Eastern Cyclo Cross League 12 - Sun 18th Dec 2011

It was a 100 mile/ or hour and three quarter trot out to Bungay in Norfolk for the latest round of Eastern Cyclocross League action. This was the Broome Heath Scramble hosted by Iceni Velo. I was the only North Road rider to take the line. Dave Kiely made the journey but an unscheduled comfort break on the A11 and difficulty parking made him late and put paid to his race. He took the role of photographer/cheerleader.

The temperature was hovering around zero when I arrived and the course was frozen solid and covered in frost. Very picturesque but incredibly slippery and difficult to ride. For once I had a good start and spent the first half of lap one with the big boys somewhere between 15th and 20th. However the first steep section saw me in two minds (ride or run) and I ended up riding, then falling and losing loads of places. This pattern was to continue. 

We were treated to a snow shower mid race and at last it felt like real Belgian cross racing - snowing, slippery, freezing cold and also we had three running sections (OK, walking towards the end). Only thing missing was the frites and mayo stands. I finished 35th out of 58 finishers (62 starters) over a lap behind the winner Andy Manning of Team CCN.

 

Full result can be found here,

 

http://www.easterncross.org.uk/race11-12-12.htm