South Eastern & Eastern Regional Cyclocross Championships – Deal, Sunday 7th Dec 2014
Mon 15 Dec 2014
South Eastern & Eastern Regional Cyclocross Championships – Deal, Sunday 7th Dec 2014
Another long journey this time “South of the river and beyond” to Fowlmead Country Park in East Kent. With Paul McGrath back on the road in the Imperial Winter Series at Hillingdon and others put off by the journey, Bryan Holland was the sole representative of North Road at this year’s joint Championship. Fowlmead provided an interesting course with plenty of mountain bike single track, mixed in with muddy trails, hurdles, a flight of steps and some short sharp hills (both up and down). The race took on the London league format with vet 40-49 heading off just before the women and followed up by the Vet 50+. Gridding was a little strange with a number of riders gridded ahead of their usual row in eastern and other not gridded at all. Bryan was in about the 6th row (one from the back). The start was a long but narrow straight fast path but did nothing to stop the latter part of the race to be somewhat processional through the first lap, with little space to attack or get past. Bryan managed to get past a few people in the initial start until being forced to accept his space mid pack going into the first corner. The laps were long (between 9 and 10 minutes for most) for a cross race, despite the course being fast in places and perhaps reflected the many bumps and berms of the mountain bike sections. Over the 2nd and 3rd lap Bryan managed to push on and win a few battles to get passed about three riders and move up the field. Lap 4 was one of consolidation of the gap and a realisation that the fur tree he kept squeezing by was a bit more solid than he would of liked (ouch). The final lap saw some of the faster Vet 50s come through and Bryan did his best to hold their wheels to ensure he would stay away from those behind. He finished clear of those he’d been racing but a distance from those in front.
Matthew Webber lead the field home to become regional champion. Bryan finished 14th 6:08 behind.
Another long journey this time “South of the river and beyond” to Fowlmead Country Park in East Kent. With Paul McGrath back on the road in the Imperial Winter Series at Hillingdon and others put off by the journey, Bryan Holland was the sole representative of North Road at this year’s joint Championship. Fowlmead provided an interesting course with plenty of mountain bike single track, mixed in with muddy trails, hurdles, a flight of steps and some short sharp hills (both up and down). The race took on the London league format with vet 40-49 heading off just before the women and followed up by the Vet 50+. Gridding was a little strange with a number of riders gridded ahead of their usual row in eastern and other not gridded at all. Bryan was in about the 6th row (one from the back). The start was a long but narrow straight fast path but did nothing to stop the latter part of the race to be somewhat processional through the first lap, with little space to attack or get past. Bryan managed to get past a few people in the initial start until being forced to accept his space mid pack going into the first corner. The laps were long (between 9 and 10 minutes for most) for a cross race, despite the course being fast in places and perhaps reflected the many bumps and berms of the mountain bike sections. Over the 2nd and 3rd lap Bryan managed to push on and win a few battles to get passed about three riders and move up the field. Lap 4 was one of consolidation of the gap and a realisation that the fur tree he kept squeezing by was a bit more solid than he would of liked (ouch). The final lap saw some of the faster Vet 50s come through and Bryan did his best to hold their wheels to ensure he would stay away from those behind. He finished clear of those he’d been racing but a distance from those in front.
Matthew Webber lead the field home to become regional champion. Bryan finished 14th 6:08 behind.