Perth Mountain Bike Club hosted WA’s inaugural cyclocross race last Saturday. The venue was a novel one, Claremont Showgrounds and the course design showed some imagination. It took in some grass, some asphalt, drains, driveways, gutters and a couple of traditional cyclocross barriers and man-made water feature (sprinkler…). Oh and it was hot. Somewhere in the order of 34 degrees or more.
I think there was about thirty punters in the end on a smattering of actual ‘cross bikes, roadies and mountain bikes. I was amazed at how many ‘cross bikes there were actually… where do they normally get ridden? Never see them out on the trails! My ‘cross steed functions as my commuter so I was well equipped except for my slick tyres. I was pretty sure I wouldn’t be bunny-hoping the barriers like some during practice though!
A short and sharp effort would be the order of the day in C grade with fellow SPR alumni’s Scott and Morrison. Morrison was on a roadie and Fairy also gave his roadie it’s first outing since God only knows when!
First lap or so was people spreading out and getting comfortable. Morrison was up there going well but perhap finding the corners tricky on the skinny tyres. A SWCC rider was going well too. When two riders binned it before the barriers on one lap I was dirty that I wasn’t ready for it and couldn’t take full advantage. Lesson learned and I was unclipped early before the obstacles after that. It wasnt long before PMBC racer Ms McAllum went to the front. I stayed with her for a bit before sliding past and having a go out in front. Was fun for bit before I muffed getting clipped in after the short uphill pinch obstacle and Mr SWCC and Morrison passed me. Not long after another rider came through and I was cooked. I thought I might catch him again on the flat grass sections but couldn’t quite get there. As it was I was lucky to hold fourth and not get chicked by Simone who had not dropped too far back. Mr SWCC had streaked away for the win with Morrison second.
Unfortunately I wasn’t able to hang about till the other grades were completed but SPR moonlighter Uppers managed 4th in A grade (and the first on a roadie) and by all accounts appeared to have enjoyed himself!
I had a ball and I’m really hoping that PMBC use this course (or something similar) again. It’s definitely something different and a novel style of racing (at least in Oz). Mad props to Greg and Paul from PMBC for organising and running it. I hear the second and third races are on the cards but not till January and probably using the Garvey Park dirt crit course. (Which I don’t mind but prefer this Claremont layout).

Results can be found here.

I had some footage of the race but my camera was pointed too far down so it wasn’t very interesting.  FAIL.  Must try harder. However some other footage from the race organisers can be found here.

Cheers,
Dave