Five riders, plus one second claim member, rode the second round of the summer cyclocross at the New Forest Outdoor Learning Centre on Wednesday evening.

The second round was the same as the previous week: fast, flowing, bumpy and no dismounts.

Emma and Catherine were both raring to go in the women’s race, lining up on the front row. Both women had a good start, with Emma leading the pack into the first corner. Unfortunately it took Emma a whole lap to remember how to corner after he recent lack of riding but she managed to keep the lead pair in her sights to come back on laps 2 and 3. Catherine spent much of the race out on her own but did well to keep pushing, despite the heat, for some very consistent lap times amd q very respectable 9th place. Emma had a tough race on at the front for 1st and 2nd and managed to hold on until the final half lap, finishing 2nd.

Jay got off to a good start in the men’s race riding off with the front pack. Joe and Matt only just made it to the start line in time though so were having to fight their way up from the back row. Jay looked strong holding his position in the top 5 throughout the race to finish 5th. Joe lost time on the first lap after his start but his lap times improved as the race spread out and some good riding pulled him up to 19th. Matt rode consistently throughout but said he struggled mid race. A flying final lap though pulled him up into 40th.

Overall a fantastic evening of fun, friendly racing. Round 3 is on Wednesday 21st if anyone wants to come along to see what it’s all about. Racing then resumes in August if anyone wants to give it a go. The races are very relaxed and friendly, a great chance to give cyclocross a go.Sam Dorkings (Senior), who is a second claim member, finished in 43rd of 54 riders. The heat made racing tough and the ground, as before, is like corrugated iron.