2024/5: A Cyclocross Odyssey

Congratulations to Nate and Jon Durnin for smashing the cyclocross season and putting this great report together.

Nate and Jon have done a few cyclocross races over the years and just squeaked 5 events in 2023/4, but this year we decided to commit and do all the LCXL events for the first time.

Nate is a Whizz Kid, and this season was his last in the Under 12s. Jon is a tester, and whilst average in a skinsuit and aero gubbins chasing a time in a 10 or 25 TT, is not a natural crosser. Cyclocross for the Durnin boys is about fresh air, fitness, beating the course, and hangout out with our mates at training and races.

First race was at Western Park. Nate rode well, and lots of family turned out to cheer him on in the early September sunshine. Jon had a target TT that morning, near Cambridge, and forgetting he is no longer young (but still a little stupid), decided he could do both, which he duly did…just…..learning an important lesson about recovery for at least a fortnight afterwards.

Misterton was a joy as always. Yes, it’s a WVCC event, but it’s special. Kids playing, everyone smiling (perhaps with the exception of Whizz Kid parent Paul, after asking his lad for advice at the start line…..and got an ‘on point’ if a little blunt response….which for the purposes of this article, we paraphrase to “Don’t be rubbish”).

Both Durnin boys got round. A highlight for Jon was him and fellow tester buddy Matt getting a proper lesson from Vic on every inch of ground that was not flat and gravel. Nate enjoyed the Pizza and hanging out with Rory.

Marston Lodge was the crash bandicoot round. “Eight times!” If you know, you know.

Nate started well, but binned in right in front of Jon. Chain off, handlebars bent and sense of humour failure resulted, with tail end volunteer Alex saving the day and getting Nate back on his bike.

Jon also crashed on the first lap racing Andreas, a simple case of not engaging brain. Luckily for Jon, Marston suited a tester with loads of power and much not much skill, and Durnin senior was able to catch up and sprint it out with Andreas at the finish.

Jon’s exhilaration was very quickly tempered by the need to see the medic to get all the grit scrubbed out of his leg. Another lesson learned.

Prologis Park. Race | Keep warm | Go home.

Up at 6 am hoping that it might not happen! Don’t be silly, it’s ’cross, of course it’s going to happen. Cold, wet, very muddy, both got round. Both fell off lots. Both loved it.

Grace Dieu. Same as Prologis, colder, but less binning.

Jon beginning to realise that the muddier it is, the more physics works against him. Nate is all about the hot dog and the hot chocolate, and any rumours about him having his first taste of coffee before the start are neither confirmed or denied. Again both loved it.

Corby. Better! Nate rides well, and would have ridden even better if gears were used a little more liberally. Sense of humour failure when no Belgian Waffles available after the U12s race was resolved with the promise of a trip to McDonalds the following weekend.

Aside from binning it on the last lap right in front of Nate, Clare and The Harrisons, Jon was ‘mid’ (so not sigma, but not skibidi either).

Mallory. We were all a bit scared of Mallory.

It was a tough race in 2024, so the Whizz Kids were all a bit nervous in the run up. The adverse cambers were always going to be fun, but Nate started well and was determined to finish his last U12 race on a high. Towards the end of the first lap a dropped chain meant a reassessment, but Nate finished the race and beat the course.

Jon found Mallory equally tough but had great fun battling Rocko Richard and found the brick path the easiest part of the course.

This is all well and good, but the real superstar for Team Durnin is Clare. Aside from rocking her Big Bobble Hat and helping MC Chrissy D understand what is going on, Clare provided support, reassurance, food and calm (especially when Jon lost something….this happened a lot). She has developed a tolerance of mud, muddy stuff and the unique odour of drying cross shoes, but actually really looks forward to the CX weekends.

 

Big thanks to LCXL, organisers and organising clubs, volunteers, officials and photographers for some great experiences and helping us make many memories.

Nate and Jon Durnin.

PS – Mudlarks will be pleased to know the Varmint earned his hot chocolate.

Pictures by Rich Hardwicke, Jo Kershaw, Roy Fellows, Mick Bown, Denise and John Plews and Clare.