The season of mists and mellow fruitfulness
As summer's lease begins to expire, we merrily face the "Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness". I wonder if Keats had cyclo-cross on his mind when he penned those famous words. A trifle fanciful perhaps? Did he not pen an ode to the P901/25? [Ed: No he didn't! What's wrong with this man?] Oh yes, as the last few remaining apples whither on the bow, as the leaves turn to scarlet, gold and brown, likewise do our thoughts turn to cyclo-cross.
Is it for me?
How do you fancy an hour of constant pain, leaping on and off your bike, getting covered in mud and getting lapped? Yes? Then this is just the sport for you.
Actually it's probably one of the most accessible disciplines within cycling. You don't have to be tremendously fit. There will always be someone even slower than you. You don't have to have a licence, but they'll charge you a bit more to ride. You can ride on just about any bike you like including mountain bikes. You don't have to have a cyclo-cross bike except at the big events like the national championships. Talking of those you can enter them and you'll get in. Under 12s ride for free. The races are an hour long so it's not an all day affair. People don't talk in strange riddles about 21:12 in 53 by 11 on the P901. They just talk to you.
Where are the events?
There are events all round the country, but locally we are sandwiched between the Wessex and London Leagues. There is also a mini-Sussex league incorporated within the London one. Here is a list of races:
Sunday, 14 October - Newbury Showground
Sunday 21 October - Ringwood (Crow Farm)
Sunday 11 November - Southampton Sports Centre
Saturday 17 November - Brighton
Sunday 18 November - Basingstoke
Sunday 25 November - Lancing
Sunday 25 November - Newbury Showground
Sunday 2 December - South area championships at Budleigh Salterton
Sunday 9 December - Brighton
Wednesday 26 December - Southampton Sports Centre
Sunday 30 December - Tatchbury Mount (West of Soton)
Saturday 5-6 January - National championships at Sutton Coldfield
Saturday 20 January - Reading
Things you might find useful
Practise jumping on and off your bike, running with you bike and running up steep banks with your bike.
Run your tyres really flat to get more grip.
Relax otherwise it will hurt when you fall off.
If you are trapped behind a slower rider just shout "on your left" and barge through. It's surprising how often it works.
If someone shouts "on your left", don't move over unless you're being lapped.
Take plenty of water to wash yourself off afterwards.
Where to go for more advice
Cycling News article on cyclo-cross
Article on cross training from Reading CC's website
