I was cheered however by unnaturally good weather for cross standards and a fast race was in store.
With 100 riders in the seniors race (600 racers across the day) it was going to be a busy start and I learned you can lose 20 places by not muscling further up the starting grid. I also got caught up in the first corner in the melee and fell over allowing a few to pass.
It was a fast dry race, which I enjoy and I settled into the usual mid pack race with 3 or 4 riders coming out on top in my own personal battle, again annoyed to see the same distance at all points, separating me and those riders who got a better start position.
I did have some problems dismounting which were explained when I realised I had a loose cleat on my right shoe.
I came in 76th. Could have been worse, but could have been better with some lessons learned before my next race.
On a plus note it was good to race under my new club colours of Loudoun Road Club.
