Central CX league Round 1 RAF Halton

After a season’s hiatus, I’m dipping my toe back into the world of cx.

Round 1 was in my eyes at the best venue/course I have raced at. The laps was long, around 10 minutes but had everything from fast grass sections, challenging descents, single track, off camber climbs, leg busting run up and a gravel section leading up to steps of teh manner house. The course had many technical elements but flowed nicely. A bit of earlier rain also added a bit extra with all important mud present in a wooded section. Also for this season the league are using a chip system attached to you shoe for live timing and instant results, which can be followed on your phone throughout the event.

The kids also loved it as there was a bouncy castle, hot chocolates and a band playing to keep them entertained.

After a delay of an hour due to an unfortunate crash on the finish line at the end of the previous race we were finally underway. I was not gridded and found my self toward the back end of 79 starters. A relative good start saw a few places gained but then got stuck behind a crash at the first corner, significantly halting proceedings. Another 2 crashes would cause further hold ups leaving me around 4mins down form the leaders by the end of lap 1.

Once the riders spread out and the much appreciated encouragement form the Kiely dog, I found myself getting into a good rhythm. My lap times were constant in the 9.20ish region, give or take a couple of seconds. My penultimate lap was my fastest lap of the race and as I approached the finishing section to take the bell I found myself in 10th place and could see an Imperial Racing team and CC Luton rider not too far up the road heading off into the woods.

As I took the bell, I felt good, my pacing strategy had worked well I opened up the burners to attempt to get further into the top 10. The lap was coming together nicely and was making decent ground into those in front of me; they were just ahead, not long before I made contact. This was hands down going to be the fastest lap of my race. Coming out of a switch back section into a long straight power section, the inevitable happened. A much faster upper dry line had formed, it was bumpy and slightly off camber but if you gave it full licks it was much faster than the 2 lower smoother but muddier lines. As I gave it full throttle I approached a back marker, gave an early call to tell I was coming through on the left, which I can only assume he though was kept left as he inadvertently moved further across into the my line. I had to swerve and dip underneath into the muddier lines but as I was going flat out the bike just slide sideways, I ended up being catapulted approx. 10ft into the neighbouring brambles. I was upside down head first and the thorns had my jersey well and truly stuck, I couldn’t put my hands down as thorns and nettles everywhere. Thankfully an RAF Serviceman was nearby marshaling the corner at the end of the section, he could see the bike but no rider, he came along and got me out and back on my way. I lost multiple positions and a huge chunk of time. Once going again, with adrenaline sky high I managed to regain a few positions and come home 13th overall and 9th out the league members meaning a good chunk of league points. Completing 6 laps in a time 59.08.

Winner was Daniel Lewis Royal Air Force CA (Unaffiliated) 6 laps in 53.24

Paul McGrath