Eastern Cyclocross League 7 - Davy Downs Sun 20th Oct 2013

Whilst some of the North Road headed off for Central Cross League action in a giant sandpit in Oxford (splitters!) The remainder headed to Thurock for the Eastern League Cyclo-cross set in the marshy terrain of Davy Downs.  Heavy rain all week had not affected the course as badly as could be thought as the lush covering of grass kept things the right side of treacherously slippy.  

John McDowall, Steve James and Lawrence Brenchley raced in the Vets category.  An early arrival ensured no repeat of the Welwyn not-getting-into-the-race error.  The extra time was put to good use as the tubular equipped John and Steve continually lowered tyre pressures to around 30psi to ensure they could find traction and grip.   Both professed themselves happy that they got it just about right with some enjoyable on the limit handling explored during the race whilst staying upright.

 John was rather unusually on row two of the grid and had to endure hoots of derision from his regular row three starting companions.  An intense nip-and-tuck battle ensued with three familiar foes from the Ipswich CC that went to the line with John coming 16th at +1.52.  Steve thought that he had rode his most technically accomplished race, exploiting to the full the tenacious grip of his Dughast tubs, to come home in a smooth riding 24th at +3.24.  Lawrence continues on his upward cross trajectory .  A mid-way finish last Sunday was capped by finishing this week without getting lapped.  A fall on the tricky wooden bridge that is a feature of this course, must also have cost him time despite verbose warnings from the other North Roaders before the race (homework for Mr L. Brenchley -  500 lines ‘I will not turn or brake on a muddy wooden bridge’)  Lawrence came home in 50th at +8.44.  A total of 71 riders lined up at the start.

In the Seniors race, Matt Crees and Richard Mclellan, represented the North Road in the hour long event.  Matt’s race was short and sweet.  A crashing rider at the start bought him down and although he got going, a puncture soon after combined with a buckled wheel from the coming together meant a disappointing DNF for the second week running.  Richard, racing on ‘Sammy Slick’ tyres, soon discovered that they where not appropriate for the prevailing conditions or for any cross race after the second week of September.  Two falls and numerous ‘oh-er’ moments where the inevitable result (homework for Mr R. McLellan - 300 lines ‘I will not ride semi slick cross tyres after two weeks of heavy rain’)  Richard  finished  he second cross race in 52nd at +2 laps and 1.25 (77 starters).