Eastern Cyclo Cross league - Baldock Sat 29th Septmenber 2012

Round four of the Eastern Cyclocross League, held at Baldock, and run by CC Ashwell attracted a highly competitive group of riders.    Set in one playing field, a large tundra like expanse on one half of the course was exposed to a constant sapping head wind; whilst the other half involved a section of tree dodging and some short sharp climbing combined with hopping on-and-off the bike.  A set of double hurdles also made an appearance on the course.

John McDowall and Tim Brown where the North Roaders in the Vets +45.  Hannah Ormesher was competing in the women’s event that starts a minute after the male vets.  Both John and Tim got off to sluggish starts in the hell-mell sprint into the first series of bends.  However, by half way round the first lap both where going great guns and looking in a strong position.  Sadly, a multiple series of cyclocross type misfortunes befell John.  A bumpy descent caused his chain to fall off and a stop was required that cost valuable ground that had to be recovered.   Numerous entanglements with course marking tape then ensued as John bumbled round the course like a pilot whale heading for a beaching. Inevitably, some errant tape then ensnared itself round chainrings and cassette and forced another stop for some frantic on course repair action that failed to completely regain the full use of his gears.  Tim’s race was more straight forward by the simple expedient of actually staying on the course! He rode himself into a very well deserved fourth place, 2.52 down on the winner, Steve Davis of South Fork Racing who completed six laps in 39.51.  John crossed the line in 20th place at +5.15.  There where 54 starters with 3 DNF.

Hannah got off to a good start in the women’s race from the second row of the grid.   A strong first lap kept her in sight of the leaders. After that she had a slightly frustrating race as the technical parts of the course caused riders to hold up Hannah when she was considering passing and making faster progress.  However, getting into the cross race scene of trying to catch those near to you, or hold off those that are gaining meant some hard racing.  These ‘small battles‘ are what cross is all about for most riders.  The final lap, in Hannah’s own words ‘where spent keeping going/breathing/not throwing up.’  A more competitive outing for Hannah, with lots of jostling and battling for position with various riders.  So serious where these battles that Hannah was forced to deploy her elbows  last seen in action during the Harrods sale of 2010 - 8th place for our sole lady entrant, 5.18 down on the winner, Bryony Board who completed five laps in 39 dead.  

 Bryan Holland rode the Vet 40-45, Senior and Junior race in the afternoon. Lining up on the 3^rd row of the grid he was determined to make an improved start. After losing a little on the initial “go” he managed to power through and gain a few places going in to the first and second corners.  This proved to be a mixed blessing as the speed up near the front was furious and he soon slipped back over the first lap. Over the next few laps the race settled down into more of a rhythm and it soon became clear Bryan was not fully recovered from his Triathlon effort the previous weekend as the tank seemed empty when the need to push on arrived.  A poor re-mount in the middle of the race and a dip in energy saw him drop back a little further, however he recovered in the final third of the race catching and passing one and working hard to bridge the gap to the next group of three. In the final lap he caught  one of the group, but the effort left proved too much and was re-passed in the final few turns. Bryan finished 45^th of 62 (25^th in his age group) and maintains his place in the League table.