London Cyclocross Summer Series

[Damian Robertson]

I've got your number Edwin, ending 619. Will see what's what this afternoon.

[Stuart]

Bit of a grass crit tonight by the looks. Don't think I'll be able to make it.

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[EdwinBurden]

I've got your number Edwin, ending 619. Will see what's what this afternoon.

Damian- looking iffy that I'll escape at 5 - don't wait for me.

[MaxReuter]

Third round of the Summer Series yesterday evening, back at Bethlem Hospital. The course was a slight variation on that of the first round but again had long grassy stretches across the fields at the back of the site, plus some single track through the woods. The latter were a bit more technical than last time around, in particular a tight downhill S on loose ground.

The run-up was less eventful than two weeks ago (although Caroline managed to break her chain on her way back from work and had to fit in an emergency train journey) and we lined up at the start in good time. The field seemed to be bigger than two weeks ago, certainly in the women's race.

Caroline had a good race, despite dropping her chain repeatedly and at one point having to get off her bike and stretch her cramping legs. I started from the front row but could not quite stay with the front of the race (a week spent in Munich, binging on beer and sausages probably didn't help there). I rode for a while with two other veteran-looking guys, but one crashed and I managed to ride the other one off my wheel and I spent most of the remaining race with a senior and a junior. I finished second vet, which I am very happy with.

We'll miss the last round, but are looking forward to the London league!

[ChrisDick]

I am planning to come out of 'cross hibernation and get to Herne Hill tonight. Anyone else?

[Stuart]

Unfortunately not me. Been ill for a couple of weeks and only made the first one

Could be a muddy one tonight chris

[LeonardDelicaet]

Enjoy, I'll be stuck at work unf.

[StevenDrew]

Did anyone go to Herne Hill last night? Russ Jones just posted on Facebook that over 40 people "lost" rear mechs

[BruceMackie]

I thought it would be a nice evening for a ride so yes is the answer to that. About 70 starters, about 7 finishers. The rain made the top soil muddy, which was ok and worked fine for the U12 and youth race, but the bigger field soon cut through the wet mud and started pulling up dryer soil which then blocked up brakes and mechs, It was a proper 1/2 lap bike change race. I did make decent progress until lap 5 when the front rings started blocking up, quickly followed by the rear and the brakes. I did a few excursions from the course, washing the mess off in some muddy puddles, but the rear mech kept catching. I presumed because a jockey wheel had seized but on cleaning the bike I found a perfectly proportioned stone had jammed it's way in between the derailleur plates and occasionally the end would catch the lower jockey. With a stroppy bike I packed with about 20 mins to go before breaking anything. I think I saw Chris at the side of the course, working out if he could scoot his bike home and Jason Ware, who was in the pits, counted 30 broken mechs then gave up. Russ's estimate of 40 may even be short of the mark. To add insult to injury there was a plague of mosquitos that seem to enjoy feasting on freshly shaven legs.

[andrewnewman]

Yikes. That sounds worse than Haywards Heath. I was on the fence for this one. I have to say, that as a one bike cross racer, I'm glad I gave it a miss. Sounds like even with my Shimano Saint downhiller's uber-mech, I still would have been out of commission in a lap or two.

[LeonardDelicaet]

Epic. I saw the infield today and it looked quite intact. I suppose the outfield was quite bad but didn't look.

Sorry to hear about your mechs, hopefully you'll get some cheap spares.

[EdwinBurden]

Sorry to hear about your mechs, hopefully you'll get some cheap spares.

Kinoko in soho is closing down and has some bargain components at the moment...