Central League Rd 4 Rockingham and Eastern League Rd 5 Ashwell, 2/9 Oct 2022

Reports on my first two cyclocross races:

I turned up to my first race at Rockingham not knowing what the course was like or how I’d do. I left too much pressure in the tyres as it was completely dry. After struggling on the technical sections I had picked up a puncture without realising it and hit a hidden rock in the ground in a dip causing the front wheel to buckle and me to come off which was race over 13 minutes in.

The second race was in Ashwell and this was again very dry. I yet again left too much pressure in my tyres and in the dusty technical bumpy woods came off a few times and ended up running a lot. I was lapped by about the top third of the field and finished towards the back. I had forgotten to bring gloves and the bumpy nature of the course resulted in my hands being shredded. This was another factor in my poor performance as I was in a lot of pain and could hardly grip the bars, change gear or brake. I won’t make that mistake again.

Chris King