The last week of January and thirteen CCH members were on
their way to Belgium. Original it was hoped that all the U14s would get to ride
in a Belgium cross race, however at the last moment it became clear that the
event was for fourteen and over only (Flemish is not an easy language!). Everyone
decided still to make the trip so after the Saturday Club we all headed for the
channel.
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| Saturday Night in Ghent |
Belgium was covered in snow and it looked like during the
day there had been a fresh fall. Once we had settled in our hotel (not one we
will be returning to!) based on a good steer we headed off into Ghent to have a
meal and a wander around a small part of this historic town which looked a
picture with a covering of snow and frozen canals .
Race day arrived and the rain came! We all set off early for
the course which was in Assende about 20 minutes out of Ghent. Once we had parked up it was decided that the
weather was so bad that those not riding would go off to the coast where Gary
know of some great coastal paths they could go to and by the time they had
arrived had something to eat they were greeted by glorious sunshine for their
ride.
Andy being unwell decided not to ride so in the end Ned and
Harry paid their €5 entry fee and tried to warm up. Cyclo-Cross in Belgium is “
Veldrijden “ - Field Races and the
Assende race certainly lived up to this name.
The start was on the closed main road through the village (not something
you usually get in races in the UK) a sharp left took you into the fields,
which still had stubble from sweet corn,
you crossed ditches, rode down rutted farm tracks, thro’ a farm yard
(which had some hill made from I’m not sure what!), some of the deepest puddles
hiding large pieces of ice!
Harry was first off in the Vets 50+ race which had a small
but fiercely competitive field. Harry managed to hang on for the first lap and
half but a couple of errors leading to some heavy falls left him trailing by
the end, but he did finish (18th last rider to finish but some
didn’t) the ducking he got from the tumble into the freezing puddle that
covered him completed didn’t dampened the thrill of taking part.
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| Racing in Fields |
Ned’s race started at a frantic pace and he showed great
bike handling skills to avoid a nasty crash in the first 50M. Once the race had
settled down Ned was battling it out with one other rider who in the end pulled
out. Ned, looked to us to have, got 24th (again last to finish but
again some didn’t manage that). The
whole atmosphere of the event was certainly different to most of the UK races
we have taken part in – more like a Regional or National event what with the Tannoy, food, and of cause beer tent!.
As a first go at Cross racing in Belgium it was a good start, we now know what expect and what to look for so the younger riders get to race.
We will be there again next year!
The website for the Vlaasme Cyclo Cross Cup cabe found here
