Completed my first ever cyclocross race yesterday. My prediction of a last 10 finished was proved correct. But as I have only been on a bike for the past 5 weeks I was happy I completed the hour. Only one fall and that was during the warm up lap, doh. I decided to start at the back of the pack and watch the race unfold in front of me. Thought oh dear when I got to the top of the first slope to see the pro's almost completing the first shortened lap. Overall I really enjoyed the race and look forward to the next one which for me will be the Manchester one. However, I did think there would be more social riders.
The things I learnt.
1/ My tyres looked like slicks compared to most of the other competitors and listening to others talk yesterday I clearly had my tyres over inflated. On the grassy slope my wheels just span round, it was not even that steep. Other than that very happy with the bike.
2/ Fitness, consider myself reasonably fit. But this is rugby fitness. At 14 stone, weight on that grassy slope was a bit of an issue. I did find the grass part of the circuit a lot harder than the track part. Overall I was ok for the first 45 mins and began to suffer in the last 15 mins. More time on the bike will hopefully solve that issue.
3/ Tactics, will compete more at the start next time. By the time I got pass the naturally slower riders than myself (note; not many of them) the riders I would have competed with were gone. I was too polite in my overtakes, had opportunities to overtake but thought it would be a bit rude to do it here will wait to the next corner etc. I think I gave too much room to the faster riders. I made a point of getting out of their way but I gave that much room the people I was competing with were coming through as well??
My aim for the year is by the end of the season to have a last 30 finish.