Cross at the Castle
Right another weekend and on the agenda this one was two Cyclo-Cross races back to back Sat/Sun on the beautiful Isle of Mull. For Sat it was chucking it down with rain for most of the race which made the going a bit soft :)), I did feel alright but still missing that snap in the legs which will need to be there quick as the Scottish Champs are this weekend.
I started quite fast off the mark leading it and then settled to forth in the race until the end when I got passed by Rab Wardell but pulled him back to contest a argy bargy sprint for the line which Rab nicked. After the race I could not feel my hands or feet which I am sure did not help my performance towards the end.

Saturday Cross at the Castle in moving pictures

Race face

Onto the Sunday my performance felt stronger although I did have a bit bother with my back which gave me problems in the closing stages of the race. So another two races under my belt and the legs are coming back, hopefully I can pull all the stops out for Sunday coming and have a fantastic performance for the Scottish Championships.


As the Scottish Series Champion of 2006 I was asked to present the trophy to the new Series Champion Paul McInally.

Tobermory High Street on Mull, Sunday Morning

Saturday Results:
S Steven McInnes Isle of Mull CC
S Hamish Creber Sandy Wallace Cycles
S Paul McInally East Kilbride Road Club
S Rab Wardell Sandy Wallace Cycles
S Craig Hardie Dunfermline
V Matt Denby Aire Valley RT
V James Melville Glasgow United
S Andy Wardman Sunnyside Sports
S Joe Wilson Sandy Wallace Cycles
V Edd Shackley Glasgow Ivy

Sunday Results:
S Hamish Creber Sandy Wallace Cycles
S Steven McInnes Isle of Mull CC
S Paul McInally East Kilbride Road Club
S Craig Hardie Dunfermline
S Andy Wardman Sunnyside Sports
S Rab Wardell Sandy Wallace Cycles
V Matt Denby Aire Valley RT
V James Melville Glasgow United
S Steve Halsall Glentress Riders/The Hub
V Alan Quinn Glasgow United

So this week it was off to the Isle of Mull for the two day Cyclo-Cross race named Cross at the Castle as it was raced around the grounds at Glengorm Castle (thanks to Tom for letting us race round such beautiful surroundings)
The two courses were superb and both set out by Mr Cyclo-Cross himelf Davie Graham, hats off to Davie as he also raced both days.
I felt good going into this weekend after feeling that the cold had totaly left my system from a week and a half ago. The First day was squally showers but quite mild for the time of year, once the race was under way I pushed on and got a lead that I kept till the end with no upsets throughout the race.
On the Sunday the weather was kicking up a storm just to make the racing that bit harder, the start was held right underneath the Castle with the rain lashing and the wind blowing it was going to be some experience this proved right as we took off. The Sunday course was a bit easier but only slightly as the weather was making it feel just as hard.
Once I got into the groove I felt good and pushed on to my second win of the weekend so was well chuffed, this second win also gave me the overall Scottish Cyclo-Cross series title for 2006.

There is only one Cyclo-Cross round left at Auchentoshen Nr Glasgow this Sunday and then it is holiday time for a well earned break.

A big thanks to all that made this weekend possible and if you did not make it this year make sure you get the date for next year and get across.
Until my next ramblings,
see ya.