The Eastern CycloCross Season has now come to an end, running from September till early Feb, with 13 rounds in which to compete, spread through Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex and Hertfordshire. Support for the league was almost overwhelming this year with over 220 registered contenders across seven categories, ranging from under 8 years to over 60’s and varying in ability from expert to complete novice. Each event comprised four separate races, each with sub-divisions, and open to league riders and guests. The organisation at each event was brilliant with varied and well designed courses, good facilities and rapid results, backed up by a very informative website with fully detailed results of all events to date.

West Suffolk Wheelers and Tri Club fielded 10 riders in all, six of whom rode regularly. Our best result by far was Alan Trolove, who in nine rides scored eight wins in the U16 races, and so scored maximum points, with the best eight results counting, and won the U16 League. Jonathan Sjolin had a great debut season in this category and finished well up in 7^th place out of 35, and looks like being a podium contender next season. His sister Alexandra also made her debut after tasting competition for the first time at Mildenhall last summer, and rode gamely to finish 23^rd in the U12 section.

In the Veterans Mike Bowen adapted his road fitness to the new discipline of Cross and improved with every ride, eventually getting a Top Ten finish at the final event at Mistley, coming home eighth on this most testing course. He finished 17^th in the Vets League out of 81 registered riders and is set to improve further next season. Barry Denny rode in eight events, after a seven year lay off and was pleased to see some improvement as the season progressed, ending up 45^th in the League and second in the Over 60’s (there being only four old fools registered). Soren Sjolin joined in the fun as well, riding 6 events and finishing 72^nd in the League ~ I think he’ll be back for more.

The club as a whole finished eighth in the club competition, in which four riders from any club score points, according to individual positions, although we decided to miss the specific inter-club event at Maldon as it clashed with our own Suffolk Punch Reliability Ride.

We are hoping to field a stronger contingent at next season’s events ~ I can thoroughly recommend participation ~ and anyone interested please let me know. We have also been asked if we would consider running an event in the series, as we did for several years, and this will be discussed at committee.