In only his second full Cyclocross season, our man Nick came on leaps and bounds and is now having a well-earned rest after finishing his season in Keynsham at the Western League finale. Here is a Nick-eyed view of the season just gone:
2018/19 Southwest Cyclo-cross League
The 2018/19 season was all set to be a good one down here in the Southwest of England, with 10 good rounds scheduled and a few new venues. It started at Powderham Castle – a lovely new venue and a great course around the grounds of a country estate. Powderham was fast and dry – a theme that continued way into October: I think I road file threads at all the South West rounds until the regional champs in December. I rode limus tyres for the champs, but even then the rain didn’t continue and we went back to grifos for the January races. The new venues at Dunster Castle, Bishops School and the Wadebridge Showground were all great I picked up podiums at all 3, which put me in the top 2 in league. Unfortunately, at the first National Trophy in Derby I picked up a cold that turned nasty and I had to miss some races, looking back I think I overdid it a bit whilst trying to train hard for the Masters Worlds and race at the same time. “My time will come when the mud arrives” I kept thinking but it never came, not in my league anyway, but luckily we did have some wet Trophies and Western League events. The league had several cancellations which was unfortunate – in fact there was only two rounds in November, December and January which meant I travelled a fair bit around the country – all good for experience. The last round in Paignton was again a grifo day and my legs were shot to bits. I ended up losing my 2nd place in the league – I was happy to come 3rd overall but also a little disappointed. I would like to thank Scott and Lydia for having me on board Magspeed and I am so looking forward to next season #teamorange #crossisdone