How Hard Is A Pro Cyclocross Course? | Beginner Vs Infamous Zonhoven Sandpit

[@mithral999]

The distictive sound of the wahoo stopping when Ollie goes up the hill so slow it thinks he's stopped

[@88joshuajohnathan]

hahaha. That is hilarious.

[@alexj.3206]

Funny👍

[@enderdude5000]

Ha funny

[@hookmaster1109]

Jeremy brings out the best in his co-hosts. Fun and educational.

[@SethMcClaine]

I strongly disagree.. I think his co-hosts are put on the spot and have to step up to counter Jeremys negativity

[@swesleyc7]

I got to ride with Jeremy in Denver during the opening of a Pactimo store. Really cool and approachable guy.

[@djdelarosa25]

@@SethMcClaine The fuck are you on about?

[@enderdude5000]

Okie dokie matie

[@enderdude5000]

E

[@kevinbowe]

Ollie is such a GOOD SPORT for doing this. Yea Ollie. I can only DREAM of having a teacher as encouraging as Jeremy. Yea Jeremy. I hope the budget included multiple rounds of BEER! -- Thank you for the great content GCN. Cheers!

[@adamsteineke4661]

Right? One of these days I'm going to show up at Jeremy's doorstep and beg him to teach me real cx skills!

[@bunnyadrian]

I love seeing Oliver succeed, but, sorry Ollie, it's fun to see you fall over as well.

[@pcm9969]

Jeremy does such a great job teaching, I would even give it a try.

[@adamsteineke4661]

Perry Middlemist You really should give it a go! Watch their intro series on it! I learned the basics in an afternoon and then just went and raced! It’s intoxicating!

[@enderdude5000]

Haha

[@walshman70]

Jeremy's unbridled enthusiasm is infectious!

[@cparm08]

Pro road bikers: humans ride down that! Beginner mountain bikers: looks like a pretty fun hill.

[@bobcrane8783]

So true. I was like any beginner send. Barely even a send either

[@DLMKGaming]

Try doing it on skinny tires 😂😂

[@The_Dude_420]

@@DLMKGaming why should we ride such boring dumb gear?

[@bobcrane8783]

Dave Lagendijk why would I even need to use plus size tires, I would be using normal mtb tires. And why would I make it more challenging than it needs to be

[@arne_mh]

@@bobcrane8783 he was saying an skinny tires, not mtb tires

[@wazeFPS]

So cyclocross is like mountain biking enduro type thing with the least appropriate bike possible for the task? Cool

[@nickcardeneo6852]

It's pretty cool

[@garfieldt]

Yes. makes it more difficult. And it shows, Van der poel, the best cyclocrosser is also doing mountainbike races, and winning them.

[@jabba969]

@@garfieldt He just wins everything on bikes :D

[@garfieldt]

@@jabba969 True dat. A true champion that guy.

[@shmvon]

The tires are quite wide, and there are no rocks or drops for which you need some suspension. In Dutch cyclocross translates as 'field riding', as that's the main part of it, and a cyclocross bike is made for it. Also, I don't know how long an enduro mtb race is, but a cx race is only one hour, so it's rather speedy. You could do a cx race slightly slower with an mtb bike, but not the other way around probably.

[@casefarley5744]

Powers is a great addition to the channel. He makes this kind of riding look like a lot of fun. (It really isn't.) : )

[@isaacyoung1868]

Case Farley absolutely agree. I want a coach like powers!

[@Malesoun]

Ollie taking one for the team like the legend that he is. Can anyone at GCN confirm that the blooper reel is an hour long? 😂

[@enderdude5000]

Lol

[@cliffsangelsphotography]

Can you please send Ollie to GMBN? It'd be a great experience for Ollie!

[@peterverhelst9594]

Lmao… 😂… you should do a “Ollie does…” series…😂😂

[@gcn]

Ollie does BMX is something we want to see

[@peterverhelst9594]

Global Cycling Network go for it…😄👍🏼

[@richardtickler8555]

@@gcn OIlie does bike polo

[@vyl4650]

@@gcn I am a bit late but I hope to one day see Ollie giving artistic cycling and cycle ball a shot. After that day I can die in peace

[@LucaBonato]

Imagin havin matt in there, thst would have been hilarious. Love the old cx videos with Matt

[@andrewmcalister3462]

Ollie and J-POW. Great combination of hosts. More please.

[@wspmjw]

Well done Ollie! As a novice (read Cat 5) Cx racer, those sandy hills are killers. You did well with no prior experience. Great to learn from a Pro too. Good coaching session Jeremy.

[@raulrivera-earthstewardshi2241]

Great work guys. Ollie's down to earth spirit makes it real. Jeremy's instructions are easy to understand. What a fun and educational vid.

[@skyseaman1062]

I am a beginner not only on cycling but also on my first bike; a cyclocross. And that makes you my favorite GCN host! You're the man, Ollie!

[@vickysama248]

Jeremy's giggles are contagious.! Congrats Ollie on completing the course!

[@frazergoodwin4945]

Jeremy: "Look at the rut" Ollie: *thinks of current dear behaviour on North Yorkshire moor* Bambi on Ice reference follows...

[@OllieBridgewood]

Frazer Goodwin it’s like you’re inside my head 🤔

[@chrisbaum998]

That was awesome!! Enjoyed the humor and banter between Ollie and Jeremy!! Very educational along the way.

[@elywilkinson7404]

This is even better than when Matt tried the same thing a few years ago. Ollie's helmet tipped to the side from the first crash until the end of the video is perfect.

[@YSPDJapan]

Fucking hilarious.

[@mathymaven7883]

Ollie did a very, very credible job of riding one of the toughest CX tracks on the planet. #respect

[@GeekonaBike]

The Best 'Odd Couple' since Felix & Oscar

[@michielnooren2076]

You guys should organize a groupride when you're abroad. Good to see you had lots of fun in Belgium!

[@gcn]

Good idea Michiel!

[@jeroenmast9366]

Belgieeeeeee

[@tomm1413]

I would love to join in if you guys are around!

[@brycezoeller]

This is the best GCN video ever bro. It has all the ingredients of a great video: Ollie + Cyclocross + Sand = entertainment

[@lmc333]

Ollie is too much fun to look at, listen to and anything else... GCN is not GCN without Ollie... Priceless

[@OllieBridgewood]

LM C thanks for the kind words mate!

[@shavedheadwonder]

Ollie at the beginning sounds like a person who starts something that he has no idea what he just got himself into. And then realizes that he doesn't know what he is doing at all. Hilarious good laugh

[@OllieBridgewood]

yup. pretty much

[@Pratalax]

Also, Jeremy and Ollie = Jollie, which is how i feel when i see these two on screen. Power combo!

[@hutchmusician]

Being from Leeds, my favourite parts are always where Olly is working hard and his Yorkshire accent gets stronger: ‘ah maht a’ creahted lahk a new weh o’ doin’ it!’

[@lelanicarver2428]

Having spent a little time in the Dales, those moments when Ollie’s accent gets broader and broader mek me so happy. Also, ‘e shooda stop’ t’hoooome.

[@hutchmusician]

Lelani Carver I live in the Dales, Hebden Bridge to be precise. Everyone sounds like that here. :)

[@lelanicarver2428]

hutch1979music Spent the most time near Grassington, but also went through Hebden Bridge. That was before cycling bug got us so it was all boots and stiles

[@scottcoulter659]

Love the addition of Jeremy to the GCN team! Getting more and more into gravel riding lately so I’ve been watching more of his videos. Always great!

[@shezpluscats]

Best GCN video ever. Please get Ollie in on more CX shenanigans.

[@annettefournier9655]

I don't think we will be losing Ollie to cyclocross.😎

[@josephnorman5181]

Ollie and Jeremy are my two favorite presenters. This was a great mash up of styles.

[@6656656656joe]

Around the time you made this video I began watching cyclocross online. Took the bait at Waterloo October 2023 and finished one lap in the craziest mud I've ever seen (no pre-ride). Multiple falls from a completely inappropriate bike eventually snapping a cleat off my shoe when I tumbled into a steel barrier. What a blast! I will give it a try again one day when I get a chance. Meanwhile trying to figure out how I can spend a whole season in Europe just watching the pros I love.

[@STRASSENPROVOKANT]

Guys, I never laughed more than in this episode. Thanks, great combination thise two.

[@adamhorsfield6104]

This is funniest GCN video I've watched

[@jade4805]

The BEST!! Freakin' hilarious, Ollie looked truly in shock after seeing the pit, J-Pow is the best.

[@cyclenutter2715]

GCN need to create the super-like button.

[@andrewcox4304]

Cycle Nutter “splendid” would be better.

[@cyclenutter2715]

@@andrewcox4304 haha yeah 'the splendid button'

[@saturnioowens6546]

ringing the bell icon!

[@cyclenutter2715]

@@saturnioowens6546 Yesss that would be so much better...

[@dushk0]

don't nut on my cycle, please

[@AlanJeffreyMcClainJr]

One of my favorites so far!

[@gcn]

Thanks Jeff

[@anthonycordeiro3205]

By far one of my favorite videos well done Ollie

[@gauloisrefractaireenexilvo4366]

Great piece of entertainment, thank you! Oh man, CX looks really super duper tough. I'd love to see the behind-the-scenes and bloopers of this episode. There must be some hilarious moments. The duo J & O works really well indeed.

[@marymartin7965]

Well done Ollie. You have to start somewhere. I learned something new.

[@petersauer94]

Absolutely brilliant, another great video from Jeremy and so funny.people don't realize how hard and difficult cyclocross is.

[@dorothyb.]

Jeremy is just amazing. Loving his contribution to the show and of course his cyclo-cross talent

[@aneczka2114]

The reaction when Ollie see the sand drop 😂 haha hilarious!

[@naikshibabrat]

Cyclocross T-shirt idea: "that's how I got sand in my teeth"

[@gcn]

Hahahahaa What an idea

[@900schutter]

this is like 15min from where i live. this stuff is funny as hell, how they pronounce everything.

[@OllieBridgewood]

glad you enjoyed!

[@graememorrison333]

Possible dumbass observation alert, but it looks like a massive WW1 shell crater.

[@GCNuser123]

@@graememorrison333 a quick google suggests it is. That's crazy. not dumbass at all.

[@Gemzy275]

@@GCNuser123 this isn't a shell crater. Have you seen the size of it? No regular WW1 or 2 bomb can cause this size of crater. Besides, there wasn't a lot of fighting going on in this part of Belgium.

[@DrewsOnFirst]

These two together are priceless

[@frankritman5799]

Jeremy is great addition to this network. When are we going to see GMBN come over for some cx training? Blake Sampson and Jeremy would be a great combo for a how to videos

[@dennisuerling899]

To be honest, Ollie should have done the mt bike cross training first. It establishes a similar mentality as road riders have with hills. Difficult and challenging, but worth it. Also, after powering through a stretch of loose gravel and small stones, sand wouldn't seem like a big deal. I do agree that Jeremy and Blake would be a great combo.

[@adventuresona700dollarhard5]

GMBN got beef w/GCN right now. 😂

[@ZeroSeriesMMX]

Last I saw someome suggesting this kind of thing, a lot of fakies were being put in. 😂

[@anisdoukani6021]

0:41 can’t stop laughing😂❤️❤️

[@BuildingCenter]

"I'll give it a go." ~ Ollie, 2019 That's the spirit.

[@saleemwaheed9956]

This was a very good video full of very useful info. Ollie again proves he is the best!

[@cpayne6]

Ollie's face as the course is being explained.....😂😂

[@robbchastain3036]

I feel Ollie's pain. I was never into riding ten-speeds in the dirt, either. Or running with them, yikes. But I admire the strength and skill it takes and it's all good to me now.

[@danbuck9214]

Even if the rest of the video wasn't great (which it was!), it would have been worth watching just to see Ollie trying to run/carry his bike! Seriously, though, Ollie, you are a great sport for stepping into this one. May all your future cyclocross ventures include easier to find cow paths. ;)

[@FlatSpinMan]

The most unintentionally funny (scenes of Ollie running and riding) I’ve seen in absolutely ages.

[@NebulaMK]

I love that Jeremy just loves life dude. I love when he’s on GCN

[@andrewhardyman-richards1554]

Ollie's helmet genuinely made me spit out my tea. Proper wonky! 🙈

[@DavidSpears919]

Wish there could have been a Matt guest appearance.... Ollie and Matt together would have been insane:)

[@michaelschlechter9272]

Ollie and JPow combo is amazing!

[@aliensporebomb]

When Ollie went down the hill for the first time I pictured his life flashing before his eyes. He did great! He's just new to it!

[@MrNeurovegal]

"The sand is fluffy" he said...Love Belgium beer, chocolate and waffles. Belgium sand... not so much. BTW 11.52 That skew hemet its the resume of a roadie´s suffering in a cyclocross course.

[@MrNeurovegal]

@daAnder71 You're absolutely right. Thanks

[@ChanceBarber]

One of the best videos! Dr. Oliver did great!

[@bettayets]

Hahaha yaass, Ave Maria playing is perfect

[@CapybaraGamingChannel]

Professional cross rider: This is a extremely hard track with lots of sand hills. Me: A beginner mountain biker with a hardtail mountain bike, that looks like a fun and fast hill!

[@xtdycxtfuv9353]

mtb brothers rise up!

[@fimbles1015]

Cyclocross is like watching someone who should have bought a mountain bike attempt to struggle down a small slope on a road bike.

[@Windband1]

That course is actually quite boring. I'm surprised it's the big legend course of Belgium....

[@garfieldt]

@@Windband1 it isn't. There are better ones

[@peteriskarklis8620]

Belgium itself is boring as hell. In Europe, only Denmark is worse

[@garfieldt]

@@peteriskarklis8620 sure,buddy...

[@stevenleslie8557]

To be fair, even a mountain biker would have to employ many of the desent techniques Ollie was teaching.

[@colinthompson5881]

Utterly brilliant, educational and hilarious. Superb 👍

[@caillou450]

The look on Ollie’s face @2:48... priceless ;-)

[@stevenagy7152]

“I hope you’ve enjoyed watching me fall over...” Oh indeed

[@R_Haraldsson]

the gravel cyclocross network is getting better and better!

[@willjones7132]

One of, if not the best comment sections out of any GCN video.

[@chrisheimerl5862]

Great stuff JPow. Super surprised you never raced Zonhoven and kinda sad for you man. Look forward to seeing you there this year.

[@MarianChicu]

Brilliant video lads! loved it :)

[@gcn]

Thanks Marian

[@paulgush]

As a mountain biker turned commuter turned occasional roadie, I never really got the point of cyclocross. _But_ I watched this video just before my commute took me through through some refrozen slushy snow. The tips for riding through sand were perfect! I was amazed I made it through without putting a foot down or falling. Thank you J-Pow!

[@gcn]

You are very welcome! Great to hear it helped you out, thats the awesome thing about cyclocross the skills are so useful and transferable!

[@paulgush]

@@gcn Top cross tip: get your weight back over the saddle...like a mountain biker! Ah, as much as we all ike to tease other disciplines, generally people who like to ride bikes like to ride bikes in general.

[@deanmclellanwww.deanmclell4547]

Really well done video on the sport. I've never done it but it was very well put together and informative!! Thanks from Ontario Canada!!

[@trevejenkyn9888]

Really enjoyed watching this one, thanks

[@lizmasterson5805]

Good on ya Ollie for givin’ it a try!

[@myassitsbeentaken]

Jeremy, can you please do a brother a solid and help poor Ollie with his helmet?

[@davidholloway6950]

“How’s my carrying technique?” “No ... oh no” 😂😂

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Thanks for putting a smile on my face today 😁

[@gcn]

You're very welcome!

[@23andrewgreen]

Channelling your inner Norman Wisdom there Oli with the skewed helmet :) .

[@HelcaraxeUlairi]

I love cyclocross, it's cool to see Zonhoven on an off race day

[@sandrochiavaroBeerCircles]

Such an amazing episode. J-Pow you are such a breath of fresh air to watch. Olie did his very best, and that was impressive, well done mate🤙🏽🤙🏽. I am sure I am not the only one to say this, but I have a strong feeling that CX riders that cross over to road have really big advantages. The workout is brutal, the technical skills also. Obviously riding the road peloton is a skill in its own. Would love to see GCN tackle this theory and make a series where Olie or Llyody(or even both) do a Suffer fest style training protocol of X weeks and see gains on the actual road cycling data. 🤓😉

[@OllieBridgewood]

its made me want to have a go! i agree

[@lst1nwndrlnd]

Master J. Pow! GCN Truly Global

[@nadirmirali]

Ollie, thank you for being a good sport. You taught us all. I am sure you know more than you let know.

[@rob-c.]

The running technique is short sharp steps. You can see the difference between the ‘stride’ pattern of Ollie and Jeremy and the results speak for themselves 🙂

[@JMcLeodKC711]

Best episode ever. I know others have mentioned this but each time GCN tags one of the presenters to try CX, it's like a death card. Hey Ollie, maybe Dr. Polley needs a lab tech

[@keithmccallum1054]

Ollie ,Ollie Ollie....thanks for the entertainment!!

[@AlexRochette]

I was looking forward to Ollie's attempt to remount. Any bloopers coming up? :-D Valiant effort and great video. Thanks!

[@gcn]

Hopefully we'll have a few in the 2019 bloopers reel

[@JuupTube21]

The way you say Van der Poel is really funny to listen to as a Dutchman. Nice vid!

[@ruialex7745]

Amazing video!! very funny and lots of important tips in the middle

[@douglaspate9314]

Jeremy is totally f...ing AWESOME!!!!

[@jansprij2858]

Well Ollie, I really must admit, You really try everything, I have can appreciate this

[@JohnLumapaskeith]

I think Ollie did amazing!

[@aleroxit]

Fantastic stuff! Thanks GCN

[@justinbouchard]

"I might have created a new way of doing it!" Ollie 2019

[@adamsteineke4661]

Cyclocross is difficult to describe to people, even cyclists... it's totally bonkers yet amazing fun at the same time. Yes, you fall, yes you have to run some bits, yes you're going to spike your heart rate for the duration, but when you're done, after you've finish puking, you'll be reminiscing fondly about some feature on the course within minutes!

[@yorickbrethouwer3631]

I'm going tot race the cyclocross of Zonhoven 8 december. And i'm realy looking forward tot race this famous cross

[@shmvon]

How did it go?

[@seansvadlenak]

Jeremy is an 11/10 presenter.

[@simpledj509chromo7]

CX is fun as hell and everyone commenting that hasn't done it should try it. I used to race CX and it's an absolute riot. Those crazy European roadies came up with this ridiculous sport to stay in shape in the off season and it definitely does the job. Plus there's lots of good food, beer, and energetic/excited drunk fans at races. It's such a fun time and everyone really should try it. Whether you ride road, XC, DH, FR, or AM you should cut your teeth and run a CX season if you have the cash to buy a bare bones CX bike.. It'll improve bike handling skills and keep you in shape in the off season if you can find a local race series. My junior cycling team raced in Rhode Island at the nationals years ago and riding a road bike with knobby tires through 8-12 inches of snow and mud was super fun. I broke a chain or something and finished almost dead last in that race after running almost a whole lap to the pits. Great times and I can't wait to do it again.

[@stevenglorieux]

Welcome to "The capitol" of cyclo cross: the entire country Belgium :D yeah that's sound about right :D ;) Maybe next time you could try the track for the Koppenberg cross in Oudenaarde. Even the great Van Der Poel finds that a bit difficult

[@adanielweaver]

The only improvement would be Ollie using his American accent