IanMcD
Posts 44
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What a treat to see some great racing at Bolton today. Horwich CC host two events each year at the Leverhulme Park venue but variations in course route and direction always throw up new challenges. The weather of course adds an the extra dimension. Steady rain over the past week, a sprinkling of overnight snow, clear daytime skies and air temperature hovering above zero saw a real mix of ground conditions; mud, ice, mud, sticky mud, sloppy mud, mud on ice, mud - you get the picture. I'm sure Ed Rollason has - great light conditions for our top NW CX league photographer.
The two front runners Drake and Armstrong enacted a season long battle, riding the whole hour wheel to wheel and finishing close enough to shake hands before collapsing! To the relief of all but a handful this pair lapped most of the field and re-lapped many more than once. Fitness, strength, skill, and luck with the equipment all play their part in a cross race, with some riders favouring certain ground conditions or course profiles. The best are there week in, week out and Manchester Wheelers were once again well represented, fielding our best riders in each age category: Seniors - Scott Wilson, V40 - Mike Cleary, V45 - Mick Style, V50 - Si Cunningham (1), Jan Shearsmith (2). If you have ever questioned the benefit of wearing a helmet, have a chat with Jan - the mud print on his lid told a story of vertical misalignment that could not have involved his wheels! Towards the end of their final laps both Si and Mike made massive efforts to pass riders they had been following - great stuff at the end of an exhausting hour. Rider finishing positions amongst our guys: Scott, Mick, Si, Mike, Jan. Respect due to them all.
And so to the next race at Macclesfield on 27 December - http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/74688/Peak-Cyclesport-Macclesfield-Supacross . Why not come down and ride, or watch - I'm sure there will be more great racing to be seen.
Ian
edited by IanMcD on 18/12/2011
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