by Tim Costello

New members

Welcome to the following new members: Malcolm Guy from Aldingbourne, George Hallam from Climping and Rupert Maude from Haslemere.

Tatchbury Mount

I kicked off my cyclo-cross season at Tatchbury Mount, west of Southampton, on Sunday. This course is notoriously boggy, but despite the rain was not too bad. The ploughed field was completely rideable despite becoming very heavily rutted. I finished 26th which I was satisfied with. Most of the riders were riding their 6th race of the season so I have some fitness catching up to do.
My new Kinesis EVO4 performed very nicely thank you, and was much admired in the car park.

Basingstoke - North Hampshire Road Club

Despite the proceeding days of torrential rain, it was quite dry at Basingstoke. Organiser Anthony Dyment had laid out possibly the best cross-course I have ridden for sheer excitement. Some very difficult twisting sections, moguls, a steep bank and a strange boggy version of Paris Roubaix.
Being unseeded I was well back at the start and for the first lap it was follow my leader, trying to pick off slower riders. I seemed to grow stronger as the race went on and moved up to 21st by the finish.

Pictures courtesy of Graham Robins

Stanmer Park

Simon Pattinson made his season's debut at Stanmer Park where he finished 81st out of 117 starters.

Simon in action - photo by LondonCycleSport

Cyclo-cross Sunday

Sunday is the City of Southampton Grand Prix at Southampton Sports Centre. All categories. Enter on the line. Details here.