The Brockholes Breaker

The bike parts industry and local bike shops will have been welcoming yesterdays's NW League race at Brockholes, Windermere - I stopped counting broken rear mechs after about 7........ 1st prize in that particular contest goes to Stuart Reid from Wheelbase who snapped not one but two Dura Ace mechs. Ouch.

Heavy rain in the week followed by a dry day had predictable results on a grassy based course surrounded by trees, much of which left itself on the riders bikes by the time they had finished. It was the worst clean up job I can remember - my 2 bikes were almost totally blocked up, as were the 2 kids bikes. Thanks to Mark's brother-in-law Russell for helping with the kids bikes.


We had Otley Rich, Mark and Crossjunkie Alan racing the Seniors, and the three mini-Belgians Matthew, Jack and Ella in the U12 race. Ella (4) got stuck in the bog and fell over, and disliking the sensation an instant mud pack gave her, decided she had had enough. Matthew lost both shoes at one point but soldiered on, and Birthday boy Jack (here in co-ordinated red, white and black Belgian colours) celebrated with a win in the U10s. Pics above and below: Dave Haygarth.


The bigger boys played hard in the mud, and Uncle John/Oom Johans appeared to be the weapon of choice as other flashier and more exotic cross machines literally ground to a halt and had to be regularly excavated from the coating of mud that had immobilised them.


Jo was on hand to photo the sticky action so look out for photos soon......