Thetford Cyclo-Cross Enduro 2nd Sept 2012

phil k

Just entered this - only 246 places left in the Vets race!!!

45 mile race on the fire roads at thetford forest!!

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/80449/Thetford-Cyclo-Cross-Enduro

you might know the event organiser!!

Theo-saurus

Looking forward to this one

PeterG

I'm booked

jackie Field

so are we. They are doing an event and training for youngsters so adults can do the race.

Jon.c

me too

jackie Field

Great Day out.

Well done to all that took part.

Good showing from CCA

Stuart

Cycling Weakly

Some photos of the Under 12 race, the start of the main event, and its first lap before we had to dash off.

Mark F

Senecio [Daniel D]

CCA were well represented at the inaugural Thetford Cyclocross Enduro. For the big people this was a 3 hour marathon around a 5 mile circuit; no let up all the way around. Mixed terrain from fast gravel tracks, to killer roller coaster sections and jumbo gravel (see Mark’s photos above). Needless to say it was very demanding and I was wrecked at the end.

The following were there: Ethan, Daniel, Peter, Linda (Greens), Jackie, Stuart, Noah, Felix (Fields), Mark, Anna, James (Frasers), Elsbeth, Stephen, Bryn (Davies), Stewart, Cameron (Woolsey), Christine, Jon (Chapman) and Theo (Saurus).

Special mention must go to the so-solid-pit-crew (Stewart, Stephen and Elsbeth), who I think worked the hardest of us all fixing those dammed punctures. Big thanks to the soigneurs (Christine and Linda) handing up water and shouting support.

A great day’s racing. I only know a few results:

Jackie FIRST (womens)
Theo 4th (scratch)
Peter 18th (vets)
Daniel 26th (vets)

Full results here LINK

Theo and Cameron were in the front group until several chain-offs hindered Theo’s progress and a puncture spoilt Cam’s day; but that’s the sometimes bitter luck in cycling.

Peter rode a very good race in his first cyclocross event. Things can only get easier for you Peter as Eastern Cross league events only last 1 hour max!

Finally many thanks to Mark Wyer for organising this and also Stevie.

Daniel

brynd

Despite the course being relatively tame compared to a normal cross race the sheer length of the race made it absolutely brutal. 24 hours on and I'm still hurting as though it has only just finished.

A really good event though and one that we may not forget (or recover from) for some time.

A big thank you to all the helpers: without Stewart, Stephen and Elspeth in the pits and Christine and Linda in the feed zone none of the CCA riders would have been able to produce the performances they did.

Particular congratulations need to go to Jackie who won the women's event in emphatic style finishing way ahead of many of the elite men and junior (such as myself) who were set off 4 minutes ahead of her. Very impressive stuff.

Theo-saurus

The blue junior team was on the front row . Just a long winded commissaire’s speech stood between us and the race. We all got decent starts, which weren’t slow considering the race was 3 hours. I spent almost the entire first lap on the front trying to stay away from the chaos as people fought for the best line. The course was the best of all worlds combining dirt roads, grass paths, sand, rocks, a hurdle and lumps but it meant you had to stay focused. I looked back approaching the second lap noticing Cameron; it was great to have two Ashwells in the top group of about 7. I continued to ride on the front for another lap until about lap 3. Just before the lumpy woods section my chain came off; because stronglight is a French company, they decided to put a bolt under the right crank arm, making it impossible to remount a chain whilst still riding. I had to stop and put it back on losing me valuable time. I watched the train of riders glide over the turbulent single track as I fiddled with my chain. It took about a Quarter of a 5mile lap to get back on, where Cam welcomed me back in. I could now suss out the competition. There was one guy who kept going out in bursts and another who followed him looking extremely cool; these where the people to watch out for. Unfortunately this information was useless to me, my chain came off again. As I was chasing back on it happened again this time it was really wedged. I had lost the group for sure now. It was time to keep plodding on and not fall off or collapse. I lapped so many riders but it took me a while to get to my dad, I took this as him doing well not me doing bad! After some laps (about 3 or 4 to go) I could see Cam and some other bloke in a near section, hope was restored. About a lap later I passed Cam cycling very slowly, Puncture. In the end I finished in 4th and 1st junior (only us four!). It was unfortunate that Cam punctured as did Jon. I didn’t see much of Bryn and Jon in the race but I knew they did well by their inability to stand up and talk properly. Well done to all who raced it was a great start to the cross season.

geoffg

it's really fun reading your reviews Theo.....great write up and well done Daniel :-) sounds like torture. Change that chainset Theo...Clearly stronglight isn't the one for cross.

Cycling Weakly

CCA made up nearly a third of the field in the Under 12 race. They enjoyed riding a course which was more challenging than usual for this age group. All did well, with notable performances from young Ethan Green and from new member Helena Dyce in her first CX event.

1. William Davies Welwyn Wheelers
2. Tom Davies Welwyn Wheelers
3. Troy Wingar Gipping Race Team
4. James Fraser CC Ashwell
5. Colin Mantle Mildenhall CC
6. Josh Murad Mildenhall CC
7. Ben Laflin
8. Daniel Green CC Ashwell
9. Helena Dyce CC Ashwell
10. Felix Field CC Ashwell
11. Imogen Pitcher Molly’s Cycles
12. Solomon Breyer Ipswich Triathlon Club
13. Tyler-Jay Pitcher Molly’s Cycles
14. Oliver Griggs West Suffolk Wheelers
15. Ethan Green CC Ashwell
16. Jamie Laflin
17. Melissa Laflin

Thanks to Mark Wyer and the EC-CA for promoting the event.

Mark F