But the consolation is that the Cyclo Cross season will then begin! I’ve been singing the praises of this discipline since last winter, when I renewed my enthusiasm having contested the Eastern Region Cross League. It really is a brilliantly organised series of race meetings, mostly in Suffolk, Essex or Norfolk and catering for all ages and abilities of rider. We had about half a dozen members out at most events last year, ranging in age from 12 to 62, and finishing anywhere from 1^st to 60^th in our age categories ~ but we all enjoyed it! 

 I’m hoping we can get a significant squad of West Suffolk riders competing regularly this winter and have already had positive intentions expressed by many members.

 The main benefits I see are as follows; 

1. anyone can have a go, on a mountain bike to start , until you get a cross bike, any age, any ability
2. excellent way to get and keep fit
3. brilliant way to develop bike handling skills
4. civilised and standardised start times at venues with toilets, refreshments, etc
5. most events within easy travelling distance
6. results, with lap times, published within minutes of the finish, and published on the web
7. league table to monitor your progress
8. inexpensive

The fixture list and details of registration, venues, race formats, beginners guide and previous results are all available on the website www.easterncross.org.uk

In order to encourage and prepare members for taking part we are running a series of training sessions, where the rudiments of cross will be pointed out and a few try out laps on a small course can be tackled. These will take place on Thursdays in September, commencing on the 6^th, meeting at the clubroom at 6.30.

The first meeting of the league series is on September 11, with the second unfortunately clashing with the Tour of Britain stage starting in Bury on Saturday 17^th. There are two pre-season events: the Madison Cross on the Monday of the Mildenhall Rally, August 29^th, in which riders are paired to do alternate laps. This is normally over-subscribed, so get there in good time if you want a ride (10.30 start); the other is the Tour of the Cornfields cross-country sportive on September 4^th, but this is already over-subscribed! Meetings then follow most weekends through October and November, and continuing with gaps through to our own Inter-Club promotion on February 4.

If you are planning to join in the action please come to our training sessions and /or let me know ~ there will also be the chance of shared transport.

Give it a try ~ you’ll not regret it!