Foxlake Cyclocross - 29th November 2014

Post date: 03-Dec-2014 16:29:12

The non-series event at Foxlake Adventure Centre was part of the John Muir Winter Carnival. It was a great venue for cyclocross and the varied course had climbs and descents through forest trails, grassy banks and grassy straights (which got muddier by the lap) and the tree log hurdle though the beer tent - Belgian style.

It was a short fast circuit and had attracted a huge variety of experience from complete novice cyclocrossers to top Scottish series leaders. The lap numbers ranged from 6 for the first timers to 14 in the one hour open race. There were two races held – Under 15’s racing for 20 Minutes and then everyone else racing for one hour.

Rory McGuire was first off in the field of 40 riders. Rory showed his super strength and skill around the circuit, absolutely flying past the back markers. He flew into the last lap back towards the finish line looking super smooth and confident taking the overall win in the under 15s race, and still only 12 years old!

In the open race it was a break from the norm with all classes starting together. Mark McGuire, Anne Chisholm and Gordon Chisholm all lined up together in the massive field of 130 riders. It was a battle for position even before the gun, but Mark being well known was on the start grid with the top names of the day. Gordon managed to muscle his way into the second row whilst Anne was happy to be not too much in the thick of it and was in the back third of the group.

After the sprint on the flat grass and mud the circuit was into the forest with a narrow climb up the first bank. Not enough time for the race to have stretched and if you weren’t in the first 10 or 20 riders you were off and running uphill. Things spread out a bit after that and it wasn’t long before the race leader was lapping everyone. Just like his brother in the first race, Mark swept through the field lapping riders but not letting the race traffic hold him back. With the gap between him and the next contender, Rab Wardell, widening, Mark glided round the course, nipped into the pits for a bike change then was on the course again. Barry McGuire providing his boys the mechanical and bike washing support with his huge butt, and his shouts of encouragement helped us all keep going! Congratulation to all.

Mark took a fine victory in the open race, with Gordon 4^th veteran and Anne 5^th female.