EKCX Round 2 Race Report – Dover
Oct 14, 2020 7:02:40 GMT
Joe R Booth, David Joss Buckley, and 5 more like this
Post by Dax Rossetti on Oct 14, 2020 7:02:40 GMT
On Sunday October 11th 2020 AD, Dulwich journeyed to Kentish Europe for round 2 of the East Kent CX season. The grounds of Astor College, Dover, are not technically in Europe but it did take ages to get there, the weather was nice, and you could see France from the M20 so quite European.
Racing in the age of 'Rona: Riding bikes as fast as you possibly can is not a virus, but it is easy to catch if you stand long enough next to someone doing it, it's hard to sweat out of your system when you get a taste for it, and it can knock you on your ass from time to time.
East Kent CX hosted a highly controlled event with military precision, presenting a responsible and safe race in the current climate. There were comms and organisers on the ground who were quick to tell you off and keep you in line. One could only respond like a good boy with a "yes ma'am" and "yes sir." Spectators were few, mostly young parents shouting at their weeping children. Racers were directed straight from the finish line of their race along a one-way system to exit the grounds immediately. The tightly organised environment at times felt a bit like a livestock auction, or a dog show. Well, at the end of the day I guess we are animals. And wild ones, when we put on skinsuits.
THE RACE
Fully recovered from the gruelling Gorrick 3-hour MTB race, and kicking the door down on his 50's, Dylan Bexley stormed to 1st place as new-kid-on-the-block in the V50 category.
Coach Charles Codrington, hot off of logging 400-mile off-road weeks last summer, made an impressive top ten finish as well. Apparently he rode every legal and illegal stretch of non-paved path in England and France, and when he reached the end, he turned around and rode back. According to experts he's also been propping up SRAM's 2nd and 3rd quarter earnings in replacing his drivetrain components this year.
In the combined Women's category, Caroline Reuter made a podium finish after a tussle with a stake and some tape which had her doing a tuck-and-roll over the handlebars. The crash made her left shifter decide to turn and stare intensely at the right shifter. I was gridded near last in the V40 men and spent the race picking off riders, which was great for the ego. Young Milo Summers from Herne Hill Youth also finished his first race as a new Dulwich member.
Senior men blasted out of the gate fast and furious. Matt Sumpton was climbing like a man possessed on a skinny-tyred XC bike. Dave Rees, despite obviously not feeling great still finished 11th. A testament to the guy's excellent standards. Stuart Lynn was riding strong and looking good on his new Scott CX bike with just about the coolest oil-slick finish (get a look at it) and the new No-pinz CX skinsuit. Good to see him back after snapping his chainstay like a Christmas cracker.
One gets the sense that in the age of 'Rona, and the post-Covid near future, that East Kent CX is a steady survivor. In an uncertain time they've given us a chance to grab it while we can. And being nestled in the beautiful North Downs with the fresh sea air in your lungs is not a bad setting to spend time in anaerobic zones 5-6. Onward to Northbourne Park!
"Don't the White Cliffs of Dover look so lovely from here in Normandy? Wait, who is that nutter on top of the cliff running with a bike on their shoulder?"
Racing in the age of 'Rona: Riding bikes as fast as you possibly can is not a virus, but it is easy to catch if you stand long enough next to someone doing it, it's hard to sweat out of your system when you get a taste for it, and it can knock you on your ass from time to time.
East Kent CX hosted a highly controlled event with military precision, presenting a responsible and safe race in the current climate. There were comms and organisers on the ground who were quick to tell you off and keep you in line. One could only respond like a good boy with a "yes ma'am" and "yes sir." Spectators were few, mostly young parents shouting at their weeping children. Racers were directed straight from the finish line of their race along a one-way system to exit the grounds immediately. The tightly organised environment at times felt a bit like a livestock auction, or a dog show. Well, at the end of the day I guess we are animals. And wild ones, when we put on skinsuits.
THE RACE
Fully recovered from the gruelling Gorrick 3-hour MTB race, and kicking the door down on his 50's, Dylan Bexley stormed to 1st place as new-kid-on-the-block in the V50 category.
Coach Charles Codrington, hot off of logging 400-mile off-road weeks last summer, made an impressive top ten finish as well. Apparently he rode every legal and illegal stretch of non-paved path in England and France, and when he reached the end, he turned around and rode back. According to experts he's also been propping up SRAM's 2nd and 3rd quarter earnings in replacing his drivetrain components this year.
In the combined Women's category, Caroline Reuter made a podium finish after a tussle with a stake and some tape which had her doing a tuck-and-roll over the handlebars. The crash made her left shifter decide to turn and stare intensely at the right shifter. I was gridded near last in the V40 men and spent the race picking off riders, which was great for the ego. Young Milo Summers from Herne Hill Youth also finished his first race as a new Dulwich member.
Senior men blasted out of the gate fast and furious. Matt Sumpton was climbing like a man possessed on a skinny-tyred XC bike. Dave Rees, despite obviously not feeling great still finished 11th. A testament to the guy's excellent standards. Stuart Lynn was riding strong and looking good on his new Scott CX bike with just about the coolest oil-slick finish (get a look at it) and the new No-pinz CX skinsuit. Good to see him back after snapping his chainstay like a Christmas cracker.
One gets the sense that in the age of 'Rona, and the post-Covid near future, that East Kent CX is a steady survivor. In an uncertain time they've given us a chance to grab it while we can. And being nestled in the beautiful North Downs with the fresh sea air in your lungs is not a bad setting to spend time in anaerobic zones 5-6. Onward to Northbourne Park!
"Don't the White Cliffs of Dover look so lovely from here in Normandy? Wait, who is that nutter on top of the cliff running with a bike on their shoulder?"