23 replies to this topic

[Django]

Wanted:  An experienced cyclocross rider to teach me the fundamentals of CX, namely dismounts and remount, carrying and shouldering the steed, crossing barriers, and bunny hopping.

I will pay $100 for 4 one-hour sessions.

The ideal instructor:
• Has raced in at least a dozen CX races.
• Has taught of given serious consideration to teaching CX fundamentals.
• Can quickly pinpoint flaws in technique and offer precise corrections.
• Instructs earnestly.
• Can provide barriers and other necessary training materials.
• Is male.  I’m not sexist; that is my wife’s requirement.

About me: I am new to cyclocross.  I’m a 38 year old professional who is not going to waste your time and who wants to learn correct fundamentals early on.  My goal is to ride as many local CX races as I can this year, not with an eye toward the podium, but with a feeling of enjoyment and a spirit of fun.

If this opportunity appeals to you, please send me an email at jasonkraus @ hotmail.com.  Please include something in the subject line to indicate that this is CX-related.

The weather this weekend is supposed to be nice, so I’d like to begin either this Saturday or Sunday (Jan 21/22).  I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,
Jason (aka Django)


[@Admin: This is posted in the "Looking for..." section of the forum as well.  If that is out-of-line, no disrespect intended.]

[The Barryman]

You should not have to pay someone $100 for this. It is not worth it, due to the fact that you really just need lots of practice to get those dismounts just right. Anyone who charges you for this (much less $100) is taking advantage of you.

I would be willing to meet out at Forest Park, if I have time this weekend. But it would be preferable that a few other people show up. Nothing makes you approach those barriers like chasing someone or having someone else chase you.

Also I have a great book about CX. I do not remember the name of it. But it really helped me when I was getting started. If I can find it, I would be willing to let you take a look at it.

Edited by The Barryman, 17 January 2012 - 09:22 AM.

[jay]

The Barryman, on 17 January 2012 - 08:52 AM, said:

You should not have to pay someone $100 for this. It is not worth it, due to the fact that you really just need lots of practice to get those dismounts just right. Anyone who charges you for this (much less $100) is taking advantage of you.

I would be willing to meet out at Forest Park, if I have time this weekend. But it would be preferable that a few other people show up. Nothing makes you approach those barriers like chasing someone or having someone else chase you.

Also I have a great book about CX. I do not remember the name of it. But it really helped me when I was getting started. If I can find it, I would be willing to let you take a look at it.

That is not how u teach cyclocross. :-(

Sorry to burst your bubble

[The Barryman]

Wow. I did not realize I laid out a course cirriculum. Outside of mentioning Forest Park where there are barriers for anyone to use if they know where they are, and referencing a book. Maybe it was the part where I mentioned that almost anyone would or should be willing to do this for free? More than likely it was just where I suggested CX takes a lot of practice to get right.

Edited by The Barryman, 17 January 2012 - 09:57 AM.

[Fake Internet Name]

I'm sure a number of guys chasing that $100 will step up to discredit what you offer for free.

But seriously...I doubt any of us paid for formal instruction. That is just throwing money away. Especially when you have almost an entire year to practice.

[thefutureofamerica]

I think maybe the objection is to the idea that coming into barriers at speed when you don't have technique down is a good way to learn. Like anything else, drilling technique before attempting to go full bore will get better results.

There are a lot of good dismount and remount videos on youtube - if you google 'cyclocross dismount' you'll get results that will help, but they're probably not as good as spending some time with someone who knows what they're doing as a coach. A lot of us have just picked up our dismounts and remounts from riding with a group, and a lot of us suck at them. That said, they're not by any means the ONLY part of CX technique - cornering and riding fast over bad surfaces are a big deal, too. I was surprised at Gateway cross cup to see that a lot of the top UCI riders weren't necessarily all that fast over the barriers. They were all pretty good, but not all great.

[digyourownwhole]

jay, on 17 January 2012 - 09:47 AM, said:

The Barryman, on 17 January 2012 - 08:52 AM, said:

You should not have to pay someone $100 for this. It is not worth it, due to the fact that you really just need lots of practice to get those dismounts just right. Anyone who charges you for this (much less $100) is taking advantage of you.

I would be willing to meet out at Forest Park, if I have time this weekend. But it would be preferable that a few other people show up. Nothing makes you approach those barriers like chasing someone or having someone else chase you.

Also I have a great book about CX. I do not remember the name of it. But it really helped me when I was getting started. If I can find it, I would be willing to let you take a look at it.

That is not how u teach cyclocross. :-(

Sorry to burst your bubble

@Jay: Wait...you taught yourself cx by watching Youtube videos in 2008, so don't judge.  ;-)

@DJango: We help each other in this sport.  While due to my gender, I am excluded from being able to assist, most of us who attended clinics and/or who were taught skills by pros have always passed on what we have learned in the interest of bettering the sport.  No one is going to take your money and the one who does is likely the one who shouldn't.  We have a lot of cx junkies in StL and most would be willing to hop on a cx bike any time of year to assist you with skills development.  The power and cardio part you have to do on your own though.  haha  Excited to see another fresh junkie.  Welcome!  

[frenchyMcfrencherson]

I've found Simon Burney's book "Cyclocross Training and Technique" helpful.

You can read more about this subject at your local library.  Dun dun dun.

[2 π R]

The Barryman, on 17 January 2012 - 08:52 AM, said:

You should not have to pay someone $100 for this.

digyourownwhole, on 17 January 2012 - 10:39 AM, said:

@DJango: We help each other in this sport.

+1 on both accounts.

swikles

[Mark EWERS]

If you have the means I think hiring a coach is a great way to shorten the distance from noob to 'as good as you can get'

Jay watched Youtube, and I bet he had a lot of trial-and-error getting where he is. A good coach will reduce the number of iterations required.

Granted, you might be able to find a 3rd party to coach you free, and maybe even get 4 hours worth. But we all know what free advice can be worth.
Why not pay for it and reduce the risk that the 3rd party doesn't know what he's doing, what to look for? If a coach is earning good money coaching there's a reason.

[jay]

The Barryman, on 17 January 2012 - 08:52 AM, said:

You should not have to pay someone $100 for this. It is not worth it, due to the fact that you really just need lots of practice to get those dismounts just right. Anyone who charges you for this (much less $100) is taking advantage of you.

I would be willing to meet out at Forest Park, if I have time this weekend. But it would be preferable that a few other people show up. Nothing makes you approach those barriers like chasing someone or having someone else chase you.

Also I have a great book about CX. I do not remember the name of it. But it really helped me when I was getting started. If I can find it, I would be willing to let you take a look at it.

This was not a dig.  I didn't read the whole context.  It was not meant to be harsh.

Where ever u practice needs technique and skills training. Have fun learning

[The Barryman]

frenchyMcfrencherson, on 17 January 2012 - 11:00 AM, said:

I've found Simon Burney's book "Cyclocross Training and Technique" helpful.

You can read more about this subject at your local library.  Dun dun dun.

That was it. That is the book. It helped me in the days before the Interwebs. Ditto on the YouTube videos. There are some great ones out there.

Because of the Darwinian tendency of self-preservation, I really do not think anyone is going to go full tilt into a barrier right off the bat. Everyone I ever taught, I had practice on grass or a parking lot, rolling just fast enough to keep the bike upright. After 4 hours, you should be rolling up on an actual barrier and slowly pushing your comfort level.

[Beeg]

Mark EWERS, on 17 January 2012 - 12:56 PM, said:

If you have the means I think hiring a coach is a great way to shorten the distance from noob to 'as good as you can get'

Jay watched Youtube, and I bet he had a lot of trial-and-error getting where he is. A good coach will reduce the number of iterations required.

Granted, you might be able to find a 3rd party to coach you free, and maybe even get 4 hours worth. But we all know what free advice can be worth.
Why not pay for it and reduce the risk that the 3rd party doesn't know what he's doing, what to look for? If a coach is earning good money coaching there's a reason.

I'm one of the many youtube watching, book and magazine reading, self-taught newbie cx'ers.  Yes, you can learn cx skillz with youtube videos and tips from other racers combined with lots and lots of reps, but I agree with Mark.  I'm confident a good coach would have gotten me to my current mediocre skill level much faster than doing it alone.

In almost all other sports paid coaches, trainers, clinics/camps, etc are the norm.  Why should a technical cycling discipline like CX be any different?  If someone has the means and desire to get better, and do so, with a faster learning curve then good for them.  Just do the research on the coach before you invest your time or money.

[saint_john]

Django, on 16 January 2012 - 05:29 PM, said:

Wanted:  An experienced cyclocross rider to teach me the fundamentals of CX, namely dismounts and remount, carrying and shouldering the steed, crossing barriers, and bunny hopping.

I will pay $100 for 4 one-hour sessions.

The ideal instructor:
• Has raced in at least a dozen CX races.
• Has taught of given serious consideration to teaching CX fundamentals.
• Can quickly pinpoint flaws in technique and offer precise corrections.
• Instructs earnestly.
• Can provide barriers and other necessary training materials.
• Is male.  I’m not sexist; that is my wife’s requirement.

About me: I am new to cyclocross.  I’m a 38 year old professional who is not going to waste your time and who wants to learn correct fundamentals early on.  My goal is to ride as many local CX races as I can this year, not with an eye toward the podium, but with a feeling of enjoyment and a spirit of fun.

If this opportunity appeals to you, please send me an email at jasonkraus @ hotmail.com.  Please include something in the subject line to indicate that this is CX-related.

The weather this weekend is supposed to be nice, so I’d like to begin either this Saturday or Sunday (Jan 21/22).  I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,
Jason (aka Django)


[@Admin: This is posted in the "Looking for..." section of the forum as well.  If that is out-of-line, no disrespect intended.]

You should subscribe to Cyclocross Magazine. They've had some pretty good articles on technique.

[Django]

I can appreciate that people are passionate about their perspective and about the way they learned ‘cross so at the risk of offending someone, in my experience, personalized instruction from a skilled instructor is worth the cost.  The key is finding the right instructor for the individual, and since I am willing to pay, the onus is on me to do just that.

I base my belief on my own experience learning martial arts.  When I began to study, I used public library books (because I was too broke to buy books) and rented videos (from the martial arts store that used to be on Grand).  I developed bad habits that later (and on the other side of the planet), I had to unlearn.  Books and videos cannot replace precision instruction from a skilled teacher.  Since I respect an instructor’s experience, knowledge, time, and effort, I demonstrate my appreciation with money.  In return, I expect to be trained well enough that I can build upon a foundation of good technique through repetition and practice.  If you think I’m crazy or deluded, then chalk it up to a fool and his money.  No worries.

To those guys who took the time and effort to send me a “resume” of sorts, thank you.  And I look forward to hearing from any potential instructor who may still be interested.  I’ll be in touch with everyone who responded by Thursday evening.  Despite last night’s weather, the weekend is still the target “go” day.

At some point, I look forward to practicing with anyone who wants to practice.  Thanks for the advice all.  It is much appreciated.
Also, where are the barriers at FP?

@Saint John: Love the Cyclocross mag.
@Frenchy and Barryman: I’ve got both Burney’s and Mare’s books.

Much obliged,
Django
jasonkraus @ hotmail.com