Billed as the “triumphant return of Cyclocross racing to Todmorden”, the New Years Revolution race attracted a large number of riders including many of the “big names” in CX racing. One of the not-so-big names was me. Taking part in this didn’t seem to be such a good idea given I’d spent the last however many weeks either ill or unable to train for one reason or another. I knew it was going to hurt, in other words (and I was right!). I needed to get my arse back in gear at some point though, so why not like this? I planned to ride back home after the race anyway so I’d have a chance to spend a couple of hours at a lower intensity than the inevitable red-line heart rates of the next hour….
Just before the start I bumped into Andrew in the car park who was taking his ‘cross bike for its maiden voyage off-road. Once we’d registered we went for a quick look at the course including the horrible slippery cobbled climb, then realised we had about 15 seconds to get back to the start line before the race started.
We made it, and off we all went. I can’t remember passing too many people but I do remember quite a few fast lads and girls passing me, some of them at warp speed, some of them by virtue of their shoes affording better grip on the slippery cobbled climb.
I was still breathing. I’ve not had a heart attack yet. I’m still coughing up some stuff but it’s not blood. It’s going ok, but I’m slow.
I started to get a bit faster, but I figured that everyone else was probably getting faster. I saw Dave Haygarth go past me for the second time. I saw Rich and Gingerflash with their cameras, so I was glad I wore the little black number 😉
Then it was over. Kind of without warning really. Ben just said “that’s it Jase”, so I just stopped. If I’d known I was on my last lap I might have given it the kitchen sink and maybe I’d have been lapped by less people. Hmmm. Maybe not.
I rode home from Tod afterwards – it’s a nice undulating spin along the valley to Rochdale and then through Bury. I rode for a bit with a couple of old guys from West Pennine CC, then had to stop for some food.
A very enjoyable race and I’m so pleased that I’m able to put some serious training mileage in now and make up for the last few weeks.
Jase 