Eastern CX League End-of-Season Relays, 9 Feb 2025

Returning to Colchester for the final event of the Eastern CX season felt like coming full circle. Back in September, this was the venue for my first-ever cyclocross race—a scorching 30-degree day on rock-hard ground. Fast forward to the relays , and the course couldn’t have been more different: thick mud, deep puddles, and plenty of slippery bends.

The relay format added a fun and social element to the racing. Teams of three took turns tackling the course, with each rider completing a single lap before handing over to the next teammate. The team relay allowed riders to choose their own friends, while the mixed relay introduced a bit of randomness, with riders allocated to two new partners. With shorter-than-usual laps to keep us warm, there was still plenty of time to recover and cheer on teammates,

A sighting lap quickly revealed that parts of the course were unrideable. The mud only got deeper as the day went on, turning certain sections into areas where it was quicker to run. My first proper experience in thick mud - I actually enjoyed the battle to stay upright, pick the right line, and keep momentum through the sludge. It was definitely hard work, though, and I was relieved that the laps were shorter, meaning just two per race!

The day wrapped up with the end-of-year awards, where I was presented with the Eastern CX League Female Vet 50-59 Winner’s Trophy! How totally mad 🙃

A huge thank you to Tim and Catenary Coaching for their support and VO2max sessions, which have been invaluable throughout the season. It’s been a brilliant few months of racing, learning, and making new friends.

Julie Taplin