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 60^th 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 55^th.  Ben is OK and on the mend.  Andy achieved 60^th, 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…..