Eastern Cyclocross League 1 - Basildon Sat 7th Sept 2013

Sun 08 Sep 2013

Basildon provided the venue for the opening round of the Eastern Cyclo Cross League.  With many new riders interested in racing, plus the familiar North Road old guard, numbers where down on what should be the norm for 2013/14 due to holiday commitments.  Dave Kiely was also unable to race due to a training crash mid-week that had left him heavily nettle stung*


The course is not your usual cyclocross event and is rather more akin to some cross country running courses.  Three stiff climbs, including the infamous chain snapping Muur D’Basildon are the main focus of the event for the riders.  Some fast verdant downhills complete a race low in technical merit but high in suffering.  Dave Kiely’s up-and-coming Sven Nys, Joe,  competed in the new category of Under 12s and still showed himself as a rider of real promise coming home in third place after briefly being in second.  


In the vets race, cross regular John McDowall was joined by Lawrence Brenchley for his first outing in this form of cyclo-torture.  John rode strongly, and had battled hard all race for what looked a decisive gap over a pack of seven riders before an over-ambitious assault of the Muur D’Basildon on the last lap decisively and comprehensively took him into his vomit zone.  it was a costly mistake as two riders breezed past that with  more judicious pacing John might have  held off.  Lawrence was getting round a tough course, with some technical SPD pedal problems not assisting his efforts. John came 16th at 2.22 down on the winner, with Lawrence securing 57th at 1 lap and plus 5.35.  Sixty-nine riders took part.


The final race of the day saw Richard McLellan's cross debut in the Senior category, with  cross regular Bryan Holland in the Elite Vets. With a large field Bryan was pleased to be gridded, but Richard had to start in the milling pack off the back. A furious pace ensued across the grass start and up the first hill and burring sounds of tyres rubbing against each other could be heard as people battled for spaces which weren't quite there.  The race settled in and Richard could be seen making progress through the field and came past Bryan at about 30 minutes, mentioning briefly as he passed that he'd only had one off, so far.  The main hill had a crowd of spectators enjoying the agony of the riders as some flew and other struggled up. At 40 minutes Bryan began to wish he was a few years older as the pain could then be ending, but sadly no, a full hour was required! 


Both riders completed a lap down on the winner, Richard waiting at the finish clearly having enjoyed his first cross experience coming in at 40th place (a lap  and 3.55)  A slightly below par Bryan came in 47th at a lap and 5.09.  Eighty-three riders started.



*Other injuries may have also happened, apparently.  

The Highway Code

Know the rules of the road

Your safety is dependent on everyone on the road knowing and obeying the rules, so get the low down and don't get mown down!

Group Riding

If you're new to riding in a group, read our handy guide on how to stay safe.