Eastern CX League, Hillyfields - Sun 14th Sept 2014

An earlier in the season slot for the Amis Velo Hillyfieldrace than is usual.  A smaller North Road contingent this week. Dave Kiely is sadly out for the season, having done ‘a Cav’ to his shoulder.  However,  he came along to cheer on young Joe Kiely in the Under 12s (he won) and give some vocal support to his North Road teammates 

Bryan Holland and John McDowall raced the forty minutes long Vets 40-49 race.  A mixed course with some short sharp climbs, some technical single track, and some open ‘get the power down’ sections.  The drier early season conditions created a fast’n’furious style of race.  Bryan, gridded further up got a good start out of the blocks and was quickly into his CX stride.  John’s start, further back on the grid, was a rather more blocked affair and some careful bike work (and deployed elbows) where required to avoid any incidents. 

A very encouraging 12th place for Bryan at +3.27 on the winner, Shaun Aldous of Iceni Velo, who completed five laps in 37.17.  John was 28th, out of 79 competitors, at +6.24.

In the hour long Seniors race, the same trio as last week represented the North Road - Matt Crees, Paul McGrath and Adam Stone.  New SPD pedals for Paul after last weeks involuntary unclipping woes where a notable improvement .  However, two crashes created their own problems.  One on the first lap meant a trip over over the bars and snapped his front brake severely limiting his stopping power.  Another off on a bend involved some skin loss but was fortunately only superficial in nature.  Both Adam and Matt where in their own mano a mano races on a course that relished hard riding but needed to be treated with respect. 

Paul was first home in 17th place, only 1.08 mins down on the winner.  An encouraging results for Adam who was 25th at +1.40, with Matt showing some rewards for some hard training coming 38th at +1 lap and 0.55.  The winner was Matt Holmes of Artic Tacx RT who completed seven laps in 1 hour 07.