Eastern League CX Round 10, Milton, 26 Jan 2025

Judith Parry

A CX race that reminded me of a game of Snakes and Ladders!

One minute you were off carrying (or dragging!) the bike uphill trying to find a foothold on the ever-increasing slippery ground, and the next minute you were snaking and slipping downhill and round corners.

Some bits I loved, especially lap 3 when I actually managed to ride some of the slick adverse camber that was strewn with tree roots (I only managed this once in 4 laps),  and in other moments I questioned my life choices as the course took us downhill into a mud pit that had only one deep rut through it which I lacked the confidence and skill to even attempt trying to ride through.

My fitness improvement from the coaching with Tim (Catenary Coaching) was noticeable as despite the many ups and downs, falls and slips I was always able to recover well.

Milton was the last race of the Eastern League series and reflecting on my first season I am proud of starting and finishing 7 very different races. Having never ridden off road before the age of 52 it has to go down as one of my craziest but most rewarding ideas!

Julie Taplin