This reminds us all why fox hunting was abolished for its barbarism.
Cyclocross National Trophy Round 4, Peel Park, Bradford
A great feeling to have a race live up to everything I anticipated it to be – my favourite course of the National Trophy series at Peel Park in Bradford. The autumn rain’s always going to have made this one muddy – but the course design this year also contributed towards an excellent challenge. My team Wheelbase mates Rob and Lewis did the business with 3rd and 6th respectively, and I got my best ever finish in a national trophy race, in 20th.
The sharp but painful climbs were frequent enough to make this the hardest circuit so far this year, when combined with the sticky mud – meaning bike changes every lap were a necessity. I again managed to stay upright whilst all around me tumbled. My weight helps on the thicker mud courses. The bikes were ultra reliable once again, and the pit crew were just awesome – all done so professionally when we really needed it. The training’s gone brilliantly in recent weeks, but more than that, the race day preparation is sown to a tee now… I’m lucky to be part of this set up and I’m really enjoying it… I love it when a plan works out.
Film of our Marrakech holiday… just four months late
Okay, it’s been a bit of a busy time…! I’ve only just got round to editing the fillum of our holiday in Marrakech, some four months ago. It was a happy old time, and is lovely looking back on it now. Crosby, Stiils and Nash were’nt actually there… it’s an over-dub.
North of England Cyclocross Championships
More mud, mud, glorious mud this weekend, when I finished a fairly pleasing 6th in the North of England cyclocross championships. A slightly uninspiring course but over conditions that suited me, to be honest…
On top of the economic food chain
This is somehow so credible….!
Americans Get Quized On World Affairs – Watch more free videos
The jagged teeth of hill reps
It may feel like utter death on toast when you’re doing it, and you swear you’l never do it again through the blood you’re coughing up each time you do it, but having a GPS with a heart rate monitor makes hill reps something interesting to look at…
1900 feet of climbing and descending compressed into a zip ride.
Hammer Time
What amazes me about this film is how the man seems to have no bruises apparent from practising his art…
‘That’s gonna cost you’ Aeroplane Situations
I’m not quite sure what amused me about these… I think it’s just the expense of it all…
Back to Cheltenham for 24 hrs
Had a great trip to see Sarah and Alan – our old neighbours – last weekend. There’ something very reliable and reassuring about old mates. Such a great time – just hanging out and nipping out to Crickley Hill for a walk. Thanks for a great stay guys… Piccies here
An early Christmas Present
Katie and I went to the hospital this morning to get a picture taken.
Elvis sings the blues
Just picked up Elvis from the vets a little bit lighter than when we dropped him off… bless him.
Cyclocross: National Trophy Round 3, Mallory Park, Leicestershire
Cold… blowing rain with a strong north-westerly wind. The exposed hillside on the edge of a motor racing circuit. The grass is saturated and worn to a brown mess with much in common with 1917 Flanders. I can’t feel my hands – any part of them, and my heart rate has averaged 178 bpm for the last 60 minutes. I can only see properly out of one eye; the mud has rendered the other one next to useless.
I’m a happy man. The tough bit of the cyclocross season’s here, and I bloody love it.
I finished 23rd today. Not the dizzy heights, but my best ever finish in a UCI event. I’m chuffed enough with that. I love it when it gets difficult!
More info on the UKCyclocross website