2009-10-31 Sat - Halloween Cyclo Cross "Muddy Hell"

first/third, it's all gravy.

well done you. I wouldn't have ridden that in the dark, with a million other riders buzzing about, it would have been like some kind of off-road commuters peloton.

I am planning some more interesting obstacles for next year, maybe some land mines and bear traps

The two worst things for me were the very steep drop immediately after the start and the slippery ground early on in the back in the darkness where I was unable to work out what type of surface I was on. On my practice lap I fell on the gravel before the drop (right in front of JC and other on lookers) and then very shortly after the drop. I am afraid that I ran down the steep incline and did not dare ride it. My technical skills simply were not there and the darkness compounded by the effect of two falls made me very wary. On my second lap, the fast riders lapping me at speed added to this and I was very thankful that my battery died when it did.

I suspect that if I rode it a few times in daylight, I might be better placed in future. I need to improve my bike handling and overcome crippling fear.

Then again, I might be more use as a marshall next year.