The course there is usually a mixture of thick mud, clay loose mud, thin mud and some mud however the dry cold spell made it unusually only slightly muddy with a lot of frozen patches.
The main arena had its usual clay like tendency which heavied the legs before the huirdles, while the other part of the course had a well worked out spiral where you worked your way to the middle then back out again. (see the fly by on the strava link for a fuller understanding).
I started out strongly enough but seemed to settle into a mid table non race unable to catch riders in front but with no one catching me. I managed 7 laps with winner (one for the future) Harry Johnstone managing 9.
I was pleased with my 60th place. It sounds tame but out of a population of 5 million that isnt to bad.
I do have a chequered history with the champs. In my first year(2010) i was 17th but in following years have not fared so well. 2011 - DNF broken bike, 2012 did not finish broken bike, 2013 missed through eye injury, 2014 didn't go as it was in Aberdeen and 2015 missed through (footballing) injury.
So with that in mind finishing this years champs was a bonus.
That is the Scottish series over for me with the last round in Mull however there are a few dates still to go.
18th of December I will be taking part in Irvine Running Clubs "Harriers V. Cyclists."
After Christmas I am registered for the first 2 rounds of the mini series Super Quaich which has no age categories but based on your seasons rankings placement in A or B races. (I'll be a B Movie)
The first 2 are at Rouken Glen then Ayr Burners Doonbank Trofee in Rozelle.
Im hoping to get in the Thistly Cross at Dunbar followed by Dig in the Dock, where this year Helen Wyman will be racing.
Cross is muddy, painful, hard on your bike, forces you to drive the length and breadth of Scotland and makes you feel totally ineadequte on a bike however I love it and can't wait for the cross 2017 brings.
