Feeling Cross
Man, all this talk of cross is getting a bit hard to take. I was getting all wound up for cross, like the rest of the KMP, way before the season started. Cross in Scotland is getting big - like really big - and there is a huge following and entry at the races. Everyone is talking about it, almost as much as how they have, or haven't, got an advent calander today... And the KMP urban cross video (check it out at the bottom of the post if you haven't already) just made me wanna get cross even more! Bloody scaphoid...
The Scottish Cross season has been in full flow from since October when it kicked off on the beach in Irvine on the west coast; the 'wee man from Dalgety Bay' took that one. Some new and old venues have been visited including Knockburn Loch up in the Grampians, one of the most beautiful settings for a cross, or so I'm told. Last weekend I was chuffed cos my mate Rob '4real' Freil won the most recent round of the SCX at Meadowmill, smashing in a solo win from start to finish - I've mentioned he's hard right?
This weekend is the Scottish Championships at and old and favourite course at Auchentoshan, and organised by the Glasgow United guys and gals. It's looking like it'll be a tight race with Craig Hardie, Gareth Montgomerie, Dan Whitehead, Davie Lines, Colin May and a number of other riders looking good. 4real's not eligible to win the champs as he's off of England-shire, so he's opted out of entering at all. I might head up and watch with some of the Auchentoshan whiskey in my hip flask.
Following this weekend is the Mull weekend. On an island an hour by ferry from Oban, it's a bit of a trek to get to. However the promise of a 2 day event, a great weekend away, the last two rounds of the SCX series and the Santa Claus World Champs no less, it always gets a good crowd of riders and spectators. I'm heading over to watch this year and no doubt will join in on the Saturday night out in Tobermory...
Following this is my chance to finally race cross in 2012. On the 29th of December in Falkirk is the Christmas Cross, promoted by GJS racing. This looks to be a cracker and if I have the go ahead from the docs and I'm feeling pretty good this may be my final race for the KMP bofore moving to a new team in 2012. It would be good to go out with a bang, and I'm not talking about a puncture or a crash. Anyway, fingers crossed (no punn intended... yeah right!) that I'll be healed and ready to go on the 29th. Bring your cowbells and lets make the Chrismas Cross a classic.
For more info on Scottish Cross check out http://www.scottishcyclocross.org.uk/
Keep it rubber side down people
Rabulous