National Trophy Round 6 – Rutland Water
Out – not with a bang, not with a whimper
So the 17th January 2010 was the last day I was officially in my 30s. As far as British Cycling was concerned, I was technically still a senior, so founf myself on the start line racing with ‘those youngsters’ under 40 for the last time in a National series. From about three minutes into the race, it was clear that I’m going to suit being old, as my race deteriorated into a bit of a shambles…
The traffic issues caused by 80 charging cyclists on a course approximately 3m wide on the first lap of a slippy race is always a fun affair – and the further down the grid you are, the more these things become amplified and hence more entertaining. It came to a head for me when I was unintentionally cut up by someone avoiding some slip, crash of something a few riders ahead. The upshot of it all was that I took an awkward sideways swipe at a highly tensioned rope at the side of the course; hammered my leg into a wooden stake, then flipped off the bike over the rops, but somehow still attached to them by my helment strap. I had to take my helmet off before I could even untangle and collect myself, and was now pretty much at the back of the field of 80 riders.
After a semi-satisfying lap of passing people and trying to get things back together without panicking, I was just about settled in when I again cought my handlebars on a rope. This time it was entirely my doing, although I knew nothing about it until I’d landed on the floor having somersaulted off my bike at a fairly high speed. I only lost about 20 seconds with this fall, but it broke my resolve, and from then on it was just a matter of plodding on and pretending I was still racing… my last race as a senior wasn’t to be a satisfying result – like every single race I’ve ridden since September’s 3 Peaks Cyclocross.
I’m not feeling too distressed about the way the season went. I’m not the most talented rider out there and can only expect to do well when I really train – and training’s just an inconvenient add-on since life with the children and work is so busy. What I end up with is a slightly public slide from grace – I was 21st in the National Trophy series last year and 23rd in the National Champs – this year I haven’t even scored a national trophy point – and can’t ride the rescheduled champs. It’s quite a come down…
But – still – I love it all – I’ve been doing all of this through my own choice and you have to take the rough with the smooth. Age isn’t really much of a factor at all – Nick Craig rode both the senior and the veterans events on Sunday and had stunning rides in the circumstances. I know it’s been a bit of a wierd season for training / busy family life PLUS a mix of technical / equipment failures that were largely my fault, but could I truly imaging a smooth cyclocross season? Nah. It’s just not right. Roll on September 2010.
Some images below from British Cycling, Billy Reid of TEAM WHEEELBASE and Richard Seipp.
Ah well. You might be rubbish but at least you look good in the photos! Nice gallery that. You sound pretty sanguine about things though and clearly love the sport for more than just the podiums.
…actually you should try really being rubbish, that’d learn you to moan
Thanks Steve – will try giving being really rubbish a go soon.
You’ll never be as rubbish as me!