Feeling Cross

So that time of year (for me anyway) has came and went. The time where I (attempt to) race the cyclocross season through the muddy months of October and November.
Callander Park:
With a very dry September the opening round at Callander Park was rather fast with not as much muck as usual. This suited me fine though as that is my favourite condition. Feeling fitter than the previous season already the fast paced race went by in a blur of speed. I finished my usual bottom half place but enjoyed the racing conditions and lapping a few competitors.

Strathclyde Park:

Next up was Strathclyde Park. The race got off to a flyer but on lap 3 transitioning from grass to road the bike disappeared from under me leaving a skint arse and a sprained wrist (still sprained 6 weeks later) so all placing was lost and I limped home as one of the last finishers, ableit, still not last! 

Ayr Doonbank Troffee:

The following weekend saw a local trip to Ayr for Ayr Roads first Cyclocross event. This was a non-series event so a much smaller field. The course was tough with multiple climbs and oodles of mud but still put in a good performance and lapped a few riders too. Always enjoy a local event. Less time in cars more on bikes!

Irvine Beach:

The next weekend saw another local event down at the Irvine Beach Park. I decided to warm up by actually cycling to the event which took place in howling wind and rain. This was a hard race to get motivated in. I found myself alone for most of the race (with the exception of leaders lapping me) so kind of lost the impotence to fight for a position. Still enjoy the challenge of the sand path though!

Auchentoshan:

So frustrating. I was having my best race of the season on my 5^th consecutive Sunday racing and was making the climb out of the bomb hole every lap until lap 5 so that annual happening “the broken rear derailleur” occurred. I limped to the pits and waited for the chequered flag before walking over the line for a finish and my most frustrated race of the season.

This was definitely a better season than last year where I managed to avoid illness and injury and only one broken bike part. This may though be the last full time season for my CUBE. It has clocked over 6000 miles and 5 seasons of cross in its life and both literally and metaphorically its paint is starting to fleck. I am still deciding what next but next year’s cross season might see it semi-retired as a spare to a new shiny cross bike…….(n+1)