Bike Racing

My Eastern League adventures continue, with some more typical cyclocross conditions adding to the excitement. Last weekend’s race at Mistley in Essex was one of the most technical on the calendar, with a wooded hillside providing the setting for one of the few local races that is probably better tackled on a mountain bike. The […]

The weather seems finally to have turned in our part of the world. File treads and short sleeves are gradually being replaced by mud tyres and arm-warmers, although the real ‘cross weather is yet to come. I’ve had a taste of what’s in store on my local training rides. In the space of a rainy […]

Thanks to Neil Ellison for the photograph I’ve had a lot of fun these past few weeks, getting the ‘cross bikes set up and out on the trails. The pre-season prep included a great 3 day “Cross Camp” spent with my Hackney GT teammates and my brand new Major Jake, riding hard and hanging out […]

I’ve covered a lot of miles in pursuit of cyclocross over recent weeks, and Sunday saw the longest drive yet – a five hour round trip to take part in the aptly-named Broome Heath Scramble near Bungay in North Suffolk. This was race 12 of 14 in the Elmy Cycles Eastern Cyclocross League, and one […]

It was a double-header last weekend, with an eastern League race at Grafham on Saturday and a London League event at Penshurst on Sunday. I’m feeling pretty tired right now, but I’m glad I made the effort and pleased with my results… Saturday was almost a washout, as I arrived 10 minutes after guaranteed sign-on […]

A recent Kona blog post. More soon… http://cog.konaworld.com/archives/18561  18/11/13 I’m happy to report that my 2014 Major Jake has now arrived and is currently awaiting it’s first proper ride. I’ll give it a write-up soon, once I’ve got some mud on the tyres. Meanwhile, here’s a photo. Good looking, no? Team colours too…  

Between 19th and 24th November I’ll be exhibiting some prints and paintings at the Hackney GT pop-up shop in Morning Lane, E9. Also exhibiting will be photgrapher Geoff Waugh and Illustrators Simon Pemberton and Eliza Southwood. Photo: www.moranphotography.co.uk   Race report 03/11/13 Stroud: Not my usual territory for this one, but I got family clearance for […]

I‘ve been having a lot of fun with the cyclocross so far this season. The bikes have been behaving, the legs have been in reasonable shape and the weather has remained the right side of awful, with just enough mud to keep me on my toes. Apart from the first race, I’ve been on the […]

A brief rundown of recent races: Hillyfields: A homecoming of sorts, this race took place in the grounds of my former art college in Colchester. It’s been 20 years and I had hoped for a triumphant return, but Ross Tricker got away early and, although I was 2nd for most of the race, an in-form […]

I’m now four races into my season and, after a slightly shaky start, dogged by illness and crashes that meant I missed a couple of races, things seem to be taking shape. Here’s a round up. Eastern League: Round 1 A brutal course at Basildon with a climb that just wouldn’t quit – practically a […]