Time for round two of the National Cyclocross Series, this was kind of like a Cyclocross stage race, two races in two days. I could get used to this very easily, in America and Europe this is just about the norm. Round two was hosted by the fine people from Dirty Deeds, at the Darebin Parklands.
A grade field lining up.
We really are starting to hit the big time, SBS's Cycling Central had a crew out filming the weekends action. I am no longer alone in my cyclocross passion, woohoo!
Officially big time!
As usual the Dirty Deeds Crew out did themselves with a course design that was even better than yesterdays. Some fantastic use of the available space and some mean course design by taking the course down next to the pond in the middle of the Darebin Parklands, probably the muddiest section of the park. Thanks for that guys.
One side of the course.
Another "Circle of Death", this is starting to become a Dirty Deeds trademark.
They also included another circle of death, this looks awesome in motion full of riders seemingly going every which way. Absolute chaos, fun chaos.
Not quite full here but it gives you the idea.
After the "Circle of Death", there was a little drop down a bank that sent you flying into a hairpin turn at 30+ km/h only to come to almost a dead stop when you hit the mud at the bottom. Then grind your way around the corner and try to accelerate for the climb up the other side only to have to get off half way up and jump a barrier. Good fun.
This section was tough to hold any speed through.
You can see from this guy's rear tyre just how far down your tyres sank.
Barrier jumping.
After this section we got a little bit of respite as we turned back down the hill and onto a section of bike path. It felt so good to get back onto a surface more appropriate to ride a bike on. Strange that.
After the bike path section they sent us back up the hill again into a tight right hand hairpin that increased in gradient as the turn decreased in radius. This was tough to stay on your bike through but paid dividends if you were able to.
Tough section to ride.
We then went down to ride beside the pond, right beside the pond, VERY SOGGY. Another tough section to ride even though we had gravity on our side to get through it.
See? Very soggy.
Going down to the pond.
Nice little puddle.
After the pond section, just for a change of pace, they sent us through another mud patch. What a surprise.
More mud, yay.
This led us into the final straight and the finish line ready for yet another lap. What an awesome course. If it wasn't so hard to ride I could have kept going for hours, top fun.
Finishing straight.
As far as my performance on the day goes, I think the less said about that the better. Not too well basically. But huge buckets of fun were had so that is the main thing, (that is exactly what all the back markers tell themselves I am sure). Basically mid field so not too bad but not the best either.
Muddy bicycle.
Thanks again to the Dirty Deeds crew for another awesome event and a fantastic start to the National Cyclocross Series.
- Brad.
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