Legendary Soul singer Smokey Robinson nearly got it right with the release of his latest album ‘Time Flies When You’re Having Fun’. I can’t help thinking if he’d been just a little more imaginative with that well used cliché then sales could have been much more proud. Old Smokey certainly would have sold an extra copy had it been called ‘Time Flies When You’re Chewing Dirt’ that’s a given. His loss I suppose...

It’s hard to believe that the final round of the Wessex League has finally made it to the top of the proverbial Christmas tree in time for a Boxing Day blow out at the Southampton Sports Centre. It seems like it was only a couple of weeks ago that I donned the green and black Wheelbase.co.uk/Cannondale skinsuit, taking to the cyclocross start line for the first time in ten years. It’s been a satisfying season, despite a few timely crashes in the early events, finishing on the podium both at the South of England Championships and in the overall Wessex rankings which is more than I would have expected this time three months ago. I know, I know that’s enough blardy-blah for this week, let’s cut the cr@p and race. My sentiments entirely.

Using the opposite (ski slope) side of the Sports Centre than the two previous rounds held at this venue I knew from schoolboy training and racing that it was going to be a hard day out whatever nature, and the organiser, decided to throw at us. I wasn’t sure what was going to be worse. As the ice finally thawed and heavy rain spread across the land the hilly and technical conditions were constantly changing. With half the course on claggy grass switchbacks and the other half under woodland cover with short stinger climbs followed by slick descents often featuring hidden mud covered tree roots as if Satan Santa himself had personally planted them in the hope that he’d hear more than the turkey wishbone go crack this Christmas. A couple of practice laps to the good and both bikes were set up for the conditions and ready to roll.

Riders fill the grid as the clock ticks down. The sky is dark, thick clouds hang menacingly in the cold December air. The rain starts to fall as the whistle sounds and the charge up the first climb signifies to spectators at the top of the course that it’s most definitely game on for the seventy strong field. Round the first long right-hander and back down into the mud it was Hargroves Cycles locamotive Mikii Groves setting the early pace, albeit short lived as he had the Wheelbase army bearing down on him at full throttle. I moved into the lead as we headed into the first section of technical, over the double logs and up the steep proceeding climb. A couple of deep breaths on the descent until another bike on back ascent through the trees and out into the open. Despite being at the front and therefore able to set the tempo, I’d been feeling a little off colour the week before and was lacking the strength that I wanted to lay down on the course. I was joined by South of England Champion Stu Bowers as we started the second lap. I knew it would be short lived and although I led for much of the next two laps when Stu decided to go there was little I could do to respond to his attack. The legs only had one speed in them so it was a case of damage limitation, trying not to make any mistakes and keeping my fingers crossed they’d make it to the end still attached to my body (or if they'd be ripped clean off in the process).

I could see that I was slowly being caught by Pedal On rider Steve James. We linked up at just over half distance and kept the pace consistent. I had the edge on the technical but on the open fast sections (normally the parts I relish) I was poker facing all the way. On the penultimate lap I forged a small gap that I thought may be enough to see me to the line but by the bell Steve had pegged me back and we’d start the final lap together. To be honest I didn’t really have a game plan as to where I’d try and get away, not with how I was feeling anyway. Onto the switchbacks for the final time and I was caught between two lapped riders on the far right. From behind, Steve could see this and he jumped hard on the left. I had to pause to clear the riders before giving chase. It was enough to lose a couple of bike lengths but still with two slippery 180 degree turns to negotiate as well as a climb and descent it was possible to get back, or so I thought. Through the first 180 and onto the off camber climb it was now or never. As I put the power down unfortunately it turned out to be never, the back wheel lost traction on the camber, fishtailing out to the right and leaving me side-on in the sticky stuff. Back on the bike in an instant but so close to the finish there was absolutely no chance of getting back the time and I had to settle for third.

Three Means Team - Another consistent outing for Team Wheelbase/Cannondale with JC coming home in 11th and guest rider for the day, Phil Gale, riding a solid race to cross the line in 8th. The good news here is that even so it’s the last round, by having three riders we’re now eligible for the season long team classification. Ok so we’ve done everything up until now as a duo so there will obviously be a deficit against other full teams but despite this the points scored should put us within striking distance of the top 5 overall. Maybe next year we’ll have three riders all season so we can have a real ding dong at the team competition.

Chasing Status

Question: You’re feeling rough as a badger, what’s the best thing to do after a hard race?

Answer:
a) Have a chiller the day after and of course that starts with breakfast in bed.
b) Sleep, sleep and if you wake up tired sleep some more.
c) Take the Krypton Factor challenge and fit four bikes and people in the team car (er...or my car).

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I admit spending the evening fettling around in the back of the wagon working out the optimum seat configuration whilst strategically juggling four bikes, eight wheels and all the trimmings that go with cyclocross racing into position and still having enough room for four people is a little ambitious post race. The idea was to test things out prior to the National Championships on January 10th to see what does and doesn’t work. By the time everything was in and it was evident it would actually fit (doors and boot closed with no trapped limbs) I was all out of energy and couldn’t face pulling it all out again for no good reason.

So that’s how it happened. Nine hours later and we’re back on the road due west for Round 13 of the Western League in Bristol. Early start, breakfast on the fly, body and mind pondering the rational in what it’s doing but without the reserve to question it. Probably not the type of text book recovery tips you’re likely to find in print, especially when your immune system feels like it’s on the brink of collapse, but hey, what’s that saying? No not ‘Time Flies…’ the other over used one liner ‘What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger’. With a few more national ranking points up for grabs I was prepared to take another hour of hurt, especially if it makes life any easier in two weeks time for a better starting position at the Nationals.

Man, it’s cold out west. A biting wind swept across St George’s Park dramatically lowering the six degree temperature on the dial. Definitely not what the doctor ordered, but then again what the hell does the Doc know? Nothing. That’s just the point. 2nd and 3rd place for the brothers in black made it worth the effort but now it really is time for this kiddy to get some proper REC before the big one……honest.

Photos by Cotty, Dunn, Robins