Racing The World's Toughest Cyclo-Cross Race | GCN Presenter Challenge

[@gcn]

Will you be adding the 3 Peaks CX to your bucket list?

[@2001MBKBooster]

HaHa! No. I ride for fun and healthy exercise - not to torture myself.

[@geohikingjani]

No I'm too much of a chicken. Arms and nerve wise 😅

[@RichardAzia]

Will you add a bit of two-day hiking and some sessions at the local climbing wall to build up the upper body? Next time you're in the Dolomites latch on a few days of hiking and via ferrata. ;-)

[@AndreasIhm]

Absolutely!

[@sparka09]

where can we get that jacket is was wearing before the race?

[@bmccall30]

Out of nearly 600 riders that started the race Oscar and Si took 8th and 20th. Holy cow! Guys, you should be very proud of that achievement. Chapeau!

[@mrwicksy]

Not only that, but on a course that never changes but you're not allowed to ride on so can't do a recce. Amazing stuff.

[@TheMusicman1654]

Red Hook Crit and now this! Loving this racing content, keep it coming!

[@gcn]

Cheers Nick!

[@imilic8]

as I already commented on the RHC video, please edit it into a full length documentary :)

[@steventhompson558]

Here Here!

[@misomonster]

These GCN Presenter Challenges are absolutely brilliant.

[@do4511]

and brutal as well...

[@geohikingjani]

It's great to see some of the "original" members of GCN competing in a race 👍

[@brianmessemer2973]

9:45 How classy is Oscar - he's still racing up the second mountain, and he has both the courtesy and clarity of thought to publicly apologize for possibly slowing some of the riders on the previous descent. "What a classy bike rider." One of my favorite Paul Sherwin sayings.

[@gregg1571]

Has to be one of the best GCN videos ever. Really captured how difficult the race must be and great to see the camaraderie between you guys too

[@ClemensAlive]

12:25 "Who is this mad guy talking to...? Did he become mental jet?"

[@mosesbuddhajesus3362]

Exactly what I was thinking haha

[@DarkpowderUK]

Talking while grinding your way past people walking.. Talk about destroying what's left of the pusher's mind.

[@supernpstr]

One of the best gcn videos of this year!

[@milanbabic92]

One on the Espanol seems even better, even though i didn't understand a single word.

[@sabiduria_ancestral7]

I agree

[@ltu42]

One of the most beautiful GCN videos, well done to whoever shot it and edited it!

[@NZWozza]

This and the Bikepacking vid Si did are two of my favourite this year. What I love about cycling is completing challenges you never thought you were capable of as well as adventuring and finding new places. I expect to see Emma competing next year after your lessons too! More great content from the GCN crew!

[@ZeroSeriesMMX]

What, not prepping bottles of champagne after Emma becomes cyclocross world champ? 😂😂😂

[@mcorbett01]

Serious challenge and seriously great video. Congrats to both Oscar and Simon, very impressive performances.

[@gcn]

Cheers Malcolm!

[@Ystadcop]

I rode it when Mr. Rawnsley made us all look like fools. John Atkins, Eric Stone (disgraced), the loony Mick Ives, Keith Mernickle. Great races. Whatever happened to Chris Wreghitt? Greatest potential British cross rider ever was Jeff Morris. I remember one year he only entered 2 crosses. He won them both, one was the National. He didn't bother with too much training, pure class. One winter day he turned up at my house, it was just above freezing. He was wearing tracksuit bottoms, a jersey, arm warmers and no hat. (No silly helmets in those days, we didn't envisage falling off). No bloody gloves (to make him harden up). 50 very cold miles later, he lay on my sitting room floor then set off for the next 10 miles home in the freezing dark, no lights. He was forced to abandon his serious career by some kind of appalling arthritis. He made a comeback with his ankles strapped up, just for the love of the sport. His brother Derek was in our club. So skinny we called him bones. Great bloke.

[@gcn]

Thanks for sharing such great memories and reminding us of these iconic names.

[@mrwicksy]

Disgraced? WIthout any legal risk to yourself, what did he do? All I can find is he moved to Australia...

[@Ystadcop]

I raced against him several times and he seemed a nice chap. He was a fell runner and switched to 'cross as a complete novice. But he got a doping ban.

[@mrwicksy]

@@Ystadcop Ah that was my suspicion, thanks for letting us know :)

[@disgruntledtoons]

Obviously we need to see how Emma does on this. If she doesn't do well she can always blame Si's coaching.

[@MihoshiStreamz]

She'd be good at the running bit!

[@mlee6136]

Must say these ride challenges really have changed up GCN... I"m resubscribing... less marketing more riding.. .love it.!!!

[@singlespeedchronicles7640]

Absolutely brilliant!!!! Has to be the best GCN videography yet! No stupid gimmicks here, just pure sweet cycling CX style...

[@gauloisrefractaireenexilvo4366]

Well done Si & Oscar, you guys rock, literally. Amazing race footage, breath-taking landscape, the downhill sections looked absolutely mental. Si is not only a talented all-rounder on his bike, but he's also a great presenter who enjoys his time in front of the camera. I really enjoy these adventure-themed races. More of that stuff GCN, thank you!

[@MrBobswire]

Great to see an actual talking head, "walk the walk" and not just "talk the walk". I mean that in all respect, you guys on GCN are the best. Kudos.

[@CL-dh2mf]

GCN guys - thank you! This was so good!!! Loved every minute of it. Greetings from Germany!

[@emilianoc.6641]

Superb Video! It feels as what Nino Schurter once said 'you suffer from the 1st minute to the last minute, but enjoy every minute as well'.

[@kevinhawker2946]

Si,U are da Man!!! I got chest pain just watching your effort!!!

[@linglingjr]

Si is definitely my favorite presenter. These challenges are awesome to binge watch.

[@stuartdryer1352]

Some of that looked completely terrifying.

[@gcn]

On the edge most of the time; figuratively and literally!

[@michaelb9664]

Great video, well done to both of you guys! 8th and 20th are very respectable positions!

[@therealfaintinggoat]

Soooo good GCN. Great cinematography and editing. Excellent riding Simon and Oscar.

[@ThePixelize]

Dude throwing his bike in the background at 15:29 about sums up the essence of this race. ^^

[@ramsesm]

Loved this content - first, Si - kudos and thank you for almost making us feel like were were there. Great episode guys...

[@ZeroSeriesMMX]

I love a sprint-type 'cross race. 😁 And yeah, time to christen Oscar as the Moustached Mountain Goat 🐐 -- all compliments. 😊

[@jesusenriqueriveratellez531]

Gcn español 2 - gcn 0, ouch!!!!

[@do4511]

it seems gcn needs to get back to training haha

[@jesusenriqueriveratellez531]

Dominijk Catalan lott of training!!

[@Mububban23]

That looked absolutely brutal. Excellent results from both of you! Brilliant terrain flyover graphics. Personally I didn't like the cropped "freeze frame" effect at parts of the video, but I love that the GCN production crew are trying new things to keep it fresh :-)

[@Calum_S]

I don't think the guy pushing his bike was too pleased when you rode past doing your bit to camera

[@KandiKlover]

He was laughing

[@kazimirsmith]

lovely pairing of music with the footage in this one, especially around the 10 min mark on the descents ... nice job, gcn

[@andrew.mccarter]

I dont get tired watching this and guys 8th and 20th just shows that you love the sport great job and thanks for sharing your race insight.

[@pahouseholder]

Epic. And I love that it is only on drop bar cross bikes. I think we'll see more of these in the years ahead with the growth of gravel/adventure/cross. This race was simply ahed of its time.

[@Fox71586]

Loving these new race profiles. Helps international riders find other challenges out there.

[@FlatSpinMan]

It's the presenter suffering I come for these days. Such great entertainment. Like everyone else, I love these challenge videos.

[@knightwish1623]

Hi Si .... I have been living in Germany now for 49 years, watching this vid brought back memories of when I was in the Boys Army in England ... I was about 16 years old and our troop did the Three Peaks Walk, so I could relate to you when you were walking up the mountains ... had fun watching ... keep them wheels turning :-) ... PS. we also did the Lyke Wake Walk which was 64 Km (40 mi) across the Yorkshire moors .... I can't really imagine 16 year olds doing that today though

[@chrisdenison2277]

Amazing video and audio quality during an actual race event. Well done. Si, you made it sound like you were doing so bad. 20th place is fantastic. Well done to you both!

[@roxic1212]

20th place is still very respectable Si 👍

[@joelkton1]

I would watch any videos you care to do on English pubs. I think this should be a regular segment.

[@matthewlewis2072]

GCN presenter challenge: Si, Tom, Jon, Oscar, Emma vs home made Steak 'n' Kidney pud, washed down by 5 pints (each) of winter ale. Up at 6 next day, 150km through Yorkshire Dales. Let battle commence.

[@joelkton1]

@@matthewlewis2072 Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome Ale? My personal choice.

[@utoobia6872]

Wow, this race really makes you respect your bike. You carry it as much as it carries you.

[@MrStarford]

Just awesome, no other way to describe it, well done Si and Oscar and what I think has been one of the best presenter challenges yet. Also nice to see the ever improving production quality

[@alexbeldon3633]

Love too see Si with Ian Taylor-World Champ-congrats cause my dad races against him often at the Yorkshire Cross league and he literally rides away from everyone 😂👏👏 Well done for completing it guys

[@themrtimmyboy]

13:43 love it. Great video. Congrats Simon and Oscar.

[@markfoster2033]

You got lucky with the weather,they've had some epics in the past! Well done to you both for finishing as high as you did.

[@supernpstr]

Ah cmon Richardson!

[@josef3805]

This video was brilliant, enjoyed every minute. Would love to see more 'start to finish' event videos like this and Red hook. Amazing effort too, well done both of you.

[@MrHockaluger]

Great video along with the last Redhook Crit one. Wasn't expecting Oscar as much as Emma this time considering the recent cross videos, or even Katherine, but damn, he's a beast.

[@danmathis4046]

Another excellent GCN race-u-r-there video. Kudos to Oscar and Si! Amazing performances.

[@scottishjohn]

Yikes, we have seen Tom last do his increasing faces of pain but I think that Si really did go super deep here. Gosh that is one brutal race, I don't even think that riding on the roads in that part of North Yorkshire is always easy but then deciding to do a mix of cyclocross and fell running to add to the mix... just nuts! I mean it does totally make for an absolutely spectacular race and I must say a huge amount of respect to both Si and Oscar for that effort! 👊Would I ever consider doing it myself? err.... probably not but I do hope that you guys go back and conquer it one day! Really one of the great GCN videos! Thanks guys!

[@johnnydoe66]

Congratulations to both of you guys, just finishing would be a reward in its own right.

[@graemehill9910]

I was 2nd place junior in 1997 hardest race ever for me. If only I had believed what my old team mates told me about how much running there was. Now I ride enduro old age and fatness make gravity my friend😎😎 great video guys

[@steventhompson558]

LOVE the in-race videos like this and RHC-Milan! Good job with the video and even better job by Si & Oscar. Although is this really a cross race?!?...I didn't see any hand-ups! :-)

[@alexgrytsenko85]

Definitely. I cants say about bucket list, just to ride this race yeaaa why not???? Si you are a hero to ride this race again and again! Nice video. THX.

[@Scohen415]

Really fun video. Love seeing different events and GCN presenters participating!

[@davetedstone.9792]

Fair play bud great fun that looks, and even rode over the cattle grid! 👍

[@fritzcoleman4915]

That was so cool to watch. Si you made me laugh out loud with your push-up/arm comment. I need to get out and ride!

[@sureshchinnappa2290]

Well done Si. Great effort my friend!

[@javaquickscope7300]

That trek looks a beauty with the zipp wheels, if only my pocket was deep enough

[@bhumiriady]

That is so cool and awesome! Hats off to Oscar and Si.

[@alpha_robo2400]

Advice for after the race: Don't sit down. Keep moving to help avoid cramping in your muscles. Love your guys' content!!!!

[@Windband1]

First a big congratulations to both of you on finishing that epic ride!! Second, Si please post on how the riders (you) handled nutrition and hydration, as well as your tools!! There's no way that was self supported for that long of a race. No one was using "camelbaks" etc. How do they work that? Thanks mate!!

[@jonathannewman5523]

Love these new features. This one and the Red Hook Crit video. Really interesting content. Keep it up...fun to watch. Also loved the sign at the finish for the “cake stall”

[@rosscads]

That was brilliant! Well done Simon and Oscar! 👏🏻

[@jeremyboetger2934]

That looked tough! Good job guys on finishing the race.

[@DrJRMCFC]

Great video, excellent production. Totally engrossed while I ironed my shirts for next week at work!

[@Alex46312]

Such awesome quality content coming out of GCN and GMBN recently.

[@listofromantics]

That looks absolutely BONKERS on a CX bike! A lightweight XC hardtail would be ideal. I imagine even the fittest cyclists have problems with those long, hiking ascents.

[@kijkbuis8575]

The only trouble I have with this is that it just would be so much more enjoyable on a hardtail mountain bike.

[@kevinvermeer9011]

Even a full-sus XC bike or 29+ can be built to weigh just 10-12 kg...none of that (even the steps) looks like a must-walk to a 29er MTB, and they were clearly being cautious going downhill. The road sections, admittedly, would be faster on a cross bike, but you're still not on a TT machine with 35mm tires. I think a modern XC bike would destroy the record on this course, and it's a shame they artificially limit it with regulation.

[@littlebigcat]

Its not a shame. The race wouldn't have the same character or history if it just allowed XC full sus bikes.

[@SamanthaBep]

Loving these Sunday features. Great video

[@michwoz]

Fantastic video, impressive performance! Congrats GCN!

[@winstoncat6785]

Brilliant! Thanks so much for that report and the effort. Absolutely great!

[@zwiftrogue3938]

Is it a survival bag or a body bag?

[@MeenakshiDutta-cu5vi]

Versatility

[@roadyeti3697]

Both

[@Vii_DT]

You had me at '...and up the slopes of Simonfell'

[@seanwilby1411]

Just Brilliant - plus Cracking Result 8 and 20 places , you both need a Holiday 😃😃

[@jack.g.gutierrez]

superb coverage! love the editing, and all the cycling bits too obviously haha

[@robhermansky8624]

Great stuff. I’d like to see more of this live racing on GCN

[@kerryphelvin8503]

Fantastic video guys. well done all round!

[@brianasselta9237]

Congrats to Oscar and Si. Great vid too. Loved it. I like to see more races for the GCN presenters getting out there! It makes me feel better to watch Pros suffer a bit! lol

[@alij9599]

Loved that. Got a real feel for the buzz of doing it.

[@joefenech6839]

Amazing race! True test of bike and rider ! I hope you are not too trashed ! Thanks for the great narrative

[@stevecochrane5376]

As a confirmed road rider, I think that I would rather die than attempt this race. Or maybe Attempting it and dying would be one in the same. Massive admiration for those guys who did survive it though. Man , Oscar is something else isn't he? He should have and sword and big boots, and save the world while he is out riding. Awesome video though lads!! Chapeau to You both !!!!!

[@StanislavGrabchev]

Daaamn, that's tough for real

[@markrigorjavier165]

Awesome race Simon and Oscar congrats! Hope to see you in Tour de France.

[@petereddy6598]

Constantly learning here on GCN. Thanks Heaps!

[@Hangingofgiants]

Just selecting your tyre pressure looks demotivating in this case. Like choosing between a terrible time in the saddle or punctures. Excellent video!

[@stevendeckert6373]

Yeah I'd find the biggest 35mm tire I could find, get some really bombproof rims, run tubeless and 30 psi and cross my fingers.

[@colinfisher2463]

Looks brutal! But very tempting. Top effort to Si and Oscar

[@roadyeti3697]

Chapeau to Oscar and Simon. Buen trabajo

[@willian.direction6740]

Simon I do hill walking and cycling and suffer too when walking, never felt that pain on a bike. Maybe try not cycling as much and do more hiking with about 8kg in a backpack before the event. I am surprised how more hiking helps when i do get back on the bike. Great video by the way.

[@gibboj]

well done to both of you, and all the rest of the competiters

[@Dennis4523]

Cyclocross is mountain climbing , hiking , cycling , and running all in one

[@bigting4561]

No

[@milanbabic92]

In this case, yes!

[@do4511]

its like pentathlon..

[@bigting4561]

Dominijk Catalan not really it’s hard to explain what it is kind of like really muddy MTB on a road bike

[@do4511]

@@bigting4561 I get it and I know it.. im just saying my thought on it being pentathlon thing haha

[@lisapet160]

In addition to "survival bag" (like one can't walk a bike for 5-7 miles), I'd suggest giving each participan a "messenger bag", which is filled with Thank You Letters to the landlords who are so kind to let the race happened on their properties. Put mail boxes on top of each hill, let the cyclists distribute the letters: one letter for each large farmers' family members :). Walking up to the third hill would be easier: the messenger bag will be 1/3 full (or even more optimistic - 2/3 empty!)

[@chiclana3196]

Congratulations Oscar

[@milanbabic92]

Great job! He was 8?

[@chiclana3196]

yes 8º

[@ianstewart8301]

What a brutal race! Great job to both.

[@davidbrayton1143]

Being a GCN journalist/commentator looks like the best job in the world for an ex-pro racer. Fly all over the world to ride some of the most beautiful/gnarly/historic/epic rides imaginable. Heck, they wouldn’t even hafta pay me to do that job.

[@hoser7706]

Added. Me and my son will target it in 5 years. Such an epic in the cx world! And you finished 20th?? Well done!!!

[@xavcarmic0686]

Great video. GCN just getting better and better.

[@1jmcm]

Another absolutely amazing video. Great stuff guys.

[@martywild8200]

Impressive stuff, Richardson!

[@markludiman3363]

Priceless, you screamed C'mon Richardson in the same place I screamed C'mon Ludiman (all be it over an hour later!)

[@tonyyates2012]

Well done lads, even the sheep were impressed!