Eastern Round 2

Share on Facebook  Share on Twitter

BY: Richard Jones

Published: 25th April, 2013

Last Sunday was round 2 of the Eastern MTB series; the venue was Codham park in Essex. Having raced here two years back I was positive that there would be a good course. The venue is practically a back garden to a kind person who allows the races to be held there. This however is no normal back garden as it hosts a full size Olympic BMX track and at least two small woods that are packed full of brilliant trails. Tying all this together is some well-maintained undulating fields. 

The morning races were set off soon after we arrived and it was a huge boost to your motivation to see so many people enjoying racing their bikes. There was coaching and racing put on for the youngsters and this seemed very popular. 

We spent the morning looking out onto the part of the course that involved the BMX track; there were some good skills on show and also some examples of how not to ride a pump track…ouch! 

Time flew by as we sat in the sun and before I knew it was my turn to get racing. The eastern series puts both the elites and the Expert categories all into one and sets us off together. I personally like this at small events as it creates a bigger category. However it did mean that local friends Scott Clipstone (AW Cycles) and James Hyde (CleeCycles) would be racing along side me for the first time this season. 

The race start was mentally quick. Jason Boutell took up lead from the start with Steven James matching his every move. I stuck the wheels and gritted my teeth, as I desperately didn't want too loose them. After just half a lap the expected had happened and both Jason and Steven had gained a gap. I glanced over my shoulder to see the welcome site of Scott closely behind me. 

Thanks to Louise Brown for the photo, Good Skills. 

2 laps quickly passed as myself and Scott took it in turns to set the pace. We could see that Andrew Cockburn was closing the gap onto us. At this point the course had began to become quite busy and passing riders was difficult at times. Scott had to stop at one point and then struggled to regain my wheel. I rode on my own for a further two laps until Andrew Cockburn caught me. 

Again we took it in turns to set the pace however I was very aware that between the two of us we would have to battle for the last podium position. 

Towards the end of lap 5 I heard the crunching noise of Andrew slipping on one of the dusty rutted corners. I rode on and expected Andrew to be back on my wheel with in the minute. I could see him in the distance but the gap between us wasn't being shortened.

As I passed the arena to start my last lap I really gave it my all, every short climb and every piece of singletrack I tried to really increase the margin back to Andrew. As I entered the bmx track for the last time I could see that I had enough of a gap to secure the last podium spot and finished just over a minute ahead.

Scott came in just behind Andrew securing the Expert win Closely followed by James. I have no doubt that these two will be giving me a good beating this year when it comes to more of our local races. Some battles here I am really looking forward too. 

A brilliant days racing thanks to the Eastern team that really managed to hit the nail on the head with his event. Every category of racing seemed to be really well involved and it was clear that every body was having a great day. 

This weekend it's down to Redruth for round 2 of the NPS, and then a few days on the coast relaxing before heading back to start some more hard work.  

Richard Jones. 

XCRacer.com. 

Scimitar Sports. 

Accelerade. 

MTZoom.