London & SE Cross League rd 12, Footscray Meadows 27 Dec 11

[stamourp]

In an effort to shift some stored mince pie energy I rode the twelfth round of the Cross league in Footscray on Tuesday. Due to the arrival of a newborn son in November, prior to Herne Hill the week before Christmas I was unable to ride any rounds and had no grid position, feeling like I was starting someway near the Dartford Crossing. Thankfully the course was wide and open so overtaking was not an issue at all.

Whilst apparently the oldest cross race in the SE it was not a course I ridden and turned out to be the polar opposite of Herne Hill. Not only was it possible to stay clipped in for all but one obstacle, the mild weather meant a fairly dry course with plenty of grip available. There was no rest up with pedalling effort required all the way round and with few technical sections as long as you could maintain a rhythm and keep the power flowing the course would be rewarding.

Not exactly in the form of my life due to aforementioned new arrival and the disruption that brings, and as the full results are not up I don't know where I came. However I do know it is not in the top 10. Sylv came past me on the last lap, preceeded by eventual winner Jody Crawforth.

An enjoyable afternoon's race well organised by Gemini BC and well supported. There were also a lot of juniors there too, which is always an encouraging sign for the future.

Thanks

Peter

[Sylv]

Hey Peter, sorry I didn't actually notice you while on the course, only realised you were there after driving off and seeing you on the bike (with pram). I got there late too due to m25 traffic and didn't have time to warm up. During the race I was probably too busy suffering head down, was not such a good one this time for me, leftover of a cold maybe or more likely too much pudding this week. Could not keep up with first (or second) group, Matt Webber did a good job of it though, even leading Jody and Simon Richardson on the first lap! So a worthy winner to be of the London League.

Oh and commiserations for having to look after the cx trophy for a year (you'll know when you see it)

[stamourp]

Thanks Slyv. Bad luck on Tuesday as you were riding well when - there's a theme emerging here - you lapped me. At least no mechanical this time I guess.

I replied on the separate thread about the Addiscombe CX trophy. I really had no idea Herne Hill was a qualifying event. Am I going to regret only puncturing on the last lap rather than at least three earlier?

Kind regards

Peter