Eastern Cyclocross League 2016/17

[Chris Clague]

I was just pleased not to crash in front of all those cameras.

[BruceMackie]

Today we were mostly mucking about in a field in Bury St Edmunds. An Eastern course with a bit of a London League feel with open fields punctuated by sections of single track so it was a case of using back markers to your advantage. Most of my race seemed to be on my own after getting gapped in the initial tussle for position after a very large quantity of course tape got wrapped round my neck. The wind was relentless and though I came close to catching the group in front I never quite made it to the shelter that would have provided. Sell out Senior race (along with V40 & Women/V50) with very strong field so was happy to just sneak into the top 20. Damian managed a strong 4th in the V40 and Chris made sure we all behaved ourselves (whilst subtly offering encouragement)

[Damian Robertson]

Ha! Amusing gurning for the final sprint! A race made more interesting by the fact that I had a lousy start. On the start line I had been thinking, eh up, I'm feeling a bit too relaxed. Without the usual nerves to precede a better start, I faltered into sixth or seventh and then mucked around yo yo'ing in the top ten for the first lap or so while watching my usual rivals ride neatly ahead in a podium trio. Tried bridging but couldn't quite gain the momentum. Didn't feel all that strong, so stayed with my new friends in different colours. On the last lap Roger came back into view having dropped off the front bunch (a minor mechanical) so we edged up to him, and I said to a rider 'there's the podium!' as if to offer encouragement. Then rode on Roger's wheel for a short while before his smoother cornering left me behind. Tubs? I am considering marginal gains more and more these days, after a few races of fairly average if not shoddy riding. Through the final corners managed to hold off my pursuants for fourth, which I was happy with considering my poor first half. Still only (?)thirty seconds away from the podium, a recent average. Off to the CL today, to try and make inroads there, despite a few ales last night.

[StevenDrew]

Nice one, chaps. Would have liked to join you but was too slow off the mark and it was all full up.

[BruceMackie]

Senior race ended up about 10 people short, even with on the day sign on, though it was oversubscribed on-line. Steven, you could have got a ride in that or the V40 as neither well full on the day. I presume that's probably the usual fall off in numbers after pre entry.

[StevenDrew]

Senior race ended up about 10 people short, even with on the day sign on, though it was oversubscribed on-line. Steven, you could have got a ride in that or the V40 as neither well full on the day. I presume that's probably the usual fall off in numbers after pre entry.

I did think about it but am currently working to a one race per weekend rule. So I just booked Central today.

[BruceMackie]

Just in case Chris was feeling left out...

[Chris Clague]

I wasn't, but thanks

[StevenDrew]

I wasn't, but thanks

Um, nice hat

But seriously, well done on getting qualified. Top effort to do it so quickly.

[Chris Clague]

I'll have you know that's the Seattle sombrero - it was p*ssing down earlier and nobody thought to put a hood on those jackets!

[BruceMackie]

North Norfolk, who would have thought that a good idea? Seemingly only me, the rest of you all staying a bit closer to home.

This race is always my chance of coming close to a win but this time changes to the woodland section made passing there more difficult with more tight turns. I got caught out by Dave C. stalling on the steep ridable climb early on, which lost me a few crucial places which proved difficult to retake and the head of the race was gone. In the end I should have been able to get back up to Dave and Ian but couldn't get past Phil as he used the back markers against me very effectively. Highest place so far and at least I could see the podium placed riders not too far ahead at the end of the race, Jimmy Piper seem untouchable though.

[StevenDrew]

Nice one, Bruce. Good result! I've only been to Hempton once and did like it. I would've come on Sunday but a social engagement meant I needed to be home by 3pm which means Central League always wins!

Any idea what happened to John Swindells at the start of the V40 race? Someone showed a video and it looked like he just lost his balance and fell off.

[Chris Clague]

Ah yes, the 'illegal' video.

He was posting on FB about it.

[BruceMackie]

Sorry didn't see what happened, I was back at the sign on drinking tea.

[BruceMackie]

While the cats away (at Shrewsbury National Trophy) the mice will do their best to get a decent result, or at least they would if anyone from Eastern had actually bothered going. Chantry Park has been the site of a number of National Trophy rounds it's self and whilst the weekend's race followed much the same lines as a trophy the Tarmac start was missing and there was no bridge to cause potential chaos. Damian and Steven put up a good show in the V40s whilst I missed the V50 due to slackness with getting my entry in quickly enough. Fortunately Grant and James had gone to Shrewsbury so the Senior race was missing it's 2 main protagonists, but just as you thought it was safe more quick riders appear out of the woodwork. Gridded on the second row I got an OK start which rapidly transformed into a good start once I'd latched onto Jules Birk's wheel and we went the long way round the first corner. Stuck well into the top 10 for the first half lap but drifted back of the long draggy climbs as just don't have the legs. Eventually ended up at the back of the group fighting for 5th place but after a couple of laps couldn't hold them and got gapped. Over the next laps I managed to recover and maintain station about 20 secs off the group and then started to slowly chip away and pull them back by a few seconds a lap. With 2 to go it looked like I might just manage to drag myself back but as the sun dipped below the horizon a mistake on a quick turn at the bottom of the course had me sliding on my arse in the mud. Crashing I'd managed to smack my knee of the stem and needed up riding the next 1/2 lap with little power from my right leg loosing 30secs in the process so riders who I'd gapped earlier got uncomfortably close. I managed to dig in and get my right leg working again so just managed to stay ahead to grab a top 10 position (as in 10th). Looking back on my crash I think it was a failure to see changing conditions as the sun went off the course and temperatures dropped. Some thought it had frozen in the bottom corner, as I was by no means the only rider to crash there in the last laps, but I seem to remember thinking that my tyres were blocked up with mud as I picked myself off the ground and jumped back on. That hadn't been a problem on previous laps so I think the change in temperature combined with some dampness is what made the difference.

Steven & Damian on the uphill hurdles

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