Endgame.... the CXNE Finals, 25th January 2015

Photo copyright of Sue Langford

This was my last cyclocross race of the 2014/15 season.. and it was a belter!

Make no mistake, I was really nervous as my finishing position was crucial and would affect the overall standings of the women's category. I had to finish in front of Jen Batey to take the second overall, we were both going to be fighting for it.

On the way to Whitby my dad was saying how brutally hard the weather made the race last year which was not exactly reassuring for me, I ended up praying that it was going to be kinder this time around! Someone must have been listening as it wasn't cold, praise be! Dad had concluded his season so it was only me racing and as I was being waited on hand and foot got to use his 'fast wheels', hey, a girl could get used to this!

Whitby was another power-based course, we did a few practise laps together and dad was giving me tips as we went around the course.  As much as I don't want to admit it, he helped a lot and we had a right laugh with the hurdles and sand pits!

I popped to the starting line where everyone could hear John Davidson (the best commentator in the world!) talking about the situation between me and Jen! No pressure at all, aye right!

As the gun went off me and Jen went hell for leather. There was a horrible little hill at the end of the first straight and knowing there was no time to lose I powered up it as hard as I could and got in front of Jen. A little while later I was hindered by the hurdles and she overtook me, I was trying my best not to let her go keeping a hard cadence going. Coming to the steep off-camber section Jen got off to run, I stayed on my bike and hammered through it overtaking her in the process. From here I was leading and thought I was working alone..... I wasn't! All of a sudden the amazing Karen Robertson went flying past me, I stuck to her back wheel for a little while but it didn't last long, she was a machine!

It was turning into a hard race on a hard course and despite fatigue starting to set in there was no let up, I couldn't keep it steady with the thought of Jen catching me up. The race went really quickly and as soon as I knew it the bell went and it was the last lap. I kept my position and crossed the finish line with a massive smile on my face taking the second place with Jen in third!

The overall standings saw Nicola Davies take the top spot with Jen in second and me in third! I missed that second position by just one point!  I'll get you next year Jen!

I absolutely love cyclocross!

May I take this opportunity to say a massive "THANK YOU" to the extended CXNE family for all the support they have given, from the organisation of the events and setting up of the courses to all of the spectators cheering you on. I really do feel honoured to be a part of it and would highly recommend anyone to join in.  I've made some life long friends in just a short time, the support is amazing.

Thank you!

Now I guess it's time to begin my summer training where the criterium racing will be beckoning, bring it on!!

Megan x

Down Town... CXNE 11, South Shields 26th December

Hi everyone, it's Megan here again keeping the team's purple, red and black flag flying!

The CXNE race at South Shields had me a bit worried as I hadn't raced for a few weeks and was nervous that I'd dropped behind even though I was still out training.  Both college work and a recent bout of illness were preying on my mind however I wanted to give it my best, dig my teeth in and have a bash.  

It was a really cold morning so the warm-up laps required layers, lots of layers in fact and the frozen grass crunched under my wheels although that didn't last for long. The course was pretty good, lots of tight corners, some long straights and one relatively small hill that eventually turned into a thigh-burning assault!  Throughout practise the ground was inevitably being churned up becoming muddier and slippier, I knew this was going to be a problem with the tough off-camber sections later in the day.

Not long afterwards it was time to head for the starting line. Everyone was in great spirits nattering about Christmas and what we were all up to, especially the ladies, well you know how we can gab!  There were a lot of good vibes.

Off we went. I had a really good start, jumped up, slid straight into the pedals and got comfortable right away. I headed off to the front with Jenn Batey and followed her for a lap. 

Coming to the off-camber section my earlier fears were confirmed, it was incredibly slippy and backing that up it was here where I came off my bike, lost some time and the other ladies started to catch me. I jumped straight up, lifted my bike and ran towards the flat section, remounted and got my cadence going again. It was just a few minutes later where my hip began to really throb, damn you adrenalin!  I must have landed on it rather funny, anyway, not to worry I knuckled back down, northern grit and all that! I was now following Jenn and Natalie Batey and it wasn't long before Wonder Woman Nicola Davies caught us all up then everything settled down into a steady race pace.

Well, that was until coming to a simple corner where I slid off and landed like a tonne of bricks. It was a silly old fall, just down to very poor riding where I completely lost it, and oh boy did it hurt!

It all happened quickly, the adrenalin kicked in again and after jumping straight back up realised I couldn't actually stand properly as my hip was in agony. Hobbling along as I pushed my bike, being thankful of its support, I realised I'd twisted my bars in the fall and by this time, I was just exhausted.

Sadly I had to pull out of the race and hobbled with my poorly bike over to the car park where Jamie Brady spotted me, picked up my bike and took me to the paramedics for a check up. Thanks again Jamie, you're a star!

An unlucky day but as I've said before, it's all good experience and something to learn from.

See you all the next round,

Megs x

Here's Mud in Your Eye, the Inter-Area Cyclocross Championship, Hardwick Hall, 9th November 2014

As I've mentioned before, my dad likes to be the first one at the venue, last weekend was no different, in fact it was even earlier as the weekend’s racing was extra special. It was the Inter-Regional Championships where dad and I were both part of the team representing the North-East, and as you can probably imagine, our nerves were kicking in a little more than normal.

I woke at 6:00am, had a quick shower, threw on my clothes and climbed into the van, all within 20 minutes I think, go me! Needless to say as soon as we were on the road I went back to the land of nod and the three-hour drive for my dad was over in an instant!

So there I was at the venue with ruffled hair and sleepy eyes peering out of the window to see nothing but mud. All part and parcel of racing cyclocross I agree, but little did we know how much of a problem it was going to become! Anyway we hopped out the van, had a chat with fellow team-mates and a stroll around the venue. Regardless to the gloop it was a lovely place.

It wasn’t long before we noticed people practicing the course with overly clogged up bikes and, uh-oh, the alarm bells in my head started ringing! The track walk called for wellies and just walking around the course was a struggle, never mind riding it! People couldn't ride two laps without a bike change or a mechanical and I was doing 40 minutes worth of laps. I knew it was going to be a big issue especially as I didn't have a spare bike! My heart dropped. Oh what to do, what to do?

A little while later I was very kindly offered a spare bike. Although it was too small I was incredibly grateful for the fact I even had a bike to change to. A lot of riders didn't even do a practice lap because it simply wasn't worth getting caked in mud before the actual race. So, after some hectic plan making and organisation of the pit-plans, I headed for the starting line.

Then the start gun went off! The first corner was super tricky, just who am I kidding, the whole course was super tricky! Just unrelenting sticky mud, although with that said I managed to do quite well and was overtaking quite a few people.  For the time being I was in a good place considering who I was riding with, super female athletes!

It didn’t last though, as expected my bike soon got clogged up with mud so I changed at the pits the first time I passed it. I quickly regretted it as I didn't realise how small the loaned bike actually was, it was incredibly uncomfortable!  However I’m made from pure Northern grit so… you know the score, I knuckled down, grinned and bared it as best as I knew how.

Soon enough the loaned bike became ridiculously stuffed with mud and leaves, I couldn't even turn the pedals and the accumulated mud weighed a tonne. This left me with no other choice but to get off and carry it until I got back to the pits.

 

On arriving at the pits I was so far behind and wanted to give up however the reassuring words from my close friend Rhianna whilst she handed me my cleaned bike made me carry on. I got back on my own bike and set off with the aim to catch up to the group. No sooner was I making up time and getting back into the swing of things the worst of worst things happened, my rear mech snapped! 

Though my patience had thinned and my tears were almost showing I hopped off the bike, threw it over my shoulder and continued to run, walk, crawl and swear. The further I got the further my head went dropped, I knew my competitors were finishing while I was still out there, feeling both embarrassed and defeated as I was one of the last people on the course.

As I was coming up the long straight I saw my dad approach me and seeing him almost made me start to cry because I was so frustrated. He realised what had happened, gave me some motivational advice and then sent me on my way, not long afterwards I crossed the finish line with mixed feelings. Although it was a disappointing day I was also proud that I completed the race, I’d overcome some demons and persevered. Dad was at the finish line waiting to retrieve my bike. With arms open wide he gave me the world’s biggest hug and told me he was proud, that was all I needed.

So, never a failure, always a lesson, and it's all experience at the end of the day!

I'm now looking forward to this weekend at Durham with the CXNE event on Saturday and the National Trophy on Sunday! More nerve wrecking and exciting times ahead, wish me luck!

Megs

x

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Exorcising the Hallowe'en Ghouls ... CXNE Round 8, Hetton Lyons Country Park, 2nd November 2014

Photo copyright of Alan Dingwall

What is it with me and my early morning lack of motivation, guess I’m just a stereotypical teenager after all!  Needless to say that was out of the window on arriving at the picturesque Hetton Lyons Country Park for another day of fab CXNE Series racing.  No time to rest though, it was out of the van and straight onto the course to get the lay of the land, wow, this was going to be a hard push!

A stretched out large hill section followed by a deceptive little bugger of a smaller hill added to the endless off cambers, well I knew I was in for some suffering.

Ten minutes until I had to be on the start line, a quick dash to the van to throw some gels and energy drinks down my neck and where my mam was questioning my nerves (honestly, how could she tell?) and Colin (dad’s team mate) adjusting my bike, I have my own race crew y'know!  Shook myself down, felt pretty sorted with how to tackle the course and headed off for the start line. Yet again, (yep, you guessed it) another amazing turn out for the women’s category, we’re going places! In fact having said that it was a really good turn out for the CXNE itself.

* BANG *

Straight up and out of the saddle, Bev Blakeman shot off in front with a few others and I was running in third place for the first lap. After a while we split up, Bev and Nicola Davies showed their amazing athletic abilities tearing up the trail ahead along with Sarah Murray.

I wasn’t working alone however, I was constantly checking over my shoulder to see where Alison Sarmiento was, she was scarily creeping up on me!  A little while later she took her chance and rode past, this was just before a really thick muddy section where she dismounted, I knew I had to ride through it in order to gain back my fourth place.  It worked and I then knuckled down.

The last lap came around surprisingly quickly which was good as it meant I only had to tackle that blasted hill once more, gritting my teeth through the lactic acid build up. I came through the finishing line as the 1st junior woman and 4th woman.  Not so bad after all and what a fantastic course.

Now for a tough week of training in preparation for Inter-Regional Champs and then the Nationals at Durham the following week, wish me luck!

Megan

x

I would like to ask Alan Draffan to step forward and take a bow for the fantastic photography, if you would like to see more of his work check here: Alan Draffan Photosport on Facebook

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Autumn 'Cross, the CXNE drops in at Preston Park, 12th October 2014

Photo copyright of Graham the Scribe

The past weekend felt different, I didn't have my dad with me to kick my bum into the van, drive me to the venue, sort the bike out and motivate me for the race as he was at the first national event of the cyclocross season (where he did outstandingly may I add!).  So it was up to my super-duper multi-tasking mam to take on the role, the poor love!

It was another early start as the race was at Preston Park about an hour and a half's drive away.  On opening the car door I was suddenly hit with the freezing cold wind and blinding sun, well hello there Autumn!  After that little shock to the system it was all as normal; sign on, kit on and off to check out the course. 

Photo copyright of Vicky Hopper

A lot of people were kind enough to offer me help with my bike as they knew my dad was away and my mam had no idea, bless her.  This is one of the things I love about the cyclocross scene, it’s like one big family where they all help to support each other and I was very grateful for it, big thanks guys.

Photo copyright of Alan Draffan

Got a few practice laps in and I wasn't too sure, it was really quite difficult with technical off-camber turns and a really big hill that was incredibly slippy.  I kinda got used to the track after a few more laps and decided to head back for a drink and a breather, however I turned to see some hurdles being set up and I hate hurdles!  So, swearing quietly under my breath, I had a shot at them and accepted I was in for a challenge come the racing.

Photo copyright of Ed Rollason

Soon it was time to be gridded and I headed over to the starting line to be met again with a great turn out for the women’s category.  It's really good to see so many women getting into the sport.  Nicola Davies, Jen Batey then myself were the first to be called out, once we were all set the gun went off and everyone was in the zone!

Photo copyright of Ed Rollason

I was with a group of five women, which included Nicola and Jen, we stayed together for the first lap, Nicola then got her race face on and shot off into the lead. Jen followed suit and I battled it out with Alison Sarmiento for another lap where I got into my zone and sped off. For the last half of the race the positions stayed the same with Nicola running first, Jen second and me in third (where I also took the Junior first place), pleased as punch with that! I was absolutely relieved when the race was over mind you, it was very physically challenging!  I know now that I need to go and practice my hurdling technique.

Photo copyright of Alan Draffan

The day's weather turned out to be lovely so we stayed and spectated, Preston Park is beautiful and such a great venue for cyclocross.  There was some amazing racing to be had.

Now it’s back to training for the Darlington race with the sand and the hurdles, I’ve heard we’re all in for another tricky one, bring it on!

Megan x


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