jez

Wessex League Cyclocross – Round 9 Oxford, 9 November

Oxford Brookes University was this week's venue for another fine day's racing in the autumn sunshine. Overnight rain had made little impact on the conditions for a course that like last year, relied heavily on laps of sportsfields for possibly the flatest parcours of the season. What it lacked in elevation however it made up for with a large tiger infested wooded section as riders fleeing it's  muddy centre bore the cuts and bloodied arms that resembled such an attack - not to mention some blood curdling screams emanating from that dark place! And if the beast didn't get you, the super sticky mud and leaves combo that seems unique to this course would do. Many a rider came running out carrying a bike that was either too clogged for wheels to turn or had dropped a chain.

Lining up for Sotonia and ready to take on the beast in the woods were Phil Connell, Simon Guard, Jon Dudley, John Phillips and Tom Budden. The vets race saw Phil take up the charge but he was slowly reeled in by Simon who then surged ahead for the first time this season to take first Sotonia rider (42nd out of 121 riders). John and Jon also had their customary tussle before Jon D managed to make a gap on the flat sections with his TT skills. In the seniors, Tom rode well again to 29th place - especially so with a hangover to cure!

Many thanks to Jon Dudley's wife Ann and Simon for the truly delicious post race cakes and chocolate brownies.

Next sunday it's Sotonia's turn to host our race at Eastleigh - so hope to see many of you there... possibly not tigers though.

Jez Hart's race pics are here

Full results are here

by jez

Wessex League Cyclocross – Round 8 VC Venta, 2 November

A great turnout of 11 crossers for team Sotonia at Sparsholt on Sunday. In the big vets field of 116, we had Phil Connell, Simon Guard, Jon Dudley, John Phillips, Martin Ward, Mike McLachlan and Rob Tomlinson. In the seniors, Phil Wilks, Tom Budden and cross virgin, Neils Langhout. Not forgetting young George Connell in the U12's race.

Overnight rain meant the course at Sparsholt College was going to be a technical challenge. A big 1.4 mile lap resulted in just four laps for many. The course itself was similar to last year with a few more 'wiggly bits' to make it just a bit tougher. But most people seemed to have enjoyed their race even though the vast majority parted company with their bikes at least once or twice! The real killer feature for many was running through the gravel pit, closely followed by the uphill chicane just as you were accelerating down a hill after the finish line.

Phil Connell once again led the charge in the vets race, finishing 30th, Simon Guard, getting quicker each race in 33rd,  Jon Dudley 70th,  John Phillips 72nd, Mike McLachlan 88th and Martin Ward 98th.

In the seniors, Tom Budden was riding strongly in the top 20 before he snapped a brake cable and was unable to tie the flailing wire safely and forced to retire - better add electrical tape to the list of bizarre things to leave in the pits! Phil Wilks finished a fine 20th (his best Wessex League result to date). Neils also battled through his first race to 38th of 48 starters on the testing course - well done Neils!

Wessex race report and results: http://t.co/RqohazCmzX

Jez Hart's pics are here

Julian Gee's video of the vets race is here

by jez

Wessex League Cyclocross – Round 5 Fareham, 5 October

It was fine weather once again and not a hint of mud for round 5 of Wessex League Cyclocross season at Fairthorne Manor, organised by Fareham Wheelers for the second year (conditions will surely be more 'traditional' cross for the return visit Fairthorne in December!)

The action kicked off with the under 12s, with George Connell appearing in his first race for Sotonia and vowing to return... so long as the post race conker pickings are as bountiful next time!

Five Sotonia vets lined up in another huge field of 120 riders - Jon Dudley, Phil Connell, Martin Ward, Jon Phillips and a welcome return by Simon Guard after injury. The start was split by age group with the v40s starting first and Phil led the team, showing that his recent french cheese binge hadn't slowed him down too much. The course was similar to last year with large flat grass fields, technical wooded section, bankings and a small but hungry sand pit to trip up the unwary.

In the senior race was Tom Budden who was in good form, taking 25th place in a field of 52.

Jez Hart's pics of the action can be found here

Graham Robins' pics are here

Wessex League provisional results are here

by jez

Wessex League Cyclocross - Round 1 Newbury RC, 6 September

After nine months wait, the cross season started with a bang at Mary Hare School, Newbury. Early fixtures are often warm, dry affairs and this was no different. What was different, was the course - the builders pretty much reversed last years' route for a tough and technical challenge.

Starting things off with a long sprint accross the top of the playing fields, the riders took a fast left and started the rise that preceeded an up and down 6ft banking then on to an 11% climb to get the lactic pumping. The following bumpy descent was a prelude for a series of technical dead turns around the trees with a bit of off-camber thrown in, then three evil switchbacks again set on a wicked gradient. The 'recovery' was next as riders bounced their way down the edge of the large fields, then more twisty turny stuff around the trees, dismount for the barriers, a short sand section, yet more tight twisty tree turns, several on banking then into a spiral and finishing off on the start straight to the finish line. So, still the biggest circuit in the league at 1.4 miles and definitely tougher than last years version.

The vets race had a predicted huge and quality field of 118 (including a current cross world champion, Dave McMullen) and had a split start as a result. Over 50s, women and juniors were first, followed two minutes later by the 40-49s. Lining up for Sotonia was Jez Hart and three newcomers to cross - Rob Tomlinson, Mike McLachlan and our first female racer of recent times - Gemma Wilks - welcome and chapeau to all of you for taking the plunge!

After being gridded near the front, Jez soon paid for keeping pace with the top boys (the Hill of Pain didn't help) and the next two laps were regroup time as he recovered. Then just as he started to move back up through the field, his handlebars decided they would work their way loose leaving him with a choice - steer or brake - a bit of running/comedy bar juggling got him to the end in 24th place in the v40s.

Rob's race sounded like he had a blast - took a couple of tumbles but loved it, another cross convert, finishing 39th. Oh, and our world champion didn't have everything his way - tangling with a lapped back marker on the hill and both riders landing in a heap - only in cross!

In the senior race (51 starters), Sotonia had the other half of the Wilks family cycling dynasty - Phil, along with Darren Sell and Dan Sahota. The pace was ferocious and Phil was up to 18th after 2 laps. He went on to finish 31st with Darren in 47th, Dan having to pull out with a mechanical early on.

Full results can be found here

by jez