Round 5 Cyclo Cross – Moira

The BVK Report

I just want to thank all the guys, I’m sure Martin will get round to it eventually, but it was a real good advert for the club today. Absolutely superb event and course, all made possible by all the hard work and effort from all the guys and girls in the club who pulled together to make it happen.

As for my own race – had a decent old ding dong with a few likely men for the whole thing, great ebb and flow to it. Had John’s spare bike in the pits and used it for half the race, probably ensure my first Moira finish, which was the main goal. I think I managed 10th spot, which is my worst finishing position to date, but I was more than happy with the performance after a poor enough start managing to claw the big group in front back in but just failed to make it count so close to the line. Another lap was needed.

Awesome ride by Lisa in the womens race.

Great performances in all the races from all our club members turning out.

And last but not least, fantastic support all along the course from all the club members out today.

Thanks to all again!

Report by Lisa

Post by lisa on Nov 4, 2013 at 6:11pm
Thanks for your kind words, John and Barry. What a day! I rode like my life depended on it. The support from around the course was unbelievable, both from the DCC marshals shouting, screaming and yelling at me to go faster and from the usual cyclocross crowd who were all a bit shocked at how I was riding! When I saw the start list, the best I could have hoped for was 4th place. I’ve never, ever beat Gill but yesterday was my day. Made it to the podium by a decent enough margin in part with the help of Barry in the pits, in part by the amazing support around the course and in part by pushing myself on the last lap to the point of almost needing to vomit.

Thanks again to everyone who helped out on the day, it was a memorable one. I still feel like I’ve won the flipping Olympics!!!

The Final Words from Martin

I’m just recovering from the weekend’s race. Lots of running about pulling things together, lots of ideas swirling around my head, lots of instructions being handed out and VERY little sleep.
I look back now on the event with a smile. It was a great day. The event looked great. It wasn’t perfect but it was pretty damn good. The sunshine was icing on the cake. I had a lot of ideas kicking about inside my head over the past year and it was very fulfilling to see these put into reality on Sunday.

A big thank you to the crews for setting up and running this event.
Saturday – John S, John McG, Richard C, Gary B, Mike B, Robert D, Tony Q and family, Alan C + guests. We got the hammerhead set up, barriers up and course swept.

On Sunday – Paddy H, Gary B, Gary G, Brendy D, Bernie, Davy H, Brian W, Michael and Nathan M (+ Michael’s mate John), John C, Graeme C, Adrian B, Marty McA, Bryce H, Raymund M, Ronnie S, Ryan C, Stevie W, Peter B, Gibson C, Chris and Gavin M, Sean Stephen, Trevor B, Jim McM, the wives Aoife M and Niamh, Tony and Ryan M, Mervyn K. If I have left out your name, please please know this was not deliberate!!!

A special thank you to Lisa and Barry for helping to pull this one together. The set up crew did a great job. The timekeepers worked like a real team. Many thanks to the sign on crew and to my folks for their hard work. Many thanks to Lisa’s dad for building the steps for us. Thanks to the marshals for their encouragement of the riders, to the team who helped pull the whole lot back down again and pack it away and of course, to the council for letting us use the park and for providing the facilities (barriers, changing facilities and bike wash). It was great to have my contact at the council come along and see what we were doing. He was impressed so I’m hoping we will be allowed back again.

It wasn’t an easy trip but I would love to do it again next year. I have a list of things that weren’t quite right but I’d be happy to take any other ideas or comments from you the helpers or riders. martin@dromaracc.co.uk

I can’t do it alone. It takes volunteering time from lots of members to pull this together. I want to thank all of the above. There were lots of others who would have gladly helped as well but who couldn’t make it due to other commitments. Hopefully they will be free next year.

Job well done!!