East Bysshe CX Ldn & SE, Round 6 – Race Report
Oct 26, 2018 8:33:42 GMT
Charliecod, Joe R Booth, and 6 more like this
Post by Dax Rossetti on Oct 26, 2018 8:33:42 GMT
The American mythologist Joseph Campbell spoke about the mysticism of sport; how when an athlete is immersed in their activity, they are in a state of psychological flow, reacting in the moment, making a series of micro-decisions at a rapid pace. To do this effectively they need to be as unburdened as possible, in good health, have appropriate equipment, and minimal distraction so they may focus.
This could be called 'meditation' – a field beyond thought where one is unweighted by their concerns, inhibitions, or by their respective past or future.
You can bet your ass this sure as hell didn't happen for most at East Bysshe.
A cloudless autumn day in Surrey and Dulwich rocked up in numbers. General feeling among racers was "God I really don't feel like racing today." For me, I thought I'd try racing with a cold – just for kicks – and so the envisioned meditative state quickly devolved into a kind of fortified desperate agony.
Psychological flow bottlenecked into psychological constipation.
The micro-decisions were all the same: "Should I turn the pedals again?”
The past was close behind: "What led me to this?”
The present even closer: "I don't like cyclo-cross.”
And the future looming heavily: "When the f%$! can I get off this bike."
Yet it's encouraging that whether one does well in the race, floating weightlessly between the tape masterfully shaving seconds off your run, or one doesn't do well, trundling around the course as if it were an 11k Audax, it's always good to have done it – there is data to be gathered and learned from.
And so alas, the race is on.
V40's were led by the Aussie with the unshakable positivity (Dylan) coursing consistently in a tough field of some powerful racers. Mick timed faster on every lap, and Magnus leaped 12 positions from his gridding to catch up with Mick and create a nice Dulwich blockade at the finish. Aaron held fort around the course while I kept an eye on things from the back.
Next, All Women and V50 Men took stride across this hard-packed, long and straight grass crit more suitable for equestrians than cyclists. The ladies all rode strong, brilliantly, gracefully, and consistently on each lap. Olivia, Sara, Julia & Kath all climbed the podium to make Dulwich proud. In fact they spend so much time there these days that they are beginning to take their post-race meals on the podium. Don’t be surprised if they start having Uber Eats deliveries up there. V50 men rode well and strong with Andy finishing 6th, and Simon, Joe and Mark all gaining time in their lapping.
Senior Men made the most of this course enjoying it's features to the fullest: the elevation mound, the beautiful lakeside, the woodland trail and the giant steps. Three unfortunate DNF's when a tree jumped out in front of a rider and tackled him (Alex), one reached a philosophical impasse with bike racing itself (Aidan), and one wished to God he was still in bed (Dave). James was so chilled out that he rode the entire race with his right hand in the 'hang loose' sign. Keiran "2nd at Leeds baby" Day held tight around the course with Sam and Stuart rocking it, and Andrew lapping like a wild animal on his featherweight crux finishing 7th.
And so, a warm late-heatwave autumn day out for Dulwich, powering over parched grass and dusty dirt, feels a bit like living on borrowed time for the other kind of CX weather – the grey the cold the wet the mud the snow the ice – which one rider commented was “a good leveller.”
Onward to Brighton…
This could be called 'meditation' – a field beyond thought where one is unweighted by their concerns, inhibitions, or by their respective past or future.
You can bet your ass this sure as hell didn't happen for most at East Bysshe.
A cloudless autumn day in Surrey and Dulwich rocked up in numbers. General feeling among racers was "God I really don't feel like racing today." For me, I thought I'd try racing with a cold – just for kicks – and so the envisioned meditative state quickly devolved into a kind of fortified desperate agony.
Psychological flow bottlenecked into psychological constipation.
The micro-decisions were all the same: "Should I turn the pedals again?”
The past was close behind: "What led me to this?”
The present even closer: "I don't like cyclo-cross.”
And the future looming heavily: "When the f%$! can I get off this bike."
Yet it's encouraging that whether one does well in the race, floating weightlessly between the tape masterfully shaving seconds off your run, or one doesn't do well, trundling around the course as if it were an 11k Audax, it's always good to have done it – there is data to be gathered and learned from.
And so alas, the race is on.
V40's were led by the Aussie with the unshakable positivity (Dylan) coursing consistently in a tough field of some powerful racers. Mick timed faster on every lap, and Magnus leaped 12 positions from his gridding to catch up with Mick and create a nice Dulwich blockade at the finish. Aaron held fort around the course while I kept an eye on things from the back.
Next, All Women and V50 Men took stride across this hard-packed, long and straight grass crit more suitable for equestrians than cyclists. The ladies all rode strong, brilliantly, gracefully, and consistently on each lap. Olivia, Sara, Julia & Kath all climbed the podium to make Dulwich proud. In fact they spend so much time there these days that they are beginning to take their post-race meals on the podium. Don’t be surprised if they start having Uber Eats deliveries up there. V50 men rode well and strong with Andy finishing 6th, and Simon, Joe and Mark all gaining time in their lapping.
Senior Men made the most of this course enjoying it's features to the fullest: the elevation mound, the beautiful lakeside, the woodland trail and the giant steps. Three unfortunate DNF's when a tree jumped out in front of a rider and tackled him (Alex), one reached a philosophical impasse with bike racing itself (Aidan), and one wished to God he was still in bed (Dave). James was so chilled out that he rode the entire race with his right hand in the 'hang loose' sign. Keiran "2nd at Leeds baby" Day held tight around the course with Sam and Stuart rocking it, and Andrew lapping like a wild animal on his featherweight crux finishing 7th.
And so, a warm late-heatwave autumn day out for Dulwich, powering over parched grass and dusty dirt, feels a bit like living on borrowed time for the other kind of CX weather – the grey the cold the wet the mud the snow the ice – which one rider commented was “a good leveller.”
Onward to Brighton…