Cyclopark East ‘The Badlands’.
First race after Christmas and a horrendous weather forecast; January ‘cross is upon us.
The course this week was largely flat and grassy but was slightly inclined and exposed to really strong winds and lashing, freezing rain.
The promoters Bigfoot had created a track which on first inspection looked pretty straightforward but once the races were underway turned into a treacherous skating rink of oozy mud, sloppy mud, slidey mud, but thankfully not sticky mud – our wheels were going to keep turning.
After a slightly protracted start where we all became mildly hypothermic the race got underway and I immediately sprinted into 3rd position which then quickly became 2nd position as Andy Taylor (a very gifted rider) lost control on a muddy descent and slammed hard into an extremely unyielding wooden fence.
I was riding on a hastily prepared singlespeed born out of all the broken and mended components from the season so far and it was proving a cracking tool for the job, proving very responsive when required.
Pic 1: Second lap and catching up with the leader on my singlespeed.
Mid race I got a rear tyre puncture but it didn’t really hinder me much, in fact it gave pretty good grip in the slop. However on the harder sections it was extremely hazardous so I rode into the pits and was handed up my other bike by a mate (thanks Huw) and barely lost a second. I was back on track with a sparkling clean bike still in 2nd place, and feeling I might add, rather pro.
I managed it, suffered for a few mins more and was rewarded by drawing out my gap to an insurmountable lead for 3rd place at the finish.
Phew, what a race!
P.S. Do you like the new handlebar tape on the second bike?
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