Thanks to everyone who helped get ‘Cross on the BBC news this weekend. Around 60 riders turned up for an impromptu training session and race at Herne Hill that was being filmed by Mike Bushell for the national BBC weekend news.

Special thanks go to Bill Wright and Gary Lingard for running the session at the last minute, to the guys and gals from Rollapalluza for letting us use their fab Muddy Hell course, to National Champion Jody Crawforth for taking time out to come down and be interviewed and of course to everyone who came along and helped make it such a fun day.

LP linchpin Gary Lingard stormed to victory in Brighton at Round 8 of the London & SE Cyclo-Cross League this weekend – his first win since racing as a senior in the states in the late 70’s. A sensational ride saw him jump clear after two laps and then calmly solo to victory on a fast but physical course. With a field of almost 120 there was no shortage of competition, but his deft bike skills, relentless pace and brand new Anniversary Shirt were peerless on the day.

We had a chance to talk to Gary on the way back to London. He said:

“I gotta feeling that tonight’s gonna be a good night. Let’s paint the town. We’ll shut it down. Let’s burn the roof. And then we’ll do it again.”

Err, chapeau Gary! And chapeau to Neil Simpson who was 3rd vet and to Astrid Wingler who just missed the podium with a great 4th place.

Spread the word… London Phoenix ladies will be meeting up for another women’s only ride on Sunday 6th December. The route will be similar to the last outing with three different lengths possible. All levels of rider welcome including non-Phoenix riders.

Depending on how far you want to ride meeting places/times will be as follows:

- 10am Potters Bar BP station
- 10.45am Hertford North station (approx. 15km from Potters Bar)

We will then do a 50km loop back to Hertford North station and on to Potters Bar.

Boys are also welcome, but they must be accompanying a girl! If you’re interested, please email Annabel at annabelrootes@yahoo.co.uk

An intrepid group of Phoenix cyclo-cross riders made the trip to Herne Hell velodrome on Halloween night for the inaugural Rollapuluza “Muddy hell” Halloween Cyclo-cross with Harvey in the “Go_Race” event, Bruce and Stuart in the veterans, Gary, Andrew Newman and Matt Harper in the seniors, and our own Neil Simpson was Assistant Commissaire for the evening.

You know its going to be a great event when Rollapuluza are involved and they did not disappoint. The familiar location of Herne Hill took on the atmosphere of a Belgian night-time ‘cross event – with floodlit sections, man-made obstacles, the course diverting through the bar tent for the delectation of the rowdy crowd, and a full menu of beer and waffles. With incredible fancy dress sported even by some of the fastest riders, cool sounds from the Rollapuluza DJ and a bit of roller racing thrown in for good measure, it was an unbeatable night.

The racing was full-on with over 300 riders competing in the various events and 1000 spectators lining the course. The course was designed with both racers and spectators in mind and was just so much fun – after completing a practise lap I just couldn’t stop grinning. As the evening unfolded, all the Phoenix riders put in gutsy performances, with Gary and me finishing 6th and 5th respectively in our races, Harvey declaring it as his best cross race ever and Andrew and Bruce battling heroically in their races. Only Matt was disappointed after having to retire with light failure 3 laps in.

When Mick Bell, London Fire Brigade rider, former champion and cyclocross rider for 34 years describes it as “probably the best event I have ever ridden (including World Championships)” you know it was a special event.

The venue is already booked for next year and I can’t wait.

Thanks to Joanna for the great picture of Matt “Psycho” Harper

Halloween saw one of the most anticipated events of the year when the guys and gals at Rollapalluza and Tour de Ville unleashed Muddy Hell at Herne Hill. Over 1000 people attended the sell-out event with some 300 racing, and it truly was a night to remember…

To find out how Phoenix got on you can read Stuart’s report here.

Around 60 riders turned up last Thursday for an impromptu training session and race at Herne Hill that was being filmed by Mike Bushell for the national BBC weekend news.

Special thanks go to Bill Wright and Gary Lingard for running the session at the last minute, to the guys and gals from Rollapalluza for letting us use their fab Muddy Hell course, to National Champion Jody Crawforth for taking time out to come down and be interviewed and of course to everyone who came along and helped make it such a fun day.

We’ve not been given a firm date for when the footage will be shown, but as soon as we know we’ll let you all know.