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Report: A White Crossmas at Checkendon
RATMBC-AW Cycles Cross/Wessex League Round 11
Hammonds Farm, Checkendon, Reading, Sunday 20th December 2009
Report and Images courtesy of Graham Robins
PedalOn rider Adrain Lansley picked up his eighth victory of the season in the snow in Reading today. More overnight fall on the course did not deter many from attending the ‘CROSSMAS RACE' and the penultimate Wessex League race of the season.
Above: The wintry conditions made the going interesting and the pictures stunning.
The hard working team from AW Cycles had sent a lot of time on Saturday setting up the course ready for an early start; however a further two inches of snow fell on the course overnight. The course had been moved from its original venue to a new one for this race, and despite the weather all the riders enjoyed the snow.
The race was held on farm land, with a wooded section, two dismounts and even a ‘magic' spiral to make the riders dizzy.
Above: Graham Robins' Photostream (www.grahamrobins.net)
Under 12
The under 12 riders were the first to ride the course and once away smiles were had by all and the dizzy spiral was the scene of much fun.
Provisional Result
1st Conrad Pitt (Oxford City RC)
2nd Edward Gronbech (Oxford City RC) @29secs
3rd Ciara Hutchinson (Corinium) 1st girl @1:14
Youth
The youth race was won by Luke Cowley (Swindon RC) from Harvey Lowe (Hargroves Cycles) who in turn won the U14 race with Harry Strudley (Palmer Park Velo) coming in third. Both Luke and Harvey set of at a fast pace with very little between them. Luke complained of trouble with his pedals saying he was having trouble clipping in and out, a hazard that hampered the seniors later in the day. Under the trees where the sun hadn't reached it was slippery, but in the sun the snow was slowing the riders up. Luke and Harvey were close together most of the race, but as Luke arrived in the arena Harvey had been dropped, but Harvey was happy to take another win for his age.
Provisional Result
1st Luke Cowley (Swindon RC)
2nd Harvey Lowe (Hargroves Cycles) @8secs
3rd Harry Strudley (Palmer Park Velo) @2:29
Senior/Women/Vet
The seniors got to ride the course as the temperature had started to drop again. The riders rode across the unused snow section as they run out and away from the arena. As the riders came into view there were three together, Adrain Lansley (PedalOn) Michael Cotty (wheelbase.co.uk) and Jamie Newell (VC Meudon). These were to stay together for a couple of laps with Crispin Doyle (Swindon RC) and Matt Macdonald (Hargroves Cycles) having a tussle behind the leaders.
Adrain was having trouble getting away as he was dismounting at the logs where as Jamie and Michael was hoping over them. Adrain knew he had to get a gap if he was to win, and on the third lap he attacked. However Michael was strong and it was Jamie who slipped back. On the next lap Adrain opened up a gap over Michael and it looked like the race was over, but Michael had other ideas and the next time they came into view he had caught up again. As they arrived at the last corner they were together and Adrain had the extra recourses to out sprint Michael by less than half a bike length.
Provisional Results
1st Adrain Lansley (PedalOn) 50:18
2nd Michael Cotty (wheelbase.co.uk) @ST
3rd Jamie Newell (VC Meudon) @53
4th Matt Macdonald (Hargroves Cycles) @1:35
5th Crispin Doyle (Swindon RC) @1:36
1st Vet 40+ Keith Sheridan (Corinium)
1st Vet 50+ Dave McMullen (Evans Cycles)
1st Lady Claire Smith (Swindon RC)
