This year as CX season came to a premature end for us when the London League Team Champs were cancelled at the last minute by Walstead School. Looking back on the year though it’s been a much happier story. This is a story about my kids so switch off now if you’re not interested. This has a limited audience, I know.
Phoebe started the season still on crutches and in plaster after breaking her leg in the last mountain bike race. Moving up to Youth B, I really didn’t think she would get on a bike much before Christmas, let alone race. However, hard work on her part to stay fit, exercise and recover meant she was racing by the second league race of the season.
She was painfully slow on her mountain bike and her foot was in pain but she was determined to finish. And she did, 6th.
A couple of weeks later, after a gap in the race schedule, she was back. Less pain, more confident and taking 2nd. A week later she wins her first of 6 wins in the LCCA for the season which gave her the title in Youth B Girls. This was backed up with a 7th place in the National Trophy race at Cyclopark and 16th at the CX Nationals in Hetton Park.
Like many riders, (including me) Phoebe’s second half of the season was plagued with a chest infection and cold that just wouldn’t shift. Quitting though didn’t seem an option, even when there were tears and disappointment. She kept going and took an impressive win at the final race of the season in the Eastern League, starting from the very back of the grid with over 50 other riders.
Zoe kicked off her year with a win on a course she utterly loved. Stamner Park was more like a mountain bike course. Her smaller wheels made easy work of the tight turns and she took advantage of other riders falls.
Zoe had to wait a few weeks before she was on the top step again, coming second to Lee Valley rival and friend, Anna. The turning point though came at Happy Valley where Zoe was pipped at the line by a wheel’s width. This seemed to spur her on to try harder each week, knowing she was capable of winning.
Although she came 2nd at the next race at Leeds Castle, she had eyes on Cyclopark. The course is very tricky and more technical, just how she likes it. She romped away for the win, beating all the boys in the process too. After than she never lost a race and with one race to go, only 6 points behind. A win would put her equal on points. Sadly, this race was also cancelled.
With breaks in the LCCA league we travelled to Central League races, as much as anything to see new courses and race different people. At Hemel, Shuttleworth, Crossmas and Milton (Eastern) she won. Again, like her sister, starting from the back of the grid at Milton on another rough, technical course.
Success is not guaranteed and this is something I have to remind the kids of often. Of course I love seeing them win but taking part and enjoying cycling is the main objective. Cyclocross races have a special atmosphere. Although the racing is strong the fun is there too. If you can win, then great, but you need to lose with grace. That has certainly been a lesson this year. Equally, not thinking you are second best or settling for a position because it is easy than putting in an effort has been another. As I said to the kids, all I want to see is that you commit and put in an effort you are happy with. That is all you can do.
Karl Roche 
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