UCI World Masters MTB Champs, Pra-Loup, France - 19th August 2007

Finally getting the report done, here goes!

DKS, Dave and I headed for the French alps, about 160km north of Nice airport. After a brief stop in the medieval village of ??, we headed over the ???m pass of ???, amazing road, didn’t have the nerve to go the wrong way up the one way tunnels!! A nice descent through the ??? gorge and we arrived in Pra-Loup @ 1600mtrs. To my surprise, the place was PACKED. We fist checked into or Apt, not too bad, 2 dbl bedrooms and an amazing view. After signing on in race HQ, we got the gear on for a quick lap of the course.

The course consisted of 1km of flat grass & fireroad, 2.5km fast singletrack descent, followed by a 2km savage climb back to the start/finish. Didn’t really suit me as I usually prefer the more technical courses. But we all agreed it was good fun. A nice dinner in ‘Restaurente Penguini’ and off to bed for an early one.

We awoke Saturday to beaming sunshine. As this was the DHers day, we decided to get 2 laps of the XC course in, and chill out in the afternoon and cheer on the Irish DH riders. The laps went well, course was getting very rough though, washboard and dust! We made it in time to watch the last few DHers come down, the highlight of the day was Glynn O’Brien taking silver in the DH, ‘What about ya’. More ‘Restaurente Penguini’ and back to the apt for a quick game of scrabble.

Sunday, Race day!! Our race was due to start at 12, but we awoke early to cheer on Peter Bug in the 45 – 49 cat. Peter was riding well in 2nd spot, but a freek technical issue pushed him back to 6th, still, a good result. Back to the apt for race prep, and back to the course for warm up and gridding. The start area was abuzz with riders from all over the world, all looking like total pros, GULP. DKS and I were gridded on the front row, perfect! A good start was needed as there was a singletrack descent right after the start. BANG, off we go, I got a great start, 2nd down the dodgy steps, 2nd into the descent. Not too good for DKS, 5mtrs after the start a guy crashed in front of him causing a missive pileup, and Daves bike was at the bottom! Bent mech and last down the steps, the worst possible start. Meanwhile, I was settling into race pace and let riders pass when needed. By the end of the first lap, I was comfortable in the top 20, going well. I held this position pretty much event free until the end of the race, 21st overall, not too bad at all! DKS did not fare so well, major traffic and a bent hanger left him struggling, eventually pulled at the end of lap 3 and a mid 70s result.

Steep climbs amde the going tough!

Next was Daves race (30 -> 34), again a good grid position helped his start, and he rode well to climb from mid 40s to mid 30s by the end of the race, getting stronger towards the end, a good ride. James McCluskey had a great ride to grab 7th place, nice one.

Another 2 days of amazing alpine trails and Cot D’Azur beeches rounded off a great trip. Next up, Irish Marathon Champs and the then back to France for the Roc d’Azur.

Dave in the granny

Images
Race Images - http://picasaweb.google.com/joemccall/World_masters_champs02
Spin Images - http://picasaweb.google.com/joemccall/PraLoup2007

Movies
My start - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWgwPbR0xec
My start # 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0DEH7ehpUI
Steep climb!!! - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFR4nYMOx8g

UCI Master World Champs Preview

Preparation is going well for the UCI Master World Champs in Pra-Loup, France. I am really looking forward to this event, as its been a long time since I have raced a world class XCO event. I will be competing in the 35-39 category (I'm only 34, but its the year of my 35th birthday), and I am hoping for a top 20% result.I am traveling with Dave Gill and David King Smith, both very experienced MTB races.

PraLoup is in the Frence Alps, about 2 hours from Nice, and the elevation is at 1600 mtrs, so the weather may be changable!

There will be a few Irish there, so we should also have a good laugh. We are staying on for an extra couple of days to get in some alpine riding, chillout time!

Good luck to ex team mate, Peter Buggle, who is going for the win in the 45 -49 category. Peter has been rinding full time this year in preparation for this race, so things look good!

Irish National Championships, Newcastle, Co. Down – Sun 22nd July 2007

This was the big race, the Nationals! This was the one that I HAD to win this year. I had been racing since the start of march, and I was feeling tired going into the race.
2 laps on Saturday revealed a mixed course. The whole climb was a fast fireroad, all big ring. This would suit me well, being a big guy and all! The descent back to the finish was a mixed bag, technical and off camber for the first half, fast and flowy for the second half. The rain we have had for the last 8 weeks finally stayed away for race week, leaving a drying course with some slippy sections to keep it interested/dangerous.
My main rivals were all there, Peter O’Farrel, looking fit from his adventure racing, a recovered Gordon Lucas, and ex world cup elites Craig Brady and Don Travers making a return to racing.
Race day, and from the gun I took the lead, I had a good gap going into the descent only to be held up by a load of experts!! A couple of falls, and a burped tyre were cause for concern, but I soldiered on. I caught the Yvain Sogno (lead expert + 1 min) by the end of lap 2, and we stayed together until the last lap when I put the hammer down on the descent.
All in all, an easy win. Congrats to Peter in 2nd and Niall Q in 3rd, great racing there.
Also, well done to Elite winner Robin Seymour, his 15th straight title! Robin was in a class of his won, taking the win from Niall Davis and Irish # 2 roadman Roger Aiken.
I am very happy to retain my title, as it was the # 1 goal for the year. Now I can concentrate on the Maters Worlds in France in August, cant wait.

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Giving it loads on the fireroad climb

Tech descents ruled the course!

Another tech drop!

Olympic hopefuls, Robin and Niall, battle it out!

NPS # 7 (final), Tymon Park, Co. Dublin – Sun 8th July 2007

Well, the first non-shlompy race in a while. Wow, what a course, pancake flat (apart from one hump), but probably 80% singletrack, this race was fast, fast, fast, suited me down to the ground. I got a great start, into the singletrack second behind Team WORC rider Dave Gill. I pulled away from everyone during the race, I really was flying. The course was so good, tight singletrack, slippy corners, real fast.
I took the win easily, catching all the experts (+1) min, and up to 4th in the Elites (+3 mins). I’m very happy with that considering the nature of the course. The win secured the overall win in the NPS, winning 5 out of 5!
We also took part in the Team Relay on the Saturday. Team Rocky Mountain consisted of Myself, Mark and Padzer,. Great fun, and 5th overall was a nice bonus.
Well done to the IMBRC for putting on an excellent show. Dave Barry designed an excellent course, and he promises more for next year, cant wait!
I will be hoping to retain my XC Masters title in the Nationals Champs next weekend. The race is been held in the excellent venue of Tullymore Park in Co. Down.

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The tight, flat course provided great racing

IMBRC rider and race director, Dave Barry, took 3rd in the race and 2nd overall (expert category)

Overall Expert winner, Yvain Sogno, is tracked by race winner Philip Roche

Ryan Sherlock took the overall win in the Elite category

NPS # 6, Douce Woods, Co. Wicklow – Sun 1st July 2007

This should have been the most amazing course, but 6 weeks of almost persistent rain turned the incredible trails in a muddy mess! Now, it wasn’t that bad, but there were some very tricky bits. I think the last time I finished a race that muddy was Ballyduff in 1991!!!
I got the holeshot into the first singletrack (again), and had about 15 seconds at the end of the first descent! I increased the lead throughout the race too. I caught all the experts (+3 mins), but none of the elites (+7 mins), maybe next time!
The new element, in only its second race, got well hammered. A dip in the river on lap 2 and 3 was needed to clean up the drivetrain and keep things smooth. Its gagging to be raced on a fast dry course. My closest rivals did not get results today, Damo was running the event, Peter O was off doing an outdoor challenge event, and Gordon L failed to finish. This result has moved me into 1st overall in the league, only one race left, so it should be a nail biter.
Well done to all of the Epic team for putting on a great show in difficult conditions.The last round of the NPS is next weeknd, 8th July in a flat prk in the Dublin suburbs. It should be very fast, flat 7km circuit with 80% singletrack! Get the hardtail out?

The steep climb back to the finish, hard in the mud!

Some of the trails held up real well

While others were almost unrideable!

NPS # 6 preview

I am really looking forward to this event. Organized by the EPIC team, and in a dream location, this should prove a great penultimate NPS test for all the series contenders. Hope the course dries out so I can get the best out of the Element race bike!

Update from Canada - Test of Metal, Squamish BC Canada - Sat 16th May 2007

Update from Kevin Calhoun, Team Lead. The ‘Test of Metal’ race is one of Canada largest and most prestigious races.
I am very happy with this result (5th). Its been a long time coming, let me tell you. I think I needed that to get my morale back. Its funny to read the race reports… that never tell the whole story. I was in the lead for more than half the race with Neal and Ryan up until this monster climb known as 9 mile. Pretty much 9 miles straight up. It’s a crusher… I held on as long as possible, but that wasn’t enough. Then as I was about 10 mins from the line. Dre and Freddy passed me while I was starting to fade a little and ultimately that’s how it ended up. I don’t know how many times I race I get called Dre… go Dre… that’s all I ever here… I should ride around with a big stick, I am not Dre on it… ah well, there are worse people in the world to be called right? Besides, this way I can ride around in mystery and no one knows who I am. I like that angle better anyways….
But yeah, back to the race, it was very good. Tough conditions, pissed rain the entire time and made for a soupy mess of an already tough course. Good conditions for me actually…. Bike rode beautifully under me the entire time. I chose the right tires for battle too. I went with some heavier compound tubeless tires that rode all winter so I knew how they would handle the mud. Heavier yes… but they never flat.
When I look at the results, all the guys who beat me race full time with 100% national or provincial team funding…. They’re only job is bike riding/racing. So outside of that for a working stiff like me, I was pretty happy with the result. My goal was going into the race was top 5 and I achieved that, so I would have to call it a success.
As far as the form coming back… yes! I made some pretty serious changes to my bike set up over the winter and it was not working for me at all this year. I had no leg power, bad cramping and severe knee pain. I decided to take some measurements off of some older bikes of mine and noticed my saddle height was a full half inch lower on my mtb this year vs last. I changed back to my old shoes too in my old cleat position and it makes all the difference in the world. As the saying goes, if it aint broke, don’t fix it….
http://www.testofmetal.com/

Kevin takes on feed in the 'Test of Metal'

NPS # 5, Killaloe, Co. Limerick – Sat 16th May 2007

Once in a while, everyone has a bad day, today was my bad day! What looked like a super course, turned to shlomp with the previous days rain. A hard climb, straight up, and a long singletrack descent all the way back to the finish. Taylor mad for me, not in the mud! For some reason I never perform in the super muddy conditions.
Anyway, a mass start for all the main races meant a front row position was essential! I got a good start, and I was leading by half way down the first descent. However, super-elite Ryan passed me and I was never able to claw him back. To make things worse, I was passed on the third lap by another Master, Peter O! Unfortunately for him, a puncture sent him back to third by the end.
I fumbled my way through the remaining laps, taking the Masters win in very unspectacular fashion! I really should have been about 5 mins quicker!
I really have to sharpen up for the next NPS, only 2 weeks away on an amazing course in Douce woods in Wicklow, really looking forward to that! The new Element team should really shine there.
Got to mention Rocky Mountain stagiaire Philip Roche, a class young rider. Phil binned himself on the second lap and had to stop for 4 mins, but a determined fight got him back to second in the expert category, overtaking his teammate, Rich, on the last descent, see pics below, class!!!!!

Nice view

Mud, mud, mud!

Phil does the impossipass on the last descent!

New Race bike – Element Team

I took the new full-sus race bike out for a spin last night. The new bike has full XTR and full race suspension, so it performed like a true race machine. On the technical trails around Powerscourt waterfall, the bike did not put a wheel wrong, and climbing was also a joy with the Fox pro-pedal system and the new super-rigid oversized rear end.
Looking forward to racing it in this weekends NPS # 5.

Mark was also on his new totally custom Element. Scandium downtube, mega shappedm etc, a real nice machine!

The new bike

Oversize everything!

Marks new totally custom dream race machine!

Wicklow 200, Co. Wicklow/Dublin – Sun 11 June 2007

WOW, what a day. The weather was incredible, wall-to-wall sunshine, 1200 riders, 3000mtrs of climbing and 200kms of stunning scenery in the Wicklow and Dublin hills. Mark, Paddy and I rode as part of a larger group, and took it easy on the challenging route. Riders of all shapes and sizes attempt this challenge, and it always amazes that some of them make it at all, fairs dues!
Special mention to Brandan, Ian and Eric from our group, they rode very well to complete the challenge. This was by far the longest and toughest spin that Ian has ever done, and Brendan mentioned that this was the quickest he has completed the event. Eirc had a tougher time, but continued on to complete in ~ 12 hours, savage!
I completed the course on my Vertex MTB with 700c Mavic Speedcity wheels, kinda cool huh? Mark was on his brand new RM solo team, all new, full rear carbon end, very nice.Along the way I chatted to Joe Barr (former road pro), Martin Earley (former road pro, TDF stage winner), but the highlight of the day was the sprint finish with legend Sean Kelly, hes still got it ya know!

2 cycling legends, and Phil Cassidy!

Brendan drops Mark on one of the many steep climbs

Mark negotiates Sleive Mann

MTB spin, Co. Wicklow/Dublin – Sun 20 May 2007

I decided to take a break from racing and miss the NPS # 4 race in Larne. Instead, I went on a 5 hour MTB spin in the Wicklow & Dublin hills. Dry trails and blue skies were the order of the day. Great riding, well done to all who attended, Craig, Philip R, Gar, Niall Q, James and teammate Mark. Good to get out on the bike again after all the racing. I was riding well, easily out of the river in Knockree In middle 1st, my goal is big 2nd by the time the worlds come around!!! There is a break from racing for a few weeks. I will do the Wicklow 200 touring event on June 10th (200km, I’ll do it on the Vertex), then NPS # 5 in Limerick the following weekend. Looking forward to it.

View to Lugagla.

NPS # 3, Carlingford, Co. Wicklow – Sun 13th May 2007

Back to Calringford for NPS # 3, venue for the K Capital Cup # 3 race a few weeks ago. I love this place, mega singletracks and incredible views. The weather turned this week, so there was potential for a slidery course. I swapped my 1.9” WTB tires for 2.3” monsters, just in case.
And WOW, what a choice. The course was different to the KCC#3 race, but still included the main ST to the bottom of the course. The tyres were soooo good, low pressure and mega grip, only 1 dab in the WHOLE race.
I was on great form, started well, dropped all the other Masters straight away, and caught and passed all the Experts (+1 min) by 2/3 way around the 2st lap.
I also caught and passed up to the 2nd Elite, so I was happy with that too! Gordon L was 2nd again, and he takes the overall. Former Elite John Mason was 3rd, just piping the excellent Dave Gill. Dave suffered with an irregular heart beat in the race, and 2nd would have been easy for him if it was not for this, well, next race maybe.
I am 2nd overall in the league now, with a race in hand, so all looks good.

Nice, technical course

Gordon Lucas leads the Master men overall

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NPS # 2, Ballinastoe, Co. Wicklow – Sun 6th May 2007

I took a break from racing last weekend and decided to miss the first round of the NPS. Best 5 out of 7 so I can drop a couple of rounds. I have also decided not to bump up to Elites. There will be very few Elites racing in the NPS this year, as they will all be away racing and trying to qualify for the Olympics. Instead, I have decided to stay in the very competitive Masters category, with the rest of the ol’ lads.
Round 2 is in nearby Ballinstoe woods, a venue I have been racing at since 1993! The course was very short, very dry, and very fast. Only 5 laps for the Masters, so it would be a short race.
I took it easy from the start, but got the holeshot into the first descent (‘RailBlazer’, built By Craig and I about 7 years ago, still amazing!). The rest of the Masters followed, but I had a good gap at the end of the descent, so I pushed hard to maintain the gap.
I increased the gap until the start of the 4th lap, I binned myself on a slow trail when I caught my pedal in a stump. I received large impact to my left knee, and I could barely turn the pedals on the main climb, middle X 1 vs big 4th for the other laps….ohhhh the pain!
I recovered and continued on the race, taking it a bit easier. I won comfortable, have a good dice with a couple of the experts. My main rival, Peter O’Farrell, snapped his rear mech hanger, so he was out. Well done to Gordon Lucas of Team WORC for taking an excellent 2nd place, Damo Mulcron took 3rd.

Flying through the BungHole, no damaged knee yet!

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Update from Canada

Just a quick update from the mother ship in Canada. Kevin Calhoun (Team manager and Rocky Sales Guy) sent some pics from a recent race and a recent trip to Mt. Tam.
Looks like the guys over there suffer with the mud too!

Mud, glorious mud

The main man, Kevin overlooking the Pacific

Gerry Brannigan Memorial Randonee - Sun 29th April 2007

Organized by Orwell wheels, myself, Mark, Phil Roche and Marks buddy Ian took part in the 120km randonee though the hills of Wicklow. Very nice day, excellent weather, and 120km in the hills was a nice days training.
I rode the course on my Vertex with Mavic Speedcity wheels, 700c with discs, very cool

K Capital Cup Round 4, Castlewellan, Co. Down - 22th April 2007

WOW, what a race. The course was as good as it gets, tonnes of single track, steep climbs, fast, dusty, the way it is supposed to be.
I entered the final round of the K Capital Cup series with the leaders jersey, and I only need to finish ahead of Damian Mulcroon to take the overall lead. This course was bound to suit me, and I went off hard from the start to enter the singletrack in first place.
I held on to the lead for the rest of the race, and Damien did get close in the early laps, but dropped back at the half way point, only to retire due to tyre problems.
I, however, was in my element! The bike was incredible, all 100% right. This allowed me to really push on the descents, increasing my lead out to 4 minutes to second place by the end of the race.
A great day, a great result, and the overall too. Very happy with that.
Next is the NPS, I am going to skip the first round, but I’ll make the rest. I hope to make the jump to the elite class (again), a lot harder, but it will bring on my form rapidly!
A word of thanks to all the organizers of the K Capital Cup, Robin, Dave, Geoff, Andy, Robbie, etc…..a great series that you should be very proud of.

Mega dust

Nice overall trophy

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Andy Potts

Man V Bike - 3 rock, Dublin - 11 April 2007

This is the second year the Man V Bike challenge was held, and another good turnout guaranteed some excellent racing. The race format sets riders and hill runners off together on a very technical course, starting at the foot of the mountain, finishing at the top, with a couple of descents thrown in.

The start was only a short cycle from my home, a good warm up! I singed on, chatted to a few biking buddies, and prepared for the start.
I got a great start, 3rd place starting the 1st climb. Soon I was passed by the first runner, he flew by on the steep, rough descent. I traded places with the top 3 runners throughout the race, until the last descent to the finish, when I passed them all to take 3rd overall.
Niall Davis and Peter Buggle filled the top 2 spots. Well done to all, and the event raised some good monies for charity.

Not far from the finish, I pass the leading runner

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New Race bike – Vertex 70

The remaining parts from our sponsors arrived this week, so the bike is now 100% complete.
The new Mavic SLR wheels are a stunning piece of jewelry, and very light too! The new WTB UST tyres are mounted to these, good supporting side knobs and a fast centre ridge that should also supply good grip for climbing/braking.
The new WTB saddle is v comfortable and light, my first departure from a flite in 10 years!!!!
The Race Face seatpost, bars and stem are also very good. The seatpost is by far the best I have ever used, very easy to adjust., and the stem has corrected the position issue I had, the extra 10mm makes all the difference.
I am looking forward to racing it in the final round of the Kcapitalcup at the end of april. Meanwhile, I will test the bike out of the fast drying Dublin and Wickow trails……

The new machine.......

K Capital Cup Round 3, Carlingford, Co. Louth – 1st Aprli 2007

Not such a good race this time around. The VERY technical course should have suited me very well, but being less fit and a good bit heavier resulted in me getting bashed around, rather than being light and fast on the bike!
I got a great start, getting the holeshot into the first singletrack. Unfortunately for Damien Mulcrone, he snapped his chain at the end of lap one, putting him out of contention. Towards the end of lap two, I had about 50 seconds on second place, until a gust of wind blew a load of tape into both wheels….I had to stop and pull it all out! Second place Peter O caught sight of me here, and he slowly reeled me in to eventually pass me on the penultimate lap. I could not respond, my kidneys aching from the pounding!
Not a total disaster as I still have the leaders jersey. The last round at the end of April will be a classic, the Casltewellen course is excellent, and it really suits me.
My Team mate, Paddy Daly, took 11th in the Elite race, he suffered a bit, but got the result.
Niall Davis again took the Elite race from Robin Seymour, with young Conor McConvey again taking third.

You can see the tape in my front and rear wheels

Nice View

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K Capital Cup Round 2, Rostrevor, Co. Down - 25th March 2007

I had a good race in the KCC # 2 at the weekend. Great course (a little short @ 4km, 18min/lap for me), savage 1km straight up fireroad climb, followed by incredible single track, another short fireroad climb, lots more singletrack to the finish. Master and experts started together, I got a great start, I lead through on the 1st lap, and was passed on lap 2 by Peter O. I was about 20 seconds back starting the last lap, put in a hugh effort on the descent, attacked on the kicker fireroad, took the lead and the win. I now lead the overall series, and I will be sporting the KCC leaders jersey for the next round!
Niall Davis of IMBRC took the win in the Elites, Robin Seymour came in 4th after a broken chain left him playing catch-up.


I like this image, courtesy of Craig Brady photography. I am in the middle ring here, so its mid race, I big ringed it on the last 2 laps!

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K Capital Cup Round 1, Kilruddery, Co. Wicklow - 11th March 2007

The first race of the season! Very early in the year, the K Capital Cup is a four race series early season series that concludes at the end of April. I will be racing in the masters class for this series as I have very little training done.
I only got in from Gran Canaria at midnight on Saturday last night, and I was a bit tired. I also only took delivery of my new race bike, a 2007 Rocky Mountain Vertex. I had to build it up on the morning of the race too.
Kilruddery is a classic site for a XC MTB race, and as Robin Seymour designed the course, it was not one bit boring.
The course was long, 8km, and conditions proved very slippery, not helped by my stock slick tyres. I got a poor start, and I was all over the place, strugging for grip. Disaster struck on the first lap, a puncture (waiting for UST wheels/tyres to be delivered). I fixed it in ~ 3mins, used the new 'inovative products' inflator (team sponsor), great little thing. Anyway, I was now at the back of the field, and it takes me the whole race to move up through and eventually I finish 3rd, not bad all things considering. Very annoyed with my tyre choice, but we'll have that sorted for the next race.
Robin Seymour takes the win in the elites from UK rider Aidrain Lansley, very exciting stuff. Roll on round # 2. My Teammate Paddy Daly put in a solid ride to take 11th in the Elites.

Big angry head on me here, fighting back after the puncture.

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Training Trip to Gran Canaria - 3rd March 2007

Ahhh, the annual pilgrimage to our winter getaway, Gran Canaria, a volcanic island off the coast of Morocco. Leaving Irelands 4 degrees with horizontal rain to be greeted with 27 degrees and wall to wall sunshine, all I need to get motivated for the season ahead.
I rode every day, Saturday to Saturday, most days Niall Quinlan and I drove high into the hills and set out on our 4 hours spin, lots of new incredible singletrack, including Sand people, Altavista, Dos Lolitas, Pico del las Nieves, and, of course, Lord of the rings!
Back to the beech at Puerto Mogan to relax with or wives, it does not get much better than this!
We got back late on Saturday 10th, and I had to collect my new bike from Paddy for the race the next day, very exciting week really!

The islands landmark 'Rogue Nubleo' at 1800m elevation

Niall on Altravista, oh what a track!!!!!

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Santa Cruz Stata Cyclo Cross championships 2007, Watsonville, California - 14th Janurary

While I was over in California with work, I took in the 2007 Santa Cruz Stata Cyclo Cross championships. I borrowed a bike and set off with the 'A' riders. I was very jetlagged, and struggled around on the very fast, dry course (except for one shlopmy bit). Got 3rd in my race, but the numbers were very low and the competition not that good. I'm sure I would have won it without the jetlag! Anyway, good race, and thanks to the SC lads for the hospitality.

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http://ncncacxpr.blogspot.com/2007/01/santa-cruz-county-cyclocross.html

World CycloCross Championships 2007, Hooglede-Gits, Belguim - 27th -> 29th Janurary 2007

I was spectating at this race, not riding! 7 of us set out to spectate, we stayed in the beautiful Brugge, a short train trip to the race venue. We decided to watch the U23 race n the Saturday from the comfort of an Irish pub, with a large screen and some excellent Belgian beer. The next day we rose with our hangovers, onto the train with the 30,000 other spectators and headed for the venue. We existed the train onto the purpose built platform (no kidding), and squeezed our way into the course.
Amazing setup, huge beer tents full of people. We got our spot on the course 3 hours before the race, right on the tape. The main race, Elite Men, was v fast, and the Belgians were going nuts when their man won. Great to see the American in second spot.
Back to Brugge for some more excellent beers, and then flew home the next day, to recover!

Big crowds at the slippy climb

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Cyclocross National Champs 2006, Banbridge - Janurary 7th 2007

Felt good for this race. Got the new team gear the day before, and it seen its first race here. The cross champs are always competitive, and the technical course suited me. Got a great start, and was in the top 5 right frm the start. The top guys just rode away, and by mid race I was a very comfortable 4th. Then, a puncture halted my progress mid race, I limped back to the pits, got a new wheel and set out again. I was now back in 8th place, but a stong last couple of lasp got me back up to 5th, not too bad considering. A gold in the team prize topped off a great day.
Robin Seymour won from a flying Roger Aiken, with Lewis Ferguson in third.

Pudner!

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EXTX christening, Glendalough, Co. Wicklow - 17th December 2006

First day out on the new training bike, a 2007 Rocky Mountain EXTX 50. We set out from Paul Coynes house with Team WORC and rode all the way to the top Mulacor, via some excellent trails overlooking Glendalough. Next we went down then top of the Spinx and onto the miners trail, our first time to ride it! This Amazing trail leads down to the back of the upper lake in Glendalough, and the bike handled the rough sections towards the end very well.

The new X bike

Robin on the miners trail

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