After a long hard season I've been
taking it easy. I rode the bike a little but mostly as a mode of
transport to get to coffee shops. Most of my scars that have not had
the chance to heal from my various knocks with tarmac and dirt over
the year are starting to fade. In one way I like the off-season,
well, during the season when I'm tired and drained (not much of the
time, but sometimes) the thought of reaching off-season keeps me
going – you look forward to it, and heaven forbid – some beers!
Once I hit off-season though, I quickly
get tired of it and want to ride more again. Last year Mel and I went
to Peru for 3 weeks as part of our postponed honeymoon during October
– no bikes, but we still remained active – it was really good for
us. This year I'm in Ireland and after seven days, I'm already
itching to get going again. Basically, I love riding my bike – it I
wasn't racing, I would be still riding my bike – possibly more!
Anyway – even though I'm taking it
easy, it has just become cyclocross season – one hour of fun racing
in the mud. The first race was been held in Lurgan which until 48
hours ago would have been a bone dry, super fast track – Ireland
being Ireland – it rained for the 36 hours before the race making
it a muddy, sliddery affair. I don't think I have actually raced or
ridden in proper mud for about a year now.
A large field gathered at 1pm for our
start and from the gun it was frantic as we all skiddered (yes, I did
mean to say skiddered!) around the course. After a lap there was a
group of five of us at the front – Roger Aiken was looking strong
and the former National Champ kept the pressure on and rode away. The
rest of us battled for a while but eventually the elastic broke and
at the halfway point I was in solo pursuit of Roger.
 |
| Thank goodness for the 'bike wash' |
He was flying and I wasn't going to
catch him (Mel gave me a warning that I must be smiling in every
photo otherwise I'm not allowed to race any more cross) – that and
my bike sounded like it was going to explode meant I nursed it around
for the final lap and a half finishing second. The previous years winner,
Matt Adair, came in in third.
 |
| Muddy |
A great course, great organization,
great food afterwards – what more could I ask for seven days into
the 'off-season'.
Photos via the Belgian Project and thanks to Sean Downey for the lift to and from the race.
1 comment:
Helllo mate nice blog
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