After last month’s ‘What to do next’  post I thought I’d get a closer look at Cross racing and headed to London’s Alexandra Palace for the Rapha Super Cross 2012

All photos courtesy of Rapha

Although I might not have been competing this year, the fun, the bikes, the mud and of course the booze help to create a fantastic atmosphere of racing. I’m looking forward to taking part in the ‘novice’ section next year, which of course involves the Tequila Shortcut and the Wall of Foam. Two of the greatest cycling inventions ever!

As the season goes on I’d love to hear of the Cross (CX) exploits of the LovingTheBike.com and #bikeschool gang. Our very own noggin-box genius @egggman began an illustrious Cross career and has really enjoyed it. Share you experiences with us here, in the comments or get in touch to share your story in a guest post.

Stevie

I was out riding on Friday morning, on route to meet the rest of the gang, taking in the morning air and the quiet roads when I realised not everyone gets the wonderful experience of early morning cycling. Whether your work/life balance prevents you riding in the morning or your commuting route starts and ends in rush hour, by not getting that early morning cycling glory, you are missing out on one of the wonders of riding.

The quietness of the empty roads, the slow movement of delivery drivers arriving at shops, the buffudled look you get from drivers trying to work out how early you must have left the house to be in such a rural place on your bike… All things I love experiencing on early morning bike rides. I often commute to work and when I work during the day I have to leave the house around 5am. It’s cold, it’s bleak and most of the time I’d rather spend the extra hour in bed. But once I’m out of the door and flying along the coast road, looking at the sea in the star light, I remember why I’m doing it.

I’m sure for many of you leaving the house at 5am is up there with sticking pins in your eye or as beneficial to a relaxed lifestyle as wrestling an alligator, but I urge you to try it. Maybe wait until the weather warms up a bit if you’re not too sure, but I promise you there is no feeling like an early morning bike ride; the wind, the crisp air, the open road. My early morning cycling glory.

Homework

Do you get to ride early in the morning? Do you love or loathe your early morning commute? What are the benefits of getting that ride done early in the day? Let us know below what you think of morning rides and if you are considering stepping up to the plate and tackling the hazy dawn sunshine soon. I’d love to hear your positives and negatives of morning cycling.

Photo c/0 Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

We’ve had a great week at LovingTheBike Towers and I’ve particularly enjoyed the our time on Twitter with the #bikeschool gang. We had some absolutely fantastic answers to the questions at last Thursday’s class so I thought it was only right we put some of the up to celebrate your individuality and genius.

Shameless appeal…

Firstly I’d like to remind people that I am looking for a sponsor to pay for me to travel across the United States of America. @Lycra_Loony is also going to come with me from Australia so if you are willing to help out please make sure you have deep pockets and long arms. We would obviously need to be supplied with bikes in every state we visit so it’d be nice of you owned a bike brand too. #Justsayin

Who inspires you to get on 2 wheels? #bikeschool

Great to see you with the Wouter Weylandt Twibbon too @MTBandTreegrrl!

…how would you explain CYCLING to an extra-terrestrial watching out #bikeschool Twitter stream!?

An early contender for Tweet of the night from @noteon

A late entry via #homework from @readyforplanb but a lovely idea.

What are the benefits (if any!) of winter & what can we do to make the most of it? #bikeschool

And the picture….

If you could issue EVERY rider across the world with 1 piece of kit… what would it be. You can be brand specific #bikeschool

Rookie or Pro… we all suffer from this @Rosee_bikebar

…who would the #bikeschool class want me to try & interview? #bikeschool

Cool name and interesting looking bloke… I will definitely try to get hold of @gouldgeorgia. Thanks @jayrides4cancer

And finally…

Last week we started a competition to come up with a new #bikeschool tagline. After a week of voting I’m proud to announce @twittyboyd has stormed the field and taken the win. She is the lucky recipient of a hamper from @GUEnergyLabs and a gift card from @RoadID. Well done to Marty; the new #bikeschool tag line is…

WORLD CYCLISTS UNITE

Stevie