Eastern CX League - Redgrave

A course with limited topography is worked hard to provide something of interest although the axle-deep mud and weather where the sternest tests awaiting our riders.  Two winter storms having passed through in ten days was topped off with a dramatic plunge in temperature combined with a biting wind.  

In the Vets 40-49 race, John McDowall and Bryan Holland took to the grid. With little opportunity to get a proper warm up it was straight into the fray and a fearsome slog thorough a viscous treacle like mud.  A usually mostly ridable course required a substantial amount of running as long sections looked more suitable for planting root vegetables than riding a bike. A stinging hail shower half-way added to the miserable conditions.

Both Vets admitted to just being relieved to finish with the ‘bad chimp’ having appeared on a shoulder at times saying “pack.’ Bryan was 18th, John 25th with amazingly 65 starters and five DNFs

Matt Crees was back in action in the Seniors race after a week off from CX racing. Matt also struggled to get up to operating temperature taking a good fifteen minutes to get going.  A bike change from the pits onto a clean bike helped although some tape in rear mech held him up.   

Still a mighty fine result for Matt on such a testing day.  He was 15th with 39 starters and three DNFs