I'd never seen a cyclocross race before but went to Skipton to see a terrific day of sport yesterday.
There were races for all age groups and it was encouraging to see all everyone from toddlers to crusties all involved.
It took place in the grounds of a grand hall on the outskirts of the town and being a convoluted loop type of course, there was literally always something going on with several races one after the other.
It was amazing to see the elite riders vault the barriers without losing momentum and re-mounting their bikes in the style of a cowboy jumping back on to a speeding horse in a western!
The fun race was excellent as well. The riders had to go through the beer tent on each lap and those that wanted to take a short cut were forced to drink a tequila, covered in foam from the machine set up on the course to coat them in soapy suds, before being admitted to the entrance of the shorter lap. By lap 4 or 5, there were some very funny collisions and slides on the slippery mud.
Those of us just spectating decided this was certainly a sport we wanted to get involved in so I envisage a trusty steed suitable for this in my immediate future.
There were races for all age groups and it was encouraging to see all everyone from toddlers to crusties all involved.
It took place in the grounds of a grand hall on the outskirts of the town and being a convoluted loop type of course, there was literally always something going on with several races one after the other.
It was amazing to see the elite riders vault the barriers without losing momentum and re-mounting their bikes in the style of a cowboy jumping back on to a speeding horse in a western!
The fun race was excellent as well. The riders had to go through the beer tent on each lap and those that wanted to take a short cut were forced to drink a tequila, covered in foam from the machine set up on the course to coat them in soapy suds, before being admitted to the entrance of the shorter lap. By lap 4 or 5, there were some very funny collisions and slides on the slippery mud.
Those of us just spectating decided this was certainly a sport we wanted to get involved in so I envisage a trusty steed suitable for this in my immediate future.