West Midlands CX Championships/Rd 11, 28 Nov 2021

This was only my 2nd ever time riding cyclocross, who would have thought riding your bike fast round a muddy field would be so fun!🤷🏼‍♀️

I did a one lap course practice as it was freezing and raining and I didn’t want to get too cold. The course looked very exciting with 3 big banks to ride up, lots of times to put out power and really cool corners to try not to fall off on!

The start was annoying as because I am not a registered rider in the WMCCL I was gridded in the back row with the fast riders at the front. This was annoying as it meant I missed the front 4 riders as I got stuck behind others, however still managed a decent start, getting in front of most people by the 1st corner.

After I broke away I pretty much did the whole race solo as the riders who got away at the start were too far ahead to catch even though we were doing similar lap times. I kept looking at my watch wishing the time would slow down as 40min wasn’t enough time to enjoy the riding. The only problem I had on the course was as I was paying too much attention to the camera man I didn’t see the jumps until it was almost too late! Good thing I do triathlon so I can do quick dismounts…

When I finished I was told I came 4th senior woman and that the people who came in front of me were GBR riders with the winners being professional CX riders. This gave me confidence in my abilities as if I had got out in the front row at the start I would have been able to ride with them from looking at the lap splits at the end.

I am now really looking forward to riding next weekend🚴🏼‍♀️🤩

Aoibh Clarke