[at]gmail.com, we’ll put you in contact.
There surely has to be enough of you out there to fill a podium… That jersey is nice! How could you not want to attempt to win that?
P.S. If that wasn’t enough encouragement to enter, then hopefully we’ll at least see you in the crowd heckling with your cow bell whilst eating tasty snacks.
P.P.S. Make sure you at least check out the Dirty Deeds and Northside Wheeler links to see what you’re missing out on.
sugarspokes.wordpress.com 
call me a wimp but I might be prepared to give it a go IF had the chance to try it out first – maybe even some ‘lessons’ on what to expect and do in the conditions. Sadly I’ve been out of town for the first two events but VERY keen to make it the next/last one.
I’m going to enter the open class on my MTB – Just aint going to be able to fit CX tires on my other bike.
I certainly have some CX approved bars, stems, brakes, brake levers, tyres etc that I can loan.
I also have a 58cm geared cross bike for the taller lass.
I would love to see more women participating and am stoked that Malachi has upped the ante with some amazing schwag.
I could fit fat tyres on my Surly? Fatties Fit Fine!
Or else I could ride CX in my dream and if your Voodoo Wazoo fit me fine in my last dream, Blakey, then your Cross Check will fit me too.
Kayt – stay in touch, I’ll try and gauge interest and see if I can put together a mud ride in the near future. Weekends good for you?
@Kayt: I’m sure Nikcee & Laura can put together a weekend morning mud ride. The courses aren’t that technical, certainly less technical than the Yarra trails.
@Laura: The Pacer? It’ll be tight. Maybe Brutal could ride my CC.
Yep, the Pacer… I don’t have anything other than two track bikes. According to the website, there’s room for 700 x 32.
The problem will be brake clearance, you’ll have mud jamming up in your calipers. I have some 700×32 Vittoria knobbies you’re welcome to try though.
Laura, weekends generally good for me – thanks. Sounds like a whole lot of fun.
I have to admit I don’t have even close to the right sort of bike but can try beg and borrow.
Kayt, we’ve scheduled an introductory/practice ride for Saturday the 14th, meeting at the Chandler Hwy end of the Yarra Boulie at 8.30. Or there will be a few leaving from the corner of Johnston St and Smith St at 8am. No one has the right sort of bike, we’re just using knobbed tyres.
Laura
Great, thanks. Will try and sort out my bike.
COUNT ME IN!! I just had my ride kindly pimped out by Blakey, just need the CA permit now. Looks like a practice ride will be happening soon enough too.. looking forward to it!
OK, so we’re thinking a practice ride/demonstration with Nik at 8.30 on Saturday the 14th.
Bit scared about what I’m in for but I’ll be entering the CX. I need to sort out the permit.
Should be fun!
Laura! When are you going to grab some tyres from me? This week perhaps? I’m back in Melbourne tonight.
I’ve put 35mm ones on Rahne’s Steamroller, need a longer chain though as the rear clearance is currently about 1mm!
(Stoked on the growing response to this, womens CX will be a hard fought race)
Blakey! I forgot to tell you! I borrowed some tyres from Nik because it seemed like Jess was asking you for a lot of sets, so I thought I’d spare you another.
Ok everyone, unless Jess already has a taker for them, there’s a set of 35mm Ritchey Speedmax available. Can bring to Guide Dogs on the weekend if required.