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@The_Seldom_Killer
Sounds like people were having a tougher time than at Durham National Trophy Races. Well done all.
With the course being used yesterday for the local league, it was already pretty cut up before the day started. Any moisture that may have been pounded out was comfortably restored by overnight rains that continued into the morning. If there was any saving graces, the mud was more soupy than claggy and being on a cricket club ground, the well tended and thin grass wasn't being caught up too much. Of course that didn't offer and guarantees and a handful of rear mechs were sacrificed to the vengeful gods of cross. At least three riders didn't make it off the starting straight (one of the cleanest bits of the course) before having to take up the long, soul destroying run of shame.
A rather meagre 9 starts out of 12 entrants in the Vet Womens race of which Mrs. TSK managed to fight to a creditable 5th place. Racing in with the Junior Men and Elite Women so at least it wasn't a lonely CX TT. I'm hoping this isn't repeated for the standalone Vet Women's National Champs Race in Shrewsbury. Alas there are whispers that the Ipswich round may not be well attended either . i.e. those that didn't drop the Durham round might drop that one. If there are any Vet Women around here then this might be an ideal opportunity to experience racing at the next level up. You aren't guaranteed to come last either. While the top half of the field are certainly some fantastic riders, the lower half are local league riders who are getting to test themselves on a different class of course and race.
In other news, Ripley Castle New Years Day Cross is having rather the opposite problem with entrants. This applies particularly to the Senior Men and Vet 40-49 Men and they're already having so consider what kind of cap they may need to apply to ensure a safe and enjoyable event. If you fall into either of these categories and are interested in entering then you'd be well advised to do so sooner rather than later. They're still holding both a stand alone Women's race with the target of 100 riders on the start line and a singlespeed race within the novice race. I'd like to see both well supported even if it does mean I'm likely to come DFL in the SS.
And on the subject of castles, after a week off this week, I'm off to Wentworth Castle next week in what has now become round 5A of the Yorkshire League. Rumblings abound that it might get used for a Rapha, National Trophy or some other bigger event next year if this goes well. Should be good then.