There’s few better ways to keep or improve your fitness through the winter than to take part in cyclo-cross races. It’ll improve your bike handling skills and add a competitive element to your programme. There are plenty of opportunities for all age group and skill levels-see the links below. It’s a friendly scene and there will be lots of tea and cake once you’ve finished. A specialist cyclo-cross bike may give you a competitive edge, but a mountain bike is fine, and in some conditions may even be better. It’s good clean fun (well maybe not that clean!).

British Cycling’s guide to ‘cross can be found on:

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/cyx/cyclo_cross_about.asp

Another good independent source is:

http://www.cyclo-cross.com/

For information on Eastern Region and London League and race dates see:

http://www.easterncross.btinternet.co.uk

http://www.londonxleague.net/

Maldon and District Cycle Club regularly put on low-key events. Their races last about 15 minutes plus 1 lap for young cyclists, or 30 minutes plus one lap for seniors. See their website for details:

http://www.madcc.org.uk/index.html

Also see:

Maldon & District Cyclo-Cross Events