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2010 National Champs, Sutton Park

20100207_Cross_Champs_673, originally uploaded by britishcycling.org.uk.

Following my near complete loss of form over the festive period, my resolve to put in a solid 4 weeks of training before the postponed Nationals seemed to pay off -relatively speaking.

With my track record since Christmas, and my gridding (at the back as always) in mind, I was sceptical of getting more than 30minutes of racing in before getting lapped. I think my record for previous Nationals is somewhere around 40mins.

In amongst the carnage of the first lap, a rider ahead came off on one of the sharp climbs out of the copse and as the rider in front of me dismounted, his heel came straight back at full-force, into my forearm, pole-axing me as I hit the incline -I now have a big egg!

I surprised myself by being able to then turn myself inside-out for the next hour of racing. Many tussels ensued and at one point I thought we might be able to hold-off getting lapped by the race leaders.

However; all good things must come to an end and as I was right on the rivet, things at the sharp end were just beginning to hot up. I could hear over the PA that having won the Vets title the day before, Nick Craig was now attacking the lead group!

Spectators were dashing madly from one side of the course to the other to catch the action as the deciding moves unfolded. Despite a second wind which saw me take a further two places in what would be my final half lap, the lead group of Bibby, Crawforth, Field and Oldham caught us two thirds of a lap after the bell had rung for the first time.

Ahh, what could have been... I said beforehand that I would've been made-up to not get lapped. And in the end, for the first time (at that level) I came tantalisingly close. When I saw the leaders come back past me in the other direction, Ian B had nailed his colours firmly to the mast and already opened a gap on Jody with the finish line less than a minute away. Again, what could've been... Not to mention the possibility of Nicky Craig taking both the Vets and Elite titles in one weekend!!

Far and away, one of the most exciting races I've been a part of and despite finishing way down in 44th place, my best ever National Champs.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/24236485

Photo by larry Hickmott of British Cycling.

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World Masters Video

After effects.

lx21, originally uploaded by LondonCycleSport.

No sooner had I unpacked the car and brushed the sand from my shoes, than I found myself repacking the car and heading for what was to be my final round of the London League. My sole focus was to turn up, race and finish. Following the 4 week break from reacing over the festive period, my form is nowhere near that of early December. That top-end that you get from 12-odd weeks racing, that seemingly extra bit of flex that your lungs develop, blammo gone.

Feeling somewhat bruised and battered I set off far too hard and back came the razor blades. Should have known better than to go haring off at full chat and paid the price. Into the red, massive oxygen debt, Asthma etc etc... Finally got going after about 30mins and despite steadily closing 14th & 15th places I found myself sitting up on the final lap.

The double weekend is always hard on the body but I'm hopeful it'll jumpstart my system in time for the end of the season. If nothing else, a daytrip to race in Belgium is enough to fire me up to see out the final two races.

Lost little boy...

...not something I get described as too much these days. Especially not at an event where you have to be over 29 to gain entry. This is however, how one spectator described her other half and I as we lined up alongside what she also described as Amazonian-giants.

Gridding is arbitrary at the Cyclocross Masters World Champs and often, your gridding roughly determines your finishing position. In this instnce, Andy and I were front and second row respectively. I was still fiddling with my Garmin when the gun went. No sooner had I clipped in, than the guy in front went into the metal barriers and went down hard. Confusion ensued and I picked my way round the melee. At the end of the Tarmac straight is a left hand turn and then onto the first sand section. I went for a dismount half way down and as I hopped off, my front wheel plunged axle deep into the sand and down I went. The rider behind ploughed into my bike and fell squarely on me! We detangled ourselves and when I picked up my steed, his wheel had undone my rear skewer so my back wheel promptly came out.


From last place, I then rode as hard as I could despite the sensation of breathing razor blades and the blue tinge that my knees were developing -it had got progressively colder during the day.

The leader caught me at 35 minutes and passed me like I was nailed to the mud!

To the amusement of many Belgians in their motor-homes, I packed everything into my little car and headed for Calais to go and fight another day, in the UK.



Nice to check out the Euro's cross bikes.

Roubaix Cross