TLI National Cyclo Cross Championships

I have decided to concentrate mainly on the TLI Cyclo Cross League this winter, mainly because they tend to be the closest and have the most competition for me. I am currently leading the league as the female with the most points.

Last weekend I did the Championships and was pleased with my 2nd place, as I feel as though I rode well. My main problem in any kind of off road race is my lack of any kind of technical ability, meaning I find myself having to sprint to catch up with other riders after any kind of sharp corner/steep bank/small bump in the gravel path. I'm hoping to work on this over the winter... Other than this the race went really well, the course was fairly technical with a steep bank to run up, some winding single track with steep banks and a long drag of a climb, as well as some flowing bumps on the decent where you could get some air (not sure cross bikes were every meant for this). I was first off the line and into the bottom of the bank where a mistake in getting off (I sort of crashed) meant I was second to the top of the hill, I started chasing but was passed by one of the other girls on around the 2nd lap. I then moved up into 2nd place which I maintained for the rest of the race. We did 5laps in all and the course was really hard, probably the hardest cross race I have done as there wasn't really anywhere at all to get a rest. Interestingly I now have a number of bruises about my person, many of these correspond exactly to the shape of my Jake the Snake when I carry it, others are more mysterious. Might start a Bruise Blog...

I also did another race in the league this weekend which I wasn't too pleased with, I was 3rd but didn't feel I put my all into the racing, my head wasn't in the right place. So, only another two races to do next weekend before my two week break, and then a training holiday with fellow team mates Ali and Phil to put some miles in my legs away from the rain and cloud of Cumbria.