Formed in June 09, Here Come the Belgians is a non-elite anti-team celebrating all things cross, cobbled and Belgian.
Seeking a different experience to the traditional cycling club, its aim is to harness the energy of a vibrant internet cycling community with grass roots racing and riding based around Cyclocross and Spring Classics. There is no race programme in the style of a racing team, more a collection of individual experiences through rides and racing, in whatever location a member may be, that all can share in and contribute toward.

Friday 28 October 2011

2:32:24 Hours in Hell


Blood Sweat and, in Ben's case, near Tears

2hrs 32mins and 24sec is the total time three plucky Belgians endured the Muddy Hell that was Mugdock Country Park – Round 3 of the Scottish Cyclocross Series.  See Facebook for photos.

Me exiting the muddy descent
Although not plagued with rain on the day, the previous days of heavy rain meant that the mainly tree covered course was pretty wet and nasty to say the least!  This is Scotland after all and they do do ‘wet’ well.  In addition, the overwhelming numbers of competitors, prompting the decision to split the V/W/J race into a W/J followed by a V, and resulting in an hour delay for both the vets and senior’s races, meant heavy traffic throughout the day.

Ben opting to leg it across one of the muddy sections
The Mugdock round of the SCX Series is organised and run by a local mountain bike club, and it shows.  The interesting and technically demanding lap included plenty of twisty, rooty, muddy, locally rutted, single track – some impassable by bike – with a steep and slippery run up, a tricky decent, and also dismounts for a log jump, hurdles and rocky step. 

My veteran’s race was a very enjoyable affair and generally went without hitch.  I acquired a few small cuts and bruises, but nothing to write home about.  I dished out as much pain and suffering as I could to those around me and battled to 60th position (78No. started) and was reasonably pleased.

Andy taking the Rocky Step at speed
The 73No. strong senior race saw both Belgian Ben and Belgian Andy (competing in his first ever CX race) putting in commendable performances on the now perhaps 30% unrideable course!  Belgian Ben took a bit of a heavy tumble but clung on to finish 55th.  Ben is OK and on the mend.  Andy achieved 60th, which is very impressive for a first outing, and considering the rarely encountered extremes of the Mugdock course.

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger…..

3 comments:

  1. Cracking effort John.
    Thankfully, my own pain and suffering is now but a distant memory, looking forward to pulling on the colours again some time soon.
    Cheers for the photos,
    Belgian Andy.

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  2. Cool. You're welcome Andy

    Might be up for another round before Crimbo. Meadowmill may be?

    See you there?

    John

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  3. Looks like it was a proper CX race - there's been too much sunshine and merry chit chat so far this season it's about time to roll out the mud and misery ;-)

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