Last Hurrah of the Cyclocross Season
So that's all folks! the 2010 season is done and dusted, and the last race of the season being the 2010 Cross Champs Sun past which had been postponed from the start of Dec due to the snow.

Being that I usually finish my season on Mull and training is all geared round this having to lift it again towards the end of Jan was going to be a task and a half, this and being laid low with flu for 6 days from the 1st Jan did not help either. I can usually get my self into good shape for racing as long as I have a bit of base behind me in about 3 weeks, after the illness I was a week behind but threw the positive on that I had a great bit of enforced rest :)

Heading towards the Scottish Champs I managed to get in a good few efforts on the road, Mtb and rollers but being honest the fitness was not where I wanted to be going into a major race lie this but had to roll with it.

On race day I felt good and traveled down to Irvine and looked forward to riding in the sand trap once more :) Warming up gave me a feeling that the legs had no ping so was going to just see how I felt on the first lap and go with the moves if I could. The race started well with me getting the holeshot but up the run I got passed by Davie Lines and Ross Creber, I latched on the them and hoped I could stay but after a few laps I got distanced and James Fraser Moodie caught me. This is where the race started for the bronze medal.


After a few attacks by both of us it became apparent that we were both on the limit so it was going to be a drag to the finish for the last podium place, second last lap and with our hard racing I had noticed that Greg Walker had been plugging away and was coming up to us. James made a break for it and I kept him in sight hoping the legs would have a lap left in em, just before the sand trap there had been a tricky corner with a hole to one side this is where James slipped and fell leaving the way for me to push on.


The Bell lap and I managed to keep Greg Walker behind collecting a bronze medal at the Scottish Champs for the second year in a row :) On reflection I would say it was a fair result for me looking at my build up, I think if I had not lost the week at the start of Jan I may have been nearer the front but think I still would have got bronze. Well done to Ross on his win and Davie on another solid silver like last year :) would have loved to have seen my best bud Davie win it after some strong performances towards the end of the season, 2011 is yours Davie if it is not mine ;)

1.Ross Creber - Premier MetalTek
2.David Lines - Endura Racing
3.Craig Hardie- Hardie-Bikes.com

So that's me on the off season for a while now and all that's left is a few thanks :)
To my Wife and Daughter who put up with me :) My Mum & Dad for looking to the shop while I am away at times.

A big thanks to all the Scottish Cyclocross Committee for putting in all the hard work getting the races going and the organisers with all their volunteers who put the hard work in running the races on the day.
Till next (this) season thanks everyone for making it a great season :)

Craig.

Photos from Marty and Gammyknee :) more @ Scottish Cyclocross Flickr Group

Back on it
So leading on from my first run on the Moont in frosty but generally good conditions we had another dump of snow over the Friday to Sat, this scuppered any plans for the first Cafe road run of 2011 and the first since mid Nov!

As I was trying to get back at on it the Spike front tyre was back on the 29er for a Sunday run :)
Sunday dawned icy icy, anyway spike on and off for 2hrs which was a great work out, once home got some some food then cooked myself on the rollers for an hr.
So far this week have managed another two good roller sesh's and with the comutte back and forward to the work the legs are coming on nice and dandy :)

Looking for a good solid weekend of riding then it is taper down for the Scottish Cyclocross Champs on the 23rd @ Irvine beach park, BRING ON THE SAND!!!

Snow Commuting and Postponements
After the bit of snow at last weekends Cyclocross @ Kings park it dumped big style across the central region of Scotland and Fife got hit big style! I have lived all my life here and have never seen as much of the white stuff. This is not a prob for me as getting up to Hardie-Bikes is not a problem on the big 29er wheels :)

The problem was going to be for getting to Irvine for this weekends Scottish Cyclocross Championships, reading up on the stuff coming out of the west the snow was not bad at all and the race would be on. This would be fine if everyone could get to the venue and the decision was taken on Friday to postpone the race which is gutting for the organisers Walkers cycling and Neil Walker :(
Hopefully we can get the champs run this year but dates are running out so fingers crossed.
This week was meant to be the build up to the champs but after the news I was back into training mode just turning over the legs either on the rollers or up to the shop on the 29er in the snow.

A wee vid of me getting the miles in on the white stuff below:

Fordell Descent from Hardie-Bikes on Vimeo.

Great fun but well tiring, good all body workout for the cross with a bit of on and off and moving about in half melted snow, like riding in sand!

So onto the next weekend and I'll be @ Mull for Cross at the Castle featuring the last two rounds of the Scottish Cyclocross series where I have a good lead in at the moment :) Will be looking to finish off with a flurry and not the SNOW type LOL!

More info at www.scottishcyclocross.org.uk

League tables up to Mull @ 2010 Scottish Cyclocross Tables