My first Cyclo-cross season by Bryn Davies

I joined Towy Riders in February  2013.  I think it’s a brilliant club and I really enjoy the training sessions. I have made lots of good friends.  I broke my elbow on the track in the summer because teenagers threw a ball at the riders and I crashed. I didn’t really get into racing until the cyclo-cross season.

My favourite race was Gilwern in Abergavenny where I came 3^rd. It was very bumpy which suited me well.  My least favourite race was Carmarthen where I came 7^th because my chain fell off twice and so did I. I didn’t do so well in some races because after my crash in the summer my derailer got bent so my chain kept falling off. It’s fixed now.

The muddiest course was in Brecon as seen in the photo, which was where the Welsh Schools Championships was held the day before in which I came 8^th. Overall I came 4^th boy in the cyclo-cross league and was awarded the best new comer 2013. I have really enjoyed the cyclo-cross season.

 By Bryn Davies. 

Cyclocross 2013 - By Dani Parker

2013 is my first full season of having a go at Cyclocross! I joined towy riders last year. It was on the Saturday of the fireworks weekend. I was surprised and pleased that the coaches asked and encouraged me to compete the next day in a cyclocross race at Pembrey. I was only able to complete 2 races in 2012 that were both really exhausting but great fun!

Cyclocross 2013 for me has been an awesome experience! It’s been hard work, challenging, tiring, great fun and a little muddy (Cardiff). My favorite race of 2013 was Cwmbran, I enjoyed that it was technical in places and had a bit of everything, from riding in the woods, tackling hills, challenging bends. It was really great fun for the first race, especially as I was nervous that I would be struggling as I felt I did in 2012.

My worst race  in the series was at Carmarthen (our own club event), because I had a very silly fall that hurt my ankle and I had to wear a cast for three weeks, so couldn't do any cycling.

The most challenging race for me would be a tie between Pembrey and Cardiff. Pembrey as I did not feel well so the hills felt like mountains! Cardiff was tough as I felt like I was spinning my legs and sinking and not moving, but it was great fun to be muddy!

The most scary race for me was probably Newtown because I hadn't been able to go on the bike for weeks and had missed two Cyclecross races, I was nervous that I wouldn't do as well as I wanted, but I surprised myself and did much better than I was expecting, so I was pleased.

I enjoyed the whole season, riding with great friends and supporting each other is very important to me. I am proud that I am the under 12’s third girl of 2013! Looking forward to 2014!

Dani Parker