Cyclo-cross 2013

[lisa]

My End of Season Round-Up

Well there it is, another cyclocross season gone in the blink of an eye. For most, the pre season training is short and sharp, focusing on explosive speed, skill and technique. For me, the summer is spent training for the endurance that is required for 3 Peaks Cyclocross. ‘Normal’ ‘cross is a major shock to the system after that and this year it took my body several weeks to recover from the Peaks.

To put it in perspective for all the new women in the club, I first started cycling 3 years ago. Many of my cyclist friends told me that the third year is when you start to make real gains. And, just as they’d predicted, this was my best season, by far.

With more women racing than ever before, a podium in every Ulster race (bar Ormeau which I couldn’t race due to a mechanical) and one in the south was more than I ever could have hoped for. Last year, in many races, I was a lap down on the top two girls.

If I’m completely honest, I had one goal this season. It was to beat Gill. She is my very good friend and has always been extremely supportive and helpful, giving me the benefit of her many years of racing experience. But she was always ahead of me in every race. I beat her at our own race in Moira and today at the champs. But yet still I’m disappointed. I came 6th today. I have beaten the girls who came 3rd and 5th today already this season and I’m now really disappointed with myself.

But, as I’ve said before, this season was all about learning. It’s the first season that I’ve been competitive. Money can buy you fancy bikes and all the latest equipment but it can’t buy you experience on the bike and I’m really lucky that I’ve been able to learn so much this year.

Lesson #1
If I want to get better at riding my bike I have to ride my bike. My new job allows me to commute about 20 miles per day. It’s unbelievable how these 2 x 10 mile journeys have improved me as a cyclist.

Lesson #2
Once I learned ‘how to race’, to realise my own strengths and others’ weaknesses I really started to make headway. For example, concentrating on technique, which many seem to ignore; attacking on hills where others are clearly not climbers. I daren't kid myself that I now know how to race. Far from it.

Lesson #3
I daydream too much. I start to think about how OTHERS are doing and before I know it I’ve drifted behind and have ground to make up.

Lesson #4
I need to go at MY fastest pace. It’s all too easy to just fall in behind someone, sit on their tail and get comfortable. That’s not what cyclocross is about. Cyclocross is about max effort for an hour. So, if it feels too easy, go around them and go faster.

Lesson #5
Don’t leave it too long to change the bike, like I did today. A clogged up bike may as well have a couple of cogs removed from the cassette.

Lesson #6
Christmas is not my friend. I have to remember next year that the Christmas period is vital Nationals training time. Don’t eat and drink too much next year. And ride your bike, Lisa!!

Lesson #7
Lose a bit of weight. It makes a difference. And when you do lose a bit of weight, don't put it all back on over Christmas (see #6 above).

So there you have it, my season in a nutshell.

Many, many thanks to Martin for being Team Dromara chauffeur, to Barry for being my pit b*tch, to all the other lads for the support during the races and to all the club members who cheered me on at Moira and today at Lady Dixon.

To next year...

[barryvankellett]

Great nationals race today, well done to all our racers, a good turn out from the club. From Lisa in the Elite womens and Martin and John McG going really well in the super strong Vets race, to JohnS and RichardC both stepping up to the plate and entering the Elite mens. Guts lads! Guts and glory!

Just a wee word for all the supporters today. I've a good few encouraging bystanders already in races through the XC scene, but today was something else. Was great seeing loads of club members down to experience the event and shout so much support. Makes you go that little harder.

I'll maybe bore you all with a race report tomorrow, but for now, my bottom bracket needs drained.... not a euphemism.

[johnmcg]

So that's it for this, my first year at CX, and no better way to end than to race in the Nationals. I have reported on every race I entered this series, with many tales of mishaps and bad luck, or maybe more likely it is poor skills, and today was no different.

I had hoped for a dry course, but didnt get it, instead it was very slippy and getting any grip was a big problem. I realised after a couple of laps spinning out up the grassy hill, that it would be quicker running, which turned out to be a brisk walk. And then there was "carnage hill" just waiting on a chance to "get me". I had planned on approaching this spot easy and taking it extremely careful, better to be slow than to fall and lose maybe even more time. The first 3 times through and the plan was working, but on the 4th and 5th lap the hill won, and I provided my share of amusement for the crowd that gathers here to enjoy the spills.

Also, early in the race I managed to clip one of the marker poles and broke the buckle of my shoe. It added to the fun of the day trying to ride without pulling a foot out of an unbuckled and very loose shoe.

I really struggled the whole race where traction was an issue, even spinning stationary on parts of the flat grassy field ! I do think I have got better with each race, but there is still an awful long way to go. I lose a lot of time where it is tricky, and will have to work hard to overcome this. But this was only the 1st year in a 3 year plan...looking forward to being a "Supervet"

Well done to the other more capable Dromara riders. Martin started at the back of the field with me but after a lap had opened a good gap and then disappeared out of sight to finish a good few places ahead.

Im not sure where Lisa finished in the Ladies field, the result doesn't seem to be up yet, but I could see that she was ahead of Gill so she must have rode a strong race, to finish off what was a fantastic year for her.

In the main race of the day Barry K, John S and Richard C were flying the flag for Dromara. Barry had a great start only beaten to the "hole-shot" by eventual winner Roger Aiken. He had an enthralling battle with Anthony Doyle, Evan Ryan and Tim O Regan, all top riders in the southern series, and came out tops, finishing in the top 10.

John Shanks and Richard Cowan both had good strong rides, made more interesting as the lead between them was to-ing and fro-ing throughout, with Richard finishing just a few seconds before John.

It was also great to ride the circuit and hear the shouts of encouragement all around the course, and to see so many from the Dromara club there to support. I'm sure it spurred on the Dromara riders to give that little bit extra. Unfortunately it was wasted on me, I only had one speed today, slow !

Also a big thanks to all the Dromara CX riders, for the advice, encouragement, and many a good laugh.

[barryvankellett]

2 Days late...

Last race of the season, and what a race. Having put CX to the back of my mind since the Ulster champs (or even before that), I was certainly not in peak physical condition for this, but was both excited and nervous at the same time. Front row pressure was on. The two big guns were quiet and solemn, Ray O'Shaunnesy was so nervous he almost missed the start. Which left me just Glenn Kinning and Tim O'regan to have a bit of banter with, and, well... it seemed like small talk was as good as it was getting.

I second guessed the commaisaire as i seen him glance at the race clock up head, and he hit the hooter without any warning to the riders. Off I went, all my eggs in the hole shot basket, trying to get a picture for the mantlepiece... Big ring and dropping through the block. The stats afterwards claim a 0-28.4mph acceleration up to that point, which I would believe as when i went to slow for the first corner I could hear brakes on the rim but definitely wasn't feeling any sensation of slowing down! Aiken beat me in, by a bike length, Never seen him go off so hard ever. Adair was boxed in behind.

Roars of derision and "getthef**kouttamyway!!!" as we hit the first section, sorry lads, its a race! I lost a few places in the first few minutes as expected, but was hanging on in around 5th spot as the pace seemed unbelievably to go up a notch. Up the gravel climb as hard as I could and I am really in danger now, body suffering after the somewhat silly start line sprint and close to blowing up.

Into the tree section and I can hear this noise. Something like a grizzly bear, dying, from lung disease. I glance around and there is young Montgomery. "On the rivet" wouldn't be a fair description of his current physical well being at that moment in time. Being his first ever race as a senior, he had no senior points so had to start at the back of the grid, and here he was... Almost in as bad a shape as me. I beckoned him past. The plan being that if you can stick with him, you will drop everyone behind!

Unfortunately he is the king of sketchy riding and almost lost it straight away into a section of tape round a corner. Following his line and being much less capable of steering and reacting, into the tape I go, with a pole wrapped around the bike. Boom, a train of guys start going past and I lose about 20 seconds trying to just get going again. Agonising. Still, it gave me the chance to settle down a little and get into some sort of race Rhythm.

I ended up, as John said, racing with Tim O'Regan for most of the race having managed to get rid of Evan Ryan. Lewis Ferguson and James McMaster were in there too until Tim T-Boned James and put him out of the race. Towards the end of the race I caught and passed Zippy Doyle, as O'regan continued to give chase. Thankfully carnage corner was kind to me and unkind to Tim as he lost all the time he was gaining on me in there on most laps!

That last lap pass on Doyle sneaked me into the top 10 which I was pretty overjoyed with truth be told. The class of the field was immense. Some guys are complete powerhouses, some are have sublime skill. Seymour and Aiken are both. Being completely average at each though, it was nice to battle to a respectable finish in the end.


Big thanks to all the guys who came down to watch and cheer.

I love these two photos, they really sum up cyclocross racing...
Pre race sick with nerves:

DMCV2491 by thebelgianproject, on Flickr

Post race tales and laughs with Tommy Downey and Gary Bailie!

DMCV2886 by thebelgianproject, on Flickr

[manuel6b]

Great reports from John, Barry and Lisa.

This was probably one of my best races this season. I had actually got out on the bike in the week leading up to the race. I got a couple of laps of the course done. Got to the start line and got a spot behind the first row of non-placed riders. When the horn blew I went up the right hand side. The guy who was in front of me had an issue with his bike, I passed him and I believe he was then then one who brought others down behind me. I got well up the right hand side for the left hander. I managed to pass a couple more on the hills. I was fortunate to always have a "carrot" in front of me, someone to chase. That really helped me get round and I was able to then try to outbrake other riders into corners etc. There were a few I went past that I was amazed to have caught. Strong vets. Unfortunately a couple of them got me on what I thought was just before the bell on my last lap. Turned out the race was over so I didn't get a chance to get past them again. However, no complaints. I beat who I set out to beat. I beat others who I didn't expect to beat but when you finish 26th out of 38 these are your goals. Best of all I didn't crash once.
Many thanks to those who came along and supported the race. It would be great if more of you took the plunge and give this sport a go.

I really enjoy cyclo-cross. I look forward to it most of all. It has been a successful season, very busy for me but very rewarding. I hope this sport continues to grow in Ireland.

[garybailie]

Great reports folks, well done everyone. Well done Barry finishing 3rd in the series, another great result for you and the club.