Post by barryvankellett on Jan 12, 2015 15:37:50 GMT 1
The Dromara Cyclocross wagon headed down to Dublin yesterday for the big one, the end of season bestest cyclocrossers deciding race.
The course was quite mountainous, as far as cross races go.
Some of us had shoe studs in and were feeling superbly smug. There were two long running climbs, unless you were a complete savage, then there was one. A wall of slippy clay mud that felt handy enough with my super studs in the very brief practice period. Like Everest, every time, in the never ending race period.
I had a pretty poor race, I mistimed my arrival at the start line and had a lot of work to do. The long straight start run was wide. And then narrowed. Then there was a crash. Then I was trying to pick my way through the bodies trying not to impale anyone with the aforementioned studs. I'm sure some of our Ex Ballynahinch rugby club members would have enjoyed this bit greatly. I went hard, very hard, for as long as i could. It turns out round about 10 minutes is as long as I could. I was within spitting distance of 5th Place having picked my way up, but alas, bouncing the engine of the limiter was causing some serious issues under the hood.
I decided to sit in on the windy long straight and take the guys on the downhill off camber hill which had a series of hair pin corners. I had discussed a great cornering tactic with Richard Cowan who nailed it every time. Unfortunately I was over excited and over eager to get a break AND time back here and came off 5 times much to the big crowds enjoyment. 3 times on one descent of it.
I came home in 9th place. Which I suppose isn't bad and one place better than last year, but with the two main men missing and my own ineptitude at the start line, I was sorely disappointed.
Unfortunately for the club, Graham Smyth Punctured within the first few minutes. Team Prize out the window with only me and Richard making it through.
In the Vets race, Paul mawhirt and Derek Graham both pondered the use of a pit bike as the course ate their rear derailleurs. Bad luck to the boys. Thankfully Martin Grimley managed to finish this one, running like a true park runner up those hills, narrowly edging out Paul Watson.
Lisa slugged it out and came home with a hard earned 5th in the Elite ladies race.
Peter Davison took part in the Junior mens race against a field of seasoned CX riders. He might not have been used to the explosion of the start line sprint out but he certainly rode a very strong race and was still going as strong on the last lap as his first. 6th Place for our newest cross racer.
Best of all though, Excellent news in the Vets M60 race, as Mike Barton came home in front of all the other M60 competitors! Fantastic result! Well done champ!
The course was quite mountainous, as far as cross races go.
Some of us had shoe studs in and were feeling superbly smug. There were two long running climbs, unless you were a complete savage, then there was one. A wall of slippy clay mud that felt handy enough with my super studs in the very brief practice period. Like Everest, every time, in the never ending race period.
I had a pretty poor race, I mistimed my arrival at the start line and had a lot of work to do. The long straight start run was wide. And then narrowed. Then there was a crash. Then I was trying to pick my way through the bodies trying not to impale anyone with the aforementioned studs. I'm sure some of our Ex Ballynahinch rugby club members would have enjoyed this bit greatly. I went hard, very hard, for as long as i could. It turns out round about 10 minutes is as long as I could. I was within spitting distance of 5th Place having picked my way up, but alas, bouncing the engine of the limiter was causing some serious issues under the hood.
I decided to sit in on the windy long straight and take the guys on the downhill off camber hill which had a series of hair pin corners. I had discussed a great cornering tactic with Richard Cowan who nailed it every time. Unfortunately I was over excited and over eager to get a break AND time back here and came off 5 times much to the big crowds enjoyment. 3 times on one descent of it.
I came home in 9th place. Which I suppose isn't bad and one place better than last year, but with the two main men missing and my own ineptitude at the start line, I was sorely disappointed.
Unfortunately for the club, Graham Smyth Punctured within the first few minutes. Team Prize out the window with only me and Richard making it through.
In the Vets race, Paul mawhirt and Derek Graham both pondered the use of a pit bike as the course ate their rear derailleurs. Bad luck to the boys. Thankfully Martin Grimley managed to finish this one, running like a true park runner up those hills, narrowly edging out Paul Watson.
Lisa slugged it out and came home with a hard earned 5th in the Elite ladies race.
Peter Davison took part in the Junior mens race against a field of seasoned CX riders. He might not have been used to the explosion of the start line sprint out but he certainly rode a very strong race and was still going as strong on the last lap as his first. 6th Place for our newest cross racer.
Best of all though, Excellent news in the Vets M60 race, as Mike Barton came home in front of all the other M60 competitors! Fantastic result! Well done champ!
