In order to train for cyclocross you really need a barrier, or two, to jump over. Now, when you are training, you don’t want to have to lug around big wooden barriers, you want something more portable. Because of this, I Googled “diy cyclocross barrier” and got a few results. All were pretty much the same, and there was typically two variations of the design. I chose the design that would make the barrier stand up, but if you were to kick it while jumping, you wouldn’t trip and kill yourself. UCI and USA Cycling both state that 40cm is the maximum height of a barrier, or for you American turkeys (me included), that is approximately 15³/₄ inches. So, without further ado, here is what I created in less than 30 minutes with a whopping $3.06 USD with tax:

Cyclocross Barrier Hardware List (purchased from Lowes)

• 1x ¾ inch by 10 feet Schedule 40 PVC pipe (Lowes Item #23971) – $1.65
• 2x ¾ inch Schedule 40 PVC Tee (Lowes Item #23874) – $0.66 each
• 2x ¾ inch Schedule 40 PVC Elbow (Lowes Item #23868) – $0.52 each

I used a pipe cutter similar to this one at Lowes. That is it, nothing other than my hands for this one. You could use a hacksaw, or heck, even a really sharp knife. The reason I didn’t use a saw of some sort is I didn’t feel like de-burring or sanding the ends that I cut.

Cyclocross Barrier Setup

1. Cut off a 4 foot piece out of the pipe.
2. Cut 2 pieces 13¼ inches long.
3. Cut 2 pieces 8 inches long.
4. Cut 2 pieces 4 or 5 inches long, your choice on this one.
5. Attach the elbows to each end of the 4 foot pipe.
6. Attach the other end of the elbows to the 13¹/₄ inch pipes.
7. Attach a tee to each end of the 13¼ inch pipes.
8. Attach each 4 or 5 inch piece to the same said of each tee.
9. Attach each 8 inch piece to the other side of each tee. This way both 8 inch pieces are on one side, and the 4 or 5 inch pieces are on the other side.

The side with the 8 inch pieces is the front, or the part you will dismount your bike and run towards. The side with the 4 or 5 inch piece is the back of the barrier. This way here it stands up straight in the grass, yet will topple over if kicked or tripped on, hopefully keeping your face and body off the ground. The way the legs attach to the elbows and the tees, makes the 4 foot bar portion approximately 40cm high, the maximum height allowed for a barrier. I could make this even more portable by cutting the 4 foot pipe in half, and then using a coupler to connect them when I ready to use the barriers. That would make the largest piece only 2 feet long, and that should fit in almost all backpacks or messenger bags (I can put about 5 or 6 broken down barriers into my Chrome bag).

Have any questions, just ask away in the comments. If I insulted you with my opening statements, then go shave your neck beard, and stop looking at porn or building Ubuntu packages (that was for my buddy Ben!).

Homemade Cyclocross Barriers is a post from Richard A. Johnson's blog.

Cycling 100 miles for a cause and sending diabetes Off The Back!

On Sunday, June 12, 2011, I will ride for over 100 miles to help raise awareness and collect donations for the American Diabetes Association. As it currently stands I have $825 out of $1,000 in donations. A special thanks goes out to my fellow KDE hackers, Athletes By Design cycling team members, family, and friends. All I need to complete my donation campaign is raise another $175, and I am hoping any of you can help. The minimal donation allowed through the Tour de Cure is $5, however if you would like to donate just a $1 or less than $5, you can use the donate button to the right and I will move that money over. To donate directly to my Tour de Cure collection, please go to http://main.diabetes.org/goto/nixternal. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated!

A few years ago my mother was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, and I have other family and friends who are also battling either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. I see the pain they go through day in and day out living with this disease. Now before some of you say it is their fault, often with my family and friends it isn’t. Among friends is a professional cyclist riding for Team Type 1 who has had it since he was a kid. I am just trying to do my part in helping an organization that is all about teaching and finding a cure. I am riding for my mother as well as my family and friends.

I know that with your help I can reach my goal. Also check your local areas for the Tour de Cure ride and sign up, then let me know so I can donate to your goal. It is a very well-organized and fun ride. I will be riding with about 10 of my other cycling teammates as well as friends and colleagues. Thanks everyone!

Tour de Cure – Sending Diabetes OTB is a post from Richard A. Johnson's blog.

If you are interested, RSVP here in the comments, on our mailing list, or hop into our IRC channel on freenode in #ubuntu-chicago. Hope to see you there!

Ubuntu Chicago Bike Ride is a post from Richard A. Johnson's blog.

I just wanted to put this out on my blog, hoping that some of you who follow this blog, live in or around Chicago, and enjoy road cycling or racing, might be interested in the following. I ride for a team called Athletes By Design (ABD). Tonight we kicked off our first ever Wednesday Night Training Criteriums series. I am one of the event leaders, so that is another reason I am putting this out, hoping to attract some new riders out there. Right now we have planned and confirmed 4 events, with the first kicking off tonight (April 28, 2010). The next 3 events will be:

• May 5, 2010
• May 12, 2010
• May 19, 2010

The location is nicknamed the “Pelladrome” as it is a 0.8 mile perfect oval, wide open, right next to Pella Windows in West Chicago, IL. HERE IS A MAP of the location. It is just south of the DuPage Airport off of Fabyan Parkway.

Registration kicks off between 5:30 and 5:45. You must have an ABR license. If you don’t you can get a single-day license for $5 or a full-year license for $25. On top of that, adults pay a fee of $10 to race and juniors pay $5 to race. If we get 30 adults to attend the event, then the juniors will be refunded and get to ride for free. These are training races so there are no prizes really. Well, we have fun certificates and tonight we even had blueberry and chocolate muffins which were given out to the winner of the primes. Great recovery fuel!

If you have never raced before and think you might be interested, then this event is perfect for you. The first race kicks off at 6:15PM and is strictly for beginners or noobies as many like to call them. The non-beginner riders get to ride in this first race as well but just as pack fodder out the back. They are not allowed to attack the beginner riders but are allowed to help a beginner rider get back in the pace line if they get dropped. Following this is 2 more races, the first race consisting of 2 groups, A Group which is made up of Cat 1, 2, and 3 riders and B Group which is made up of Cat 4 and 5 riders. A Group rolls out first and 20 seconds later the B Group rolls out. Tonight, we saw the B Group attack from the start. Heck, I don’t even think some riders were clipped in fully before hammering on it to catch the A Group and sit in with them. Sprints galore, attacks were fast and hard. All in all it was a great event tonight.

Please, if you are interested, head over to http://www.abdcycling.com/events/wednights.html for more information. Hopefully I will see some of you out there. I am not hard to spot, I am a football sized person wearing either a team kit or strolling around with my Ubuntu or Kenda hat. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or send me an email to ‘nixternal AT gmail DOT com’.

Bicycle Criterium Race Training Chicago Style is a post from Richard A. Johnson's blog.

I am sorry, but if Google was serious about the cycling stuff, they could have learned a lesson or two from Map My Ride. Map My Ride is amazing, as it will map, allow you to design a ride, and track your rides with a great level of detail.

Google Maps Goes Cycling is a post from Richard A. Johnson's blog.