Blogs

There is always a sense of anticipation and excitement in the days before the club dinner.
Even if you have won nothing in the whole season it’s too good an opportunity to meet up with mate for one last time before the winter properly bites.
Fenland Clarion Cycling Club held its dinner the weekend before last at historic local hotel “The Bell” in Stilton. Vein leaden cheese was of course on the menu as was a question and answer session with Russell Downing, our guest of honour.

Not since the late 1980's and the epic duels of the ANC, Ever Ready and Banana teams has the UK domestic cycling scene shown such promise and strength in depth.

This preview takes in the big three of Rapha/Condor/Sharp, UK Youth and newcomers Madison/Genesis, but we could talk about Raleigh, Knights of Old and so on. We have some big teams now competing on our shores. Of course with Endura stepping up there has been a bit of movement in the transfer market as some of their riders are not going on their European adventure.

Rushing through the decaying leaves littering the trail. Shafts of sunlight beaming through the tree cover. The coldness of the air and the sting of the winter wind held back by the firm embrace of warmth generated by the sheer effort of shoving a cyclo-cross bike along a muddy trail.

A bike must be built up in the correct fashion. If the frame does not come with a fork then the fork must be the next thing on the list, it needs its skeleton. It’s the rules.

As soon as the entries opened online I was there, typing in my details like a loon. Last year's Rapha Supercross was one of the hardest races of the calendar but the most awesome at the same time. The course is tough but the amount of people that turn out to cheer us on and the festival atmosphere lifts you and makes it really worth the kicking you get. A couple of days after racing I'm still sore but every ache and pain brings back memories of the cheering/jeering people and the fun that was had.