London Cross league #3 Betteshanger

[Sylv]

Well George now truly got this cx stuff nailed, and got another top ten today.

George Aodan and I travelled to the venue near Dover in the magic bus, and met there Maria who, fresh from crossing the Channel after a French riding excursion, went onto racing with us!

Perfect weather, and a good course which suited the power riders - I don't remember doing an average of 26.6km/h (16.55) for an hour in recent years. We had the best cx rider in the country Ian field leading the ... field, he lapped me just as I was about to go for my 9th and final lap (which I didn't get to do) - which makes his speed around 30km/h (18.5)!!!

We will see how far behind was George but I am guesstimating just over 3 minutes which is pretty impressive. I felt ok but though the course was good it didn't suit me and my bike best, it had two long flat tarmac sections, and some straight fast fireroads, mixed with a little bit of twisty singletrack, the only real technicality being a couple of damp corners, I just couldn't hang on with some of the strong roadies, think I was around 17th, and Aodan 24th.

At Herne Hill George was laughing at the riders coming in red with exhaustion and collapsing to the ground ... he did just that as he crossed the line At least we know he tried his best.

Seniors/Vets/Women/Juns
1 Ian Field Hargoves/Trant
2 Matt Holmes Arctic Rt/ Premier
3 Chris Ansell Corridori
4 Mike Bell (Vet) London Fire Brigade
5 Jon Lyons (Vet) GS Invicta
6 Stuart Jones London Phoenix
7 Gary Bryant (Vet) Old Portlians
8 George Brent Addiscombe
9 Mark Field
10 Ben Spurrier

Photos by Richard Wood there - great ones http://www.flickr.com/photos/23436318@N ... 75/?page=3

[Michelle]

Great tongue-out photo from George on Page 3.

Well done you guys, that looks like a hot day to be doing cx.

And what kit is Maria riding in? Not another team, surely

[Toks]

I think Maria's wearing a London cyclesport jersey. Not another new club

[Maria David]

Since I was getting back from my cycling trip round Northern France/Paris mid-morning it seemed quite handy to make the 8 mile trip from Dover up to Deal to get to Betteshanger and meet up with the guys.

As I still had a bit of energy left I thought I might as well sign up for the race. So I just raced in the kit I was wearing - London Cyclesport top and my favourite pair of shorts that I bought in Buenos Aires a while back. No, I don't have a new club but I'm open to offers from any club that'll give me a new pair of legs.

[Sylv]

Oops I forgot something

Women
1 Clare Beaumont London Dynamo
2 Susan Wood Maldon
3 Maria David Addiscombe

[Jon H]

[quote="Sylv"]3 Maria David Addiscombe

[Andrew G]

Congrats George and others. Not worked out when George is going to squeeze in an off-season yet . Is the van the "magic bus" as it's a miracle how it's still going, it would give some of my past cars a run for their money .

[George]

Really managed to get into the groove of this race, I loved the circuit it was the best yet set in an old colliery, I liked the flat out sections over the old slag which was very quick, almost like on tarmac.

I managed to get off to a flyer of a start and got into the first singletrack section in about 5th position.
Managed to keep the leaders in sight for half the race and then for the second half was having a really good battle with Gary Bryant an old portillian rider, we were twoing and throwing swapping positions almost in a sort of 2 man through and off.

I really concentrated on my breathing and took long hard inhalations which seemed to enable me to keep longer in the red zone.

Right on the last lap and with 500m to go I was just lining up my attack on Gary when in a sharp corner my chain jammed in the rear cassette , I had to get off the bike and pull it free Oh well still managed to get 8th place so happy with my effort.

Indeed like Sylv says at the finish I collapsed on the ground and still have a tt cough in the back of my throat, so pretty sure I tried a bit harder this time

Looking forward to the Addiscombe cyclocross championship race next week where I'll get to try out my newly built up machine. oooooh can't wait
[quote] Is the van the "magic bus" as it's a miracle how it's still going, it would give some of my past cars a run for their money